| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| compunction |
uneasiness about the propriety or suitability of an action; qualm. |
| concur |
to share the same opinion; agree. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| insouciant |
having no cares or anxieties; light-hearted; carefree. |
| kibbutz |
an Israeli farming settlement whose ownership is shared by those who live and work there. |
| 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. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| peripatetic |
walking or traveling around; going from place to place; itinerant. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |