Vocab #1

bane

the cause of ruin, harm, distress, or death

nemesis

someone or something a person cannot conquer or achieve, a hated enemy

allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

pragmatic

practical, as opposed to idealistic

bravado

a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate

draconian

hard, severe, cruel

impetus

a moving force, impulse, stimulus

edify

improve someone morally

cretin

a stupid person

bombastic

pompous in speech and manner

gambit

to take a risk for some advantage

pander

to exploit weaknesses of others, to cater the vices of others

catharsis

a release of emotional tension

moratorium

a suspension of activity, an unauthorized delay

impugn

to call into question, to attack verbally

caveat

a warning or caution

voracious

having a huge appetite, greedy, ravenous, excessively eager

semantics

meaning of words and sentences

irony

a contrast between expectation and reality

intrepid

very brave, fearless, unshakable