sordid

adj

dirty, filthy, squalid, wretched, base, mean

ascertain

v

to find out with certainty

compendium

n

a summary or abstract containing the essential information in a brief form

cavil

v

to object when there is little reason to do so, resort to trivial fault-finding, quibble

deign

v

to condescend, to think it not beneath one’s dignity to do something

jejune

adj

not interesting or satisfying, dull or empty, not mature, childish

flout

v

to mock or scoff at, to show scorn or contempt for

fetish

n

any object believed by superstitious people to have magical power, any thing or activity to which one is irrationally devoted

insouciant

adj

calm and unbothered, carefree, indifferent

mercenary

adj

working or done for payment only, motivated by desire for money or other gain, greedy

paradigm

n

a pattern, example, or model

proliferate

v

to produce or create in profusion, to multiply rapidly

propagate

v

to spread from one person or place to another

sedentary

adj

of or marked by much sitting about and little travel, remaining in one locality, not migratory

surreal

adj

bizarre, fantastic, grotesque

supercilious

adj

disdainful, contemptuous, scornful, haughty

volatile

adj

unstable, moving from one idea or interest to another, fickle

voluptuous

adj

sensual; fond of luxury and the pleasures of the senses

lionize

v

to treat as a celebrity

zealous

adj

ardently devoted to a purpose, fervent, enthusiastic