| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| consummate |
of the highest order or degree. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| feckless |
weak or incompetent; ineffective. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| laudatory |
expressing praise. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| prolix |
wordy and boringly long. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |