defintions
desolate
(adj.) deserted, dreary, lifeless (She found the desolate landscape quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the overcrowded city.)
prosaic
(adj.) dull, lacking in distinction and originality; matter-of-fact, straightforward; characteristic of prose, not poetic
ornate
(adj.) elaborately decorated; showily splendid
squalid
(adj.) filthy, wretched, debased
Ambivalent
(adj.) having opposing feelings (My feelings about Calvin are ambivalent because on one hand he is a loyal friend, but on the other, he is a cruel and vicious thief.)
indelible
(adj.) not able to be erased or removed; memorable
paucity
(n.) an inadequate quantity, scarcity, dearth
precarious
Dangerous; risky; lacking in security or stability
piety
Devotion and reverence to God
inert
Inactive; having little or no power to move
benevolence
adj.doing good to others, kindness
antecedent
before
agile
characterized by ability to move quickly The rabbit was agile
malevolence
evil; wickedness; malicious behavior
quiscent
inactive; at rest;tranquil place;the property settlement would make the house calm and quiscent;
antidote
something that relieves the act of poison
abet
to encourage and assist The criminal abetted his own crime
abate
to increase
Altruistic
(adj.) unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others I was very altruistic yesterday, after my loss.
scintillating
(adj., part.) sparkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant (applied to mental or personal qualities)
eulogy
(n) speech of praise or written work of praise, esp. a speech given at a funeral
enervation
(noun) a feeling of being drained of energy or vitality, fatigue
obliterate
(v.) to blot out completely, destroy utterly
ascertain
(v.) to find out
dissuade
(v.) to persuade someone not to do something (Worried that he would catch a cold, she tried to dissuade him from going out on winter nights.)
distend
(v.) to swell out (Years of drinking beer caused his stomach to distend
fitful
adj, occurring in irregular outbursts; occurring in spurts
din
continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition
vexation
irritation, annoyance
