| ambivalence |
the presence of conflicting feelings, such as love and hate, toward a person, thing, or situation. |
| carnal |
of or pertaining to the flesh or body, especially sexual appetites and activities. |
| contagion |
the spreading of a disease by contact or close association. |
| ensue |
to occur as the result of an earlier event. |
| girth |
the length around something. |
| gusto |
vigorous or hearty enjoyment or appreciation. |
| invective |
strongly abusive or denunciatory speech or language. |
| periphery |
the outer boundary or edge of an area or surface, or the region directly inside or outside of this. |
| posit |
to propose or suggest as an account of something or as a contribution to an understanding of something. |
| protean |
easily changing form or character; variable or versatile. |
| reprove |
to criticize, usually mildly, for wrongdoing. |
| seamy |
disreputable; sordid. |
| staid |
formal, solemn, and reserved in character. |
| swathe |
to wrap up, enfold, or bind, especially with a wrapping material or bands. |
| touchstone |
a test or standard by which to evaluate the worth of something. |