| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| baleful |
threatening harm; full of malice; ominous. |
| benign |
causing little or no harm. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| idyllic |
charmingly simple and natural, as a scene or experience; suggestive of peaceful countryside. |
| indomitable |
too strong to be subdued or discouraged; unconquerable. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| repose2 |
to put or place (confidence, hope, or the like) in someone or something. |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |
| tyro |
one who is beginning to learn a business, trade, sport, or the like; novice; neophyte. |