| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| bilge |
the rounded part of a ship's hull between the bottom and the sides. |
| credulous |
disposed to believe, especially on scanty evidence; gullible. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| iatrogenic |
caused by a physician or medical treatment, especially from drugs or surgery. |
| immaculate |
not dirty; completely clean. |
| insouciant |
having no cares or anxieties; light-hearted; carefree. |
| laudatory |
expressing praise. |
| mélange |
a mixture, usually of very dissimilar elements. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| pungent |
sharp and strong in taste or smell. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |