Dismal [dis·mal] adj Gloomy. Depressing; dreary. “The business was a dismal failure;” “Dismal weather.”

Provenance [prov·e·nance] n. The beginning of something’s existence; something’s origin. The place of origin or earliest known history of something. “An exquisite vase of Chinese provenance.”

Tepid [tep·id] adj. Showing little enthusiasm: “The president had a tepid response to the proposal.”

Efficacious [ef·fi·ca·cious] adj. Successful in producing a desired or intended result; effective. “Efficacious treatment for the disease.”

Incorrigible [in·cor·ri·gi·ble] adj. Not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed. “His bad habits were incorrigible.”

Malicious [ma·li·cious] adj. Characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm. “Malicious rumors.”

Doleful [dole·ful] adj Expressing sorrow; mournful. “A doleful look.” Causing misfortune or grief. “Doleful consequences.”

Bromide n. A commonplace remark or notion; a platitude. “Her speech contained the usual bromides about teamwork.” A tiresome or dull person; a bore

Bromide n. A commonplace remark or notion; a platitude. “Her speech contained the usual bromides about teamwork.” A tiresome or dull person; a bore.

Abstruse [ab·struse] adj. Difficult to understand; obscure. “An abstruse argument presented by the lawyers.”