| altruism |
unselfish concern for the well-being of others. |
| backwater |
any place that is seen as primitive, unchanging, or stagnant. |
| cessation |
a pausing or stopping; discontinuance. |
| conniption |
(informal) an outburst or fit of anger, hysteria, or the like. |
| contemptible |
deserving of scorn or moral disgust; disgraceful; dishonorable. |
| demur |
to object or indicate opposition to something. |
| fresco |
the art of painting on wet plaster with colors dissolved in water or limewater, or a picture produced by this method. |
| largess |
liberality in giving, especially money, and often with an implication of the giver's superiority. |
| mentor |
someone who plays an important role in another person's life as a guide and teacher. |
| ogle |
to look or stare at (someone) in a lustful or flirtatious manner. |
| personable |
pleasing in appearance or manner; friendly; attractive. |
| protégé |
a person under the care or sponsorship of an influential patron. |
| referendum |
the submission of a legislative measure to a vote by the general public, or the vote thus taken. |
| subpoena |
in law, a formal written order summoning a witness to give testimony or requiring that specified evidence be submitted. |
| vicissitude |
(usually plural) unexpected and unforeseeable changes or shifts, as in one's circumstances. |