| academicism |
in the arts, rigid adherence to accepted and traditional forms. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| comity |
mutual courtesy and respectful treatment among people or nations. |
| commodious |
comfortably spacious; roomy. |
| disaffection |
an absence or loss of good will, faith, or loyalty, especially toward a government, principle, or the like. |
| doggerel |
trivial, crudely constructed verse. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| inquest |
a legal investigation, usually involving a jury, especially a coroner's investigation of a suspicious death. |
| lien |
a legal claim on a piece of property when the current owner is in default on a debt or obligation. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| reprobate |
an evil or lawless person, often beyond hope of redemption. |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |
| tummler |
an entertainer or social director who encourages participation by guests or audience. |