| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| contumely |
contemptuous insolence; rudeness. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| imprecation |
a curse, uttered or thought of. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| magnum opus |
a great work of art, literature, or music, especially a particular person's masterpiece. |
| obtrusive |
aggressive and self-assertive, or inclined to be so. |
| ontogeny |
the process of biological growth and development of a particular living organism. |
| peremptory |
not permitting refusal or disobedience. |
| repose2 |
to put or place (confidence, hope, or the like) in someone or something. |
| syntax |
the word order or pattern of word order in a sentence. |