| apocalypse |
any instance of terrible destruction and devastation, especially on a scale that could bring about an end to the world. |
| condescension |
patronizing, arrogant behavior or attitude. |
| cordon |
a chain of guards or military stations forming a defense or containment line around an area. |
| credible |
believable or plausible. |
| demagogue |
a leader, especially a speaker or politician, who attempts to persuade and to gain a following by appealing to the emotions and prejudices of the public, rather than by rational argument. |
| diaphanous |
of fabric or the like, almost transparent; sheer; filmy; delicate. |
| empirical |
based on or verifiable by experience or experiment, rather than on or by theory. |
| erudition |
a high level of scholarly knowledge; learnedness. |
| hitherto |
until this time; previously. |
| opulent |
having or displaying wealth and luxury. |
| pallid |
pale or whitened; lacking color. |
| proficient |
adept or skilled, usually as a result of study or practice. |
| revel |
to feel great pleasure; rejoice (usually followed by "in"). |
| servile |
very submissive to another's authority; slavish. |
| singularity |
an unusual trait or quality. |