| artifice |
a shrewd or clever trick. |
| concoct |
to make by putting together a number of parts or ingredients. |
| coy |
artfully shy or retiring; playfully but calculatingly reticent. |
| dextrous |
variant of dexterous. |
| erudition |
a high level of scholarly knowledge; learnedness. |
| formidable |
exceptionally difficult; daunting. |
| intrinsic |
being essential to or of the nature of a thing; inherent. |
| perverse |
stubbornly opposed to what is expected or requested of one, or marked by or inclined toward such an attitude. |
| premonition |
an advance sign or warning; forewarning. |
| prevaricate |
to lie, mislead, or conceal the truth deliberately. |
| readjust |
to adapt oneself anew. |
| skeptic |
one who is inclined to question or doubt assertions that are made or accepted by others. |
| tentative |
not yet fully developed or definitely decided; provisional. |
| unassailable |
not open to attack, doubt, or denial. |
| wily |
cleverly deceitful; tricky; cunning. |