| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| extirpate |
to get rid of completely, as if by pulling up the roots; root out. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| indulgent |
gratifying, or being inclined to gratify or yield to others' wishes, especially rather than enforcing discipline or strictness. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| Saturnalia |
an occasion of unrestrained revelry. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |