| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| condign |
well-deserved or fitting, especially of punishment or reprimand. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| desiccate |
to remove the moisture in (food) so as to preserve it. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| fealty |
faithfulness or loyalty. |
| glut |
a greater supply or amount than is needed. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| impermeable |
not permitting passage or penetration. |
| indomitable |
too strong to be subdued or discouraged; unconquerable. |
| insinuate |
to suggest (something derogatory) subtly and indirectly. |
| kibbutz |
an Israeli farming settlement whose ownership is shared by those who live and work there. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |