| A | B |
|---|
| asperity (noun) (1) | 1. sharpness or harshness of manner; 2. roughness of surface; unevenness |
| bane (noun) (1) | a person or thing that destroys or causes harm |
| baneful (adj) (1) | causing destruction or ruin |
| doleful (adj) (1) | mournful or full of sorrow; causing grief |
| extrovert (noun) (1) | a person whose attention is focused on others and on what is going on around him/her rather than on his/her own feelings |
| introvert (noun) (1) | a person who turns his/her attention inward, focusing on his/her own feelings and thoughts |
| garish (adj) (1) | excessively bright and flashy; tastlessly glaring |
| hierarchy (noun) (1) | a group or system in which positions of power are ranked--usually from lowest to highest |
| imbue (verb) (1) | to fill completely with a feeling or idea; to inspire |
| instigate (verb) (1) | to stir up or urge on; to provoke |
| penchant (noun) (1) | a strong attachment or leaning |
| rambunctious (adj) (1) | behaving in a wild and unruly manner |
| repertoire (noun) (1) | a list of pieces an actor, musician, etc. is ready to perform; the skills or accomplishments of a person or group |
| rudiments (noun) (1) | 1. basic principles or skills 2. an undeveloped or beginning stage |
| undermine (verb) (1) | to weaken or ruin by degrees |
| unremitting (adj) (1) | not stopping or slowing down; constant |
| adjudicate (verb) (2) | to hear and decide judicially; to judge |
| adjudicator (noun) (2) | a person who judges (to settle a dispute) |
| centennial (noun--American usage) (2) | 100th anniversary or celebration |
| centenary (noun--British usage) (2) | 100th anniversary or celebration |
| countenance (noun) (2) | 1. a person's face; the expression on a person's face; 2. support or approval |
| countenance (verb) (2) | to support or approve; to tolerate |
| disgruntle (verb) (2) | to make dissatisfied; to put in a bad mood |
| equilibrium (noun) (2) | a state of balance |
| expedite (verb) (2) | to speed up a process; to facilitate |
| expeditious (adj) (2) | with great speed; quick and efficient |
| gird (verb) (2) | 1. to encircle, bind or surround; 2. to get ready for action; to brace |
| gratuitous (adj) (2) | 1. not called for; unnecessary; 2. without charge; free |
| illusory (adj) (2) | unreal or imagined; deceiving |
| implacable (adj) (2) | incapable of being placated, soothed, or significantly changed; relentless. |
| luminary (noun) (2) | 1. a source of light (e.g., sun, moon); 2. a person well-known for his/her achievements; a celebrity |
| manifesto (noun) (2) | a public statement explaining the intentions, motives, or views of an individual or group |
| mesmerize (verb) (2) | to fascinate or hypnotize |
| precedent (noun) (2) | an act or statement that may serve as an example or justification for a later one |
| spurious (adj) (2) | not genuine; false |
| curtail (verb) (3) | to cut short or reduce |
| discriminate (verb) (3) | 1. to make or recognize clear distinctions; 2. to treat in a less or more favorable way. |
| discrimination (noun) (3) | 1. the recognizing of clear distinctions; 2. the act of being for or against a person or thing on the basis of the group or category rather than according to actual merit; 3. the act of making fine distinctions; good or refined taste |
| espionage (noun) (3) | the act of spying, especially a government spy obtaining secrets of another government |
| inalienable (adj) (3) | not able to be taken or given away |
| incarcerate (verb) (3) | to confine or put in prison |
| indignity (noun) (3) | an insult to one's pride; offensive or humiliating treatment |
| indiscriminate (adj) (3) | not marked by careful distinctions; haphazard |
| infamous (adj) (3) | 1. having a very bad reputation; notorious; 2. disgraceful, vicious |
| infamy (noun) (3) | evil fame or bad reputation |
| intercede (verb) (3) | to act or plead on another's behalf; to try to smooth the differences between two parties |
| malign (verb) (3) | to say negative and unfair things about; slander |
| malign (adj) (3) | evil; showing ill will |
| perpetrate (verb) (3) | to commit (a crime or other antisocial act) |
| perpetrator (noun) (3) | a person who commits a crime |
| rampant (adj) (3) | threateningly wild, without restraint or control; widespread |
| rancor (noun) (3) | a deep, long-held feeling of hatred or bitterness |
| reparation (noun) (3) | 1. a mending or repair; 2. (plural) a making up or payment for a wrong or damage done, especially re: war |
| smattering (noun) (3) | 1. a superficial, scattered knowledge; 2. a small amount |
| accolade (noun) (4) | an expression of approval or respect for special merit; an award |
| adamant (adj) (4) | not yielding; firm |
| adulate (verb) (4) | to flatter or admire excessively; to idolize |
| adulation (noun) (4) | flattery or excessive admiration |
| altercation (noun) (4) | a loud and determined dispute; a noisy quarrel |
| annals (noun) (4) | a historical record of events, often arranged in a yearly sequence |
| assiduous (adj) (4) | diligent and persistent |
| chary (adj) (4) | exercising caution; hesitant |
| clique (noun) (4) | a small, exclusive group; a group held together by like interests or purpose |
| decrepit (adj) (4) | worn-out with use; broken-down. |
| endow (verb) (4) | to provide with a quality, a thing, or a gift of money |
| ephemeral (adj) (4) | lasting a very short time |
| ingratiate (verb) (4) | to work to gain the favor of someone |
| pantheon (noun) (4) | a group of people held in high esteem for their great achievements |
| perverse (adj) (4) | 1. turned away from what is right; wicked. 2. stubbornly opposing what is right or reasonable; obstinate |
| perversity (noun) (4) | the quality or state of being unreasonable, obstinate or wicked |
| tutelage (noun) (4) | instruction, protection, or guardianship |
