| attrition |
a gradual erosion of strength or morale. |
| cognate |
having a common origin, as languages. |
| composite |
made up of several parts. |
| connotation |
a secondary meaning or implication of a word or expression, in addition to its primary meaning. |
| deleterious |
harmful or injurious, as to health. |
| embellish |
to improve by, or as though by, decorations; decorate. |
| ensue |
to occur as the result of an earlier event. |
| financier |
a person skilled in or occupied in financial operations, usually on a large scale. |
| ignominious |
characterized by or associated with disgrace, dishonor, or shame; humiliating. |
| incipient |
starting to exist or become apparent; in an early stage of development. |
| monolithic |
large, unyielding, and without diversity. |
| offhand |
done without thinking or preparing ahead of time. |
| opinionated |
having definite and unchangeable views of things, often seemingly on all subjects. |
| paragon |
a model of excellence or of a particular admirable quality. |
| temporize |
to be indecisive or delay acting, as in order to gain time or avoid conflict. |