| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| beatify |
to admire or exalt as superior. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| cognomen |
a last name; surname. |
| conclave |
a secret, private, or confidential meeting or gathering. |
| decedent |
in law, one who has died. |
| demotic |
of or relating to the common people; popular. |
| derelict |
failing to fulfill one's responsibilities or obligations; remiss. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| gnomic |
short and pithy, as an aphorism. |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| inanition |
a state of exhaustion caused by a lack of nourishment. |
| ineluctable |
impossible to be avoided; inescapable. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |