Barron's Word List 13

Front 1

deciduous

Back 1

shedding leaves annually

(opposite: evergreen)

Front 2

decimate (2)

Back 2

(1) kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage of

(2) historically, kill one in every 10 as a punishment for the entire group

Front 3

decollete (accents on first and last e)

Back 3

having a low-cut neckline

Front 4

decoy

Back 4

lure or bait

Front 5

decry

Back 5

express strong disapproval of; disparage

"She decried human right abuses"

Front 6

deducible

Back 6

derived by reasoning

Front 7

default (n) (2)

Back 7

(1) failure to fulfill an obligation (such as to go to court or repay a loan)

"It will have to restructure its debts to avoid default"

(2) pre-selected option

Front 8

defection

Back 8

The desertion of one's country or cause in favor of an opposing one


In politics, a defector is a person who gives up allegiance to one state or political entity in exchange for allegiance to another.

Front 9

defer (v) (2)

Back 9

(1) delay until later; postpone, exempt temporarily

"During wartime, some young men defer making plans until they hear from their draft boards"

(2) give in respectfully, submit

Front 10

deference

Back 10

courteous regard for another's wish

Front 11

definitive

Back 11

most reliable or complete

Front 12

deflect

Back 12

turn aside

Front 13

defoliate

Back 13

destroy leaves (for agricultural or military purposes -- ex: in order to napalm an area)

Front 14

defray

Back 14

provide money to pay (a cost or expense)

"The proceeds from the raffle help to defray the expenses for the evening"

Front 15

defrock

Back 15

to strip a priest or minister of church authority

Front 16

degenerate

Back 16

become worse, deteriorate

Front 17

degradation

Back 17

humiliation, debasement, degeneration

Front 18

deify

Back 18

turn into a god, idolize

Front 19

deign

Back 19

condescend, stoop

"She did not deign to answer the maid's question"

Front 20

delirium

Back 20

mental disorder marked by confusion

Front 21

delta (n)

Back 21

flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river

Front 22

delude (v)

Back 22

deceive

Front 23

deluge (n)

Back 23

flood, rush

Front 24

delusive (adj)

Back 24

deceptive; raising vain hopes

Front 25

delve (v)

Back 25

dig, investigate

Front 26

demagogue

Back 26

a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument

Front 27

demise

Back 27

death

Front 28

demoniac

Back 28

fiendish (like a demon)

Front 29

demur (n)

Back 29

objection, protest

Front 30

demure (adj) (2?)

Back 30

reserved, modest, shy, coy


somber, sedate, grave

Front 31

denigrate

Back 31

blacken

Front 32

denotation (n)

Back 32

meaning, distinguishing by name

Front 33

denounce (v)

Back 33

condemn, criticize

Front 34

deplete (v)

Back 34

reduce, exhaust

Front 35

deplore (v) (2)

Back 35

(1) abhor, express disapproval of, frown upon

"we deplore violence"

(2) regret, lament

"he deplored their lack of flair"

Front 36

deploy (v)

Back 36

to spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line

Front 37

depose (v)

Back 37

dethrone; remove from office

Front 38

deposition (n)

Back 38

testimony under oath

Front 39

derange (v)

Back 39

make insane, disarrange

Front 40

derelict (adj)

Back 40

in a really bad condition as a result of disuse and neglect