Tyranny of the Minority

gerrymandered

manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.

ostensibly

apparently or purportedly, but perhaps not actually.

fledge

(of a young bird) develop wing feathers that are large enough for flight.

bale

(n) a bundle of paper, hay, cotton, etc., tightly wrapped and bound with cords or hoops.

stevedore

a person employed, or a contractor engaged, at a dock to load and unload cargo from ships.

affluent

having an abundance of wealth, property, or other material goods; prosperous; rich.

wane

(v) (of the moon) have a progressively smaller part of its visible surface illuminated, so that it appears to decrease in size.

upend

(v) set or turn (something) on its end or upside down.

legislature

the legislative body of a country or state.

aldermen

an elected member of a municipal council.

sheriff

(in the US) an elected officer in a county who is responsible for keeping the peace.

magistrate

a civil officer or lay judge who administers the law, especially one who conducts a court that deals with minor offenses and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones.

fleet

a group of ships sailing together, engaged in the same activity, or under the same ownership.

gubernatorial

relating to a state governor or the office of state governor.

veteran

a person who has had long experience in a particular field.

precincts

1. a district of a city or town as defined for police purposes.

2. the area within the walls or perceived boundaries of a particular building or place.

marshal

1. (n) an officer of the highest rank in the armed forces of some countries, including France.

2. (n) a federal or municipal law officer.

plummet

(v) fall or drop straight down at high speed.

1. (n) a steep and rapid fall or drop.

2. (n) a plumb or plumb line.

coalition

an alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties forming a government or of states.

hostage

a person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition.

tolerate

allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.

fraternity

1. a group of people sharing a common profession or interests.

2. the state or feeling of friendship and mutual support within a group.

dismantle

take (a machine or structure) to pieces.

loath

reluctant; unwilling.

infiltration

1. the action of entering or gaining access to an organization or place surreptitiously, especially in order to acquire secret information or cause damage.

2. permeation of a liquid into something by filtration.

acquiesce

accept something reluctantly but without protest.

repudiate

refuse to accept or be associated with.

preside

1. be in the position of authority in a meeting or other gathering.

2. play (a musical instrument, especially a keyboard instrument) at a public gathering.

contingency

a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.

ostracism

1. exclusion from a society or group

2. (in ancient Greece) temporary banishment from a city by popular vote.

impunity

exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.

vacancy

1. an unoccupied position or job.

2. empty space.

sparingly

in a restricted or infrequent manner; in small quantities.

prerogative

(n) a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class.

muster

(v) assemble (troops), especially for inspection or in preparation for battle.

(v) collect or assemble (a number or amount).

hermeneutics

the branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts.

oligarch

1. a ruler in an (a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.)

2. a very rich business leader with a great deal of political influence (particularly with reference to individuals who benefited from the privatization of state-run industries after the collapse of the Soviet Union).

embezzlement

theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer.

vanquish

defeat thoroughly.

entrench

1. establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.

2. establish (a military force, camp, etc.) in trenches or other fortified positions.

incumbent

(adj) necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility.

(adj) (of an official or regime) currently holding office.

(n) the holder of an office or post.

innocuous

not harmful or offensive.

legislative

having the power to make laws.

marshal

(v) arrange or assemble (a group of people, especially soldiers) in order.

(v) combine (coats of arms) to indicate marriage, descent, or the bearing of office.

muster

(n) a formal gathering of troops, especially for inspection, display, or exercise.

(n) a group of peacocks.