| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| comity |
mutual courtesy and respectful treatment among people or nations. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| ingenuous |
having or showing simplicity and lack of sophistication; artless. |
| maunder |
to speak in an aimless or foolish way; babble. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| syntax |
the word order or pattern of word order in a sentence. |
| woebegone |
displaying or full of distress. |