| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| castellated |
constructed with turrets and battlements like a castle. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| disaffection |
an absence or loss of good will, faith, or loyalty, especially toward a government, principle, or the like. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| garble |
to mix up, distort, or confuse (a message, translation, or the like); cause to be disordered or unintelligible. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| innocuous |
not capable of causing damage; harmless. |
| intransigence |
refusal to alter one's ideas or position in response to the wishes of others. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |