| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| inculcate |
to cause to accept an idea or value; imbue. |
| internecine |
of or pertaining to conflict, discord, or struggle within a group or family. |
| lachrymose |
weeping, tending to weep readily, or being on the point of tears; tearful. |
| laudatory |
expressing praise. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| remonstrate |
to say in opposition, protest, or objection. |
| tyro |
one who is beginning to learn a business, trade, sport, or the like; novice; neophyte. |