| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| cantankerous |
irritable, stubborn, and quarrelsome. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| disabuse |
to free (a person) from misconception or deception; set straight. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| effluvium |
an outflow of usually invisible, foul-smelling vapor or gas. |
| eidetic |
pertaining to or designating the ability to recall images in almost perfect detail. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| jejune |
lacking interest or liveliness; dull. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| mendicant |
living on charity; begging. |
| pinchbeck |
false, sham, or counterfeit. |