| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| brash |
rudely self-assertive; bold; impudent. |
| cantankerous |
irritable, stubborn, and quarrelsome. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| distraught |
mentally or emotionally unbalanced; crazed. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| facetious |
not serious; humorous or frivolous. |
| festoon |
a decorative chain or strip of ribbons, flowers, leaves, or the like, suspended at the ends and hung in a curve. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| indomitable |
too strong to be subdued or discouraged; unconquerable. |
| insinuate |
to suggest (something derogatory) subtly and indirectly. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| recrudesce |
to become active again or break out anew, as a disease or harmful condition. |