| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| brash |
rudely self-assertive; bold; impudent. |
| cavalier |
carefree and offhand; nonchalant. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| debouch |
to advance out of a confined or narrow space such as a canyon into open country. |
| eruct |
to belch forth. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| flange |
a collar or rim that projects from a pipe, housing, or the like to provide strength, stability, or a place for attaching other parts. |
| garrulous |
given to talking excessively. |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |