| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| condone |
to pardon, disregard, or overlook voluntarily or without condemning. |
| distraught |
mentally or emotionally unbalanced; crazed. |
| eulogy |
a spoken or written tribute, especially to honor a dead person; high praise; formal commendation. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |