| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| baleful |
threatening harm; full of malice; ominous. |
| beatify |
to admire or exalt as superior. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| blithe |
indifferent or casual; unconcerned. |
| epistemology |
the branch of philosophy dealing with the origin, nature, and limits of human knowledge. |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| innocuous |
not capable of causing damage; harmless. |
| intransigence |
refusal to alter one's ideas or position in response to the wishes of others. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| parturient |
giving birth or about to give birth; in labor. |
| unabashed |
not feeling or showing embarrassment, uneasiness, or shame. |