bildungsroman
a novel about the moral and psychological growth of the main character
burlesque
an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something, especially in a literary or dramatic work; a parody
baroque
highly ornate and extravagent in style
picaresque
relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero.
fiscal
relating to government and revenue, especially taxes
prosody
the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry
lassitude
a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy
vestige
a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
neophyte
a person who is new to a suject, skill or belief
deus ex machina
an unexpected power or event, saving a seemingly hopeless situation
gratis
without charge; free
rustic
made in a plain and simple fashion
urbane
polite, refined and often elegant in manner
poltroon
an utter coward
gauche
lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward
libertine
a person who rejects accepted opinions in manners of religion; a freethinker
aesthetic
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty
ascetic
a person who practices severe self-discipline and abstention
epiphany
a moment of sudden revelation
enjambment
the continuation of a sentence without pause beyond the end of a line, couplet or stanza; rambling
germane
revelant to a subject under consideration.
atrophy
gradually decline in affectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect
temper
act as a neutralizing or counter-balancing force to (something)
inexorable
impossible to stop or prevent
abomination
a thing that causes digest or hatred
benign
gentle and kindly
august
respected and impressive
connoisseur
an expert judge in manners of taste
estuary
the tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream
crestfallen
sad and disappointed
lugubrious
looking or sounding sad and dismal
moribund
(of a person) at the point of death
pall
a dark cloud or covering of smoke, dust or similar matter
sepulcher
a small room or monument cut into a rock or built of stone where the dead is buried
alacrity
brisk and cheerful readiness.
cravat
a short, wide strip of fabric worn by men around the neck and tucked inside an open necked shirt