| backwater |
any place that is seen as primitive, unchanging, or stagnant. |
| constrain |
to keep within tight restrictions; confine. |
| ductile |
able to withstand stress without breaking, as in drawing out into wire or pounding thin. |
| finicky |
exceptionally fussy or hard to satisfy. |
| incriminate |
to show involvement in a crime. |
| inglorious |
bringing shame or disgrace; shameful; dishonorable. |
| inveterate |
persisting in a habit, action, feeling, or the like. |
| misconception |
an error in understanding; wrong notion or idea. |
| potency |
the condition of being strong in effect or powerful. |
| proscribe |
to make illegal or prohibit. |
| rancor |
bitter, continuing resentment; hatred. |
| roil |
to disturb or anger; agitate. |
| shard |
a piece of a broken object, especially a fragment of pottery or glass. |
| skiff |
a small, light boat that may have sails but can be rowed by one oarsman. |
| ultimatum |
a final statement of demands, especially when issued with a threat of action if rejected, as in a diplomatic discussion. |