| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| flagitious |
viciously or shamefully wicked; infamous. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| pungency |
sharpness or bite in taste or smell. |
| transpose |
to exchange the position or order of (two things). |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |
| voluble |
characterized by a steady flow of words; fluent; talkative. |