| aesthete |
one who is or professes to be particularly attentive to and appreciative of beauty, especially in the arts. |
| affront |
something that is said or done on purpose to be rude or mean. |
| cabal |
a small group of people engaged in a secret plot, usually of a political nature. |
| connotation |
a secondary meaning or implication of a word or expression, in addition to its primary meaning. |
| grassroots |
originating with or operating among the common people. |
| incarnate |
having bodily form; personified. |
| orthodox |
of, having to do with, or following what is believed or practiced by most other people. |
| perennial |
lasting throughout the year or for many years. |
| presumption |
a belief that is taken for granted but not proved. |
| redolent |
suggesting or recalling (usually followed by "of"). |
| reticence |
the state or quality of being hesitant to speak out; reserve. |
| tawdry |
falsely showy; cheap and gaudy. |
| vacuous |
characterized by lack of intelligence or serious intent; devoid of ideas or emotion. |
| venial |
able to be excused, pardoned, or forgiven, as a minor error, offense, or sin. (Cf. mortal.) |
| vindicate |
to free from an accusation, suspicion, or doubt by indisputable proof. |