| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| agog |
highly excited and full of anticipation. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| foible |
a minor flaw or weakness in personality, character, or behavior. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| insouciant |
having no cares or anxieties; light-hearted; carefree. |
| kismet |
destiny, fortune, or fate. |
| lachrymose |
weeping, tending to weep readily, or being on the point of tears; tearful. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| trabeated |
using horizontal beams or lintels as supports instead of arches. |