| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| avow |
to assert or affirm. |
| collateral |
property or other security put forward to guarantee repayment of a loan. |
| cravat |
a scarf or band of cloth tied loosely about the neck. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| deadeye |
an expert shooter. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| innocuous |
not capable of causing damage; harmless. |
| lanugo |
fine, soft hair, especially that with which a human fetus or newborn is covered. |
| misfeasance |
a normally lawful act performed in an unlawful way. |
| repine |
to express or feel unhappiness; complain; fret. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| sanguine |
having an optimistic temperament or outlook. |
| sequester |
to remove into protection and isolation; seclude. |