| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| disheveled |
not neat; messy. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| epigraph |
a pertinent quotation or motto, especially found at the beginning of a literary work or of a chapter. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| euphoria |
a strong feeling of well-being or elation, sometimes unrealistic or unwarranted, and able to be induced by certain drugs. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| macrocosm |
a large unit or entity that represents on a large scale one of its smaller components. |
| pathos |
a quality in life or art that evokes pity, sadness, or compassion. |
| redoubtable |
inspiring fear; formidable. |
| saturnine |
gloomy, sullen, or cynical in temperament or appearance. |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |