| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| belie |
to give a false impression of. |
| cachet |
prestige. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| cognomen |
a last name; surname. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| magnum opus |
a great work of art, literature, or music, especially a particular person's masterpiece. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| peripatetic |
walking or traveling around; going from place to place; itinerant. |
| phlegmatic |
not given to shows of emotion or interest; slow to excite. |
| unscathed |
not hurt or harmed; completely uninjured. |