maligned

adj. spoken ill of

credulity

n. tendency to believe too readily

prosaic

adj. commonplace; ordinary

avaricious

adj. greedy for riches

foreboding

n. feeling that something bad will happen

essence

n. crucial element or basis

shirked

v. neglected or avoided a responsibility

incessantly

adv. constantly

ingratiating

adj. trying to please; accommodating

scrutinized

v. examined carefully

precarious

adj. dangerous; unstable

impending

adj. about to happen

judicious

adj. showing sound judgment or common sense

sordid

adj. filthy or dirty

warrens

n. mazelike passages

titantic

adj. powerful

psychopathic

adj. with a dangerous mental disorder

supernal

adj. celestial or divine

itinerary

n. route

indigence

n. poverty