█ajar - partially opened
█retorted - to make a reply, especially a quick, caustic, or witty one
█faltered - to be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence; waver
█vermin - various small animals or insects that are destructive, annoying, or injurious to health
█doggedly - stubbornly persevering; tenacious
█zenith - the point of culmination; the peak
█stolid - having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; impassive
█ruddy- having a healthy, reddish color
█consternation - a state of paralyzing dismay
█transmuted - to change from one form, nature, substance, or state into another; transform
█retinue - the retainers or attendants accompanying a high-ranking person
█flail - to move vigorously or erratically; thrash about
█peevishly - querulous or discontented
█undaunted - not discouraged or disheartened; resolutely courageous
█incessant - continuing without interruption
█arduous - demanding great effort or labor
█placid - undisturbed by tumult or disorder; calm or quiet
█surmised - to infer without sufficiently conclusive evidence
█unctuous - characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness; oily
█harried - to disturb or distress by or as if by repeated attacks; harass
█ardent - expressing or characterized by warmth of feeling; passionate
█imperturbable - unshakably calm and collected
█essayed - to make an attempt at; try
█hoary - gray or white with or as if with age
█brazen - marked by flagrant and insolent audacity
█wizened - to dry up; wither or shrivel
█filial - of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter
█harangue - a long pompous speech, especially one delivered before a gathering
█cur - 1. a dog considered to be inferior or undesirable; a mongrel. 2. a base or cowardly person.
█surly - 1. sullenly ill-humored; gruff. 2. threatening, as of weather conditions; ominous
█slaked - to allay (thirst, desire, wrath, etc.) by satisfying
