| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| distraught |
mentally or emotionally unbalanced; crazed. |
| festoon |
a decorative chain or strip of ribbons, flowers, leaves, or the like, suspended at the ends and hung in a curve. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| inadvertent |
not planned or intended; unintentional. |
| incessant |
never stopping; constant. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| peremptory |
not permitting refusal or disobedience. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| repine |
to express or feel unhappiness; complain; fret. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |