a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome

to sew with long, loose stitches, as in temporarily tacking together pieces of a garment while it is being made

a yawning fissure or deep cleft in the earth's surface; gorge

a cause of obsessive fear, irritation, or loathing

condescending; haughty

to bring into discord or conflict; involve in contention or strife

the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time

a sudden violent squall blowing offshore from a mountainous coast

glowing or glittering with red or golden light

to scald briefly and then drain, as peaches or almonds to facilitate removal of skins, or as rice or macaroni to separate the grains or strands

having a background sprinkled with representations of flowers, as certain tapestries or pieces of glasswork

pertaining to or of the nature of a spasm; characterized by spasms

a sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable, in which the sound begins as one vowel and moves toward another (as in coin, loud, and side)

holding one's attention completely as though by magic; fascinating

serving as a protector, guardian, or patron

completely puzzled or perplexed by something unexpected