| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| blatant |
completely obvious or undisguised, sometimes offensively so. |
| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| dissemble |
to disguise or hide behind a false semblance; conceal the true nature or state of. |
| electuary |
a drug mixed with honey, syrup, or the like to form a paste to be smeared on the teeth or gums of a sick animal. |
| fealty |
faithfulness or loyalty. |
| glut |
a greater supply or amount than is needed. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| putrefaction |
the act or process of rotting or decomposing. |
| quiescence |
a state of inaction, rest, or stillness; dormancy. |
| raffish |
carelessly unconventional or disreputable, sometimes appealingly so. |
| saturnine |
gloomy, sullen, or cynical in temperament or appearance. |