Vocab.

Pivotal: crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else. Decrypt: make (a coded or unclear message) intelligible Ingenious: plants have evolved cunning defenses. Ad hominem: (of an argument or reaction) arising from or appealing to theemotions and not reason or logic. Meathooks: a sharp metal hook of a kind used to hang meat carcasses. Coax: persuade (someone) gradually or by flattery to do something. Octahedrons: a three-dimensional shape having eight plane faces, esp. a regular solid figure with eight equal triangular faces. Expectoration: cough or spit out phlegm from the throat or lungs. Ribaldries: ribald talk or behavior. Chiaroscuros: the treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting. Docominius: a waterfront condominium with a private mooring. Maneuver: a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care.