| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| conclave |
a secret, private, or confidential meeting or gathering. |
| disaffection |
an absence or loss of good will, faith, or loyalty, especially toward a government, principle, or the like. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| innocuous |
not capable of causing damage; harmless. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| internecine |
of or pertaining to conflict, discord, or struggle within a group. |
| maunder |
to speak in an aimless or foolish way; babble. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| rebarbative |
tending to irritate or repel; forbidding or unattractive. |
| stately |
dignified. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |