| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| kibbutz |
an Israeli farming settlement whose ownership is shared by those who live and work there. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| opprobrious |
expressing condemnation or scorn; accusing of shameful behavior. |
| remonstrate |
to say in opposition, protest, or objection. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |