| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
| colloquialism |
a word or phrase typically used in conversational, informal, or regional speech or writing, hence sometimes considered inappropriate in formal writing. |
| commodious |
comfortably spacious; roomy. |
| contumacious |
stubbornly disobedient; insubordinate; rebellious. |
| disencumber |
to remove burdens or hindrances from. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| raffish |
carelessly unconventional or disreputable, sometimes appealingly so. |
| remonstrate |
to say in opposition, protest, or objection. |