| agog |
highly excited and full of anticipation. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| apocryphal |
of dubious authorship or authority. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| gird |
to surround, bind, or encircle, as with a belt. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| neophyte |
a beginner or novice at any activity. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| recrudesce |
to become active again or break out anew, as a disease or harmful condition. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |