| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| antediluvian |
hopelessly old-fashioned; primitive; outdated. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| expound |
to discuss or explain in detail (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| guttural |
articulated in the back of the mouth; velar. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| quadrant |
any of the four parts that result when an area is divided by two lines, real or imaginary, that intersect each other at right angles. |
| revetment |
a facing of stone, masonry, or the like to support or protect a wall, embankment, or mound of earth. |
| scion |
an offspring or heir. |