| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| ambidextrous |
able to use both the left and right hands with equal skill. |
| antediluvian |
hopelessly old-fashioned; primitive; outdated. |
| appellation |
a name, title, or other designation. |
| blatant |
completely obvious or undisguised, sometimes offensively so. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| deracinate |
to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; isolate; exile. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| neologism |
a new word, phrase, or usage. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| putrefaction |
the act or process of rotting or decomposing. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |