Alas Babylon Chapters 7-8

abated

to beat down

foraging

search for food

fastidious

difficult to please

ignoramus

a stupid person

hoarded

hide

self-preservation

keeping oneself from danger

jodhpurs

wide hipped riding pants

brash

bold, pushy

buoyant

cheerful, bubbly

barter

trade

alimony

paid to spouse for support

farrow

a litter of pigs

disparity

inequality

squander

to be wasteful

insidious

treacherous, harmful

remunerative

profitable compensation

pablum

simple idea

dilapidated

falling to pieces

pillaged

to steal

degradation

demotion, put down