Politics and the English Language

Politics and the English Language Glossary

archaism

Something outdated or very old. An archaic term or use of language.

egregious

Shockingly bad.

hackneyed

Something that has been overused; Clichéd or unoriginal.

cudgel

A short thick stick used as a weapon. As a verb: to beat.

roughshod

Having shoes with nail heads (in the case of a horse) to prevent slipping.

toe the line

To accept authority, conform to a standard. To stand in line with. The origin: standing with toes exactly touching a line.

anvil

A heavy steel or iron block on which metal gets hammered into shape.

militate

Taking up military action. To act forcefully.

trident

A three-pronged spear; the tool of Poseidon; also a US designed submarine-launched ballistic missile.

buckler

An archaic, small round handheld shield, typically worn on the forearm.

jackboot

A long military boot made of leather, rising to the knee.

clarion

A war trumpet that emits a shrill noise.

ameliorate

To make something better; to soothe.

deracinated

uprooted

sub-aqueous

Under water. As an adjective: weak, lacking in strength, as in the light that filters through water.

impermissible

to be prohibited; something not to be allowed

extramarital

outside of marriage; usually, specifically referring to sexual relations.

bestial

animalistic behavior; savage.

rectification

the process of making upright; correcting.

pretentiousness

The attempt to impress by acting important. False or fake behaviour.

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