| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| benign |
causing little or no harm. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| caparison |
decorative trappings to cover a horse's saddle or harness. |
| commodious |
comfortably spacious; roomy. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| ineptitude |
incompetence; lack of skill. |
| lanugo |
fine, soft hair, especially that with which a human fetus or newborn is covered. |
| lattice |
a flat framework made with strips of wood or other material. The strips cross each other and have open spaces in between. A lattice is often used as a screen on a porch or in a garden. |
| misfeasance |
a normally lawful act performed in an unlawful way. |
| quondam |
having been in the past; former. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |