| defensive |
used to protect or guard against attack. |
| episode |
one event in a series of events in a person's life or a story. |
| investigator |
a person who makes a careful search for information usually in order to answer a question. |
| lousy |
(informal) nasty or mean. |
| moody |
having shifts in emotional state frequently or without a pattern. |
| nibble |
to eat in small bites. |
| outright |
complete or total. |
| parlor |
a room in a house, hotel, restaurant, or the like for conversation or for entertaining guests. |
| queasy |
feeling sick to one's stomach. |
| reluctance |
a state of unwillingness or disinclination, often arising from uncertainty or doubt. |
| subject |
the topic of what is said, written, or studied. |
| surge |
to move or swell in or like a wave; billow. |
| tailor |
one who makes, alters, or repairs clothing. |
| universe |
all matter and energy; all existing things, including the earth and heavens. |
| workplace |
the place where one does one's job, especially a factory, office, store, or the like. |