| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| avow |
to assert or affirm. |
| cantankerous |
irritable, stubborn, and quarrelsome. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| debauch |
to lead or seduce into immorality or intemperance; corrupt. |
| decedent |
in law, one who has died. |
| desiccate |
to remove the moisture in (food) so as to preserve it. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| hackneyed |
made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an expression or phrase. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |