“Those who will play with cats must expect to be scratched.”

Apocryphal

being of questionable authenticity

Example:

“I never cook or do laundry.”

“So, is that why you still live with your mother?”

“Well, no, I mean, it’s actually because I want to be around to take care of her and stuff.”

Judy believed Ted’s explanation to be apocryphal.

Extolled

to praise, glorify, or honour

Example:

“Wait, do you mean to tell me that you’ve already told your friends that we’ve slept together?”

“It simply slipped out while I was extolling your beauty.”

Tim’s quick-thinking and flattery seemed to have saved the situation.

Continence

the exercise of self-constraint in sexual matters

Example:

“Yeah, I’ve been focusing on my work a lot recently. To avoid any distractions, I find it helps to exercise continence.”

“But I thought continence was a voluntary choice?”

Steve opened his mouth to reply, but realising his friend was right, he stopped and remained silent.

Capricious

determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

Example:

“Why did you have to buy four?”

“Because it was ‘buy one, get one free’.”

“So then why did you get four?”

“I told you, it was on offer.”

Kate paused for a moment and considered whether she would be able to put up with her boyfriend’s capricious nature for the foreseeable future.

Alacrity

liveliness and eagerness

Example:

Tom took large strides, bounding with alacrity. He quietly hoped that the bathroom would be free when he got there and promised himself to never again drink two espressos in the space of a few hours.

Assiduity

great and constant diligence and attention

Example:

“Didn’t you cut your nails a few days ago?”

“Yes, but it’s Valentine’s Day this weekend.”

Julie took a moment to appreciate John’s assiduity for relationships.