| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| boorish |
rude; ill-mannered; crude. |
| caparison |
decorative trappings to cover a horse's saddle or harness. |
| cravat |
a scarf or band of cloth tied loosely about the neck. |
| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| garble |
to mix up, distort, or confuse (a message, translation, or the like); cause to be disordered or unintelligible. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| impinge |
to encroach. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| lambent |
glowing softly. |