| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| derelict |
failing to fulfill one's responsibilities or obligations; remiss. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| diurnal |
occurring or active during, or belonging to, the daytime rather than nighttime. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| frangible |
easy to break; breakable; fragile. |
| indulgent |
gratifying, or being inclined to gratify or yield to others' wishes, especially rather than enforcing discipline or strictness. |
| mélange |
a mixture, usually of very dissimilar elements. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |