| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| 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. |
| burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
| contumely |
contemptuous insolence; rudeness. |
| deadeye |
an expert shooter. |
| disencumber |
to remove burdens or hindrances from. |
| emulous |
filled with the desire to equal or surpass. |
| hackneyed |
made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an expression or phrase. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| misfeasance |
a normally lawful act performed in an unlawful way. |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| revetment |
a facing of stone, masonry, or the like to support or protect a wall, embankment, or mound of earth. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| stochastic |
of, or arising from chance or probability. |