| agnostic |
one who believes it is impossible to know anything about the existence or nonexistence of God or about the essential nature of things beyond the material universe. |
| atheist |
a person who believes that there is no god or gods. |
| betroth |
to pledge or give in marriage. |
| compulsion |
coercion or constraint; act of using force to bring about another's action. |
| condescend |
to act as if one were of superior rank or station, treating others as inferior; patronize. |
| cordon |
a chain of guards or military stations forming a defense or containment line around an area. |
| dictum |
a formal or official pronouncement or declaration. |
| incorporeal |
without material being; bodiless; insubstantial. |
| inhibit |
to hold back, restrain, prevent, or tend to do so. |
| inimical |
having or tending to have a bad effect; harmful or adverse. |
| novice |
a person with little or no experience at a particular job or activity. |
| precipice |
a steep cliff. |
| reproach |
to express disapproval of or disappointment with (someone); censure. |
| trepidation |
a condition of anxiety or dread; alarm. |
| waif |
a child without a home or friends. |