| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| adamantine |
firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| compunction |
uneasiness about the propriety or suitability of an action; qualm. |
| condign |
well-deserved or fitting, especially of punishment or reprimand. |
| cravat |
a scarf or band of cloth tied loosely about the neck. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| imprimatur |
any official permission or sanction. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |