bugaboo = bugbear; object of baseless terror
foliage = masses of leaves; CF. defoliate
satellite = small body revolving around a larger one
bungle = mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by
clumsy behavior

implode = burst inward; CF. vaccum tube
credo = creed
malapropism = comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs.
Malaprop
pretension = pretentiousness; claim (without foundation);
Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
stint = set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ.
stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings
lubricate = apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance
that reduces friction
advert = refer
comely = attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
ambivalence = the state of having contradictory or conflicting
emotional attitudes or opinions
bereaved = deprived of (someone beloved through death)
glutton = someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous:
given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating
too much
lurk = stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived
profound = deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound
thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity
stipend = pay for services
mountebank = charlatan; boastful pretender
parchment = writing material made from the skin of a
sheep or goat
cursory = casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
vilify = slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
doom = condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp.
a tragic or ruinous one); V.
apposite = appropriate; fitting
hem = surround tightly so that movement is impossible;
Ex. hem in; N.
venom = poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full
of venom; ADJ. venomous
retort = quick sharp reply; V.
saline = salty
plausible = conceivably true; having a show of truth but
open to doubt; specious
gall = annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by
rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation
foster = rear; bring up (for a certain period only); encourage;
promote the development of (feelings or ideas); Ex.
help foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care
although not related by blood; Ex. foster parents
mortician = undertaker; CF. death
legerdemain = sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of
hand