| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| blatant |
completely obvious or undisguised, sometimes offensively so. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| harrow |
to go over or break up with a harrow. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| inquest |
a legal investigation, usually involving a jury, especially a coroner's investigation of a suspicious death. |
| jejune |
lacking interest or liveliness; dull. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| quiescence |
a state of inaction, rest, or stillness; dormancy. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |