Vocabulary from The Fire Next Time

Impertinent

(adj) Intrusive or presumptuous, as persons or their actions; insolently rude; uncivil. Not pertinent or relevant.

Unassailable

(adj) Not open to attack or assault, as by military force or argument. Not subject to denial or dispute.

Implacable

(adj) Not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified

Gratuitous

(adj) Given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; voluntary. Being without apparent reason, cause, or justification.

Assuage

(v - trans) To relieve, ease, allay, mitigate, make less severe or intense, to satisfy, appease, make content.

Sordid

(adj) Morally ignoble or base; vile: sordid methods. Meanly selfish, self-seeking, or mercenary. Dirty or filthy. Squalid; wretchedly poor and run-down.

Inexorable

(adj) Unyielding; unalterable: inexorable truth. Not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties

Relish

(v - trans) To take pleasure in; like; enjoy. To make pleasing to the taste. To like the taste of. (v - int) To have taste or flavor. To be agreeable.

Visceral

(adj) Of or pertaining to the viscera (the inner organs of the body). Characterized by or proceeding from instinct rather than intellect. Characterized by or dealing with coarse or base emotions; earthy; crude.

Fatuous

(adj) Foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly. Unreal; illusory.

Tenacity

(n) The quality or property of being tenacious. (adj) Holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often followed by of). Highly retentive: a tenacious memory. Pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate. Adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous. Holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.

Virulent

(adj) Actively poisonous; intensely noxious: a virulent insect bite. Medicine/Medical: highly infective; malignant or deadly. Bacteriology: causing clinical symptoms. Violently or spitefully hostile. Intensely bitter, spiteful, or malicious.

Obtuse

(adj) Not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; not sensitive or observant; dull. Not sharp, acute, or pointed; blunt in form.

Decadent

Characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence. Marked by moral or cultural decay or decline.

Avail

(v - trans) To be of use or value to; profit; advantage (v - int) To be of use; have force or efficacy; serve; help:. To be of value or profit. (n) Advantage; use; efficacy.

Chimera

(n) (Often capitalized) Greek myth a fire-breathing monster with the head of a lion, body of a goat, and tail of a serpent. A fabulous beast made up of parts taken from various animals. A wild and unrealistic dream or notion.

Abdicate

(v - int) To renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner. (v - trans) To give up or renounce (authority, duties, an office, etc.), especially in a voluntary, public, or formal manner.

Virile

(adj) Of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a man; masculine; manly: virile strength. Having or exhibiting masculine energy, forcefulness, or strength in a marked degree. Characterized by a vigorous, masculine spirit

Intransigence

(n) Refusing to compromise or agree; inflexibility