| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| conduction |
the transmission or transfer, as of heat, electrical charges, or nervous impulses, through a medium. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| discomfit |
to upset or confuse. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| effluvium |
an outflow of usually invisible, foul-smelling vapor or gas. |
| entreat |
to beg for something, or to do something. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| sartorial |
of or pertaining to tailors or tailored clothing, especially men's clothing. |
| sudorific |
causing or increasing sweat, as a medication. |
| tyro |
one who is beginning to learn a business, trade, sport, or the like; novice; neophyte. |