Vocabulary

• eerie - so mysterious, strange, or unexpected as to send a chill up the spine
• vestibule - a passage, hall, or room between the outer door and the interior of a building : LOBBY
• defiantly - in a defiant manner : in a way that is full of or shows a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight
• vicious - dangerously aggressive : SAVAGE

  marked by violence or ferocity : FIERCE
• progeny - DESCENDANTS, CHILDREN
• shirk - to avoid or evade the performance of an obligation
• nibble - to bite gently : to eat or chew in small bits
• wince - to shrink back involuntarily (as from pain) : FLINCH
• smear - a viscous or sticky substance : a spot made by or as if by an unctuous or adhesive substance
• smear - to spread over a surface : to stain, smudge, or dirty
• sting - to prick painfully: such as

  a: to pierce or wound with a poisonous or irritating process

  b: to affect with sharp quick pain or smart
• peevish - easily annoyed : bad-tempered person
• hone - to sharpen or smooth with a whetstone
• scuttle - to cut a hole through the bottom, deck, or side of (a ship) specifically : to sink or attempt to sink by making holes through the bottom
• capelet - a small cape usually covering the shoulders
• threadbare - having the nap worn off so that the thread shows : SHABBY

  : wearing threadbare clothing : very poor

  : barely adequate because of cheapness or shabbiness
• premonition - anticipation of an event without conscious reason
• folly - a foolish act or idea
• breeches - short pants covering the hips and thighs and fitting snugly at the lower edges at or just below the knee
• debouch - to cause to emerge : DISCHARGE
• alcove - a small recessed (a hidden, secret, or secluded place or part) section of a room : NOOK

  : an arched opening (as in a wall) : NICHE
• tryst - an agreement (as between lovers) to meet : an appointed meeting or meeting place
• oblivious - lacking remembrance, memory, or mindful attention : lacking active conscious knowledge or awareness
• scowl - to contract the brow in an expression of displeasure : a facial expression of displeasure
• kohl - a preparation used especially in Arabia and Egypt to darken the edges of the eyelids
• scourge - 1: WHIP especially : one used to inflict pain or punishment

  2: to punish severely
• incredulous - unwilling to admit or accept what is offered as true
• obeisance - a movement of the body made in token of respect or submission : BOW
• postulate - to assume or claim as true, existent, or necessary : depend upon or start from the postulate of
• refute - to prove wrong by argument or evidence : show to be false or erroneous
• aleatory - depending on the throw of a dice or on chance; random.
• enigmatic - difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious
• daunting - seeming difficult to deal with in prospect; intimidating
• bane - a source of harm or ruin : CURSE
• aptitude - natural ability : TALENT
• elucidate - to give a clarifying explanation: explain
• censure - a judgment involving condemnation (noun); to find fault with and criticize as blameworthy (verb): punish
• arrogance - an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions
• despot - a person exercising absolute power in a brutal or oppressive way: dictator
• ardent - very enthusiastic or passionate