| Term | Definition |
| destitute | wanting, devoid, penniless
deprived |
| stately | dignified; majestic |
| solace | to comfort or console |
| ironic | suggesting an incongruity between what might be expected and what actually happens
syn: incongruous, satiric |
| comprise | to include or contain
syn: compose, constitute |
| venal | open to; marked by bribery or corruption
syn: dishonest, bribable |
| accede | to yield to; to assume an office or dignity
syn: consent, concur |
| *inopportune | coming at a bad time
syn: ill-timed, inconvenient |
| premeditated | considered beforehand; deliberately planned
syn: preplanned, rehearsed |
| musty | stale, moldy |
| supple | bending easily; readily adaptable; servile |
| *pinnacle | high peak or point
syn: apex, acme |
| suppress | to stop by force; put down
syn: subdue, crush |
| *officious | meddling
syn: meddlesome, prying |
| rampant | growing without check; running wild
syn: widespread, unrestrained |
| ominous | unfavorable, threatening, of bad omen
syn: unpropitious, inauspicious |
| deft | skillful; nimble
syn: dextrous, adroit |
| explicit | definite; clearly stated
syn: distinct, forthright |
| brandish | to wave or flourish in a menacing or vigorous fashion
syn: swing, shake |
| *extirpate | to tear up by the roots; to destroy totally
syn: uproot, eradicate |
