| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| blatant |
completely obvious or undisguised, sometimes offensively so. |
| cachet |
prestige. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| malfeasance |
an illegal act or wrongdoing, especially by a public official. |
| ontogeny |
the process of biological growth and development of a particular living organism. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| revetment |
a facing of stone, masonry, or the like to support or protect a wall, embankment, or mound of earth. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |