| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| glabrous |
having no hair or fuzz; bald; smooth. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| maunder |
to speak in an aimless or foolish way; babble. |
| misfeasance |
a normally lawful act performed in an unlawful way. |
| rebarbative |
tending to irritate or repel; forbidding or unattractive. |
| recessional |
a piece of music that accompanies the exit of participants in a program or religious ceremony. |
| unabashed |
not feeling or showing embarrassment, uneasiness, or shame. |