itinerant adjective Traveling from place to place, especially to find work, rather than staying in one location. The itinerant preacher traveled from village to village, never staying anywhere for long. + bindle noun A bundle of belongings tied up in a cloth, traditionally carried on a stick over the shoulder. The wandering character in the old film carried nothing but a bindle over his shoulder. + solitaire noun A card game designed to be played alone, or a single gemstone set by itself in jewelry. She passed the long flight playing solitaire on her tablet. + brusque adjective Abrupt or blunt in speech or manner, to the point of seeming rude. The manager's brusque reply left the new employee feeling unwelcome. + mollify verb To calm or soothe someone's anger, or to make a harsh situation less severe. The manager tried to mollify the angry customer by offering a full refund. + derogatory adjective Expressing a low opinion of someone or something in a scornful or insulting way. The coach was fined for making derogatory remarks about the referee. + aloof adjective Distant and not friendly or forthcoming, keeping oneself apart from others physically or emotionally. The new manager seemed aloof at first, but he warmed up after the first project ended. + morose adjective Sullen, gloomy, and unwilling to talk, especially in a withdrawn or bad-tempered way. He grew morose after losing the championship match. + subdued adjective Quiet, restrained, or lacking in intensity, energy, or brightness. The room fell subdued after the sudden announcement of the layoffs. + anguish noun Severe mental or physical suffering caused by grief, pain, or worry. She felt a wave of anguish when she heard the news of the accident. + contemplate verb To think about something deeply and for a long time, often while considering a decision. He sat by the lake, contemplating whether to accept the job offer. + pantomime noun A British theatrical entertainment for children, based on a fairy tale and featuring music, comedy, and audience participation. The family went to see a Christmas pantomime featuring a talking cow and a wicked stepmother. + apprehension noun Anxiety or fear about something that may happen. She felt a growing apprehension as the exam date approached. + genial adjective Friendly, warm, and pleasant in manner, especially toward other people. The genial host greeted every guest personally as they arrived at the party. + disarming adjective Removing hostility or suspicion, especially through charm or friendliness. His disarming smile put even the most nervous clients at ease. + plaintive adjective Sounding sad or mournful, especially in a way that expresses longing. A plaintive melody drifted from the violin as the film's hero said goodbye. + sullen adjective Silently bad-tempered, gloomy, or resentful in manner or expression. The teenager gave a sullen shrug and refused to explain his absence. + crony noun A close friend or companion, often one favored unfairly in business or politics. The mayor was accused of giving contracts to his cronies instead of qualified bidders. + mottled adjective Marked with irregular spots or patches of different colors or shades. The lizard's mottled skin helped it blend into the dappled shade beneath the leaves. + malicious adjective Intending or showing a desire to harm someone, often through deliberate and spiteful actions. Someone spread malicious rumors about her just before the election. + complacent adjective Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements, often leading to a lack of effort. After years of success, the company grew complacent and stopped innovating. + ominous adjective Suggesting that something bad or threatening is likely to happen soon. Dark, ominous clouds gathered on the horizon just before the storm hit the coast. + tremulous adjective Shaking or quivering slightly, especially from fear, weakness, or strong emotion. Her tremulous voice betrayed how nervous she was before the interview. + vagrant noun A person who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or steady employment. The old law allowed police to arrest a vagrant simply for sleeping in the park. + laborer noun A person who does physical work, often unskilled, especially for wages. The construction site hired several laborers to help clear the ground. + isolation noun The state of being separate or apart from other people, places, or things. Months of isolation during the harsh winter left the villagers eager for spring visitors. + companionship noun A feeling of friendship or fellowship that comes from spending time with another person or animal. The elderly widow found great comfort in the companionship of her dog. + prejudice noun An unfair, preconceived opinion about a person or group, usually not based on actual experience or reason. The training program aims to help employees recognize their own unconscious prejudice. + brutality noun Extreme and cruel violence or harshness in behavior or treatment. The documentary exposed the brutality faced by prisoners in the camp. + innocence noun The state of not being guilty of a crime or wrongdoing. The new evidence finally proved his innocence after ten years in prison. +