| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| conjoin |
to combine for a common purpose. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| consummate |
of the highest order or degree. |
| deadeye |
an expert shooter. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| emulous |
filled with the desire to equal or surpass. |
| gloaming |
late evening; dusk; twilight. |
| inanition |
a state of exhaustion caused by a lack of nourishment. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| obfuscate |
to make (something) seem or be difficult to understand; obscure or darken. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |
| woebegone |
displaying or full of distress. |