| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| appellative |
a descriptive name or title, as "Terrible" in "Ivan the Terrible". |
| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| eruct |
to belch forth. |
| euphoria |
a strong feeling of well-being or elation, sometimes unrealistic or unwarranted, and able to be induced by certain drugs. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| rodomontade |
puffed-up boasting or bravado. |