| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| appose |
to place next to or side by side; juxtapose. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| extort |
to extract or obtain (money or the like) by force, threats, or abuse of authority. |
| ineptitude |
incompetence; lack of skill. |
| interdict |
to deter or impede by the steady use of firepower. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| repose2 |
to put or place (confidence, hope, or the like) in someone or something. |
| sententious |
using or marked by pompous, high-flown moralizing. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |