| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| comity |
mutual courtesy and respectful treatment among people or nations. |
| despoil |
to forcefully take belongings or goods from; plunder. |
| disencumber |
to remove burdens or hindrances from. |
| effluvium |
an outflow of usually invisible, foul-smelling vapor or gas. |
| eruct |
to belch forth. |
| fracas |
a noisy disturbance or quarrel. |
| gullible |
believing almost anything; easily tricked. |
| guru |
in a cult or religious movement, a spiritual guide or leader, sometimes believed to be divine. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| ontogeny |
the process of biological growth and development of a particular living organism. |
| phlegmatic |
not given to shows of emotion or interest; slow to excite. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |