| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| argot |
the vocabulary or jargon characteristic of a specific group or class, especially of criminals. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| commodious |
comfortably spacious; roomy. |
| desiccate |
to remove the moisture in (food) so as to preserve it. |
| disaffection |
an absence or loss of good will, faith, or loyalty, especially toward a government, principle, or the like. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| pedantic |
making or characterized by an excessive display of learnedness, or overly insistent on scholarly details and formalities. |
| refulgent |
shining brilliantly; radiant. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |