| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| agog |
highly excited and full of anticipation. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| canny |
difficult to fool or take advantage of; shrewd; wary; clever. |
| caparison |
decorative trappings to cover a horse's saddle or harness. |
| crass |
lacking in sensitivity or refinement; crude. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| garrulous |
given to talking excessively. |
| idyllic |
charmingly simple and natural, as a scene or experience; suggestive of peaceful countryside. |
| munificent |
having or showing great generosity. |
| penury |
severe poverty; pennilessness. |
| woebegone |
displaying or full of distress. |