North and South

North and South Glossary

altercation

fight or conflict; dispute

bugbear

an imaginary goblin or specter used to excite fear; an object or source of dread

discomfited

thwarted; having one's plans frustrated

droll

possessing a humorous, charming, or odd quality

ebullition

a bubbling up; a sudden display, as of emotion

efficacious

having the ability to result in the preferred effect

exonerating

freeing from blame

exoteric

those in the outer circle

expiation

the act of making atonement

expostulations

discussions; examinations

extricate

to remove from

farouche

shy; lacking social graces

fustian

a strong cotton and linen fabric, commonly worn by workingmen

incendiarism

the creation of factionalism, quarrels, and sedition; agitation

mollified

softened and soothed; appeased

paragon

a model of excellence or perfection

plaintive

melancholy; expressing woe

querulousness

a condition of being fretful and whining

remonstrating

presenting and urging reasons for opposition

sanguine

ruddy; healthy

slatternly

dirty and unkempt; neglectful of one's appearance

squalid

filthy and dirty as a result of neglect

torpid

sluggish; dull; apathetic

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