extremely distasteful; unacceptable

serving as a protector, guardian, or patron

to invoke or call down (evil or curses), as upon a person

projecting or leaning forward; overhanging

a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something

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

inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent; pugnacious

gloomily dark; shadowy; dimly lighted

foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly; witless

one who is poor but lives in optimistic expectation of better fortune

settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like

fortification; a projecting portion of a rampart or fortification that forms an irregular pentagon attached at the base to the main work

to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary

of settled or sedate character; not flighty or capricious

to wipe out; do away with; expunge

the leader or conductor of an orchestra or choir