| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| 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. |
| desideratum |
something that is needed or wanted. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| internecine |
of or pertaining to conflict, discord, or struggle within a group. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| stanch1 |
to cause (a liquid, especially blood) to stop flowing. |