Affiliated - Associated, connected

-- Being affiliated with a well-known law firm is often an important first step on the way to a successful political career.

Ascertain - To find out

-- We need to ascertain what it will cost to remodel our kitchen.

Attainment - An accomplishment

-- In addition to his abilities as a leader, Abraham Lincoln was a man of high literary attainment.

Bequeath - To give or pass on inheritance

-- Few people will make enough money in their lifetime to be in a position to bequeath a fortune to their heirs.

Cogent - Forceful, convincing; relevant

-- A group of legal scholars held a press conference to present a cogent plea for reform of the state’s prison system.

Converge - To move toward one point together

-- The television coverage resumed as soon as the delegates converged on the hall to hear the keynote speaker’s address.

Disperse - To scatter, spread far and wide

-- When a scuffle broke out, the commissioner ordered the police to disperse the crowd.

Esteem - To regard highly; opinion/judgment

-- In many of the world’s cultures, young people are taught to esteem their ancestors.

Expunge - To erase, obliterate, destroy

-- The judge ordered the remarks expunged from the court record.

Finite - Having limits; lasting for a limited time

-- There are only a finite number of possible answers to a multiple-choice question.

Invulnerable - Not able to be wounded or hurt

-- Medieval lords did everything possible to make their castles invulnerable fortresses.

Malevolent - Spiteful; showing ill will

-- While pretending to be a loyal friend, Iago told Othello malevolent lies.

Nonchalant - Cool and confident. unconcerned

-- The elegantly dressed couple strolled down the boulevard with a nonchalant air.

Omniscient - Knowing everything

-- Scientists today have so much specialized knowledge that they sometimes seem omniscient.

Panacea - A remedy for all ills; cure-all

-- You are mistaken if you think that getting more money will be a panacea for all your troubles.

Scrupulous - Exact, careful, attending to details

-- Scientists are trained to record their observations will scrupulous accuracy.

Skulk - To move about stealthily

-- The burglar skulked in the alley looking for a way to get into the darkened jewelry store without the attention of anyone who might be nearby.

Supercilious - Proud and contemptuous

-- Their supercilious attitude toward their servants was extremely offensive.

Uncanny - Strange, mysterious, weird

-- It is highly usual for a beginner to display such an uncanny skill at playing bridge.

Venial - Easily excused; pardonable

-- Someone whose offense is deemed by the judge to be venial may be ordered to perform community service.