| agog |
highly excited and full of anticipation. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| apprise |
to inform (often followed by "of"). |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| glut |
a greater supply or amount than is needed. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| insouciant |
having no cares or anxieties; light-hearted; carefree. |
| knurled |
having small ridges. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| stochastic |
of, or arising from chance or probability. |
| stridulate |
to produce a shrill grating, creaking, or chirping sound by rubbing certain parts of the body together, as some insects do. |