| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| credulous |
disposed to believe, especially on scanty evidence; gullible. |
| debauch |
to lead or seduce into immorality or intemperance; corrupt. |
| interdict |
to deter or impede by the steady use of firepower. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| peremptory |
not permitting refusal or disobedience. |
| pneumatic |
of, using, or concerning air or other gases. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| profligate |
totally given over to immoral and shameful pursuits; dissolute. |
| stridulate |
to produce a shrill grating, creaking, or chirping sound by rubbing certain parts of the body together, as some insects do. |