| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| dilatory |
used to cause a delay. |
| doggerel |
trivial, crudely constructed verse. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| facsimile |
an exact copy or duplicate of something printed or of a picture. |
| foible |
a minor flaw or weakness in personality, character, or behavior. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| minatory |
presenting a threat; menacing. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| parturient |
giving birth or about to give birth; in labor. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| stochastic |
of, or arising from chance or probability. |
| unadulterated |
unmixed with or undiluted by additives or extraneous elements; pure; complete. |