scuttlebutt –rumor/gossip. A drinking fountain for use by the crew of a vessel.
Bulwark –Any protection against external danger.
hubris –excessive pride or self-confidence
dearth –an inadequate supply, scarcity
deference –respectful or courteous regard.
emulate –to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass
imitate –To have a copy of; reproduce closely
mimic –to imitate or copy in action, speech; often playfully or derisively
endemic –belonging exclusively or confined to a particular place.
aborigine –one of the original or earliest known inhabitants of a country or region
inchoate –not yet completed or fully developed
precursor -one that precedes and indicates the onset of another