| antediluvian |
hopelessly old-fashioned; primitive; outdated. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| festoon |
a decorative chain or strip of ribbons, flowers, leaves, or the like, suspended at the ends and hung in a curve. |
| gloaming |
late evening; dusk; twilight. |
| goad |
something that spurs a person to action; stimulus. |
| innocuous |
not capable of causing damage; harmless. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| ligature |
a band or tie. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| penury |
severe poverty; pennilessness. |