| affinity |
a strong sense of liking; a natural attraction or sympathy. |
| affix |
to attach or join physically (usually used with "to"). |
| autocracy |
rule by one person with absolute power; despotism. |
| dossier |
a set of papers or documents that provide detailed information on a particular person or subject. |
| formidable |
exceptionally difficult; daunting. |
| grievous |
causing emotional or physical suffering; painful. |
| ignoble |
of low or dishonorable character; contemptible. |
| intimacy |
the condition of being close in friendship or otherwise intimate. |
| openhanded |
tending to give to others; generous. |
| paradox |
a statement that contradicts or seems to contradict itself, yet often expresses a truth, such as "Less is more". |
| partake |
to take part; participate (usually followed by "in"). |
| proponent |
one who proposes or favors an idea, doctrine, course of action, or the like. |
| recession1 |
a period of reduced or declining economic activity. |
| satire |
a literary or dramatic work that ridicules or derides human vice or foolishness, usually through the use of parody or irony. |
| wheedle |
to try to persuade or influence by coaxing or flattery; cajole. |