UNUSUAL WORDS LXV

Can you give a simple definition of these less-often used words?

1. FIAT 

2. POSIT

3. USURY

4. CLOYING

5. CALUMNY

6. FULMINATE

7. EXPURGATE

8. TAUTOLOGY 

9. OPPROBRIUM

10. DEPREDATION

Answers:

 

1. FIAT - Authoritative order, decree

 

2. POSIT - Put forward an idea, especially a new one

 

3. USURY - Excessively high interest on a loan

 

4. CLOYING - Sickeningly sweet or sentimental 

 

5. CALUMNY - Slander, defamation of character

 

6. FULMINATE - Protest vehemently, explosively

 

7. EXPURGATE - Censor, remove "objectionable" content

 

8. TAUTOLOGY - Redundancy

 

9. OPPOROBRIUM - Disgrace, shame 

 

10. DEPREDATION - Attacking, plundering