| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| asterisk |
a sign (*). It is used to show that there is other information on the page that explains the information where the sign is placed. |
| belie |
to give a false impression of. |
| bellicose |
easily incited to quarrel or fight; belligerent. |
| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| distraught |
mentally or emotionally unbalanced; crazed. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| parsimonious |
excessively frugal; stingy. |
| pelf |
money or wealth, usually regarded with disapproval or contempt. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |
| tamp |
to compress and pack tightly by repeated light taps. |
| veneration |
a feeling of great respect; awe; reverence. |