| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| adamant |
unlikely to change in response to any request or argument; firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| appellation |
a name, title, or other designation. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| bellicose |
easily incited to quarrel or fight; belligerent. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| gird |
to surround, bind, or encircle, as with a belt. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| neophyte |
a beginner or novice at any activity. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |