Gov Vocab

Concur

To agree (within the majority)

Dissent

To disagree with the majority

Tenure

The period of time one holds a job

Statutory

Law, a permanent rule

Ordinance

Law, regulation, decree, statute, edict

Precedent

A decision by a court which is then used as a “rule” to follow in later court decisions

* an example for other courts to follow, though it is often binding

Referendum

A law that is passed by the general population, as a yes or no vote.

Plaintiff

The person who brings legal action (sues) against another entity.

* Used in civil court, not typically in criminal proceedings

Rankle

To cause keen irritation or bitter resentment in

* fester, vex, irk, rile

Predatory

Excessive/exploitative in amount of cost, out of greed, to take advantage of

Hearing

A brief court session that resolves a specific question before a trial takes place

Bicameral

Having two chambers (bodies/departments) in the legislative

Fraught

Anxious, distressed, tense

Illusory

Deceptive, misleading, fallacious, specious

Compromised

Accept standards that are lower than is desirable

Prone

Lying flat, often face down; prostrate

Diminutive

Unusually small

Euphemism

A word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant or offensive word

Perforate

Pierce or make holes in; puncture; penetrate

Incumbent

The official currently holding office

Mandate

The authority to carry out a policy or course of action

Pat

Without much thought, rehearsed

Bill

A proposal, that is attempting to become a law

Coalesce

To unite so as to form one mass; To grow together into one body

Discretion

The power (or right) to decide or act according to one’s own judgement

Sensual

Inclined to gratify the physical sense; Tending to arouse bodily appetites

Platitude

A remark, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful

Belligerent

An aggressively hostile attitude

Insouciant

Showing a casual lack of concern; Indifferent; Just can’t be bothered

Zeal

Enthusiasm, dedication, motivation, intensity, gusto, fervor, eagerness, fanaticism

Accoutrements

Additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity

* Accessory, trappings, kit, paraphernalia

Status quo

The way things are now; the norm, the standard

Vitriolic

Language or criticism that is bitterly harsh

Staid

An under reaction, not dramatic, risk-averse, prim self-restraint, sedate

Orthodox

Conforming to established doctrine

Wane

To diminish in intensity; to be become less brilliant or powerful; to decrease in size, extent, or degree

Aggregate

Formed by the collection of particulars into a whole mass; combines, whole sum

Sovereign

Independent of outside authority; autonomous, independent, self-governing

Abdicate

To give up (or renounce) authority, duties, important office, especially in a voluntary and public manner; relinquish, step-down

Egalitarian

Belief in the equality of all people (politically, economically, and socially)

Mores

“Sexual mores were more relaxed than in the early colonies (among the indigenous tribes).”

* The customs and conventions (rules and methods) embodying the fundamental values of a group or society

Aborigine

One of the original or earliest known inhabitants of a country or region

Flummoxed

Bewildered or perplexed

Escarpment

A long cliff or steep slope separating two comparatively level surfaces

* Long clifflike ridge or land, rock, etc, commonly formed by faulting of the earth’s crust

Consensus

General or widespread. agreement, harmony

Emulate

Imitate with effort to equal or surpass