| apprise |
to inform (often followed by "of"). |
| astringent |
a substance or drug that contracts body tissue and slows discharge or secretion. |
| conversant |
familiar; acquainted; practiced (usually followed by "with" or "in"). |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| effluvium |
an outflow of usually invisible, foul-smelling vapor or gas. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| euphoria |
a strong feeling of well-being or elation, sometimes unrealistic or unwarranted, and able to be induced by certain drugs. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| indolence |
the tendency to avoid exertion or effort; laziness. |
| penury |
severe poverty; pennilessness. |
| pliant |
easily flexed; supple. |
| pronate |
to turn or rotate (the hand or forearm) so that the palm of the hand faces down or backwards. |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |
| spurn |
to reject, refuse, or treat with scorn; disdain; despise. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |