| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| demotic |
of or relating to the common people; popular. |
| deracinate |
to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; isolate; exile. |
| doggerel |
trivial, crudely constructed verse. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| invidious |
tending to arouse feelings of resentment or animosity, especially because of a slight; offensive or discriminatory. |
| macrocosm |
a large unit or entity that represents on a large scale one of its smaller components. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| uxorious |
excessively or foolishly devoted to one's wife, and often thereby submissive to her. |