Formal Vocabulary Vocabulary

to make widely known; to put into effect officially

“The government promulgated new regulations.”

Origin: Latin promulgare `to make publicly known` from pro- `forth` + mulgare `to cause to come forth`

to repeal or do away with

“The treaty was abrogated by the new administration.”

Origin: Latin abrogare `to repeal a law` from ab- `away` + rogare `to propose a law, ask`

to demand or specify as part of an agreement

“The contract stipulates a 30-day notice period.”

Origin: Latin stipulari `to demand a formal promise` possibly from stips `small coin, gift`

to describe or portray precisely

“The report delineates the scope of the project.”

Origin: Latin delineare `to sketch out` from de- `out` + lineare `to draw lines` from linea `line`

to mention one by one; to count

“The document enumerates the rights of citizens.”

Origin: Latin enumerare `to count up` from e- `out` + numerare `to count` from numerus `number`

to make an action happen sooner or faster

“They hired extra staff to expedite processing.”

Origin: Latin expedire `to free from impediment` from ex- `out` + pes, pedis `foot` (literally `to free one`s feet')

to make an action or process easier

“The new system will facilitate communication.”

Origin: French faciliter from Latin facilis `easy` from facere `to do, make`

to put into effect; to carry out

“The company will implement changes next quarter.”

Origin: Latin implementum `a filling up` from implere `to fill up, fulfill` from in- `in` + plere `to fill`

to begin or introduce a system or policy

“The president inaugurated a new era of diplomacy.”

Origin: Latin inaugurare `to take omens from bird flight` from in- `in` + augurare `to act as augur` from augur `diviner`

to cause something to begin

“She initiated the investigation.”

Origin: Latin initiare `to begin` from initium `beginning` from in- `into` + ire `to go`

to obtain something, especially with effort

“They procured the necessary supplies.”

Origin: Latin procurare `to take care of` from pro- `on behalf of` + curare `to see to` from cura `care`

to find out for certain; to make sure of

“We need to ascertain the facts before proceeding.”

Origin: Old French acertainer `to make certain` from a- `to` + certain `sure` from Latin certus `settled, sure`

to provide evidence to support a claim

“You must substantiate your allegations with proof.”

Origin: Medieval Latin substantiare `to give substance to` from Latin substantia `substance` from substare `to stand firm`

to confirm or support with evidence

“Other witnesses corroborated his account.”

Origin: Latin corroborare `to strengthen` from cor- (intensive) + roborare `to strengthen` from robur `oak, strength`

in accordance with; following

“Pursuant to our agreement, payment is due Friday.”

Origin: Old French pursuiant, present participle of pursuir `to pursue` from Latin prosequi `to follow after`

in this document or statement

“The terms herein are binding on all parties.”

Origin: Middle English from here `in this place` (Old English her) + in

immediately; without delay

“Payment must be made forthwith.”

Origin: Middle English from forth `forward` (Old English forþ) + with `along`

from this time on; in a future document

“The company (hereafter 'the Seller') agrees...”

Origin: Middle English from here `in this place` (Old English her) + after (Old English æfter)

mentioned earlier in a document

“The aforesaid conditions must be met.”

Origin: Middle English from afore `before` (Old English onforan) + said, past participle of say

in spite of; without being affected by

“Notwithstanding any provision herein...”

Origin: Middle English from not + withstanding, present participle of withstand `to resist` from Old English wiþstandan

denoting a thing or person previously mentioned

“The aforementioned rules apply to all.”

Origin: From afore `before` (Old English onforan) + mentioned, past participle of mention from Latin mentionem `a calling to mind`

to this matter or document

“The parties hereto agree to the following terms.”

Origin: Middle English from here `in this place` (Old English her) + to