| academician |
one who belongs to an organization or institution that promotes learning. |
| bolster |
to give support with a cushion or pillow. |
| deference |
respect for and submission to the desires, opinions, or judgments of another. |
| eloquence |
skill or ability to use language that impresses or persuades. |
| facile |
acting or working in an easy, effortless manner. |
| faze |
to bewilder or to disturb the composure or shake the resolve of; disconcert or daunt. |
| ignoble |
of low or dishonorable character; contemptible. |
| imperfection |
a flaw or fault. |
| recalcitrant |
stubbornly disobedient; refractory. |
| reproach |
to express disapproval of or disappointment with (someone); censure. |
| retaliate |
to strike back; take revenge. |
| tangent |
a line of discussion leading away from the original topic; digression. |
| touchstone |
a test or standard by which to evaluate the worth of something. |
| trenchant |
incisive or penetrating, as perception or wit. |
| unsubstantiated |
lacking the evidence or verification needed to establish as true. |