| abrade |
to rub away by friction; erode. |
| apostate |
a person who abandons his or her religious faith, principles, cause, or the like. |
| comely |
pleasing in appearance. |
| imminent |
about to happen or likely to happen soon. |
| impale |
to pierce and hold fast with a sharp-pointed instrument such as a spear. |
| impel |
to drive or incite to action. |
| ossify |
to become inflexible or rigid, as in thought or behavior. |
| ovation |
a prolonged or enthusiastic episode of applause for someone, as following a performance. |
| presumptive |
affording a reasonable basis for belief. |
| surreptitious |
made, performed, or achieved by stealth or in secret. |
| tutelage |
the act or function of a teacher, especially one who gives lessons to individuals; instruction; teaching. |
| ungovernable |
unable to be governed, ordered, or controlled; uncontrollable. |
| unrelenting |
continuing with the same intensity, force, speed, or the like; not decreasing or weakening. |
| venal |
capable of acting dishonestly or wrongly in return for money or the like; open to accepting bribes; corrupt. |
| waif |
a child without a home or friends. |