| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
| impermeable |
not permitting passage or penetration. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| ligature |
a band or tie. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| pedantic |
making or characterized by an excessive display of learnedness, or overly insistent on scholarly details and formalities. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| unabashed |
not feeling or showing embarrassment, uneasiness, or shame. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |