| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| coir |
the fiber made from coconut husks, used for matting, rope, or the like. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| discomfit |
to upset or confuse. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| impute |
to ascribe or attribute to a source or cause. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| pungency |
sharpness or bite in taste or smell. |
| rebarbative |
tending to irritate or repel; forbidding or unattractive. |
| tamp |
to compress and pack tightly by repeated light taps. |