| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| demarcate |
to set apart or separate, as if with boundaries. |
| demotic |
of or relating to the common people; popular. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| facetious |
not serious; humorous or frivolous. |
| frangible |
easy to break; breakable; fragile. |
| limn |
to paint or draw. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| mendicant |
living on charity; begging. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |
| scion |
an offspring or heir. |
| unscathed |
not hurt or harmed; completely uninjured. |