| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| baneful |
causing or leading to death, destruction, or ruin; harmful or deadly. |
| deadeye |
an expert shooter. |
| desiccate |
to remove the moisture in (food) so as to preserve it. |
| effluvium |
an outflow of usually invisible, foul-smelling vapor or gas. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| flagitious |
viciously or shamefully wicked; infamous. |
| foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
| froward |
unwilling to agree or obey; stubborn; perverse. |
| gloaming |
late evening; dusk; twilight. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| immaculate |
not dirty; completely clean. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |