| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| boorish |
rude; ill-mannered; crude. |
| boudoir |
a woman's private sitting room or bedroom. |
| chary |
not dispensing freely. |
| collateral |
property or other security put forward to guarantee repayment of a loan. |
| dissimulate |
to hide one's true feelings, intentions, or the like by pretense or hypocrisy. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| imbricate |
overlapping in an even sequence, as roof tiles or fish scales. |
| insouciant |
having no cares or anxieties; light-hearted; carefree. |
| laureate |
one honored for achievement in a particular field or by a particular award, especially in the arts or sciences. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| quotidian |
happening every day or once a day. |
| sudorific |
causing or increasing sweat, as a medication. |