| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| apprehensive |
feeling fearful about future events. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| conclave |
a secret, private, or confidential meeting or gathering. |
| consummate |
of the highest order or degree. |
| dawdle |
to waste time; be slow. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| lattice |
a flat framework made with strips of wood or other material. The strips cross each other and have open spaces in between. A lattice is often used as a screen on a porch or in a garden. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| quiescence |
a state of inaction, rest, or stillness; dormancy. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| tamp |
to compress and pack tightly by repeated light taps. |