ARBITER
1. gen. One whose opinion or decision is authoritative in a matter of debate; a judge.
2. a. spec. One who is chosen by the two parties in a dispute to arrange or decide the difference between them; an arbitrator, an umpire.
3. One who has power to decide or ordain according to his own absolute pleasure; one who has a matter under his sole control.
4. arbiter elegantiarum, elegantiæ [L., lit. ‘judge of elegance’: Petronius Arbiter was the elegantiæ arbiter of Nero's court (Tacitus Ann. xvi. 18)], a judge of matters of taste, an authority on etiquette.
CADRE
1. A frame, framework; scheme.
2. a. The permanent establishment forming the framework or skeleton of a regiment, which is filled up by enlistment when required. Also of an R.A.F. squadron.
b. The complement of officers of a regiment; the list or scheme of such officers.
3. a. In Communist countries, a group of workers, etc., acting to promote the interests of the Communist Party; also, a member of such a group; = CELL
b. In the People's Republic of China, an office-holder in a Party, governmental, or military organization; also more widely, one who holds a position, esp. in a local organization, school, etc. Also attrib., esp. as cadre school.
PRESAGE
a. To constitute a supernatural sign of (a future event); to be an omen of, to portend.
2. a. trans. To foretell; to predict, forecast.
c. intr. To make a prediction or forecast; to foretell the future.
1. a. Something that gives warning of what is about to happen; an indication or foreshadowing of a future event; an omen, a sign, a portent.
b. As a mass noun: prophetic significance; indication of something (esp. misfortune) that is to happen. Chiefly with modifying adjective indicating the unwelcome character of what is presaged. Cf. OMEN
2. A presentiment, a foreboding; a prophetic or anticipatory perception of the future. Now rare.
RIPOSTE
1. Fencing. A quick thrust given after parrying a lunge; a return thrust.
2. transf. A counterstroke; an effective reply by word or act.
TRIPATRITE
1. Divided into or composed of three parts or kinds; threefold, triple.
3. Made in three corresponding parts or copies, as an INDENTURE (q.v.) drawn up between three persons or parties, each of whom preserves one of the copies.
