Kind of a big deal
powerful or influential person
magnate
deciption by means of craft of guile
chicanery
bright; brilliant; glowing
luminous
to move slowly and awkwardly
lumber
someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs
chauvinist
whirlpool; turmoil; agitated state of mind
maelstrom
intended to delay
dilatory
to make more bearable
alleviate
extremely careful; fastidious; painstaking
meticulous
plot or theme
machinations
excessive showiness
ostentation
dishonest
mendacious
figure of speech comparing two different things
metaphor
to leave secretly
abscond
practical, as opposed to idealistic
pragmatic
to speak in favor of
advocate
gaudy; falsely attractive
meretricious
an inappropriate lack of seriousness; an overly casual atmosphere
levity
acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner
lethargic
overly sentimental
maudlin
effectiveness
efficacy
immoral; unrestrained by society
licentious
to operate against; work against
militate
to make less serious; to ease
palliate
a curse; a wish of evil upon another
malediction