| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| attune |
to adjust so as to be harmonious. |
| canny |
difficult to fool or take advantage of; shrewd; wary; clever. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| discomfit |
to upset or confuse. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| kibbutz |
an Israeli farming settlement whose ownership is shared by those who live and work there. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| purvey |
to supply or provide (especially food, drink, or other provisions). |