| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| apocryphal |
of dubious authorship or authority. |
| apposite |
fitting; pertinent; appropriate. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| coir |
the fiber made from coconut husks, used for matting, rope, or the like. |
| contumacious |
stubbornly disobedient; insubordinate; rebellious. |
| disabuse |
to free (a person) from misconception or deception; set straight. |
| erratic |
not expected or predicted; not regular. |
| eulogy |
a spoken or written tribute, especially to honor a dead person; high praise; formal commendation. |
| fealty |
faithfulness or loyalty. |
| forbear |
to keep or abstain from (an action or utterance). |
| goad |
something that spurs a person to action; stimulus. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| ligature |
a band or tie. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |