| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| assuage |
to make less severe or more bearable; alleviate. |
| dissimulate |
to hide one's true feelings, intentions, or the like by pretense or hypocrisy. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| gnomic |
short and pithy, as an aphorism. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| invidious |
tending to arouse feelings of resentment or animosity, especially because of a slight; offensive or discriminatory. |
| jubilate |
to feel joyful; rejoice; exult. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| perilous |
causing or involving great danger; risky; hazardous. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| sudorific |
causing or increasing sweat, as a medication. |
| 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. |