| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| appose |
to place next to or side by side; juxtapose. |
| astringent |
a substance or drug that contracts body tissue and slows discharge or secretion. |
| atonement |
the act of making reparation for a sin, crime, error, or the like. |
| despoil |
to forcefully take belongings or goods from; plunder. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| forbear |
to keep or abstain from (an action or utterance). |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
| malfeasance |
an illegal act or wrongdoing, especially by a public official. |
| misanthrope |
someone who hates or distrusts humanity. |
| putrefaction |
the act or process of rotting or decomposing. |
| sudorific |
causing or increasing sweat, as a medication. |