| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| collateral |
property or other security put forward to guarantee repayment of a loan. |
| concur |
to share the same opinion; agree. |
| deter |
to stop or discourage from some action by creating doubt or fear. |
| distraught |
mentally or emotionally unbalanced; crazed. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| lattice |
a flat framework made with strips of wood or other material. The strips cross each other and have open spaces in between. A lattice is often used as a screen on a porch or in a garden. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| penury |
severe poverty; pennilessness. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |