| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| brash |
rudely self-assertive; bold; impudent. |
| despoil |
to forcefully take belongings or goods from; plunder. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| forbear |
to keep or abstain from (an action or utterance). |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| guttural |
articulated in the back of the mouth; velar. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| raffish |
carelessly unconventional or disreputable, sometimes appealingly so. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |
| uxorial |
of, pertaining to, or befitting a wife. |