dark, gloomy, and cheerless

highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, anticipation, etc.

the provision of nourishment or other necessities of life

requiring painstaking care

a sudden and favorable resolution of events in a story; a happy ending

the act of clearing someone of blame or of an accusation or criminal charge

to dispense in dollops

theatrical entertainment consisting of a number of individual performances, acts, or mixed numbers, as by comedians, singers, dancers, acrobats, and magicians

the pure and concentrated essence of a substance

frank and simple good-heartedness; a good-natured manner; friendliness; geniality

a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion

of, characteristic of, or resembling a serpent, as in form or movement

to glide, move, or proceed easily or nonchalantly

dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain; insecure

known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric

characterized by great generosity