| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| apprise |
to inform (often followed by "of"). |
| beatify |
to admire or exalt as superior. |
| chary |
not dispensing freely. |
| credulous |
disposed to believe, especially on scanty evidence; gullible. |
| debouch |
to advance out of a confined or narrow space such as a canyon into open country. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| descry |
to see or make out, especially something obscured or at a distance. |
| divergence |
the act of separating and moving or leading in different directions. |
| forbear |
to keep or abstain from (an action or utterance). |
| garrulous |
given to talking excessively. |
| gullible |
believing almost anything; easily tricked. |
| minatory |
presenting a threat; menacing. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |