The Hindu Editorial (​​​​​Taken to task) – Apr 05, 2025

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The Hindu Editorial (​Taken to task) – Apr 05, 2025:

1. take to task (phrase) – reprimand, reprove, rebuke, admonish, censure, castigate, criticize, pull up; punish, penalize, take disciplinary action against.
2. defection (noun) – desertion, absconding, decamping.
3. decisively (adverb) – conclusively, categorically, definitely.
4. legislative assembly (noun): Also known as Vidhan Sabha; it is the lower house in the states and union territories of India that have a bicameral legislature. Members of the Legislative Assembly are directly elected by the people through assembly elections. The term of the Legislative Assembly is five years unless dissolved earlier. A member of a Legislative Assembly is referred to as an MLA.
5. vexed (adjective): disputed, contentious, debatable, controversial.
6. in particular (phrase): particularly, specifically, to be specific, especially, specially
7. unabashed (adjective) – unashamed, shameless,, brazen, unconcerned, unembarrassed, undismayed.
8. augment (verb) – increase, intensify; improve, boost, enhance. 
9. legislative (adjective) – relating to a legislature (law-making/governing body). ​
10. modus operandi (noun) – it is a Latin term literally meaning ‘way of operating’; a particular way/method of doing something; the usual/habitual way of working of a person.
11. egregiously (adverb) – shockingly, horribly, awfully/very badly.
12. invariably (adverb)  – always, every time/each time; habitually/inevitably
13. sit on (phrasal verb) – be inactive; to do nothing; take no action; suppress, repress, squelch, or silence someone/something forcefully; to force someone not to do something.
14. petition (noun) – plea, appeal, request, application, supplication.
15. legislator (noun) – a member of a legislature (parliament/congress/council/legislative assembly); lawmaker, (elected) representative.
16. defect (verb) – change allegiances/loyalties/sides; abscond, desert. 
17. sworn in past participle of swear in (phrasal verb) – take an oath to induct into office, inaugurate, introduce (into office); admit into office.
18. adjudication (noun) – judgement, verdict, decree, pronouncement, ruling, decision. 
19. unedifying (adjective) – distasteful; unpleasant, undesirable (public event). ​
20. sight (noun) – view, glimpse, seeing. 
21. make a mockery of (phrase) – make (someone/something) to seem foolish/absurd; to make someone/something to seem without value; to make something/someone to seem worthless/useless.
22. seek (verb) – ask for, request, appeal, demand.
23. timely (adjective) – prompt, well-timed, at the right time, opportune, appropriate. ​
24. observe (verb) – comment, remark, say, mention.
25. indecisive (adjective) – inconclusive, indeterminate, undecided, contradictory.
26. observation (noun) – statement, remark, comment, opinion.
27. rational (adjective) – logical, well reasoned, sensible, reasonable. ​
28. bench (noun) – a court of law with a number of judges.
29. constitution Bench (noun) – a bench of the Supreme Court having five or more judges on it. These benches are not a routine phenomenon.  Constitution Benches are exceptions, set up only if some circumstances exist).
30. division Bench (noun) – a bench of two or three judges is called a division bench.
31. repose (verb) – (of one’s confidence/trust) be placed in someone/something.
32. propriety (noun) – decorum, morality, honesty, rightness, correctness, appropriateness, good manners.
33. impartiality (noun) – fairness, justness, equality, neutrality, probity, lack of bias/prejudice, even-handedness.
34. flow from (phrase) – originate from, come from, be rooted in, emanate from, stem from, proceed from, result from, be consequent on.
35. plea (noun) – petition, application, appeal, request.
36. undue (adjective) – excessive, too much, disproportionate, needless, unreasonable, unjustified, inappropriate, unneeded, extreme, immoderate.
37. persistent (adjective) – continuous, constant, unending, unrelenting, unceasing.
38. inevitable (adjective) – unavoidable, sure to happen, unpreventable. 
39. non-partisan (adjective) – fair, unbiased, unprejudiced, impartial, neutral.
40. constitution (noun) – body of law; system of rules; regulations, fundamental principles, charter.
41. the Constitution of India (noun) – India, also known as Bharat, is a Union of States. It is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Republic is governed in terms of the Constitution of India, which was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 and came into force on 26th January 1950.
42. strip of (verb) – dispossess, deprive, deny/remove, take away from (rank, power, etc.).
43. the Tenth Schedule (noun) – The 10th Schedule to the Constitution, popularly referred to as the ‘Anti-Defection Law,’ was inserted by the 52nd Amendment in 1985. The grounds of disqualification are specified in Paragraph 2 of the 10th Schedule. A member would incur a disqualification under paragraph 2 (1) (a) when he “voluntarily gives up his membership of a party” and under 2 (1) (b) when he/she votes (or abstains from voting) contrary to the directive issued by the party.
44. frame (verb) – formulate, stipulate, lay down, draw up & insist on (a principle/rule)
45. independent (adjective) – impartial, unbiased, unprejudiced, neutral, non-aligned.
46. tribunal (noun) – arbitration board/panel, forum, committee; court of inquiry.
47. unaddressed (adjective) – not considered, not dealt with, unresolved.
48. persist (verb) – continue, linger, remain/stay, last.
49. force someone’s hand (phrase) – to compel someone do something.
50. blow (noun) – shock, surprise; setback/misfortune.
51. decisive (adjective)  – resolute, firm, strong-minded, determined.
52. scourge (noun)  – affliction, bane, curse, plague.
53. as long as (phrase)  – given that; when/while.
54. indulge in (verb)  – become involved in something that you like (a particular desire, interest, etc.); become involved in (an undesirable activity).

Note : 

1. Click each one of the words above for their definition, more synonyms, pronunciation, example sentences, phrases, derivatives, origin and etc. from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/.

2. Definitions (elementary level) & Synonyms provided for the words above are my personal work and not that of Oxford University Press. Tentative definitions/meanings are provided for study purposes only and they may vary in a different context.  

3. This word list is for personal use only. Reproduction in any format and/or Commercial use of it is/are strictly prohibited.

The Hindu Editorial (​​​​​​​​​Taken to task) – Apr 05, 2025: