| alacrity |
willing promptness. |
| clinch |
to make certain or final; settle. |
| cogent |
convincing, or compelling by virtue of a strong argument or clear presentation. |
| contend |
to struggle; fight against difficulties or opposition. |
| credential |
something that entitles one to confidence, credit, privilege, or authority. |
| culvert |
a man-made channel for drainage or the like that passes under a street or other thoroughfare. |
| egoism |
the tendency to evaluate everything in relation to one's own interests; self-centeredness. |
| heretofore |
prior to this time; before now. |
| hypocrite |
a person who pretends to be different or better than he or she really is. Someone who does not act according to his or her stated beliefs is a hypocrite. |
| iconoclast |
one who attacks and seeks to break down traditional beliefs and institutions or popular ideas and values. |
| impecunious |
lacking funds; penniless. |
| noxious |
harmful, dangerous, or destructive, especially to health. |
| obligatory |
required; compulsory. |
| perfunctory |
done quickly and as a matter of routine; performed without care. |
| retention |
the act or process of maintaining the possession or use of. |