| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| attune |
to adjust so as to be harmonious. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| indistinct |
not clearly perceived or perceiving. |
| neologism |
a new word, phrase, or usage. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| obtrusive |
aggressive and self-assertive, or inclined to be so. |
| omnibus |
concerning or including a large collection of things. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |