| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| demarcate |
to set apart or separate, as if with boundaries. |
| deracinate |
to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; isolate; exile. |
| effluvium |
an outflow of usually invisible, foul-smelling vapor or gas. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| frangible |
easy to break; breakable; fragile. |
| glut |
a greater supply or amount than is needed. |
| hirsute |
covered with hair or stiff hairs; hairy or shaggy. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| libertine |
acting without restraint; dissolute; amoral. |
| opprobrious |
expressing condemnation or scorn; accusing of shameful behavior. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |
| unabashed |
not feeling or showing embarrassment, uneasiness, or shame. |