5 words I didn't understand from 'Christina Rosenthal' by Jeffrey Archer

1.Adulation - uncritical admiration. Lovesick, flattering.
2.Fascist - right-wing totalitarian political system characterized by state control and extreme nationalism. Ringleader, boss, commander
3.Penultimate - second last. Next to last.
4.Banal - ordinary and unoriginal. Bland, corny, flat.
5.Dynasties - sequence of hereditary rulers. Empire, government.