| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| blatant |
completely obvious or undisguised, sometimes offensively so. |
| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| collateral |
property or other security put forward to guarantee repayment of a loan. |
| compunction |
uneasiness about the propriety or suitability of an action; qualm. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| facsimile |
an exact copy or duplicate of something printed or of a picture. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| immaculate |
not dirty; completely clean. |
| ingenuous |
having or showing simplicity and lack of sophistication; artless. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| putrefaction |
the act or process of rotting or decomposing. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |