| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| banal |
lacking originality or liveliness; disappointingly ordinary; commonplace; trite. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| impute |
to ascribe or attribute to a source or cause. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| libertine |
acting without restraint; dissolute; amoral. |
| mélange |
a mixture, usually of very dissimilar elements. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| parsimonious |
excessively frugal; stingy. |
| peroration |
the concluding part of a speech in which there is a summing up of the principal points. |