| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| appellation |
a name, title, or other designation. |
| bellicose |
easily incited to quarrel or fight; belligerent. |
| garrulous |
given to talking excessively. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| imbricate |
overlapping in an even sequence, as roof tiles or fish scales. |
| minatory |
presenting a threat; menacing. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| pelf |
money or wealth, usually regarded with disapproval or contempt. |
| peremptory |
not permitting refusal or disobedience. |
| perilous |
causing or involving great danger; risky; hazardous. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| regicide |
the murderer of a king. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |