| abrogate |
to abolish, repeal, or nullify by authority. |
| apprise |
to inform (often followed by "of"). |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| 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. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |
| repine |
to express or feel unhappiness; complain; fret. |
| revetment |
a facing of stone, masonry, or the like to support or protect a wall, embankment, or mound of earth. |
| rodomontade |
puffed-up boasting or bravado. |
| stative |
in grammar, of or designating a category of verbs that express state or condition. |
| syntax |
the word order or pattern of word order in a sentence. |
| 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. |