| appellative |
a descriptive name or title, as "Terrible" in "Ivan the Terrible". |
| baleful |
threatening harm; full of malice; ominous. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| compunction |
uneasiness about the propriety or suitability of an action; qualm. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| credulous |
disposed to believe, especially on scanty evidence; gullible. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| flagitious |
viciously or shamefully wicked; infamous. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| kismet |
destiny, fortune, or fate. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| pungent |
sharp and strong in taste or smell. |