| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| consummate |
of the highest order or degree. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| froward |
unwilling to agree or obey; stubborn; perverse. |
| goad |
something that spurs a person to action; stimulus. |
| guru |
in a cult or religious movement, a spiritual guide or leader, sometimes believed to be divine. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| lachrymose |
weeping, tending to weep readily, or being on the point of tears; tearful. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |