| conflagration |
a large, damaging fire. |
| eccentricity |
an odd or peculiar behavior, habit, interest, or the like. |
| fluctuate |
to vary or change irregularly; rise and fall. |
| imperative |
very important; urgent. |
| infernal |
of or pertaining to hell or the world of the dead. |
| literal |
in accordance with the ordinary, exact, or primary meaning of a word or words; not figurative or metaphorical. |
| nihilism |
the belief that existence has no meaning or purpose. |
| parable |
a very short story told to teach a moral or religious lesson. |
| precipitous |
very steep or sudden; rising or dropping abruptly. |
| sardonic |
bitterly mocking; derisive; scornful. |
| skirmish |
a minor or preliminary battle between small military units. |
| sodden |
drenched with liquid; saturated; soaked. |
| underscore |
to emphasize by, or as if by, drawing a line beneath. |
| unhinge |
to cause to become confused, unbalanced, or deeply disturbed. |
| vanguard |
the leading or foremost position or part of a movement or force; forefront. |