| adoption |
the act of becoming the legal parent of a child who is not one's biological offspring. |
| attack |
to begin to cause harm to. |
| complaint |
an expression of dissatisfaction or unhappiness with something. |
| council |
a group of persons gathered together to discuss or make decisions about public matters. For example, a city council may make laws for or give advice on how to run a city. |
| depend |
to trust or rely (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| effect |
something produced by a cause. |
| guilty |
responsible for breaking a law or doing something wrong. |
| haul |
to pull or drag with force. |
| historic |
important in history. |
| inspect |
to look at very carefully to find any problems. |
| occupy |
to take and control. |
| ransom |
the payment demanded in return for setting a kidnapped person free, or the act of setting someone free by paying the price demanded. |
| sharp |
having a thin edge or a fine point. |
| vain |
not leading to a desirable or lasting effect. |
| wither |
to dry up or wilt. |