allusion

n

an indirect reference; casual mention

apropos

adj

fitting the occasion, relevant

collusion

n

conspiracy; a secret agreement for fraudulent or illegal purpose

quandary

n

dilemma, perplexing situation or position, a state of uncertainty

curmudgeon

n

a surly, ill-mannered, bad-tempered person; cantankerous fellow

flippant

adj

frivolous and disrespectful, saucy, impertinent

empirical

adj

relying or based solely on observation and experiment rather than on theory

expiate

v

to make amends or reparation for, to atone for

inveterate

adj

settled in habit, firmly established over a long period, of long-standing, deep-rooted

inimical

adj

like an enemy, hostile, unfriendly; in opposition, adverse, unfavorable

maudlin

adj

foolishly and tearfully or weakly sentimental; tearfully sentimental from too much liquor

oxymoron

n

a figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory ideas are combined (examples: painful pleasured, jumbo shrimp, rich teacher)

profligate

adj

immoral and shameless; dissolute; extremely wasteful; recklessly extravagant

precocious

adj

developed or matured to a point beyond that which is normal for the age

rivet

v

to fix or hold (the eyes, attention) firmly

subjugate

v

to cause to become subservient, subdue; to bring under control or subjection, conquer

vitriolic

adj

extremely biting or caustic; sharp and bitter

vigilant

adj

staying watchful and alert to danger or trouble

nonpareil

adj

unequaled; unrivaled; peerless

indigenous

adj

existing, growing, or produced naturally in a region or country; innate, inherent, inborn