| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| atonement |
the act of making reparation for a sin, crime, error, or the like. |
| corollary |
a readily drawn conclusion; deduction or inference. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| disabuse |
to free (a person) from misconception or deception; set straight. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| feckless |
weak or incompetent; ineffective. |
| forbear |
to keep or abstain from (an action or utterance). |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| neophyte |
a beginner or novice at any activity. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |