| cabal |
a small group of people engaged in a secret plot, usually of a political nature. |
| cogent |
convincing, or compelling by virtue of a strong argument or clear presentation. |
| concealment |
the act of hiding something from sight, or the condition of being hidden from sight. |
| distill |
to subject (a substance) to heat to the point of vaporization, and then to cooling to produce condensation. |
| encumbrance |
something or someone that hinders or burdens; impediment. |
| fresco |
the art of painting on wet plaster with colors dissolved in water or limewater, or a picture produced by this method. |
| gender |
the sex of a person or animal. |
| implode |
to violently collapse or compress inward. |
| indisposed |
slightly and temporarily ill, as with indigestion or a cold. |
| irreverent |
not having or showing respect. |
| liaison |
a communication link between groups or between parts of an organization, or a person or group that performs this function. |
| ostracize |
to exclude or shun, by general agreement of the group imposing the exclusion. |
| plummet |
to fall sharply down, especially at high speed; plunge. |
| roil |
to disturb or anger; agitate. |
| skepticism |
distrust or disbelief, or a general tendency to doubt and question. |