| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| apprehensive |
feeling fearful about future events. |
| appurtenance |
(plural) equipment or instruments used for a given purpose; gear. |
| argot |
the vocabulary or jargon characteristic of a specific group or class, especially of criminals. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| canny |
difficult to fool or take advantage of; shrewd; wary; clever. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| kismet |
destiny, fortune, or fate. |
| loll |
to hang down loosely; dangle. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| parsimonious |
excessively frugal; stingy. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |