| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| avow |
to assert or affirm. |
| bilge |
the rounded part of a ship's hull between the bottom and the sides. |
| contumacious |
stubbornly disobedient; insubordinate; rebellious. |
| decedent |
in law, one who has died. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| delectation |
enjoyment; delight; pleasure. |
| demotic |
of or relating to the common people; popular. |
| extort |
to extract or obtain (money or the like) by force, threats, or abuse of authority. |
| impermeable |
not permitting passage or penetration. |
| kibbutz |
an Israeli farming settlement whose ownership is shared by those who live and work there. |
| lanugo |
fine, soft hair, especially that with which a human fetus or newborn is covered. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| munificent |
having or showing great generosity. |
| sequester |
to remove into protection and isolation; seclude. |