| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| 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. |
| disingenuous |
not candid or sincere. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| immiscible |
not able to be mixed or blended. |
| insinuate |
to suggest (something derogatory) subtly and indirectly. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| mendicant |
living on charity; begging. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |