| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| laureate |
one honored for achievement in a particular field or by a particular award, especially in the arts or sciences. |
| malaise |
a state or condition of feeling generally unwell, mentally depressed, sluggish, or uneasy. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |