| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| condign |
well-deserved or fitting, especially of punishment or reprimand. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| disallow |
to refuse to allow or admit; reject. |
| divergence |
the act of separating and moving or leading in different directions. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| gird |
to surround, bind, or encircle, as with a belt. |
| mendicant |
living on charity; begging. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| pastiche |
a work of visual art, music, or literature that consists mostly of materials and techniques borrowed from other works, sometimes done as an exercise to learn the technique of others. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |