| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| disheveled |
not neat; messy. |
| extrude |
to force out; expel. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| knurled |
having small ridges. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| lupine2 |
fierce; greedy. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| perilous |
causing or involving great danger; risky; hazardous. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |