| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| banal |
lacking originality or liveliness; disappointingly ordinary; commonplace; trite. |
| beatify |
to admire or exalt as superior. |
| blithe |
indifferent or casual; unconcerned. |
| castellated |
constructed with turrets and battlements like a castle. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| demarcate |
to set apart or separate, as if with boundaries. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| doggerel |
trivial, crudely constructed verse. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| fixation |
an obsession, especially one that interferes with normal functioning. |
| lanugo |
fine, soft hair, especially that with which a human fetus or newborn is covered. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| maunder |
to speak in an aimless or foolish way; babble. |