compendium
a collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject, esp. in a book or other publication
concise
giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words, brief but comprehensive
cranky
ill-tempered
erode
gradually destroy
facade
the face of a building, esp. the principal front that looks onto a street or open space
granary
a storehouse for threshed grain
hemorrhage
a damaging loss of valuable people or resources suffered by an organization, group, or country
implication
a likely consequence of something
inexorable
impossible to stop or prevent
mentor
an experienced and trusted adviser
obsidian
a hard, dark, glasslike volcanic rock formed by the rapid solidification of lava without crystallization
outrageous
shockingly bad or excessive
perplex
complicate or confuse
piazza
a public square or marketplace, esp. in an Italian town
resolute
admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering
retort
say something in answer to a remark or accusation, typically in a sharp, angry, or wittily incisive manner
Romanesque
relating to a style of architecture that prevailed in Europe c.900 - 1200, although sometimes dated back to the end of the Roman Empire (5th century)
surplus
an amount of something left over when requirements have been met; an excess of production or supply over demand
talisman
an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck
urban
relating to, or characteristic of a city or town
