| backlash |
a strong reaction against some prior development, especially political or social change. |
| empathy |
identification with or sharing of another's feelings, situation, or attitudes. |
| equilibrium |
a state of balance between two or more forces. |
| fanaticism |
excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm or support for something. |
| gradation |
a gradual almost imperceptible change, especially from one tone or texture to another. |
| limbo1 |
(often capitalized) in theology, a place neither in heaven nor hell for souls neither saved nor condemned, such as those of unbaptized infants. |
| meticulous |
very careful or precise. |
| notation |
a system of signs used to stand for numbers, words, or musical notes. |
| openhanded |
tending to give to others; generous. |
| posthumous |
beginning, occurring, or continuing after one's death. |
| reverberation |
the continuation of a sound after the source of the sound has been cut off. |
| skepticism |
distrust or disbelief, or a general tendency to doubt and question. |
| subpoena |
in law, a formal written order summoning a witness to give testimony or requiring that specified evidence be submitted. |
| vagrant |
one who lacks a permanent home and wanders from place to place; nomad; tramp. |
| venial |
able to be excused, pardoned, or forgiven, as a minor error, offense, or sin. (Cf. mortal.) |