| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| aleatory |
pertaining to or depending on luck, chance, or contingency. |
| apprise |
to inform (often followed by "of"). |
| barrage |
a great number of things coming one after another very quickly. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| contumacious |
stubbornly disobedient; insubordinate; rebellious. |
| desiccate |
to remove the moisture in (food) so as to preserve it. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| extempore |
without plan or preparation; impromptu or improvised. |
| lien |
a legal claim on a piece of property when the current owner is in default on a debt or obligation. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| risible |
provoking laughter; laughable or funny. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |