| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| coir |
the fiber made from coconut husks, used for matting, rope, or the like. |
| demotic |
of or relating to the common people; popular. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| indomitable |
too strong to be subdued or discouraged; unconquerable. |
| intransigence |
refusal to alter one's ideas or position in response to the wishes of others. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| pronate |
to turn or rotate (the hand or forearm) so that the palm of the hand faces down or backwards. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |
| voluble |
characterized by a steady flow of words; fluent; talkative. |