The patriarchy is a system in which men are the dominant group in society. This means that men have more power and privilege than women.
When something is said to be of the king's, it means that it is of high quality or importance. The king is the head of the monarchy, and his rule is considered to be very important.
A stepson is a son who is not the biological son of the person who is married to the person who is the parent of the stepson.
When something is fledged, it has started to grow and develop its own wings. A fledgling bird is still a baby, and it needs to be protected and cared for by its parents.
To dishonor someone is to disgrace them in public. You can dishonor someone by publically insulting them or by making fun of them.
Competently means to do something skillfully and correctly. You can be competent at swimming, writing, or anything else that requires some skill.
A mortuary is a place where people who have died are buried. Mortuaries are usually located in funeral homes, but they can also be found in hospitals.
To obliterate something is to destroy it completely. If you obliterate a building, you completely destroy it.
Censors are people who are responsible for determining what is and is not allowed to be published. They often work in the government or in the industry that publishes books.