| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| diurnal |
occurring or active during, or belonging to, the daytime rather than nighttime. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| libertine |
acting without restraint; dissolute; amoral. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| peremptory |
not permitting refusal or disobedience. |
| pungency |
sharpness or bite in taste or smell. |
| scion |
an offspring or heir. |