anecdote
a short, amusing story
temperate
moderate, not extreme
innovative
ahead of the times, like nothing ever seen
impugn
to challenge as false
ambiguous
open to several meanings or interpretations
animated
full of life or spirit
anachronism
something out of place in historical time
ambivalent
uncertainty or fluctuation, mixed feelings
alleviate
to make easier or endure
abstruse
hard to understand
abstract
apart from concrete, specific ideas or events
abase
deprive of self-esteem or confidence
accessible
easy to approach or enter
abstinence
denial of an indulgence or appetite
acclaim
enthusiastic approval or welcome
adherence
faithful attachment
advocate
to speak or write in favor of
clandestine
Kept or done in secret
ethereal
Of the celestial spheres; heavenly.
expunge
to cause something to be forgotten
buffoon
a person who does silly things, usually to make other people laugh
endemic
native to or limited to a certain region
instigate
To initiate or bring about, often by inciting
toady
A person who flatters or defers to others for self-serving reasons; a sycophant
facile
Working, acting, or done with ease and fluency
crony
A longtime close friend or companion.
bandy
To toss or throw back and forth
incendiary
Causing or designed to cause fires
chafe
To wear away or irritate by rubbing or friction
adjure
To command or enjoin solemnly, as under oath
natal
Of or associated with the time or place of one's birth
ductile
Easily molded or shaped
contradict
To be contrary to; be inconsistent with
palaver
Talk intended to charm or beguile
visage
The face or facial expression of a person; countenance
solecism
A violation of etiquette
sedate
habitually calm and composed in manner; serene
complaisant
Exhibiting a desire or willingness to please; cheerfully obliging
cleave
To split with a sharp instrument
modicum
moderate or small amount
staid
of a settled, sedate, and steady character
bluster
To speak in a loudly arrogant or bullying manner.
epistle
A letter, especially a formal one.
lubricity
smoothness or slipperiness
askance
With disapproval, suspicion, or distrust:
winnow
To examine closely in order to separate the good from the bad; sift