| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| atonement |
the act of making reparation for a sin, crime, error, or the like. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| disabuse |
to free (a person) from misconception or deception; set straight. |
| garble |
to mix up, distort, or confuse (a message, translation, or the like); cause to be disordered or unintelligible. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| ineptitude |
incompetence; lack of skill. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| recurve |
to bend or curve back or backward, as the ends of certain shooting bows. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |