contract
to reduce in size by drawing together

retire
to retreat, as from battle

dowdy
lacking in neatneess or style; shabby

genealogy
the science or study of family descent

manumit
to grant freedom to slaves; to emancipate

lopsided
larger or shaped differently on one side than on another

precipitate
moving rapidly and without caution

duress
strain or hardship, often illegally applied

arable
suitable for growing crops (of land)

alacrity
cheerful willingness; switfness

sensuous
appealing to the senses; esp. those involved in appreciating beauty

cavort
to leap about in a lively manner; to have lively or boisterous fun

diffident
lacking self-confidence; timid; shy

maelstrom
a violently confused state; a very large whirlpool

retract
to take back; to pull back

mean
lowly, insignificant, petty

belated
delayed; postponed; detained

crestfallen
feeling disappointment; feeling shame or humiliation

vindicate
to clear of blame with supporting arguments or proof

taut
tense; very tight

subordinate
occupying a lower position

parody
a humorous and ridiculous imitation

accrue
to come as a gain; to increase

endemic
native to a particular country

credit
to believe; to trust

palatable
pleasant or acceptable to the taste

extract
to remove, esp. with effort

pathetic
arousing pity; arousing scornful pity

vie
to compete

olfactory
relating to the sense of smell

trauma
serious physical or emotional injury

adulterate
to make impure

ocular
relating to the eye or sense of sight

alchemy
medieval chemistry, esp. the attempt to change common metals into gold

commensurate
equal in proportion; having the same size, duration, etc.

dredge
to clean, deepen, or widen a waterway; to come up with or unearth

anecdote
a brief story, often humorous

fervid
extremely emotional; passionate

disparate
entirely unlike

hyperbole
exaggeration

forthright
direct and without evasion; honest

temperate
consistent; moderate; without extremes

attract
to pull towards; to stimulate interest

schism
a division; a split; a break

ubiquitous
present everywhere

deride
to ridicule

collage
an assembly of diverse elements

bourgeoisis
the middle class

husband
to use sparingly; to converse

frugal
careful in spending money or resource