| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| jubilate |
to feel joyful; rejoice; exult. |
| ligature |
a band or tie. |
| neologism |
a new word, phrase, or usage. |
| pungent |
sharp and strong in taste or smell. |
| recrudesce |
to become active again or break out anew, as a disease or harmful condition. |
| repine |
to express or feel unhappiness; complain; fret. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| syntax |
the word order or pattern of word order in a sentence. |