| baneful |
causing or leading to death, destruction, or ruin; harmful or deadly. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| conclave |
a secret, private, or confidential meeting or gathering. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| gamut |
the whole extent or range of anything. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| kibbutz |
an Israeli farming settlement whose ownership is shared by those who live and work there. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |