| aesthetic |
having to do with beauty or art, including literature, dance, music, painting, drawing, and sculpture. |
| capitulate |
to surrender or acquiesce. |
| decorum |
properness of behavior, manner, appearance, or the like; dignity; propriety. |
| demagogue |
a leader, especially a speaker or politician, who attempts to persuade and to gain a following by appealing to the emotions and prejudices of the public, rather than by rational argument. |
| depict |
to show, describe, or portray in a painting, sculpture, or written work. |
| gouge |
a cut or hole made with something sharp. |
| introspection |
examination of one's own thoughts, emotions, and sensations; self-scrutiny. |
| malediction |
the expression of a wish that evil or harm come to someone; curse. |
| maternity |
the state of being a mother; motherhood. |
| pestilence |
an epidemic, usually deadly, disease; plague. |
| quandary |
a situation of uncertainty, puzzlement, or hesitation; dilemma. |
| retroactive |
going into operation or effect as of a previous date, or in respect to past events or circumstances. |
| revel |
to feel great pleasure; rejoice (usually followed by "in"). |
| roil |
to disturb or anger; agitate. |
| salient |
extremely noticeable or prominent; conspicuous; important. |