| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| ambidextrous |
able to use both the left and right hands with equal skill. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| appurtenance |
(plural) equipment or instruments used for a given purpose; gear. |
| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| extirpate |
to get rid of completely, as if by pulling up the roots; root out. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| lambent |
glowing softly. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| munificent |
having or showing great generosity. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| pneumatic |
of, using, or concerning air or other gases. |