| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| epicene |
sharing the traits of both sexes. |
| frangible |
easy to break; breakable; fragile. |
| gird |
to surround, bind, or encircle, as with a belt. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| relict |
a plant, animal, or geological feature that has survived in a considerably changed environment. |
| remonstrate |
to say in opposition, protest, or objection. |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |
| trabeated |
using horizontal beams or lintels as supports instead of arches. |
| uxorious |
excessively or foolishly devoted to one's wife, and often thereby submissive to her. |