| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| belie |
to give a false impression of. |
| chary |
not dispensing freely. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| conjoin |
to combine for a common purpose. |
| deter |
to stop or discourage from some action by creating doubt or fear. |
| disingenuous |
not candid or sincere. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| impute |
to ascribe or attribute to a source or cause. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| scion |
an offspring or heir. |