... surprised by the candor of the mayor’s speech because he is usually rather evasive.) canny (adj.) shrewd, careful (The canny runner at the back of the pack through much of the race to watch the other ... parts together (The linchpin in the prosecution’s case was the hair from the defendant’s head, which was found at the scene of the crime.) lithe (adj.) graceful, flexible, supple (Although the dancers ... veil, the bride looked ethereal.) etymology (n.) the history of words, their origin and development (From the study of etymology, I know that the word “quixotic” derives from Don Quixote and the...