The Hindu Editorial (Lapsing into contempt) – Aug 17, 2020

The Supreme Court’s order finding advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court reflects poorly on the institution’s tolerance of criticism. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Lapsing into contempt) – Aug 17, 2020.

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Today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Lapsing into contempt) – Aug 17, 2020:

lapse into (verb) – deteriorate, decline, worsen.
contempt (noun) – it refers to the offence of showing disrespect to the dignity or authority of a court (& its officers).
criminal contempt (noun) – it includes any act or publication which: (i) ‘scandalises’ the court, or (ii) prejudices any judicial proceeding, or (iii) interferes with the administration of justice in any other manner.
civil contempt (noun) – it refers to the wilful disobedience of an order of any court.
guilty (adjective) – culpable, at fault, responsible for misconduct; convicted.
reflect (verb) – indicate, display, demonstrate, exhibit.
threshold (noun) – limit, starting point, the level (to react to something).
reflect on (phrasal verb) – to affect people’s opinion of someone or something, particularly in a bad way; bring discredit to.
tolerance (noun) – forbearance, self-control, open-mindedness, patience, acceptance.
suo motu (phrase) – Latin term means “on its own motion”. It is used where a government agency acts on its own knowledge.
proceedings (noun) – legal action, prosecution, lawsuit.
hardly (adverb) – barely, slightly; not.
add to (phrasal verb) – increase; make something stronger/greater.
dignity (noun) – nobleness, majesty, augustness, lordliness.
ostensibly (adverb) – apparently, seemingly, allegedly, supposedly.
set out (phrasal verb) – aim, intend, seek (to do something).
uphold (verb) – support, confirm, justify; maintain, nurture, strengthen.
scandalous (adjective) – discreditable, disreputable, dishonourable, improper.
scurrilous (adjective) – offensive, unjustifiable, unsupported.
allegation (noun) – charge, accusation, complaint.
occasion (verb) – cause, give rise to, bring about, result in.
heavy-handed (adjective) – oppressive, overbearing, highhanded, harsh.
draw upon (phrasal verb) – have recourse to, look to, make use of/utilize.
delineate (verb) – describe, define, detail.
in aid of (phrase) – in support of.
perfunctory (adjective) – casual, uninterested, careless.
amount to (verb) – be equivalent to, be tantamount to, be equal to, boil down to.
recourse to (noun) – resort to, make use of, use, utilize.
exaggerated (adjective) – overstated, excessive, overemphasized, amplified/overdone.
unwarranted (adjective) – unjustified, unnecessary, unreasonable, uncalled for, groundless.
it is quite/bit a stretch (phrase) – that is a little exaggerated.
undermine (verb) – reduce, diminish, spoil, damage, weaken.
interfere (verb) – handle, meddle, intervene (unwantedly).
at best (phrase) – simply, merely, only.
touch on (phrasal verb) – to deal/talk/speak briefly about something.
conduct (noun) – behaviour, way of behaving, performance.
exceptional (adjective) – unusual, uncommon, abnormal, atypical.
malice (noun) – ill will, hostility, hatred, evil intentions.
scurrility (noun) – abuse, defamation, insult, libel.
warrant (verb) – justify/necessitate, vindicate/validate, call for.
ought to (modal verb) – must, should.
shrug off (phrasal verb) – disregard, dismiss, ignore.
defence (noun) – vindication, support, justification, explanation, apology, excuse.
in the nature of (phrase) – comparable to, close to, near, like.
with reference to (phrase) – with regard to, as regards, with respect to.
personage (noun) – important person, VIP, celebrity/public figure.
mere (adjective) – just, only, basic.
voicing (noun) – expression, utterance, statement (a point of view).
successive (adjective) – consecutive, succeeding.
backdrop (noun) – situation, scenario, context.
hold (verb) – have a opinion; believe, think, consider.
intent (noun) – aim, purpose, objective.
sweep (noun) – range, scope, ambit, purview, limit.
abrasive (adjective) – harsh, biting, tough/unfeeling.
animadversion (noun) – condemnation, criticism, censure.
discordant (adjective) – at variance, inharmonious, divergent, disagreeing.
the executive (noun) – a branch of government which enforces the law as written by the legislature and interpreted by the judiciary; government.
Master of the Roster (noun) – In November last year, when a Constitution Bench, led by the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, declared that “the Chief Justice is the master of the roster and he alone has the prerogative (privilege/right) to constitute the Benches of the Court and allocate cases to the Benches so constituted. roster (noun) – a list of the people of a team/organisation.
inadvertent (adjective) – accidental, unintentional, unthinking.
irony (noun) – paradox, incongruity, peculiarity; contradiction, a strange/funny situation where things are happening the other way around (than expected).
comity (noun) – an association of nations with harmony, understanding, cooperation.
stalwart (adjective) – reliable, loyal and dedicated/hard-working.
fame (noun) – notability, importance, honour.
stellar (adjective) – exceptional, extraordinary, remarkable.
if at all (phrase) – to emphasize a restriction stated in the preceding clause.
perception (noun) – understanding, insight, discernment.
evasion (noun) – dodging, bypassing/sidestepping, circumvention.
self-imposed (adjective) – something imposed on self (not by others).
reticence (noun) – reserve, introversion, restraint, unresponsiveness, silence.
acquiescence (noun) – consent/approval, agreement, acceptance.
in the face of (phrase) – despite, notwithstanding, regardless of; when confronted with.
executive power (noun) – the general power to carry out all the functions
(lawmaking & etc) of a government in a state.