| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| deracinate |
to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; isolate; exile. |
| diurnal |
occurring or active during, or belonging to, the daytime rather than nighttime. |
| emulous |
filled with the desire to equal or surpass. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| imprimatur |
any official permission or sanction. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| knurled |
having small ridges. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| scion |
an offspring or heir. |