be • lea • guer v., beset with difficulties. Difficulties continue to beleaguer Stephanie.

spas • mod • i • cal • ly adv., suddenly, violently, and intermittently. During the earthquake, the ground shook spasmodically.

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as • cet • ic adj., characteristic of anyone who lives with strict self-discipline. He was ascetic and worked long hours without stopping.

fa • nat • ic n., person who holds extreme and unreasonable views; zealot. Paul was a fanatic about his political beliefs.

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par • ox • ysm n., sudden attack or convulsion. Leo hunched over in a sudden paroxysm of pain.

ruse n., trick. They wanted to surprise Tia with the party, so they needed to think of a ruse to get her there.

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re • morse n., deep, torturing sense of guilt. After he caused a terrible car accident, Tyrone felt remorse.

gib • ber v., speak or utter rapidly and incoherently. The baby began to gibber to herself.

con • cus • sion n., shock from impact. The thick glass broke from the concussion.