obscenities lyricism wince peeved puffed-up

obscenity

ob·scen·i·ty /əbˈsenəti, əbˈsenɪti/ noun (plural obscenities)

1. [uncountable] sexually offensive language or behaviour, especially in a book, play, film etc:
   • laws against obscenity
2. [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]

1. to suddenly change the expression on your face as a reaction to something painful or upsetting:
   • Sandra winced as the dentist started to drill.
2. 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.

• wince noun [singular]

peeved

peeved /piːvd/ adjective informal

• annoyed
  • peeved at
    • Peeved at his silence, she left.

puffed-up

puff1 /pʌf/ verb

1. [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.