| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| decedent |
in law, one who has died. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| neophyte |
a beginner or novice at any activity. |
| opprobrious |
expressing condemnation or scorn; accusing of shameful behavior. |
| rebarbative |
tending to irritate or repel; forbidding or unattractive. |
| remonstrate |
to say in opposition, protest, or objection. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| Saturnalia |
an occasion of unrestrained revelry. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |