| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| deracinate |
to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; isolate; exile. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| flagitious |
viciously or shamefully wicked; infamous. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| phlegmatic |
not given to shows of emotion or interest; slow to excite. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| redoubtable |
inspiring fear; formidable. |
| shunt |
to turn or move aside or out of the way; divert. |