abomination - something detestable; something despised

abrogation - abolishment; annulment

abyss - nothingness; point of no return

anarchy - lawlessness

antagonistic - hostile

arbitrate - decide

ascertain - determine

atomization - reduction to small particles

autocratic - absolute

blatantly - in an offensively obvious manner

calumny - false charges calculated to damage another’s reputation

canny - clever; shrewd

confirm - verify

congerie - collection

contention - point advanced in a debate; also, rivalry

contiguous - next to; adjacent

corroborating - agreeing with and supporting

cosmology - theory of the natural order of the universe

covenanted - pledged

dallied - lingered; dawdled

darkling - dark

defamation - damaging another’s reputation

deference - the respect due an elder or superior

defiled - dirtied; fouled

diametrically - extremely; oppositely

dionsysiac - frenzied; festive and wild

discomfits - embarrasses; thwarts

dissembling - putting on a false apperance; concealing something

ecclesiasts - clergyman

fetishes - objects believed to have magical power

formidable - massive; considerable

ideology - system of beliefs

incubi - evil masculine spirits that come to women while women sleep

inculcation - implanting; brainwashing

inert - still; not moving

iniquity - wickedness; sin

innate - inborn

intimations - suggestions; hints

junta - group controlling a government after seizing power

ken - range of perception or understanding

klatches - gatherings, usually characterized by casual conversation

lascivious - lustful

licentious - lewd

magistrates - local officials

malevolence - ill will

malign - speak evilly of; utter false things about

manifestation - embodiment

marauded - raided

mores - moral attitudes, manners, and customs

naïve - not worldly

naught - nothing

paradox - something with seemingly contradictory elements

parochial - narrow-minded

perverse - corrupt

predilection - preference

prodigious - strange, extraordinary

propitiation - appeasement; atonement

providence - divine guidance

rankle - irritate

scourge - cause of widespread affliction

smirched - dirtied; stained

sniveling - whining and sniffling

speculation - wondering

subservient - cringingly submissive

succubi - evil female spirits that come to men while men sleep

theocracy - government by divine guidance

titillated - excited and intrigued

trepidation - apprehension

vindictive - vengeful

writ - formal written document

yeomanry - middle class land-owners; farmers