| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| compunction |
uneasiness about the propriety or suitability of an action; qualm. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| epigraph |
a pertinent quotation or motto, especially found at the beginning of a literary work or of a chapter. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| loll |
to hang down loosely; dangle. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| pelf |
money or wealth, usually regarded with disapproval or contempt. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| sequester |
to remove into protection and isolation; seclude. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |