| A | B |
|---|
| apocryphal | adj.; false, counterfeit, doubtful, especially in authorship or authenticity. |
| apoplexy | n; a stroke; a sudden loss of muscular control, sensation, or consciousness usually resulting from rupture or blockage of a blood vessel. |
| castigate | verb; to punish; to criticize severely; to chastise. |
| diatribe | noun; an abusive criticism or attack. |
| diaspora | noun; any group migration or flight from a country; the dispersion of Jews from their homeland in the Middle East. |
| abate | verb; to reduce in quantity or intensity; to subside; to diminish. |
| indomitable | adj.; unconquerable |
| pugnacious | adj.; quarrelsome; eager for a fight. |
| cartel | noun; a coalition of political or special-interest groups to achieve a common cause; a bloc. |
| bellicose | adj.; warlike; eager to fight. |
| decadent | adj.; declining or decaying. |
| cede | verb; to yield or surrender rights or possessions, usually officially. |
| accede | verb; to consent; to agree |
| depredation | noun; destruction; plunder |
| expunge | verb; to omit; to delete; to obliterate. |
| beatific | adj.; demonstrating extreme joy or blessedness. |
| benignant | adj.; beneficial; kindly. |
| bona fide | adj.; authentic; genuine. |
| debonair | adj.; suave; urbane; nonchalant |
| euphemism | noun; the use of a neutral, mind or vague word or phrase instead of a more explicit one that might offend. |
| maladroit | adj.; clumsy, especially in using the hands. |
| malefactor | noun; someone who commits a crime; an evildoer |
| mendacious | adj.; lying; untruthful; false. |
| peccadillo | noun; a small sin or fault; a trifling offense. |
| illicit | adj.; illegal; not sanctioned by law or tradition. |
| censorious | adj.; faultfinding; severely critical. |
| relegate | verb; to banish to a place of exile; to dismiss to an obscure or inferior position. |
| approbation | noun; praise; commendation; official approval. |
| hortatory | adj.; marked by a strong urging to take some action. |
| adjure | verb; to command or urge solemnly. |
