| conflagration |
a large, damaging fire. |
| demoralize |
to weaken or destroy the confidence, courage, spirit, or morale of. |
| ecclesiastical |
of or related to the church and clergy. |
| figurative |
not meant to be interpreted in a literal way; metaphorical. |
| habitable |
capable of being lived in. |
| heretofore |
prior to this time; before now. |
| informant |
one who reports or confides what he or she knows to another; source. |
| miff |
to cause (someone) to become annoyed; offend. |
| obituary |
a printed announcement of a person's death, usually including a brief biography and information about funeral arrangements. |
| reinstate |
to put back into a former position, condition, or state of effectiveness. |
| ruminate |
to think at length; meditate. |
| saturate |
to fill or soak completely. |
| stratum |
a level in a social hierarchy. |
| subside |
to become less; decrease. |
| subsidy |
direct financial assistance provided by the government to a business, industry, educational institution, individual, or the like. |