| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| agog |
highly excited and full of anticipation. |
| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| corollary |
a readily drawn conclusion; deduction or inference. |
| discomfit |
to upset or confuse. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| guttural |
articulated in the back of the mouth; velar. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |
| tummler |
an entertainer or social director who encourages participation by guests or audience. |