Fiske Word Power Chapter 28-29

elliptical

a verbal structure where some element is left out (intentionally or by error)

byzantine

describes something excessively complicated (especially when the complexities come from intrigue or scheming)

factitious

describes something lacking in authenticity

apocryphal

describes something of questionable truth or authenticity

abstruse

describes something that is hard to understand

mendacity

dishonesty

arcane

implies something not known by people in general; mildly mysterious

esoteric

known only to a small group, to a few

inscrutable

mysterious; hard to fathom or penetrate

disingenuous

playing "dumb"; not straightforward

succor

relief; comfort in time of distress

palliative

soothing the symptoms of a disorder without effecting a cure

emollient

soothing; used to describe something that soothes the skin

mollify

to calm in temper

alleviate

to ease symptoms

ameliorate

to improve

placate

to lesson someone's anger

foster

to nurture; to promote growth

conciliate

to overcome distrust or hostility; to try to regain someone's friendship

assuage

to soothe; to make less painful or burdensome