abnegation (n.) denial of comfort to oneself

beseech (v.) to beg, plead, implore

complacency (n.) self-satisfied ignorance of danger

dilatory (adj.) tending to delay, causing delay

effulgent (adj.) radiant, splendorous

florid (adj.) flowery, ornate

inane (adj.) silly and meaningless

juxtaposition (n.) the act of placing two things next to each other for implicit comparison

knell (n.) the solemn sound of a bell, often indicating a death

limpid (adj.) clear, transparent

mollify (v.) to soften in temper

nadir (n.) the lowest point of something

odious (adj.) instilling hatred or intense displeasure 

pacific (adj.) soothing

querulous (adj.) whiny, complaining

ribald (adj.) coarsely, crudely humorous

solipsistic (adj.) believing that oneself is all that exists

toady (n.) one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors

usurp (v.) to seize by force, take possession of without right

vapid (adj.) lacking liveliness, dull

whimsical (adj.) fanciful, full of whims

yoke (v.) to join, link

zenith (n.) the highest point, culminating point