| abstruse |
difficult to comprehend or understand; esoteric; arcane. |
| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| belie |
to give a false impression of. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| inculcate |
to cause to accept an idea or value; imbue. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| purvey |
to supply or provide (especially food, drink, or other provisions). |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| unscathed |
not hurt or harmed; completely uninjured. |