| abysmal |
of vast extent; unmeasurable; extreme. |
| agog |
highly excited and full of anticipation. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| coeval |
coinciding in time of origin or existence; contemporary. |
| colloquialism |
a word or phrase typically used in conversational, informal, or regional speech or writing, hence sometimes considered inappropriate in formal writing. |
| contumely |
contemptuous insolence; rudeness. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| remonstrate |
to say in opposition, protest, or objection. |