(n) harshness of temper; sharpness, bitterness; astringency of taste

"The professor's _______ic comments inhibited the freshmen from asking questions."

(v) to make greater, more powerful; richer, larger

"He sought publicity in order to __________ his reputation."

(n) a short, pithy statement of a principle; maxim

"Remember Franklin's _________ 'The empty drum makes the most noise.'"

(adj) having a severe look, manner; forbidding

"His _________ expressiondiscouraged our attempts at conversation."

(v) to start a discussion of; introduce, suggest

"Merely to __________ the subject of money sent him into a lecture on budgeting."

(v) to go around; elude

"Though many try, it is impossible to ___________ the red tape at registration."

(adj) satisfied, often self-satisfied or smug

"After three A's, she became __________, and her grade dropped to a B."

(adj) stubbornly perverse or rebellious; disobedient

"___________ teenagers sometimes can be encouraged to channel their aggressions into positive activities."

(n) an agreement between two or more individuals, often religious; compact, as between nations

"Marriage is a solemn __________ between a man and a woman."

(adj) very sorrowful or sad; mournful

"The __________ tolling of the bell announced another victim of the plague."

(n) use of force or threats; compulsion

"I agree to your terms, but only under _______."

(adj) not pertinent; irrelevant, not belonging

"Don't confuse the issue by bringing in __________ arguments."

(v) to set free; release or disentangle

"I could think of no way to __________ myself gracefully from the difficulty."

(adj) too particular or exacting; fastidious, fussy

"My mother is so ________ that the potatoes must be sliced exactly one-quarter inch thick."

(v) to stir up trouble; instigate (see also ferment)

"Though he seemed loyal in public, behind the scenes he was _______ing revolution."

(adj) happening by chance; accidental but fortunate occurence, unplanned

"The arrival of the mailman just as I was leaving was __________: he was bringing my paycheck."

(n) explosive shouts; denunciations

"The violent __________ against his former friend shocked the audience deeply."

(n) gap in sequence; opening; lacuna

"There was a long, embarrassing _________ after th speaker concluded and the master of ceremonies asked for questions."

(adj) never changing or varying; unalterable

"The planets move in _________ orbits."

(v) to assail by argument or criticism; challenge as false

"If you ________ my honesty, we cannot be friends."