alleviate

v

to make less hard to bear; lighten, relieve (pain, suffering etc.)

antediluvian

adj

very old, old-fashioned, or primitive

cognizant

adj

aware or informed (of something)

cabal

n

a small group of persons joined in a secret, often political intrigue

coterie

n

a close circle of friends who share a common interest or background; a clique

despot

n

an absolute ruler, anyone in charge who acts like a tyrant

exorbitant

adj

going beyond what is reasonable, just, proper; excessive, extravagant: said especially of charges, prices

palatable

adj

pleasant or acceptable to the taste, fit to be eaten or drunk, acceptable to the mind

inculcate

v

to impress upon the mind by frequent repetition or persistent urging

malinger

v

to pretend to be ill or otherwise incapacitated in order to escape duty or work; shirk

olfactory

adj

of the sense of smell

prodigious

adj

of great power, size, extent; wonderful, amazing

tenet

n

a principle, doctrine, or belief held as a truth

rife

adj

frequently or commonly occurring, widespread, abounding

stigmatize

v

to characterize or mark as disgraceful

vitiate

v

to make imperfect, faulty, or impure; to spoil; to currupt

veneer

n

any attractive but superficial appearance or display

mundane

adj

commonplace, everyday, ordinary

supine

adj

lying on the back, face upward; sluggish; listless; passive

incorrigible

adj

that cannot be corrected, improved, or reformed