| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| appellation |
a name, title, or other designation. |
| beatify |
to admire or exalt as superior. |
| coalesce |
to grow together or unite to form a single body or organization; unify; fuse. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| feckless |
weak or incompetent; ineffective. |
| indulgent |
gratifying, or being inclined to gratify or yield to others' wishes, especially rather than enforcing discipline or strictness. |
| interdict |
to deter or impede by the steady use of firepower. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |
| veneration |
a feeling of great respect; awe; reverence. |