Vocabulary

antiquity- the ancient past; especially the period before the Middle Ages

brutish- charactersitcs of a savagely violent person or animal

belfry- bell tower or steeple housing bells above a church

conjecturing- form an opinion about something on the basis of incomplete information 

colloquies- formal conversation

cormorants- a large diving bird, breeds on coastal cliffs and has an intense appetite

dissipation- squandering of money, energy, or resources

deliquium- a fainting or sinking away

esoteric-intended for or likely to only be understood by a specific group of people

firmament- the heavns or sky, expecially when regarded as a tangible thing

forum- a place or meeting where ideas and views on a particular issue can be discussed

gizzard- person/animal's stomach or throat

impart- make information known; communicate

magnanimity- the condition of being kind; generous

metamorphose- change or cause to change completely in form or nature

pygmies- a member of certain peoples of very short stature in Africa and Southeast Asia

paltry- petty; trivial

provender- food, usually dry

pedagogue- a teacher, especially a strict one

parson- any member of the clergy, more than likely a Protestant

solitary- done or exsisting alone

salutary- producing good effects; beneficial

steeple- a church tower 

sloughing- act of shedding or removing

sexton- a person who looks after the church/churchyard

transitory- not permanent

valor- courage