| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| canny |
difficult to fool or take advantage of; shrewd; wary; clever. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| obtrude |
to thrust or force (oneself, one's concerns, or one's opinions) on another or others without being asked. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| saturnine |
gloomy, sullen, or cynical in temperament or appearance. |
| unadulterated |
unmixed with or undiluted by additives or extraneous elements; pure; complete. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |