| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| asterisk |
a sign (*). It is used to show that there is other information on the page that explains the information where the sign is placed. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| desideratum |
something that is needed or wanted. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| disaffection |
an absence or loss of good will, faith, or loyalty, especially toward a government, principle, or the like. |
| disheveled |
not neat; messy. |
| insularity |
the condition of being closed to new ideas or outside influences; narrow-mindedness. |
| jejune |
lacking interest or liveliness; dull. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| loll |
to hang down loosely; dangle. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| parsimonious |
excessively frugal; stingy. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| shunt |
to turn or move aside or out of the way; divert. |