obscenity
ob·scen·i·ty /əbˈsenəti, əbˈsenɪti/ noun (plural obscenities)
- [uncountable] sexually offensive language or behaviour, especially in a book, play, film etc:
- [countable usually plural] a sexually offensive word or action → swear:
- drunken youths screaming obscenities
lyricism
lyr·i·cis·m /ˈlɪrəsɪzəm, ˈlɪrɪsɪzəm/ noun [uncountable]
- gentle or romantic emotion, expressed in writing or music:
- The lyricism of Tennyson’s poetry is magnificent.
wince
wince /wɪns/ verb [intransitive]
- to suddenly change the expression on your face as a reaction to something painful or upsetting:
- Sandra winced as the dentist started to drill.
- to suddenly feel very uncomfortable or embarrassed because of something that happens, something you remember etc SYN cringe
- wince at the memory/thought/idea
- I still wince at the thought of that terrible evening.
peeved
peeved /piːvd/ adjective informal
- annoyed
- peeved at
- Peeved at his silence, she left.
puffed-up
puff1 /pʌf/ verb
- [intransitive] to breathe quickly and with difficulty after the effort of running, carrying something heavy etc:
- George puffed and panted as he tried to keep up.
- puff along/up etc
- An old man puffed up to them.
- He caught up with Gary, puffing for breath.