The Trial Vocabulary

indictment

a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

humiliate

make (someone) feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and self-respect, especially publicly

faction

a small organized dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics

jurisprudence

the theory or philosophy of law

ingenuously

in an honest, sincere, and trusting way, sometimes in a way that seems silly

distinction

a difference or contrast between similar things or people.

litigant

a person involved in a lawsuit

superfluous

unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.

contemptous

showing contempt; scornful.

degeneracy

the state having lost the physical, mental, or moral qualities considered normal and desirable; showing evidence of decline

lassitude

a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy.

persecution

persistent annoyance or harassment

hierarchies

a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority

depression

state of melancholy

humaneness

the quality of compassion or consideration for others (people or animals)

exploit

make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource)

depravity

moral corruption; wickedness

retinue

a group of advisers, assistants, or others accompanying an important person

foibles

a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character.

unassailable

unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated

unabashed

not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed

injunction

a judicial order that restrains a person from beginning or continuing an action threatening or invading the legal right of another, or that compels a person to carry out a certain act

vindictive

having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge.

condecension

an attitude of patronizing superiority; disdain.

importunate

persistent, especially to the point of annoyance or intrusion.

pedantic

(of a person) describes a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.