| A | B |
|---|
| brusque | (adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities |
| demagogue | (n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power |
| cajole | (v.) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises |
| ennui | (n.) weariness and discontent from lack of occupation or interest, boredom |
| anomalous | (adj.) abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual |
| contrive | (v.) to plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan |
| disabuse | (v.) to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking |
| arbiter | (n.) one having power to decide a matter at issue; a judge, umpire |
| bizarre | (adj.) extremely strange, unusual, atypical |
| castigate | (v.) to punish severely; criticize severely |
| aspersion | (n.) a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming |
