asperity
a tinge of bitterness to speech
auriferous
containing gold
ballast
an anchor, a weight
benevolent
kind and generous
deglutition
the act of swallowing
effulgence
splendor, brilliance
encomium
enthusiastic and generous praise
febrile
feverish
filial
related to a son or daughter
garrulity
the quality of talking a lot
gregariousness
enjoying the company of others
interpolated
put words into pieces
lucubrations
intensive studies
mephitic
foul-smelling
ministrations
ceremonies or rites
ortolan
an Old World bunting (Emberiza hortulana) having a greenish-gray head and breast, streaky brown back and wings, and a yellow throat (m-w.com)
pendulous
hanging down and swinging
platitudes
trite and banal remarks
propitiate
to make someone happy by giving or saying something desirable
reticence
reserve, unwillingness to speak
sententious
possessing strong and immovable opinions about people and their actions
sonorous
of deep, pleasing sounds
vertiginous
causing dizziness because of height
