| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| belie |
to give a false impression of. |
| coalesce |
to grow together or unite to form a single body or organization; unify; fuse. |
| crass |
lacking in sensitivity or refinement; crude. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| divergence |
the act of separating and moving or leading in different directions. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| fulminate |
to vehemently denounce or criticize something. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| gloaming |
late evening; dusk; twilight. |
| indulgent |
gratifying, or being inclined to gratify or yield to others' wishes, especially rather than enforcing discipline or strictness. |
| ontogeny |
the process of biological growth and development of a particular living organism. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |