Acumen

(n.) keen insight (Because of his mathematical ______, Larry was able to figure out in minutes problems that took other students hours.)

Buffet

(n.)/(v) 1. to strike with force, 2. an arrangement of food set out on a table 1. (The strong winds ______ the ships, threatening to capsize them) 2. ( rather than sitting around a table, the guests took food from our ______ and ate standing up)

Credulity

(n.) readiness to believe (His ______ made him an easy target for con men.)

Deprecate

(v.) to belittle, depreciate (Always over-modest, he _______ his contribution to the local charity.)

Ephemeral

(adj.) short-lived, fleeting (She promised she'd love me forever, but her "forever" was only ________: she left me after one week.)

Fractious

(adj.) troublesome or irritable (Although the child insisted he wasn't tired, his ______ behavior—especially his decision to crush his cheese and crackers all over the floor—convinced everyone present that it was time to put him to bed.)

Impervious

(adj.) impenetrable, incapable of being affected (Because of their thick layer of fur, many seals are almost _______ to the cold.)

Languid

(adj.) sluggish from fatigue or weakness (In the summer months, the great heat makes people _______ and lazy.)

Morass

(n.) a wet swampy bog; figuratively, something that traps and confuses (When Theresa lost her job, she could not get out of her financial ________)

Nascent

(adj.) in the process of being born or coming into existence (Unfortunately, my brilliant paper was only in its _______ form on the morning that it was due.)

Officious

(adj.) offering one's services when they are neither wanted not needed (Brenda resented Allan's _______ behavior when he selected colors that might best improve her artwork)

Parsimony

(n.) frugality, stinginess (Many relatives believed that my aunt's wealth resulted from her _________.)