| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| conduction |
the transmission or transfer, as of heat, electrical charges, or nervous impulses, through a medium. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| indulgent |
gratifying, or being inclined to gratify or yield to others' wishes, especially rather than enforcing discipline or strictness. |
| penury |
severe poverty; pennilessness. |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| recessional |
a piece of music that accompanies the exit of participants in a program or religious ceremony. |
| Saturnalia |
an occasion of unrestrained revelry. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |
| veneration |
a feeling of great respect; awe; reverence. |