Ardor (n): intense & passionate feeling. Erudite (adj): learned; scholarly; bookish. Dogma (n): a firmly held opinion, especially a religious belief. Enervate (V): to reduce in strength. Acme (n): highest point; summit; the highest level or degree attainable. Gradation (n): process occurring by regular degrees or stages; variation in color. Philanthropy (n): charity; a desire or effort to promote goodness. Leery (adj): suspicious. Legerdemain (n): trickery. Dither (v): to act confusedly or without clear purpose. Levity (n): an inappropriate lack of seriousness; overly casual. Attenuate (v): to reduce in force or degree; weaken. Sardonic (adj): cynical; scornfully mocking. Lachrymose (adj): tearful. Canard (n): a lie. Jocular (adj): playful; humorous. Corroborate (v): to support with evidence. Diatribe (n): an abusive, condemnatory speech. Bilk (v): to cheat; defraud. Crescendo (n): steadily increasing in volume or force. Yoke (v): to join together. Malinger (v): to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill. Apocryphal (adj): of questionable authority or authenticity. Exonerate (v): to clear of blame. Coffer (n): strongbox; large chest for money. Aggrandize (v): to increase in power, influence, and reputation. Pariah (n): an outcast. Pare (v): to trim off excess; reduce. Abjure (v): to reject; abandon formally. Stigma (n): a mark of shame or discredit. Vacillate (v): to physically sway or to be indecisive. Craven (adj): lacking courage. Peccadillo (n): minor sin or offense. Onerous (adj): troublesome and oppressive; burdensome. Mercurial (adj): quick, shrewd, and unpredictable.
