| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| avow |
to assert or affirm. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| gamut |
the whole extent or range of anything. |
| goad |
something that spurs a person to action; stimulus. |
| indistinct |
not clearly perceived or perceiving. |
| ingenuous |
having or showing simplicity and lack of sophistication; artless. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| pneumatic |
of, using, or concerning air or other gases. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| supine |
lying with the face upward. |
| tamp |
to compress and pack tightly by repeated light taps. |
| woebegone |
displaying or full of distress. |