| adamant |
unlikely to change in response to any request or argument; firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| baneful |
causing or leading to death, destruction, or ruin; harmful or deadly. |
| canny |
difficult to fool or take advantage of; shrewd; wary; clever. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| lien |
a legal claim on a piece of property when the current owner is in default on a debt or obligation. |
| quotidian |
happening every day or once a day. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |