glowering
a look of sullen dislike, discontent, or anger
talmudic
characterized by or making extremely fine distinctions; overly detailed or subtle; hairsplitting
rites
a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious or other solemn use
demographic
a single vital or social statistic of a human population, as the number of births or deaths
pragmatic
dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations
ideological
speculative; visionary
regalia
the ensigns or emblems of royalty, as the crown or scepter
donning
to put on or dress in
ply
to work with or at diligently; employ busily; use
de rigueur
required by etiquette or current fashion
eschewing
to abstain or keep away from; shun; avoid
tentative
not certain or fixed; provisional
proclivities
a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing
connotations
the associated or secondary meaning or a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning
stigma
a mark of shame or discredit
pernicious
causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injuries; hurtful
correlation
mutual relation of two or more things, parts, etc.
augment
to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase
