| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| avow |
to assert or affirm. |
| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| deify |
to raise to the rank of a god; consider to be a god. |
| demarcate |
to set apart or separate, as if with boundaries. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| extort |
to extract or obtain (money or the like) by force, threats, or abuse of authority. |
| flagitious |
viciously or shamefully wicked; infamous. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| gullible |
believing almost anything; easily tricked. |
| lachrymose |
weeping, tending to weep readily, or being on the point of tears; tearful. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| prolix |
wordy and boringly long. |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |
| tamp |
to compress and pack tightly by repeated light taps. |