deviation from what is normal

Albino animals may display too great an anomaly in their coloring to attract normally colored mates

to make something unpleasant less severe

Serena used aspirin to assuage her pounding headache. When that didn't work, she ate some sausage to assuage.

a puzzle, a mystery

Speaking in riddles and dressed in old robes, the artist gained a reputation as something of an enigma.

to use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead

When faced with criticism of policies, the politician equivocated and left all parties thinking he agreed with them.

learned, scholarly, bookish

The annual meeting of philosophy professors was a gathering of the most erudite, well-published individuals in the field.

intensely emotional, feverish

The fans of Maria Callas were unusually fervid, doing anything to catch a glimpse of the great opera singer.

clear and easily understood

The explanations were written in a simple and lucid manner so that students were immediately able to apply what they learned.

impossible to see through, preventing the passage of light

The heavy buildup of the dirt and grime on the windows almost made them opaque-

to soothe or pacify

The burglar tried to placate the snarling dog by saying "Nice doggy" and offering it a treat.

to throw violently or bring about abruptly, lacking deliberation

Upon learning that the couple married after knowing each other only two months, friends and family expected such a precipitate marriage to end.

lavish, wasteful

The prodigal son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure.

passion, excitement

She bought her typical zeal to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members.