| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| derelict |
failing to fulfill one's responsibilities or obligations; remiss. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| fungible |
interchangeable. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| revetment |
a facing of stone, masonry, or the like to support or protect a wall, embankment, or mound of earth. |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |