| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| divergence |
the act of separating and moving or leading in different directions. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| gullible |
believing almost anything; easily tricked. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| impermeable |
not permitting passage or penetration. |
| ineptitude |
incompetence; lack of skill. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| profligate |
totally given over to immoral and shameful pursuits; dissolute. |
| quadrant |
any of the four parts that result when an area is divided by two lines, real or imaginary, that intersect each other at right angles. |
| Sabbatarian |
one who observes the Sabbath on Saturday, as Jews and certain Christians. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |