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250 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
obtuse
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blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding
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obviate
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make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need
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Occident
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the West
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occlude
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shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery.
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occult
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mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare
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oculist
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physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes
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odds
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chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with
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odious
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arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile
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odium
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detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)
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odoriferous
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giving off an odor
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odorous
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having an odor
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odyssey
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long, eventful, adventurous journey
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offensive
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attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense
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offhand
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casual; done without prior thought or preparation
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officious
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meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy
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ogle
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look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men ogling young girls
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olfactory
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concerning the sense of smell
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oligarchy
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government by a privileged few
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ominous
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threatening; of an evil omen
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omnipotent
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all-powerful; having unlimited power
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omnipresent
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universally present; ubiquitous
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omniscient
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all-knowing
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omnivorous
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eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything
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onerous
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burdensome
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onomatopoeia
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words formed in imitation of natural sounds
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onslaught
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vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy
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onus
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burden; responsibility
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ooze
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(of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or thick liquid as at the bottom of a river
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opalescent
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iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence
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opaque
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dark; not transparent; N. opacity
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opiate
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medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium
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opportune
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timely; well-chosen
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opportunist
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individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism
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opprobrium
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infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous
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optician
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maker and seller of eyeglasses
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optimist
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person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism
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optimum
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most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition
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optional
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not compulsory; left to one's choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options
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optometrist
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one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects
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opulence
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extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant
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opus
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work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera
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oracular
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of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle
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orator
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public speaker
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oratorio
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dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata
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ordain
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decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination
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ordeal
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severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction
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ordinance
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decree; authoritative order
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ordination
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ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest
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orgy
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wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping
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orient
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get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate
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orientation
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act of finding oneself in society; orienting
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orifice
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mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth
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ornate
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excessively or elaborately decorated
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ornithologist
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scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds
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orous
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full of pores; like a sieve
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orthodox
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traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine
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orthography
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correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics
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oscillate
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vibrate pendulumlike; waver
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osseous
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made of bone; bony
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ossify
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change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas
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ostensible
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apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition
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ostentatious
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showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display
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ostracize
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banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism
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oust
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expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting
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outcast
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one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
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outfit
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clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit
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outgoing
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sociable; eager to mix socially with others
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outlandish
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bizzare; peculiar; unconventional
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outlaw
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fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.
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outlook
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point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook
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outmoded
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no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned
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outrage
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act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive
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outskirts
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fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston
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outspoken
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candid; blunt
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outstrip
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outrun; surpass; outdo
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outwit
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outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly
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overbearing
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bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate
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overblown
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inflated; exaggerated
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oversee
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watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision
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overt
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open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert
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overthrow
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topple; N.
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overture
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musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
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overturn
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turn over; capsize; topple
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overweening
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arrogant; presumptuous
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overwhelm
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(of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief
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overwrought
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nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
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ovoid
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egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate
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pachyderm
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thick-skinned animal
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pacifist
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one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes
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pacify
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soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to
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padre
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chaplain (in the armed forces)
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paean
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song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
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painstaking
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taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through
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palatable
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agreeable; pleasing to the taste
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palate
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roof of the mouth; sense of the taste
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palatial
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of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
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paleontology
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study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents
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palette
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board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)
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palimpsest
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parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
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pall
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become boring; grow tiresome
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pallet
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small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
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palliate
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ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
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pallid
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pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
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palm
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conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off; Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the painting as a real Renoir
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palpable
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tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
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palpitate
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throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
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paltry
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insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash
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pan
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criticize harshly
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panacea
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cure-all; remedy for all diseases
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panache
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flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. ? ??? ?? ??? ??
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pandemic
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widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people
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pandemonium
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wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost
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pander
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cater to (the low desires of others)
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panegyric
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formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.
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pang
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sudden sharp feeling of pain
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panoramic
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denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area
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pantomime
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acting without dialogue; V.
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papyrus
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ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant
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parable
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short simple story teaching a moral
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paradigm
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model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word
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paradox
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something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct
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paragon
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model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
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parallelism
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state of being parallel; similarity; analogy
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parameter
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limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget
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paramount
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foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal
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paramour
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illicit lover
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paranoia
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psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac
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paraphernalia
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equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry
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paraphrase
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restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words
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parasite
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animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside
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parched
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extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)
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parchment
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writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat
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pare
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cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a knife); trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses
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pariah
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social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
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parish
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area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church
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parity
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equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
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parlance
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language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
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parley
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conference (between opponents); CF. speak
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parochial
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narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
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parody
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humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.
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paroxysm
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fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst
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parquet
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floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
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parry
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ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N. CF. ???? ??? ??
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parsimony
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stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious
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partial
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incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something
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partiality
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state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
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partisan
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one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla
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partition
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divide into parts
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parvenu
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upstart; newly rich person
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pass'e
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old-fashioned; past the prime
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pass_off
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present falsely; represent falsely to be
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passive
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not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance
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paste
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smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: cause to adhere by applying paste
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pastiche
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imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
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pastoral
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rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor
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pastry
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paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)
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patent
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obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
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pathetic
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causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching
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pathological
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pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease
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pathos
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tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
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patina
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green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
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patois
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local or provincial dialect
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patriarch
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father and ruler of a family or tribe
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patrician
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noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian
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patrimony
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property inherited from a father
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patronize
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support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott
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paucity
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scarcity; dearth
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pauper
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very poor person
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peccadillo
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slight offense or fault; CF. sin
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pecuniary
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pertaining to money
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pedagogue
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teacher; CF. child leader
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pedagogy
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teaching; art of education
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pedant
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scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities
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pedantic
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bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry
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peddle
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travel about selling (wares); CF. foot
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pedestal
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support or base as for a pillar or statue
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pedestrian
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ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
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pediatrician
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physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics
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pedigree
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line of ancestors; ancestry; lineage; ADJ. (of an animal) descended from of a chosen family; Ex. pedigree dog; CF. crane's foot
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pedigree
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ancestry; lineage
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peer
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one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
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peerless
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having no equal; incomparable
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peevish
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bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry
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pejorative
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(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression, because it patronized them.
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pell-mell
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in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
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pellucid
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transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
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pen
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fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose
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penance
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self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent
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penchant
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strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars
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pendant(pendent)
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hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)
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pending
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not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
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pendulous
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hanging; suspended
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penetrate
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enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand
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penitent
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repentant; N.
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penology
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study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
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pensive
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dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over
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penumbra
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partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
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penury
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extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
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peon
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landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage
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perceptive
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insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
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percussion
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striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion
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perdition
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damnation; complete ruin; hell
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peregrination
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journey; V. peregrinate
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peremptory
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demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
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perennial
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something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring
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perfidious
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treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
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perforate
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pierce; put a hole through
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perfunctory
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done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss
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perigee
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point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee
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perimeter
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outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
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peripatetic
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walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy
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peripheral
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of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest
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periphery
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outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town
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perjury
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false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath
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permeable
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that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge
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permissive
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allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society
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pernicious
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very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia
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peroration
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conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
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perpetrate
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commit an offense; do (something wrong)
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perpetual
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everlasting
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perpetuate
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make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity
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perquisite(perk)
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any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car
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persevere
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continue steadily in spite of difficulties
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persist
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continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent
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personable
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attractive (in personality or appearance)
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personify
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represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification
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perspicacious
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(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute
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perspicuity
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clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
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perspicuous
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(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
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pert
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(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
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pertinacious
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holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
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pertinent
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suitable; to the point; relevant
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perturb
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disturb greatly
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peruse
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read through with care; N. perusal
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pervasive
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spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
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perverse
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purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity
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perversion
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corruption; turning from right to wrong
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pervert
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corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural
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pessimism
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belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic
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pestilential(pestilent)
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causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)
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pestle
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tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
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petrify
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turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze
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petty
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trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
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petulant
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touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
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phalanx
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formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
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pharisaical
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pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
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pharisee
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Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
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phenomena
|
observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength
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philanderer
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faithless lover; flirt
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philanthropist
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lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy
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