| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| entreat |
to beg for something, or to do something. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| immiscible |
not able to be mixed or blended. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| ineptitude |
incompetence; lack of skill. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| opprobrious |
expressing condemnation or scorn; accusing of shameful behavior. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| shunt |
to turn or move aside or out of the way; divert. |
| woebegone |
displaying or full of distress. |