to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily

a small lie; fib

the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent; often used for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect

an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence, hide something, etc.

not organized; lacking order

of or relating to the deities, spirits, and other beings dwelling under the earth

any external prop or support built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts, especially a projecting support built into or against the outside of a masonry wall

venomous hostility or intense temper

having very little inflection; limited to a narrow pitch range

twilight; dusk

dark, gloomy, and cheerless

deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful

to associate on very friendly terms (usually followed by 'with')

to pronounce or decree by judicial sentence

former; erstwhile

a delay or cessation for a time, especially of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief