| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| erratic |
not expected or predicted; not regular. |
| hackneyed |
made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an expression or phrase. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| lachrymose |
weeping, tending to weep readily, or being on the point of tears; tearful. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |
| stately |
dignified. |