| A | B | 
|---|
| ameliorate | (v) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming | 
| aplomb | (n) poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity | 
| bombastic | (adj) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas | 
| callow | (adj) without experience, immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers | 
| drivel | (n) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense | 
| epitome | (n) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality | 
| exhort | (v) to urge strongly, advise earnestly | 
| ex officio | (adj, adv) by virtue of holding a certain office | 
| infringe | (v) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds | 
| ingratiate | (v) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others | 
| interloper | (n) one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder | 
| intrinsic | (adj) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part | 
| inveigh | (v) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval | 
| lassitude | (n) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy | 
| millenium | (n) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy | 
| occult | (adj) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view (n) matters involving the supernatural | 
| permeate | (v) to spread through, penetrate, soak through | 
| precipitate | (v) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to | 
| stringent | (adj) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste | 
| surmise | (v) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess (n) likely idea that lacks definite proof |