adept - expert at; very skilled
truncate - cut the top off; shorten
vitiate - spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
reciprocate - do or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move backwards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights
incident - event; event that causes a crisis
blunt - having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt
figurative - not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech
hardy - (of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) able to stand inclement(stormy) weather
gust - strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster