Plessy v. Ferguson Vocab

Majority Opinion

noun. The explanation for the decision that the majority (more than half) of the judges came to about a particular case

Peonage

noun. A labor system in which people work for others to pay off debts

Intimated

verb. To communicate directly or delicately

onerous

adj. Burdensome, oppressive, or troublesome; causing hardship

Exigency

noun. A case or situation that is an emergency

Plaintiff

noun. A person who is bringing the lawsuit to court

Acquiesce

verb. Agree, to submit or comply silently without complaint

Dissenting Opinion

noun. The explanation for why a judge or judges disagree with the principles or reasoning of the majority of the judges in a particular case

Inhering

verb. To be an inseparable part of (something/someone/some place, etc.)

due process

noun. Fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially of a citizen’s legal rights

Repugnant

adj. Distasteful, offensive

adjudications

noun. The act of a court in making an order or judgement

abridge

verb. To deprive, to cut off

inferiority

noun. The quality or state of being lesser or lower in rank, position, quality, value, importance, etc.

Fallacy

noun. Unsound or misleading argument; erroneous reasoning that renders arguments logically unsound

Petitioner

noun. A person who presents a petition

Affirmed

adj. Confirmed; formally asserted