| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| cravat |
a scarf or band of cloth tied loosely about the neck. |
| credulous |
disposed to believe, especially on scanty evidence; gullible. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| emulous |
filled with the desire to equal or surpass. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| jejune |
lacking interest or liveliness; dull. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| pinchbeck |
false, sham, or counterfeit. |
| profligate |
totally given over to immoral and shameful pursuits; dissolute. |
| putrefaction |
the act or process of rotting or decomposing. |
| quondam |
having been in the past; former. |