| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| appellation |
a name, title, or other designation. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| consummate |
of the highest order or degree. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| goad |
something that spurs a person to action; stimulus. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| incessant |
never stopping; constant. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |