| alimony |
money that a court orders one member of a divorced couple to pay to the other. |
| aver |
to assert to be true; affirm. |
| backlash |
a strong reaction against some prior development, especially political or social change. |
| circumscribe |
to keep within bounds; confine; restrict. |
| cognate |
having a common origin, as languages. |
| dissonant |
not in harmony or agreement; discordant. |
| fickle |
quickly changing without reason or warning, especially in affection or allegiance; variable or capricious. |
| incantation |
the words or sounds that are uttered or chanted as part of a magical ritual or spell, or the act of uttering such words or sounds. |
| indiscriminate |
lacking in judgment and discernment; making no distinctions. |
| laudable |
worthy of praise. |
| naysayer |
a person who refuses, denies, or opposes, especially because of cynicism or pessimism. |
| rabble1 |
a confused and uncontrolled crowd; disorderly mob. |
| remiss |
careless or negligent, especially in the performance of one's duty. |
| rivulet |
a tiny stream or brook; trickle. |
| truism |
a self-evident statement; platitude. |