AP English : Vocab unit 13-14 Flashcards
ambiguous
subject to more than one interpretation; indefinite
atonement
amends for wrong-doing; expiation
bicameral
composed of two houses, chambers or branches
decalogue
the Ten commandments
decimate
to destroy a great number or proportion of
dichotomy
division into two usually contradictory parts or opinions
double-think
the belief in two contradictory ideas at the same time
millennium
a span of a thousand years; a period of general righteousness and happiness
nihilism
total rejection of established laws and institutions; total destructiveness toward the world and oneself
penultimate
next to the last
primeval
original; belonging to the first or earliest ages
protocol
forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of states; the first copy of a treaty or document
quatrain
a stanza or poem of four lines, usually with alternate rhymes
quintessence
the most perfect embodiment of something; the purest most typical instance
untrammeled
unhampered; unrestrained
adjudicate
to hear and settle a case by judicial procedure
appellate
having power to hear appeals and to reverse lower court decisions
collusion
a secret agreement for a deceitful or fraudulent purpose; conspiracy
deposition
testimony under oath, especially a written statement by a witness for use in court in his or her absence.
equity
something that is just, impatrial, and fair; the value of a business or property in excess of any claim against it; justice applied in circumstances no covered by law
exhume
to dig out of the earth; disinter; reveal
incommunicado
without the means or right of communication with others, as one held in solitary confinement
intestate
having made no valid will; one who dies without a legal will
ipso facto
by the fact itself; by that very fact
lien
the right to take and hold or sell the property of a debtor as security or payment for a debt, mortgage.
litigation
legal action of process
perjury
the deliberate, willful giving of false, misleading, or incomplete testimony by a witness under oath in a criminal proceeding
pettifogger
a petty, quibbling, unscrupulous lawyer, a shyster
tort
any wrongful act not involving breach of contract for which a civil suit can be brought
tribunal
a seat or court of justice
