| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| arrant |
complete; unmitigated; downright. |
| coir |
the fiber made from coconut husks, used for matting, rope, or the like. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| gloaming |
late evening; dusk; twilight. |
| heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| ligature |
a band or tie. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| rapacious |
capable of capturing and eating live prey; predacious. |
| unabashed |
not feeling or showing embarrassment, uneasiness, or shame. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |