abject
extremely humble
abnegation
the renouncing of something
accrete
become bigger by adding to what is already there
arras
tapestry curtain
augmenting
increasing in intensity
augur
a soothsayer or prophet
baleful
threatening
beholden
under an obligation to someone, because of something helpful that person has done
brusque
abrupt, blunt or curt
catholic
all-embracing, universal
chiaroscuro
artistic use of light and shade
concomitant
happening at the same time
consternation
a feeling of shocked dismay
cultivator
a farming tool or machine for breaking up soil
defunctive
dead; not functional
diffidence
a lack of self-confidence
dissimulation
the act of disguising or hiding one's true feelings, thoughts or intentions
dissolute
indulging in physical pleasures and vice to an extent that is considered immoral or harmful
dubious
possibly dishonest or immoral
equinoxes
twice-yearly events when the sun crosses the equator
evocation
a recreation of an event or feeling from the past
fatuously
with a lack of intelligence and awareness
hale
fit, strong and in good health
immanent
existing within or inherent in something
immemorial
so old that it seems always to have existed
immolated
destroyed as part of a ritual of sacrifice
implacable
impossible to pacify or appease
inert
motionless
interminable
seemingly endless
irascible
showing anger
latent
existing but in an underdeveloped or unexpressed form
lean-to
an outbuilding with a sloping roof resting against the wall of a larger building
malinger
pretend to be ill to avoid doing work
mendacity
deliberate untruthfulness
meretricious
seemingly plausible, but actually false
monstrance
in Christianity, a container for consecrated bread
palpable
so intense as to be almost able to be felt physically
perspicuous
clearly expressed and easily comprehensible
purlieus
districts or areas on the outskirts of a city or town
purloin
steal something, especially such that another's trust is broken
rampart
a fortified embankment
ratiocination
strictly logical thinking
redolent
aromatic
ruefulness
a feeling of regret
sardonic
disdainfully mocking
serge
a strong cloth usually made of wool
sheering
swerving from a course
shirk
avoid carrying out of responsibility
sibilance
a hissing sound
somnolence
sleepiness; quietness characterized by little or no activity
sonorous
sounding with loud, deep and clear tones
spurious
not genuine; different from what it claims to be
stave
a long thin piece of wood, usually sealed together with several others
surreptitious
characterized by stealth or secretiveness
suspire
to draw in breath
unflagging
remaining strong and unchanging
vacuous
lacking ideas, intelligence, or meaningful occupation
vernal
happening in the spring
