| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| animus |
a feeling or attitude of enmity. |
| argot |
the vocabulary or jargon characteristic of a specific group or class, especially of criminals. |
| bereft |
deprived or stripped of something. |
| descry |
to see or make out, especially something obscured or at a distance. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| dissemble |
to disguise or hide behind a false semblance; conceal the true nature or state of. |
| diurnal |
occurring or active during, or belonging to, the daytime rather than nighttime. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| knurled |
having small ridges. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| putrefaction |
the act or process of rotting or decomposing. |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |
| tummler |
an entertainer or social director who encourages participation by guests or audience. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |