| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| epistemology |
the branch of philosophy dealing with the origin, nature, and limits of human knowledge. |
| eulogy |
a spoken or written tribute, especially to honor a dead person; high praise; formal commendation. |
| euphoria |
a strong feeling of well-being or elation, sometimes unrealistic or unwarranted, and able to be induced by certain drugs. |
| fealty |
faithfulness or loyalty. |
| foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| mendicant |
living on charity; begging. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| perilous |
causing or involving great danger; risky; hazardous. |
| scabrous |
characterized by a rough or scaly surface, as the leaf of a plant. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |