| abysmal |
of vast extent; unmeasurable; extreme. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| interdict |
to deter or impede by the steady use of firepower. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| pastiche |
a work of visual art, music, or literature that consists mostly of materials and techniques borrowed from other works, sometimes done as an exercise to learn the technique of others. |
| pungency |
sharpness or bite in taste or smell. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| unscathed |
not hurt or harmed; completely uninjured. |