| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| beatify |
to admire or exalt as superior. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| frangible |
easy to break; breakable; fragile. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| idyllic |
charmingly simple and natural, as a scene or experience; suggestive of peaceful countryside. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| internecine |
of or pertaining to conflict, discord, or struggle within a group. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| relict |
a plant, animal, or geological feature that has survived in a considerably changed environment. |