| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| blithe |
indifferent or casual; unconcerned. |
| consummate |
of the highest order or degree. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| eidetic |
pertaining to or designating the ability to recall images in almost perfect detail. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| inflection |
change that occurs in the form of words to show a grammatical characteristic such as the tense of a verb, the number of a noun, or the degree of an adjective or adverb. |
| maverick |
a person who thinks and behaves independently, especially one who refuses to adhere to the orthodoxy of the group to which he or she belongs. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| shunt |
to turn or move aside or out of the way; divert. |