| allusion |
an indirect reference to or mention of something. |
| amalgam |
a mixture of diverse components. |
| conservatism |
a general preference for the traditional; disinclination to change. |
| creditor |
someone to whom money is owed. |
| discrete |
separate and distinct. |
| emulate |
to try to be the same as or better than (another person), especially by imitating. |
| fluctuate |
to vary or change irregularly; rise and fall. |
| incision |
a cut made during surgery. |
| inexcusable |
unable to be justified; unpardonable. |
| inordinate |
beyond the bounds of reason; excessive. |
| labyrinthine |
complex and intricate to the point of being puzzling. |
| reprieve |
to release (someone) temporarily or permanently from planned or impending punishment, pain, or difficulty. |
| rhetoric |
the art, ability, or study of using language effectively in speech or writing, especially to influence or persuade one's audience. |
| self-determination |
the ability or freedom of a people to decide their own form of government. |
| vacuous |
characterized by lack of intelligence or serious intent; devoid of ideas or emotion. |