Lesson 25

arcane

secret, mysterious

artifacts

simple objects showing human workmanship

atone

to make amends

callow

immature, inexperienced

clamor

loud noise or shouting

countenance

to condone or to give approval

dilettante

an aimless and superficial follower of the arts, a dabbler

foreboding

premonition of evil, an ominous omen

hack

one who forfeits professional integrity in exchange for money or reward

impede

to interfere with or to obstruct the progress

indubitable

not open to question or doubt

invective

critical or abusive language; violent abuse

philanthropist

one who tried to do good for mankind; lover of mankind

precursor

something that comes before, forerunner

relish

to take great pleasure or delight in

rhetoric

the art of using words effectively in speaking or writing; inflated language

rigor

strictness, severity

somnambulist

a sleepwalker

stymie

a block, to present an obstacle

tepid

moderately warm; lacking in passion, force, or animation

unkempt

disheveled in appearance

vacuous

lacking content; marked by lack of intelligence

variegated

changed in appearance by using or applying different colors

vehement

forcefully expressing emotion or conviction

zealot

one who embraces a cause and supports it with vigor