Wither (with’ er) — to dry up and die (for plants), to become weak and often disappear.

Synonyms: blight, decay, decline, shrivel, perish.

Antonyms: bloom, blossom, flourish, thrive.

— The flowers will wither if you leave them unwatered for long.

Sceptical (skep’ tik-al): unwilling to believe something.

Synonyms: disbelieving, doubtful, dubious, mistrustful.

Antonyms: believing, certain, convinced, credulous.

— Although we’ve put in our best, but I am sceptical about the success of this project.

Reverence (rev’ verens, revvrens): a feeling of deep respect or admiration for something.

Synonyms: adoration, devotion.

Antonyms: contempt, disdain, scorn.

— I have deep reverence for the religious traditions followed by my ancestors.

Wayward (way’ ward): not easily controlled, quite wild.

Synonyms: unruly, fickle, erratic.

Antonyms: complaisant, good natured.

— Bunny is growing up to be a wayward child.

Rapt (rapt): completely absorbed in what one is seeing or hearing.

Synonyms: absorbed, engrossed, enthralled, fascinated.

Antonyms: bored, detached, uninterested.

— We heard his speech with rapt attention.

Raucous (raw’ kus): loud and rough (sound)

Synonyms: grating, harsh, hoarse, noisy.

Antonym: dulcet, mellifluous, quiet, smooth.

— I could hear the raucous laughter of men at the party next door.

Fill in the blanks to find antonyms of "wayward":

1. D _P E N _ _ _ _ E

2. M A _ _ E _ _ _ E

3. O B _ _ _ _ _ T

4. O B _ _ _ _ _ G

5. S _ B M _ _ _ _ V E

6. M _ _ A _ E _ _ _ E

7. T R _ _ T _ _ L E

8. C _ M P _ _ _ _ T

Obolus was an ancient Greek coin of silver or copper. It was the sixth part of a drachma. It was a custom to place the coin in the mouth of a corpse as a payment to Charon for ferrying the spirit across the Styx. In mythology, Charon was the boatman who conveyed souls across the Styx which flowed round the lower world.

The mind and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators — Gibbon

Dependable, malleable, obedient, obliging, submissive manageable, tractable, compliant.

— Illa Vij