| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| contumacious |
stubbornly disobedient; insubordinate; rebellious. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| expound |
to discuss or explain in detail (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| internecine |
of or pertaining to conflict, discord, or struggle within a group. |
| lupine2 |
fierce; greedy. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |