| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| aleatory |
pertaining to or depending on luck, chance, or contingency. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| desideratum |
something that is needed or wanted. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| malfeasance |
an illegal act or wrongdoing, especially by a public official. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| meretricious |
appealing or attracting in a cheap, showy, or shallow way. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |
| shunt |
to turn or move aside or out of the way; divert. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |