| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| banal |
lacking originality or liveliness; disappointingly ordinary; commonplace; trite. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| dilatory |
used to cause a delay. |
| intransigence |
refusal to alter one's ideas or position in response to the wishes of others. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| opiate |
something that induces relaxation, calm, or stupor. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| pelf |
money or wealth, usually regarded with disapproval or contempt. |
| profligate |
totally given over to immoral and shameful pursuits; dissolute. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| sanguine |
having an optimistic temperament or outlook. |