Autarky- National economic self-sufficiency/not trading with any other country

Beleaguered- Surrounded with problems

Liberal arts- Subjects/skills thought to be important for civic life (sciences, arts, humanities,

Exegesis- Critical interpretation of a text

Imbibe- To drink

Parable- Short allegorical story

Antidote- Cure for poison

Nominally- Not important

Austerity- Seriousness/severity/enforced economic policies

Watershed- An important time/event

Aphids- Type of insect

Wholesale- (adj) Done on a large scale/extensive

Humanities- Subjects including history, literature, languages

Social Sciences- Subjects including economics, political science, psychology

Flummox- Perplex/bewilder

Hauteur- Arrogance

Esprit- Liveliness

Cognate- Related to

Fictive- Not real