| adamant |
unlikely to change in response to any request or argument; firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| chary |
not dispensing freely. |
| condign |
well-deserved or fitting, especially of punishment or reprimand. |
| dearth |
a shortage or scarcity of something; lack. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| malaise |
a state or condition of feeling generally unwell, mentally depressed, sluggish, or uneasy. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| pathos |
a quality in life or art that evokes pity, sadness, or compassion. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |