(adj) in the early stages; incipient

"The mind of an infant is _________."

(n) disliking or avoiding work; laziness

"_________ is regarded as a sin in the Puritan work."

(adj) does not injure or harm; inoffensive

"Although at one time they were regarded as _________, bee stings are now known to be highly toxic in allergic individuals."

(adj) tending to cause envy, discontent, or animosity; envious, injurious

"It is __________ to praise one child and ignore another."

(adj) morally unrestrained; lewd, libertine

"The  ____________ entertainments of the later Roman emperors are notorious."

(adj) injury causing loss of bodily function; crippled, disabled

"Adults often are the victims of psychological _______ing in their childhood."

(adj) based on pretence or insincerity; specious

"Con artists are masters of persuation even though their arguments are usually _______."

(n) the lowest point, time of great dejection or depression

"In 1929 many families' fortunes went from their zenith to their _______ overnight."

(n) connection, link between members of a series

"The family _______ ought to be love, not merely convenience."

(n) state of not existing, unnoticed person

"I felt like a total ________ at the party; everyone else was rich or famous or both."

(v) prevent by effective measures; make unnecessary

"Studying for an hour each day __________s the need for cramming."

(adj) having much wealth or property; rich

"Cathy and Heathcliff were awed by the _________ of life at Thrushcross Grange."

(n) small number; scarcity; dearth

"The students were disappointed by the _________ of good books in their library."

(adj) impatient or irritable over a petty annoyance; peevish, querulous

"Estella's __________ behavior was the direct consequence of Miss Havisham's spoiling her."

(adj) undisturbed, tranquil; calm

"A _______ temperament is essential in careers where the pressures are intense."

(n) extremely wasteful; recklessly extravagant

"Pip bitterly regretted his __________cy, particularly because he influenced Herbert to overspend as well."

(adj) powerful, strong; mighty

"_________ nations like China and the U.S. often attract weaker sattelite nations to their sides."

(adj) finding fault; complaining; peevish

"The _________, petulent behavior of the old man toward his daughters finally led them to hire a housekeeper to look after him."

(adj) dealing with difficult subjects; profound, abstruse

"Metaphysics is a _________ branch of philosophy for the novice."

(n) train of attendants, servants, followers, entourage

"Marie Antoinette traveled with a ________ of servants and aides."