| A | B |
|---|
| adumbrate | v. To outline or sketch broadly; to foreshadow or prefigure; to disclose partially |
| apotheosis | n. The elevation of a person to a devine rank or status; the glorification of a person as an ideal; a glorified ideal |
| ascetic | adj. Practicing strict self-denial for the sake of personal or spiritual discipline; n. One who leads a life of self-discipline, especially to express religious devotion |
| bauble | n. A small, shadowy ornament of little value or use |
| beguile | v. To mislead or deceive; to cheat; to divert; to cause to vanish unnoticed |
| burgeon | v. To put forth new buds, leaves, or greenery; to develop rapidly or suddenly |
| complement | n. Something that completes a whole; the quantity or number needed to make up a whole; the full number or allowance; v. To complete |
| contumacious | adj. Obstinately or willfully disobedient; openly rebellious |
| curmudgeon | n. An irascible, churlish person |
| didactic | adj. Intended to instruct, especially morally; inclined to moralize too much |
| disingenuous | adj. Lacking in sincerity or candor |
| exculpate | v. To clear of guilt or blame |
| faux pas | n. A slip in manners or conduct; a social blunder |
| fulminate | v. To denounce or condemn vehemently; to explode, detonate |
| fustian | n. Inflated or pretentious language in speech or writing; a cloth made of cotton and flax |
| hauteur | n. Haughtiness of bearing or attitude |
| inhibit | v. To restrain or hold back; to hinder or arrest; to prohibit |
| jeremiad | n. An elaborate or prolonged lamentation; any tale of woe |
| opportunist | n. One who makes a practice of taking advantage of cirumstances to further his or her own self-interest, regardless of principles or ultimate consequences |
| unconscionable | adj. Not guided or restrained by conscience, prudence, or reason; unscrupulous; immoderate |
