| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| canny |
difficult to fool or take advantage of; shrewd; wary; clever. |
| cravat |
a scarf or band of cloth tied loosely about the neck. |
| desideratum |
something that is needed or wanted. |
| divergence |
the act of separating and moving or leading in different directions. |
| entreat |
to beg for something, or to do something. |
| epigraph |
a pertinent quotation or motto, especially found at the beginning of a literary work or of a chapter. |
| guru |
in a cult or religious movement, a spiritual guide or leader, sometimes believed to be divine. |
| lien |
a legal claim on a piece of property when the current owner is in default on a debt or obligation. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| spurn |
to reject, refuse, or treat with scorn; disdain; despise. |
| stochastic |
of, or arising from chance or probability. |