| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| barrage |
a great number of things coming one after another very quickly. |
| blithe |
indifferent or casual; unconcerned. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| epicure |
a person who has cultivated tastes, as in food or wine; connoisseur. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| indemnity |
insurance against damage, loss, or liability. |
| insouciant |
having no cares or anxieties; light-hearted; carefree. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |