| Term | Definition |
|---|
| paramilitary | a group of civilians trained and organized in a military fashion, with or without the authority of a government |
| parry | (v) : to avoid, deflect, or ward off (an attack) (n) : a defensive or deflective action; an act of parrying; a simple defensive action designed to deflect an attack, performed with the forte of the blade |
| ratchet | (n) : a pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc; a mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch, and pawl (v) : to cause to become incremented or decremented; to increment or decrement |
| ream | the cream of milk; a froth or scum (v) : to enlarge a hole, especially using a reamer; to bore a hole wider; to shape or form |
| red tape | a derisive term for regulations or bureaucratic procedures that are considered excessive or excessively time- and effort-consuming |
| refractory | (adj) : obstinate and unruly, unresponsive; not affected by great heat (n) : material, such as brick, that has a very high melting point |
| satellite | object orbiting a celestial object; specifically, any man-made apparatus designed to relay telecommunication signals to and from Earth |
| vaunted | highly or widely praised or boasted about |
| venerable | commanding respect because of age, dignity, character or position; worthy of reverence |
| verdure | a condition of health and vigour; the greenness of lush or growing vegetation; also: the vegetation itself |
| viable | able to live on its own (as for a newborn.); able to be done, possible |
| waive | (n) : a waif; a castaway.(v) : to relinquish; to give up claim to; not to insist on or claim; to refuse; to forego; to throw away; to cast off; to reject; to desert |
| wanton | (adj) : lewd or immoral; cruel for no reason |
| schism | a split or separation within a group or organization, typically caused by discord; a formal division or split within a religious body |
| secular | not specifically religious; not bound by the vows of a monastic order |
| sedate | (adj) : in a composed and temperate state |
| shirk | (v) : to avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from |
| sojourn | a short stay somewhere; a temporary residence |
| tariff | (n) : a system of government-imposed duties levied on imported or exported goods; a list of such duties, or the duties themselves; a schedule of rates, fees or prices (v) : to levy a duty on (something) |
| tensile | of or pertaining to tension; capable of being stretched; ductile |
| transgression | a violation of a law, command or duty; an act that goes beyond generally accepted boundaries |
| transpire | to become known; to happen |
| unassuming | modest and having no pretensions or ostentation |
| propriety | correctness in behaviour and morals; fitness; the quality of being appropriate |
| protuberant | swelling or bulging outward |
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