| A | B |
|---|
| brusque | abrupt in manner or speech; blunt |
| microcosm | a miniature world; a small system or community regarded as representative of a larger world |
| acquisition | the act of obtaining something, especially as an addition to a larger collection; something obtained |
| debacle | a sudden collapse or overthrow; an overwhelming defeat; a rout |
| wily | crafy; sly; guileful; full of trickery or stratagems |
| ulterior | beyond what is seen or expressed; intentionally concealed in order to deceive |
| alleviate | to calm; to ease suffering of the body or mind |
| tenacity | perseverance; persistence; cohesiveness |
| thwart | to oppose; to keep from doing something; to obstruct or hinder |
| rigorous | very strict; exact; difficult and demanding; severe; strenuous |
