| attune |
to adjust so as to be harmonious. |
| baneful |
causing or leading to death, destruction, or ruin; harmful or deadly. |
| bilge |
the rounded part of a ship's hull between the bottom and the sides. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| hackneyed |
made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an expression or phrase. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| purvey |
to supply or provide (especially food, drink, or other provisions). |
| quadrant |
any of the four parts that result when an area is divided by two lines, real or imaginary, that intersect each other at right angles. |
| rodomontade |
puffed-up boasting or bravado. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |