Zealot (n): someone passionately devoted to a cause. Precis (n): short summary of facts. Husband (v): to manage economically; to use sparingly. Dirge (n): a funeral hymn or mournful speech. Intrepid (adj): fearless; resolutely courageous. Erratic (adj): wandering and unpredictable. Gestation (n): growth process from conception to birth. Sinecure (n): a well-paying job or office that requires little or no work. Sagacious (adj): shrewd; wise. Pathogenic (adj): causing disease. Nominal (adj): existing in name only; negligible. Flag (v): to decline in vigor, strength, or interest. Repast (n): meal or mealtime. Listless (adj): lacking energy and enthusiasm. Ostentation (n): excessive showiness. Insurrection (n): rebellion. Wan (adj): sickly pale. Inure (v): to harden; accustom; become used to. Puerile (adj): childish, immature, or silly. Anachronism (n): something out of place in time. Ignoble (adj): having low moral standards; not noble in character; mean. Iniquity (n): sin; evil act. Umbrage (n): offense; resentment. Polemic (n): controversy; argument; verbal attack. Abscond (v): to leave secretly. Viscous (adj): thick and adhesive, like a slow-flowing fluid. Deleterious (adj): subtly or unexpectedly harmful. Fractious (adj): unruly; rebellious. Distend (v): to swell, or bloat. Collusion (n): collaboration; complicity; conspiracy. Coalesce (v): to grow together to for a single whole. Gambol (v): to dance or skip around playfully. Explicit (adj): clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression. Dogmatic (adj): dictatorial in one's opinions. Repose (n): relaxation; leisure. Probity (n): complete honesty and integrity. Opine (v): to express an opinion. Investiture (n): ceremony conferring authority. Ribald (adj): humorous in a vulgar way. ....desperation.
