| adamant |
unlikely to change in response to any request or argument; firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| arrant |
complete; unmitigated; downright. |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| conversant |
familiar; acquainted; practiced (usually followed by "with" or "in"). |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| gullible |
believing almost anything; easily tricked. |
| insularity |
the condition of being closed to new ideas or outside influences; narrow-mindedness. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| quondam |
having been in the past; former. |