Mettle

(noun)

Strength or Courage

Ex. The Spartans were known to show mettle.

Ukase

(noun)

an order or ruling of an arbitrary nature

Ex. The ukase was unexpected and required only people who chew gum to pay an extra $1,000 in tax.

Malefactor

(noun)

someone who does wrong, especially a criminal

Ex. I could not forgive the malefactor who stole my car.

Curtail

(verb)

to reduce the length or duration of something

Ex. The teacher surtails side conversations in order to increase time on task.

Prevail

(verb)

to prove to be stronger and in the position of greater influence and power

Ex. THe lynbrook football team prevailed over Harker with a 10-0 point victory.

Clamber

(verb)

to climb in a clumsy/loud manner

Ex. The boy clambered up the mountain.

Declivity

(noun)

a downward slope

Ex. The southern declivity of the mountain was covered with flowers.

Compulsion

(noun)

a strong, usually irresistable impulse to perform an act or a very strong desire to do something

Ex. I had a strong compulsion to go to Yogurtland.

Ineffectual

(adjective)

not effectice; not producing the desired results

Ex. The war speech was ineffectual in rallying the troops.

Obscure

(adjective)

not clear or easy to understand

Ex. The moon was obscured by the clouds.

Brawl

(noun)

a noisy fight

Ex. There was a brawl after the football game between two macho guys.

Trample

(verb)

to step heavily and noisily (crush, destroy, violate)

Ex. Some unfortunate people are trampled to death at concerts and big events.

Vile

(adjective)

very bad; filthy; foul

Ex. The noisy teenager made the room smell vile by constantly spraying Axe.

Absolve

(verb)

to be released of consequences of action

Ex. The little boy used his puppy dog face to absolve himself from a time-out after he stole a cookie from the cookie jar.

Flagrant

(adjective)

very obvious and contrary to standards of conduct or morality

Ex. The man was flagrant to disregarding others when he pushed the old lady from the stairs.