| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| askance |
with distrust or suspicion. |
| attune |
to adjust so as to be harmonious. |
| debouch |
to advance out of a confined or narrow space such as a canyon into open country. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| gamut |
the whole extent or range of anything. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| lambent |
glowing softly. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| pinchbeck |
false, sham, or counterfeit. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| uxorious |
excessively or foolishly devoted to one's wife, and often thereby submissive to her. |