mercenary
A person who is paid to fight a war on behalf of another army; in extended usage, a person concerned with short-term personal gains regardless of ethics.
melodramatic
exaggerated or overemotional.
sentimental
characterized or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.
hurling
throwing with great strength or effort
pathos
a quality that evokes pity or sadness.
flattering
full of praise
cocky
conceited, overconfident
foliage
leaves; often used to refer to the colorful dying leaves that occur mostly in autumn
Byzantine
Unnecessarily complicated, rule-bound, and bureaucratic
peripheral
Non-central, only marginally important
acolyte
Follower or helper
culottes
Short pants ending above the ankle
quinceañera
A celebration of a girl's 15th birthday in many Latin American cultures
evensong
An evening service consisting of prayers, songs, and canticles within the Anglican church.
paradox
A statement or situation that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true
exponentially
Rapidly increasing (or, in a mathematical sense, having to do with exponents)
nebulous
Vague, shapeless
Antipathy
Intense dislike, animosity
Port Cochere
A covered entrance outside a building or courtyard
Disheveled
Disorganized, untidy
Ravenous
Extremely hungry
