| adulterate |
to make worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| circumscribe |
to keep within bounds; confine; restrict. |
| conservatism |
a general preference for the traditional; disinclination to change. |
| dexterity |
grace and easy quickness in using the hands or body; skill. |
| epigram |
a short, pithy, often paradoxical sentence. |
| exhilaration |
intense high spirits. |
| hew |
to follow or obey strictly. |
| indict |
to formally accuse (someone) of a crime in a court of law after studying evidence. |
| monotone |
speech with little or no change in tone. |
| permissive |
allowing much, often excessive, freedom of behavior; lenient. |
| poseur |
one who adopts an affected attitude or manner in order to impress others. |
| ravenous |
very hungry; starved. |
| stodgy |
lacking the ability or inclination to act informally or to find humor or enjoyment in things that others might; stuffy; prim. |
| stratagem |
a plan or trick to deceive, surprise, or outwit an opponent, especially as a military maneuver. |
| vitality |
exuberance; energy; vigor. |