| A | B | 
| adage | proverb; wise saying | 
| bonanza | a rich mass of ore in a mine; something very valuable, profitable, or rewarding; a source of wealth | 
| churlish | lacking politeness or good manners; lacking sensitivity; difficult to work with or deal with; rude | 
| citadel | a fortress that overlooks and protects a city; any strong or commanding place | 
| collaborate | to work with; work togrether | 
| decree | an order having the force of the law; to issue such an order; to command firmly or forcefully | 
| discordant | disagreeable in sound, jarring; lacking harmony, conflicting | 
| evolve | to develop gradually; to rise up to a higher level | 
| excerpt | a passage taken from a book, article, etc.;to take such a passage; to quote | 
| grope | to feel about hesitantly with the hands; to search blindly and uncertaintly | 
| hover | to float or hang suspended over; to move back and forth uncertainly over or around | 
| jostle | to make or force one's way by pushing or elbowing; to bump, shove, brush against; to compete for | 
| laggard | a person who moves slowly or falls behind; falling behind; slow to move, act, or respond | 
| plaudits | applause; enthusuastic praise or approval | 
| preclude | to make impossible, prevent, shut out | 
| revert | to return; go back | 
| rubble | broken stone or bricks; ruins | 
| servile | of or relating to a slave; behaving like or suitable for a slave or servant, menial; lacking spirit or independence, abjectly submissive | 
| vigil | a watch, especially at night; any period of watchful attention | 
| wrangle | to quarrel or argue in a noisy, angry way; to obtain by argument; to herd; a noisy quarrel |