| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| cachet |
prestige. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| epicene |
sharing the traits of both sexes. |
| extort |
to extract or obtain (money or the like) by force, threats, or abuse of authority. |
| fixation |
an obsession, especially one that interferes with normal functioning. |
| foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| pneumatic |
of, using, or concerning air or other gases. |
| sanguine |
having an optimistic temperament or outlook. |
| supine |
lying with the face upward. |