| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| adamant |
unlikely to change in response to any request or argument; firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| cavalier |
carefree and offhand; nonchalant. |
| extort |
to extract or obtain (money or the like) by force, threats, or abuse of authority. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| garrulous |
given to talking excessively. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| knurled |
having small ridges. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| maverick |
a person who thinks and behaves independently, especially one who refuses to adhere to the orthodoxy of the group to which he or she belongs. |
| pathos |
a quality in life or art that evokes pity, sadness, or compassion. |
| purvey |
to supply or provide (especially food, drink, or other provisions). |
| salacious |
excited by lust; lecherous. |