| abdicate |
to officially give up a position of power or a right. |
| abrade |
to rub away by friction; erode. |
| adulation |
extreme or excessive praise. |
| bedlam |
a situation or scene of confused disorder and uproar. |
| clinch |
to make certain or final; settle. |
| contagion |
the spreading of a disease by contact or close association. |
| fissure |
a narrow crevice or other opening, especially one caused by splitting. |
| horticulture |
the art or science of growing vegetables, flowers, fruits, or ornamental plants. |
| imperative |
very important; urgent. |
| petulance |
the state or quality of being easily or unreasonably irritated, impatient, or ill tempered. |
| pivotal |
critically important or crucial; on which something is contingent. |
| preempt |
to seize or appropriate ahead of others. |
| pseudonym |
a false name adopted by someone, especially an author, to conceal his or her identity; pen name. |
| reprieve |
to release (someone) temporarily or permanently from planned or impending punishment, pain, or difficulty. |
| reverential |
characterized by a great respect and awe, mingled with love. |