| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| kismet |
destiny, fortune, or fate. |
| laureate |
one honored for achievement in a particular field or by a particular award, especially in the arts or sciences. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| pinchbeck |
false, sham, or counterfeit. |
| redoubtable |
inspiring fear; formidable. |
| repine |
to express or feel unhappiness; complain; fret. |
| reprobate |
an evil or lawless person, often beyond hope of redemption. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |
| tyro |
one who is beginning to learn a business, trade, sport, or the like; novice; neophyte. |