Vocabulary October 2022 - Widow Basquiat, Guardian

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• shrouded wrapped or dressed for burial, covered from view eg a mountain by clouds
• draft dodger a person who has avoided compulsory military service
• dither be indecisive
• rort australian informal a fradulent or dishonest act a tax ...
• sprawling spreading out over a large area in an untidy way, eg the suburbs
• beleaguered in a very difficult position
• rogue a dishonest or unprincipled man
• panache a flamboyant confidence of style and manner, Also plume of feathers on helmet.
• draconian law Law that is really harsh and repressive (Draco = Guy in ancient Greece who made such laws)
• quell speculations put an end to speculations
• windfall unearned, unanticipated gain in income through no additional effort or expense
• windfall tax a one-off tax on unearned, unanticipated incomes
• jerry can dunk
• sycophant a person who acts obsequiously (acting excessively servant in an insincere way) towards someone important in order to gain advantage
• obsequious to serve and obey in an excessive manner, often to gain a favour
• facepalm gesture showing embarassement, disbelief, frustration etc. Often used as an interjection.
• default when a country can't pay their bills nor interest
• stymie to hinder, block or twart, eg legislation
• botched of a task, carried out badly or carelessly
• raucous affair an activity making a disturbingly harsh or loud noice

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