a mental condition characterized by great depression of spirits and gloomy forebodings

to pronounce or decree by judicial sentence

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

keen insight; shrewdness

having little or no meaning; making little or no sense

a clamorous and vigorous attempt to win customers or advance any cause; blatant advertising or publicity

(of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries; harsh or ascetic

a sudden and favorable resolution of events in a story; a happy ending

excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters

a heterogeneous mixture; jumble

without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid

relating to or characteristic of a person who indulges in some of the luxuries and comforts of a fancy lifestyle; relating to or characteristic of a person who aspires to the upper middle class, especially when regarded as being elitist or snobbish

make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better

to make valid; substantiate; confirm

establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely

holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold