| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| colloquialism |
a word or phrase typically used in conversational, informal, or regional speech or writing, hence sometimes considered inappropriate in formal writing. |
| dawdle |
to waste time; be slow. |
| devolve |
of a duty or the like, to be passed on to someone else. |
| hackneyed |
made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an expression or phrase. |
| insouciant |
having no cares or anxieties; light-hearted; carefree. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| pungent |
sharp and strong in taste or smell. |
| travesty |
something so grotesque or inferior as to seem a parody. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |
| unscathed |
not hurt or harmed; completely uninjured. |