| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| cachet |
prestige. |
| cognomen |
a last name; surname. |
| commodious |
comfortably spacious; roomy. |
| delectation |
enjoyment; delight; pleasure. |
| electuary |
a drug mixed with honey, syrup, or the like to form a paste to be smeared on the teeth or gums of a sick animal. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| indomitable |
too strong to be subdued or discouraged; unconquerable. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| rodomontade |
puffed-up boasting or bravado. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |