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by lloydfin9, Aug 2009

Subjects: eng

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	a priori	adj. 1. Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect; deductive. 2. 1. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning without reference to particular facts or experience. 2. Knowable without appeal to particular experience. 3. Made before or without examination; not supported by factual study. n. a priority
	ab ovo	from the beginning.
	abash	to destroy the self-confidence
	abatement	lowering in amount, degree, or intensity; moderation
	abecedarian	pertaining to the alphabet; also, rudimentary; also, a beginner.
	aberrant	abnormal.
	abeyance	suspension.
	abject	adj. 1. utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched: abject poverty. 2. contemptible; despicable; base-spirited: an abject coward. 3. shamelessly servile; slavish. 4. Obsolete. cast aside.
	abjure	to renouce, reject, or shun with solemnity.
	ablution	the washing of the body or some part of it.
	abnegate	refuse or deny oneself; also, to give up (rights, claims, etc.).
	abominate	to detest intensely.
	aborning	(while) being produced or born.
	abrade	erode.
	abrogate	to annul; to do away with.
	abstemious	sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.
	abstruse	difficult to comprehend; obscure.
	abulia	loss or impairment of the ability to act or to make decisions.
	abut	to border.
	abysmal	extreme; low, like an abyss.
	acarpous	effete, no longer fertile, worn out.
	accede	to agree or assent; also, to become a party.
	accession	n. a increase by something added. b acquisition of additional property. something added. the act of assenting or agreeing. the act of becoming joined, adherence; the act by which one nation becomes party to an agreement already in force between other powers. an act of coming near or to, approach, admittance; the act of coming to high office or a position of honor or power. a sudden fit or outburst, access. adj. accessional. tr. v. to record in order of acquisition.
	acclimate	to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or situation.
	accretion	growth, increase by successive addition, building up.
	acerbic	sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or tone.
	acidulous	adj. Slightly sour in taste or in manner.
	acme	the highest point of something.
	acquiesce	to accept or consent passively or without objection.
	acrid	sharp and harsh; bitter, oft taste or smell.
	acrimony	bitter, harsh, or biting sharpness.
	acuity	acuteness of perception or vision.
	acumen	quickness or keenness of perception or discernment.
	adage	an old saying.
	adamant	inflexible; unyielding; not susceptible to persuasion.
	addage	n. a saying often in metaphorical form that embodies a common observation.
	adenoidal	adj. exhibiting the characteristics (as snoring, mouth breathing, and voice nasality) of one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids, ADENOID <an adenoidal tenor> - not usually used technically
	admonition	gentle or friendly reproof; friendly warning.
	adumbrate	to outline; also, to foreshadow; also, to suggest; also, to shade.
	adventitious	added extrinsically; not essentially inherent.
	aegis	a shield; protection.
	Aelurophile	n. cat fancier, also ailurophile
	aerie	a nest or dwelling built in a lofty place.
	aesthete	one who cultivates great sensitivity to beauty.
	aestival	of or belonging to the summer.
	affable	courteous; sociable; gracious.
	affectation	artificiality.
	affinity	a natural attraction; inherent similarity.
	afflatus	a divine inspiration.
	affray	a tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl.
	aficionado	a fervent admirer; a fan.
	Agalmatophilia	or Pygmalionism. sexual attraction to nude statues.
	agglomeration	a cluster or mass.
	aggrandize	to make or make appear great or greater.
	aggress	to make an attack.
	agitprop	propaganda.
	agog	in eager desire.
	agon	struggle; conflict.
	agrestic	pertaining to fields or the country.
	alacrity	cheerful promptness willingness, or promptitude; speed.
	aleatory	of or pertaining to accidental causes; of luck or chance; unpredictable.
	alfresco	outdoors.
	algorithm	a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.
	aliment	nutriment or sustenance.
	alloy	to debase by mixing with something inferior.
	alpenglow	n. A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains.
	altercation	a heated, noisy, or angry dispute.
	amalgam	an alloy of mercury with other metals; also, a mixture.
	amanuensis	one employed to take dictation or to copy manuscripts.
	amative	pertaining to or disposed to love.
	ambit	circuit or compass; also, sphere of action or influence.
	ambulatory	adj. Of, relating to, or adapted for walking. Capable of walking; not bedridden, an ambulatory patient. Designed for or available to patients who are not bedridden. ambulatory care; ambulatory pediatrics. Moving about; itinerant.
	ambuscade	an ambush; also, to ambush.
	ameliorate	improve, make better.
	amicable	characterized by friendliness and good will.
	amity	friendship; friendly relations.
	anathema	a curse; a person or thing cursed, or intensely disliked.
	ancillary	subordinate, subsidiary; auxiliary.
	animadversion	harsh criticism or disapproval.
	animus	a feeling of ill will; also, animating spirit; disposition.
	anodyne	serving to relieve pain.
	anomalous	odd.
	antediluvian	extremely old. Before the Flood.
	antipathy	aversion, dislike.
	antipode	n. 1 the parts of the earth diametrically opposite -- usually used in plural; often used of Australia and New Zealand 2 the exact opposite or contrary adj. or n. antipodean
	antiquarian	one who collects, studies, or deals in antiquities.
	antithesis	opposition; contrast. Rhetoric - the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in "Give me liberty or give me death." b. the second sentence or part thus set in opposition
	antithetical	adj. Of, relating to, or marked by antithesis. Being in diametrical opposition. See Synonyms at opposite.
	apace	adv. at a quick pace, SWIFTLY. ABREAST -- used with of or with.
	aphorism	n. a concise statement of a principle; a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment, adage.
	aplomb	confidence; coolness.
	apocryphal	of doubtful authority or authenticity.
	apodictic	adj. expressing or of the nature of necessary truth or absolute certainty. adv. apodictically.
	apogee	the highest point.
	apologia	a formal defense or justification.
	apoplexy	n. to cripple by a stroke, from apo- + plEssein to strike -- more at PLAINT, STROKE 5
	apostasy	desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party.
	apostate	one who abandons long-held religious or political conviction.
	apothegm	n. AP-uh-them a terse remark conveying an important truth; short, witty, instructive saying. aphorism
	apotheosis	a model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
	apparition	a ghost; also, an unexpected appearance.
	appellation	a name, title, or designation.
	apposite	being of striking appropriateness and relevance.
	apprehension	misgiving, dread. Also a stopping or arrest.
	apprise	to give notice to; to inform.
	approbation	formal or official approval; also, praise.
	appropriate	take for one's own use, acquire, set aside.
	appurtenance	an adjunct or accessory.
	apropos	appropriate to the situation; apt.
	apse	n. 1 APSIS (the point in an astronomical orbit at which the distance of the body from the center of attraction is either greatest or least) 2 a projecting part of a building (as a church) that is usually semicircular in plan and vaulted
	arabesque	a complex, ornate design. Also a dance position.
	arbiter	one having the power of judging and determining.
	arbitrage	the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset or good in order to profit from price discrepancies.
	arcane	understood or known by only a few.
	arcanum	a secret; a mystery.
	ardent	zealous; fiery.
	ardour	[or, ardor] warm interest, passion, enthusiasm, zeal.
	arduous	steep, difficult ascent; laborious.
	argot	a specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group.
	Argus-eyed	extremely observant; watchful.
	aright	rightly; correctly.
	arrant	outright; thoroughgoing.
	arriviste	an upstart.
	arrogate	to claim or seize without right or justification.
	artifice	an artful trick, stratagem or device; also, cleverness, skill.
	artless	free from artificiality; lacking art, knowledge or skill.
	ascend	int. v. a to move upward; to slope upward. a to rise from a lower level or degree; to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession. tr. v. to go or move up. to succeed to, OCCUPY <ascend the throne>. adj.ascendable or ascendible.
	ascetic	one who practices extreme self-denial; also, austere, severe.
	ascribe	to attribute, as to a cause.
	asperity	roughness of surface, sound, or manner.
	aspersion	a damaging or derogatory remark.
	assay	an analysis, examination, test. To put to a test.
	asseverate	to affirm or declare positively or earnestly.
	assiduous	diligent, hard-working, sedulous, constant in application or attention.
	assuage	to soften; to ease, or lessen.
	atavism	reversion to a remote ancestral type or to an earlier form. atavistic, adj.
	atelier	a workshop; a studio.
	atrabilious	irritable; ill-natured.
	attenuate	to make thin, fine, or small, enervate; To reduce in force, value, amount, or degree; weaken.
	aubade	a song greeting the dawn.
	Aubusson	n.A tapestry or usually pileless, densely patterned carpet woven in Aubusson, a city of central France, or similar to the ones made there.
	audacious	adj. intrepidly daring, ADVENTUROUS <an audacious mountain climber>; recklessly bold, RASH; contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum, INSOLENT; marked by originality and verve - audaciously adv. - audaciousness n.
	augur	seer.
	augury	an omen; prediction
	august	adj. marked by majestic dignity or grandeur - augustly adv. - augustness n.
	auspice	protection or support; observation by an augur esp. of the flight and feeding of birds to discover omens; a prophetic sign.
	auspices	kindly patronage and guidance.
	auspicious	favorable; promisin success; prosperous; fortunate, successful, prosperous. inauspicious, antonym.
	austere	adj. 1 a stern and cold in appearance or manner. b somber, grave <an austere critic> 2 morally strict, ASCETIC 3 markedly simple or unadorned <an austere office> <an austere style of writing> 4 giving little or no scope for pleasure <austere diets> 5 of a wine, having the flavor of acid or tannin predominant over fruit flavors usually indicating a capacity for aging syn. SEVERE. adv. austerely. n. austereness.
	austere	forbiddingly stern, simple, unadorned, very plain.
	autarchic	policy of self-sufficiency and nonreliance.
	autochthonous	indigenous; native; formed or existing where found.
	autocrat	a ruler with unlimited authority, despot.
	autodidact	one who is self-taught.
	avarice	greed.
	avast	verb imperative (or interjection) a nautical command to stop or cease.
	avatar	an incarnation.
	aver	to assert as true; prove as true.
	aversion	dislike for something and desire to avoid it.
	avoirdupois	weight; heaviness.
	avow	v. to declare openly, bluntly, assuredly, and without shame
	avuncular	resembling an uncle, as in kindness or indulgence.
	axiomatic	self-evident; taken for granted.
	bacchanalia	a revel.
	badinage	playful raillery; banter.
	bagatelle	a trifle; also, a short, light literary or musical piece.
	bailiwick	a person's specific area of knowledge, authority, interest, skill, or work.
	baleful	harmful, ominous, causing evil.
	a priori	adj. 1. Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect; deductive. 2. 1. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning without reference to particular facts or experience. 2. Knowable without appeal to particular experience. 3. Made before or without examination; not supported by factual study. n. a priority
	ab ovo	from the beginning.
	abash	to destroy the self-confidence
	abatement	lowering in amount, degree, or intensity; moderation
	abecedarian	pertaining to the alphabet; also, rudimentary; also, a beginner.
	aberrant	abnormal.
	abeyance	suspension.
	abject	adj. 1. utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched: abject poverty. 2. contemptible; despicable; base-spirited: an abject coward. 3. shamelessly servile; slavish. 4. Obsolete. cast aside.
	abjure	to renouce, reject, or shun with solemnity.
	ablution	the washing of the body or some part of it.
	abnegate	refuse or deny oneself; also, to give up (rights, claims, etc.).
	abominate	to detest intensely.
	aborning	(while) being produced or born.
	abrade	erode.
	abrogate	to annul; to do away with.
	abstemious	sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.
	abstruse	difficult to comprehend; obscure.
	abulia	loss or impairment of the ability to act or to make decisions.
	abut	to border.
	abysmal	extreme; low, like an abyss.
	acarpous	effete, no longer fertile, worn out.
	accede	to agree or assent; also, to become a party.
	accession	n. a increase by something added. b acquisition of additional property. something added. the act of assenting or agreeing. the act of becoming joined, adherence; the act by which one nation becomes party to an agreement already in force between other powers. an act of coming near or to, approach, admittance; the act of coming to high office or a position of honor or power. a sudden fit or outburst, access. adj. accessional. tr. v. to record in order of acquisition.
	acclimate	to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or situation.
	accretion	growth, increase by successive addition, building up.
	acerbic	sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or tone.
	acidulous	adj. Slightly sour in taste or in manner.
	acme	the highest point of something.
	acquiesce	to accept or consent passively or without objection.
	acrid	sharp and harsh; bitter, oft taste or smell.
	acrimony	bitter, harsh, or biting sharpness.
	acuity	acuteness of perception or vision.
	acumen	quickness or keenness of perception or discernment.
	adage	an old saying.
	adamant	inflexible; unyielding; not susceptible to persuasion.
	addage	n. a saying often in metaphorical form that embodies a common observation.
	adenoidal	adj. exhibiting the characteristics (as snoring, mouth breathing, and voice nasality) of one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids, ADENOID <an adenoidal tenor> - not usually used technically
	admonition	gentle or friendly reproof; friendly warning.
	adumbrate	to outline; also, to foreshadow; also, to suggest; also, to shade.
	adventitious	added extrinsically; not essentially inherent.
	aegis	a shield; protection.
	Aelurophile	n. cat fancier, also ailurophile
	aerie	a nest or dwelling built in a lofty place.
	aesthete	one who cultivates great sensitivity to beauty.
	aestival	of or belonging to the summer.
	affable	courteous; sociable; gracious.
	affectation	artificiality.
	affinity	a natural attraction; inherent similarity.
	afflatus	a divine inspiration.
	affray	a tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl.
	aficionado	a fervent admirer; a fan.
	Agalmatophilia	or Pygmalionism. sexual attraction to nude statues.
	agglomeration	a cluster or mass.
	aggrandize	to make or make appear great or greater.
	aggress	to make an attack.
	agitprop	propaganda.
	agog	in eager desire.
	agon	struggle; conflict.
	agrestic	pertaining to fields or the country.
	alacrity	cheerful promptness willingness, or promptitude; speed.
	aleatory	of or pertaining to accidental causes; of luck or chance; unpredictable.
	alfresco	outdoors.
	algorithm	a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.
	aliment	nutriment or sustenance.
	alloy	to debase by mixing with something inferior.
	alpenglow	n. A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains.
	altercation	a heated, noisy, or angry dispute.
	amalgam	an alloy of mercury with other metals; also, a mixture.
	amanuensis	one employed to take dictation or to copy manuscripts.
	amative	pertaining to or disposed to love.
	ambit	circuit or compass; also, sphere of action or influence.
	ambulatory	adj. Of, relating to, or adapted for walking. Capable of walking; not bedridden, an ambulatory patient. Designed for or available to patients who are not bedridden. ambulatory care; ambulatory pediatrics. Moving about; itinerant.
	ambuscade	an ambush; also, to ambush.
	ameliorate	improve, make better.
	amicable	characterized by friendliness and good will.
	amity	friendship; friendly relations.
	anathema	a curse; a person or thing cursed, or intensely disliked.
	ancillary	subordinate, subsidiary; auxiliary.
	animadversion	harsh criticism or disapproval.
	animus	a feeling of ill will; also, animating spirit; disposition.
	anodyne	serving to relieve pain.
	anomalous	odd.
	antediluvian	extremely old. Before the Flood.
	antipathy	aversion, dislike.
	antipode	n. 1 the parts of the earth diametrically opposite -- usually used in plural; often used of Australia and New Zealand 2 the exact opposite or contrary adj. or n. antipodean
	antiquarian	one who collects, studies, or deals in antiquities.
	antithesis	opposition; contrast. Rhetoric - the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in "Give me liberty or give me death." b. the second sentence or part thus set in opposition
	antithetical	adj. Of, relating to, or marked by antithesis. Being in diametrical opposition. See Synonyms at opposite.
	apace	adv. at a quick pace, SWIFTLY. ABREAST -- used with of or with.
	aphorism	n. a concise statement of a principle; a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment, adage.
	aplomb	confidence; coolness.
	apocryphal	of doubtful authority or authenticity.
	apodictic	adj. expressing or of the nature of necessary truth or absolute certainty. adv. apodictically.
	apogee	the highest point.
	apologia	a formal defense or justification.
	apoplexy	n. to cripple by a stroke, from apo- + plEssein to strike -- more at PLAINT, STROKE 5
	apostasy	desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party.
	apostate	one who abandons long-held religious or political conviction.
	apothegm	n. AP-uh-them a terse remark conveying an important truth; short, witty, instructive saying. aphorism
	apotheosis	a model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
	apparition	a ghost; also, an unexpected appearance.
	appellation	a name, title, or designation.
	apposite	being of striking appropriateness and relevance.
	apprehension	misgiving, dread. Also a stopping or arrest.
	apprise	to give notice to; to inform.
	approbation	formal or official approval; also, praise.
	appropriate	take for one's own use, acquire, set aside.
	appurtenance	an adjunct or accessory.
	apropos	appropriate to the situation; apt.
	apse	n. 1 APSIS (the point in an astronomical orbit at which the distance of the body from the center of attraction is either greatest or least) 2 a projecting part of a building (as a church) that is usually semicircular in plan and vaulted
	arabesque	a complex, ornate design. Also a dance position.
	arbiter	one having the power of judging and determining.
	arbitrage	the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset or good in order to profit from price discrepancies.
	arcane	understood or known by only a few.
	arcanum	a secret; a mystery.
	ardent	zealous; fiery.
	ardour	[or, ardor] warm interest, passion, enthusiasm, zeal.
	arduous	steep, difficult ascent; laborious.
	argot	a specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group.
	Argus-eyed	extremely observant; watchful.
	aright	rightly; correctly.
	arrant	outright; thoroughgoing.
	arriviste	an upstart.
	arrogate	to claim or seize without right or justification.
	artifice	an artful trick, stratagem or device; also, cleverness, skill.
	artless	free from artificiality; lacking art, knowledge or skill.
	ascend	int. v. a to move upward; to slope upward. a to rise from a lower level or degree; to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession. tr. v. to go or move up. to succeed to, OCCUPY <ascend the throne>. adj.ascendable or ascendible.
	ascetic	one who practices extreme self-denial; also, austere, severe.
	ascribe	to attribute, as to a cause.
	asperity	roughness of surface, sound, or manner.
	aspersion	a damaging or derogatory remark.
	assay	an analysis, examination, test. To put to a test.
	asseverate	to affirm or declare positively or earnestly.
	assiduous	diligent, hard-working, sedulous, constant in application or attention.
	assuage	to soften; to ease, or lessen.
	atavism	reversion to a remote ancestral type or to an earlier form. atavistic, adj.
	atelier	a workshop; a studio.
	atrabilious	irritable; ill-natured.
	attenuate	to make thin, fine, or small, enervate; To reduce in force, value, amount, or degree; weaken.
	aubade	a song greeting the dawn.
	Aubusson	n.A tapestry or usually pileless, densely patterned carpet woven in Aubusson, a city of central France, or similar to the ones made there.
	audacious	adj. intrepidly daring, ADVENTUROUS <an audacious mountain climber>; recklessly bold, RASH; contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum, INSOLENT; marked by originality and verve - audaciously adv. - audaciousness n.
	augur	seer.
	augury	an omen; prediction
	august	adj. marked by majestic dignity or grandeur - augustly adv. - augustness n.
	auspice	protection or support; observation by an augur esp. of the flight and feeding of birds to discover omens; a prophetic sign.
	auspices	kindly patronage and guidance.
	auspicious	favorable; promisin success; prosperous; fortunate, successful, prosperous. inauspicious, antonym.
	austere	adj. 1 a stern and cold in appearance or manner. b somber, grave <an austere critic> 2 morally strict, ASCETIC 3 markedly simple or unadorned <an austere office> <an austere style of writing> 4 giving little or no scope for pleasure <austere diets> 5 of a wine, having the flavor of acid or tannin predominant over fruit flavors usually indicating a capacity for aging syn. SEVERE. adv. austerely. n. austereness.
	austere	forbiddingly stern, simple, unadorned, very plain.
	autarchic	policy of self-sufficiency and nonreliance.
	autochthonous	indigenous; native; formed or existing where found.
	autocrat	a ruler with unlimited authority, despot.
	autodidact	one who is self-taught.
	avarice	greed.
	avast	verb imperative (or interjection) a nautical command to stop or cease.
	avatar	an incarnation.
	aver	to assert as true; prove as true.
	aversion	dislike for something and desire to avoid it.
	avoirdupois	weight; heaviness.
	avow	v. to declare openly, bluntly, assuredly, and without shame
	avuncular	resembling an uncle, as in kindness or indulgence.
	axiomatic	self-evident; taken for granted.
	bacchanalia	a revel.
	badinage	playful raillery; banter.
	bagatelle	a trifle; also, a short, light literary or musical piece.
	bailiwick	a person's specific area of knowledge, authority, interest, skill, or work.
	baleful	harmful, ominous, causing evil.
	balkanize	tr. v. To divide (a region or territory) into small, often hostile units.
	banal	commonplace; trivial.
	bandog	a large and fierce dog.
	bane	cause of injury, poison, source of harm.
	baneful	causing harm or ruin, pernicious, destructive.
	beatify	to bless, make happy, or ascribe a virtue to.
	beau ideal	a perfect or an idealized type or model.
	bedaub	to besmear or soil; also, to overdecorate.
	bedizen	to dress or adorn in gaudy manner.
	begorra	interj. Irish Used as a mild oath.
	beholden	obliged; indebted.
	belay	n. 1 the securing of a person or a safety rope to an anchor point (as during mountain climbing); also, a method of so securing a person or rope 2 something (as a projection of rock) to which a person or rope is anchored. tr. v. 1 a to secure (as a rope) by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt. b to make fast. 2 STOP 3 a to secure (a person) at the end of a rope. b to secure (a rope) to a person or object. int. v. 1 to be made fast 2 STOP, QUIT -- used in the imperative <belay there> 3 to make a line fast by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt
	belie	contradict, give a false impression.
	belles lettres	literature regarded as a fine art, esp. as having a purely aesthetic function. light and elegant literature, esp. that which is excessively refined, characterized by aestheticism, and minor in subject, substance, or scope.
	bellicose	warlike; pugnacious.
	bellwether	a leader of a movement or activity; leading indicator.
	benefaction	the act of conferring a benefit; also, a benefit conferred.
	beneficence	the practice of doing good.
	benignant	kind; gracious; favorable.
	benison	blessing; benediction.
	berate	to scold severely or angrily.
	bestow	to give or confer.
	bete noire	something or someone particularly detested or avoided.
	betimes	early; also, on occasion.
	bevy	a group; an assembly.
	bibelot	a trinket.
	bibulous	of, pertaining to, marked by, or given to the consumption of alcohol.
	biddable	easily led or commanded; obedient.
	bien-pensant	adj. right-minded. n. one who holds orthodox views
	bifurcate	to divide into two branches.
	bilge	bulge, the protuberance of a cas.
	bilious	of or pertaining to bile; also, ill-tempered.
	billet-doux	a love letter.
	billet	to quarter, or place in lodgings.
	billingsgate	foul language.
	bivouac	a usually temporary encampment; also, to encamp.
	black-eyed Susan	n. Any of several North American herbs of the genus Rudbeckia in the composite family, especially R. hirta, having hairy stems and leaves and showy flower heads with orange-yellow rays and dark purple or brown centers.; A tropical African twining herb (Thunbergia alata) cultivated for its showy, usually yellow to orange tubular flowers with dark purple centers.
	blackguard	a scoundrel.
	blandishment	flattering speech or action; allurement; flattery intended to persuade.
	blithe	cheerful, casual, carefree.
	bloviate	to speak or write in a pompous manner.
	boisterous	loud, noisy, rough, lacking restrain.
	bombast	pompous or pretentious-sounding words; an inflated style.
	bombinate	to buzz; to hum; to drone.
	bon ton	the height of the fashion; fashionable society.
	bon vivant	a person with refined and sociable tastes.
	bonhomie	pleasant and easy manner; geniality.
	booboisie	a class of people regarded as stupid or foolish.
	boorish	crude, offensive, rude.
	bootless	unavailing; unprofitable; useless.
	boulevardier	a man-about-town.
	bouleversement	complete overthrow; a reversal.
	bowdlerize	to remove or modify the parts considered offensive.
	brackish	somewhat salty; also, distasteful.
	braggadocio	empty boasting.
	bravado	a real or pretended show of courage or boldness.
	bravura	a showy display.
	brevet	n. A commission promoting a military officer in rank without an increase in pay.
	bricolage	construction or something constructed by using whatever materials happen to be available.
	brio	liveliness; spirit; vigor; vivacity.
	broach	bring up, announce, begin to talk about.
	Brobdingnagian	of extraordinary height; gigantic.
	bromide	a commonplace or conventional saying.
	brook	to tolerate, endure.
	brusque	adj. abrupt in manner; blunt; rough: A brusque welcome greeted his unexpected return.
	bucolic	rustic; pastoral.
	bumf	1. Printed matter, such as pamphlets, forms, or memorandums, especially of an official nature and deemed of little interest or importance. 2. Toilet paper.
	bumptious	crudely, presumptuously, or noisily, obtusely and offensively self-assertive.
	burgeon	int. v. to grow and flourish, to put forth new buds, leaves, or greenery; sprout.
	burnish	to polish, rub to a shine.
	busker	a street musician or performer.
	buss	n. a kiss; tr. and int. v. to kiss.
	buttress	n. A structure, usually brick or stone, built against a wall for support or reinforcement. Something resembling a buttress, as
	cabal	a group that seeks power usually through intrigue; a scheme or plot.
	cachet	a distinguishing mark or feature; stamp. superior status; prestige. an official seal.
	cacophony	harsh or discordant sound.
	cadence	n. 1 a a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language. b the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity 2 a a falling inflection of the voice. b a concluding and usually falling strain; specifically, a musical chord sequence moving to a harmonic close or point of rest and giving the sense of harmonic completion 3 the modulated and rhythmic recurrence of a sound especially in nature - cadenced adj.- cadential adj.
	cadge	1. to obtain by imposing on another's generosity or friendship. 2. to borrow without intent to repay. 3. to beg or obtain by begging. verb (used without object) 4. to ask, expect, or encourage another person to pay for or provide one's drinks, meals, etc. 5. to beg.to beg; to sponge.
	cadre	n. 1 FRAME, FRAMEWORK 2 a nucleus or core group especially of trained personnel able to assume control and to train others; broadly, a group of people having some unifying relationship <a cadre of lawyers> 3 a cell of indoctrinated leaders active in promoting the interests of a revolutionary party 4 a member of a cadre
	caesura	a break or pause in a line of verse; also, any break or pause.
	cajole	to coax.
	callow	adj. lacking adult sophistication, immature <callow youth> - callowness
	calumniate	to slander, present false accusation.
	calumny	malicious misrepresentation; slander; aspersion.
	camarilla	a group of secret and often scheming advisers.
	canard	a fabricated, unfounded or false, sensational report or statement.
	canon	n. music A composition or passage in which a melody is imitated by one or more voices at fixed intervals of pitch and time.
	canorous	melodious; musical.
	cant	2. adj. lively, lusty; n. 1 affected singsong or whining speech 2. empty, solemn speech, the expression or repetition of conventional or trite opinions or sentiments; especially the insincere use of pious words. Monotonous talk filled with platitudes. Hypocritically pious language. The special vocabulary peculiar to the members of an underworld group; argot; jargon; shelta.
	cap-a-pie	from head to foot.
	capacious	able to contain much; large; roomy.
	capitular	adj. of or relating to an ecclesiastical chapter.
	capitulate	int. v. a to surrender often after negotiation of terms; to cease resisting; acquiesce.
	capricious	fickle, whimsical, given to change, changeable, unpredictable.
	captious	adj.disposed to find fault or raise objections; eager to object.
	carapace	a shell; a protective covering.
	carbuncle	Pathology. a painful circumscribed inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, 2. a gemstone, esp. a garnet, cut with a convex back and a cabochon surface. 3. London brown. a dark grayish, red-brown color.
	carom	to strike and rebound; also, a glancing off.
	carte blanche	n. full discretionary power <was given carte blanche to furnish the house>
	cartouche	2. an oval or oblong figure, as on ancient Egyptian monuments, enclosing characters that represent the name of a sovereign. 1. Architecture. a rounded, convex surface, usually surrounded with carved ornamental scrollwork, for receiving a painted or low-relief decoration, as an escutcheon. 3. the case containing the inflammable materials in certain fireworks. 4. cartridge (def. 1). 5. a box for cartridges.
	cashier	tr.v. cashiered, cashiering, cashiers To dismiss from a position of command or responsibility, especially for disciplinary reasons.
	castigate	tr. v. to chastise, criticize severely; correct by punishing.
	casuistry	n. 1 a resolving of specific cases of conscience, duty, or conduct through interpretation of ethical principles or religious doctrine 2 specious argument, rationalization
	catafalque	n. ka-ta-falque an ornamental structure sometimes used in funerals for the lying in state of the body; a pall-covered coffin-shaped structure used at requiem masses celebrated after burial
	cataract	a large waterfall; also, a downpour, a flood.
	caterwaul	to make a harsh cry or screech.
	caustic	adj. 1 capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action, CORROSIVE. 2 marked by incisive sarcasm. 3 relating to or being the surface or curve of a caustic. adv. caustically. n. causticity. (syn. CAUSTIC, MORDANT, ACRID, SCATHING mean stingingly incisive. CAUSTIC suggests a biting wit <caustic comments>. MORDANT suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness <mordant reviews of the play>. ACRID implies bitterness and often malevolence <acrid invective>. SCATHING implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity <a scathing satire>.
	cavalcade	a procession.
	caveat	a warning or caution.
	cavil	to raise trivial objections; also, a frivolous objection.
	cavort	to bound or prance about.
	celerity	quickness; swiftness; haste.
	censorious	harshly critical.
	censure	tr. v. to criticize severely. n. a rebuke; an expression of disapproval.
	cerebration	n. mental activity; the act or product of thinking.
	chagrin	acute vexation or embarrassment.
	Char	Work done by the day; a single job, or task; a chore.
	charwoman	(Brit.) n. a cleaning woman especially in a large building.
	chary	careful; wary; cautious.
	Charybdis	n. Greek Mythology A whirlpool off the Sicilian coast, opposite the cave of Scylla.
	chastened	corrected, punishe.
	chastise	tr. v. To punish, as by beating; To criticize severely; rebuke.
	chauvinist	a blindly devoted patriot.
	chiasmus	a reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. "He went to the country, to the town went she.
	chicanery	the use of trickery to deceive.
	chichi	affectedly trendy.
	chimera	n. a mental fabrication; a fire-breathing she-monster in Greek mythology having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail
	chimerical	merely imaginary; fanciful.
	chinoiserie	n. A style in art reflecting Chinese influence through use of elaborate decoration and intricate patterns. An object reflecting Chinese artistic influence.
	choler	'kä-l&r anger.
	choleric	easily angered; also, indicating or expressing anger.
	chortle	to utter, or express with, a snorting, exultant laugh or chuckle.
	chthonic	'thä-nik or chthonian 'thO-nE-&n adj. dwelling in or under the earth; also, pertaining to the underworld.
	circuitous	having a circular or winding course; not being forthright or direct in language or action. circuitously adv.
	circumambient	surrounding; encompassing.
	circumlocution	the use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few.
	circumscribe	to define or restrict clearly.
	circumspect	adj. careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences, prudent syn. cautious - n. circumspection n. - adv. circumspectly
	circumspect	adj. cautious; prudent; wary.
	clamber	to climb with difficulty, or with hands and feet.
	claque	a group of fawning admirers.
	clarion	a kind of trumpet; also, loud and clear.
	clemency	disposition to show mercy; also, an act of mercy.
	clerisy	the intelligentsia.
	clinquant	tinsel.
	cloy	to weary or become distasteful through excess.
	Cockaigne	an imaginary land of ease and luxury.
	codicil	n. A supplement or appendix to a will. A supplement or appendix.Tuesday 10January06
	coeval	existing during the same period; a contemporary.
	cogent	appealing to the mind or to reason; convincing.
	cogitate	consider carefully and deeply; ponder.
	cognizance	awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception: The guests took cognizance of the snide remark.
	cognoscente	an expert in a certain field.
	cohort	a group; also, a companion or associate.
	collegial	characterized by or having authority vested equally among colleagues; also, collegiate.
	colloquial	characteristic of informal spoken language.
	collude	to conspire; to act in concert.
	colophon	1. a publisher's or printer's distinctive emblem, used as an identifying device on its books and other works. 2. an inscription at the end of a book or manuscript, used esp. in the 15th and 16th centuries, giving the title or subject of the work, its author, the name of the printer or publisher, and the date and place of publication.
	comely	pleasing to the sight.
	comestible	suitable to be eaten.
	comity	a state of mutual civility, harmony, friendship, and respect.
	commensurate	equal in measure or extent; also, proportionate.
	commination	a denunciation.
	commodious	comfortably spacious; roomy.
	complaisance	tending to comply, obliging, willingness to please.
	complaisant	exhibiting a desire to please.
	complement	that which completes or fills up.
	complicit	adj. choosing to be involved in an illegal or questionable act, esp. with others; having complicity.
	comport	to behave, conduct (oneself) in a particular manner. n. comportment.
	compunction	remorse. anxiety or unease from guilt; a scruple; the sting of conscience.
	concatenation	a chain; a succession.
	concertina	n. 1 a musical instrument of the accordion family 2 a coiled barbed wire for use as an obstacle -- called also concertina wire
	conciliate	reconcile, to overcome anamosity.
	conciliatory	reconciling, soothing, comforting, mollifying.
	concinnity	elegance -- used chiefly of literary style.
	concomitant	accompanying; attending.
	concomitant	adj. Occurring or existing concurrently; attendant. contemporary. n. One that occurs or exists concurrently with another.
	concord	harmony; a state of agreement.
	concupiscence	(kon-kyoo-pi-suhns) lust.
	condign	deserved; adequate.
	confabulation	familiar talk; also, a plausible but imagined memory.
	conflagration	a large and destructive fire.
	conflate	to bring together; to meld. v. conflation To combine into one whole.
	confluence	a flowing or coming together.
	confrere	a colleague, comrade, or intimate associate.
	confute	to refute conclusively.
	congeries	a collection; an aggregation.
	conjecture	inference from defective or presumptive evidence. by a conclusion deduced by surmise or guesswork
	conjoin	to join togethe.
	connivance	n. also connivence. The act of conniving. Law. Knowledge of and tacit consent to the commission of an illegal act by another.
	connubial	of or pertaining to marriage.
	consanguineous	related by blood; descended from the same ancestor.
	consequential	pompous, self important; important; following as a result, or being an effect of some cause.
	conspectus	a sketch, survey, or outline of a subject.
	consternation	sudden confusion or amazement.
	constitutional	a walk taken for one's health.
	consummate	v. 1. to bring to a state of perfection; fulfill. 2. to complete (an arrangement, agreement, or the like) by a pledge or the signing of a contract: The company consummated its deal to buy a smaller firm.
	contemn	to scorn; to despise. adj. complete or perfect; supremely skilled; superb: a consummate master of the violin. being of the highest or most extreme degree: a work of consummate skill; an act of consummate savagery.
	contemporaneous	originating, existing, or occurring at the same time.
	contempt	disdain; lack of respect.
	contentious	argumentative, pugnacious, combative, quarrelsom.
	contradistinction	distinction by contrast.
	contravene	to act or be counter to.
	contretemps	something inopportune or embarrassing.
	contrite	feeling or expressing grief and regret for sins or offenses.
	contumacious	obstinate; insubordinate, rebellious.
	contumely	rudeness compounded of haughtiness and contempt.
	conundrum	a riddle, dilemma, enigm.
	conurbation	an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities.
	convivial	merry; festive; social.
	copacetic	very satisfactory.
	copious	large in quantity; also, affording an abundant supply.
	copse	a thicket of small trees.
	coquette	a flirt.
	cordial	adj. courteous and gracious; friendly; warm: a cordial reception. invigorating the heart; stimulating.
	cormorant	a gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person.
	cornucopia	the horn of plenty; also, an abundance.
	corollary	an immediate consequence or easily drawn conclusion. a natural consequence or result.
	corpulent	very fat; obese.
	corroborate	confirm; to strengthen or make more certain with other evidence.
	coruscate	to sparkle; to give off or reflect bright beams or flashes of light.
	cosmopolite	a cosmopolitan person.
	cosset	to pamper.
	coterie	n. n. A small, often select group of persons who associate with one another frequently.
	coterminous	of equal extent or duration.
	countenance	(v) approve of, (n) mien; to tolerate or encourage.
	countenance	n. Appearance, especially the expression of the face. The question left him with a puzzled countenance. The face or facial features. A look or expression indicative of encouragement or of moral support. Trans.V. Support or approval.
	countermand	to revoke (a former command) or recall by a contrary order.
	countervail	to counteract; to offset.
	coxcomb	a vain, showy fellow.
	cozen	to deceive or obtain by deceit; to defraud.
	crabwise	sideways; also, in a cautiously indirect manner.
	crapulous	sick from, or marked by, excessive drinking.
	crass	adj. So crude and unrefined as to lack discrimination and sense. -er, -est. n. -itude -ness, adv. crassly.
	craven	cowardly.
	credulous	gullible; inclined to believe too readily.
	Creeping Barrage	is a military tactic in which massed artillery support an infantry advance by firing continuously at positions just in front of the advancing troops. The shellfire keeps enemy troops in their bunkers and trenches, and creates a pall of smoke and dirt in the air in order to obscure the advance.
	creosote	n. 1 a clear or yellowish flammable oily liquid mixture of phenolic compounds obtained by the distillation of wood tar especially from beech wood. 2 a brownish oily liquid consisting chiefly of aromatic hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially as a wood preservative. 3 a dark brown or black flammable tar deposited from especially wood smoke on the walls of a chimney
	crepuscular	pertaining to twilight.
	crux	the essential point or feature.
	cudgel	a short heavy stick.
	cupidity	eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth; greed.
	cursory	hastily or superficially performed.
	cutaneous	adj. of, relating to, or affecting the skin. adv. cutaneously.
	cyclopean	adj. often Cyclopean Relating to or suggestive of a Cyclops; a great Cyclopean monocle. Very big; huge; has a cyclopean ego. Of or constituting a primitive style of masonry characterized by the use of massive stones of irregular shape and size.
	cynosure	a center of attention.
	daedal	skillful; artistic; ingenious.
	dapple	a small contrasting blotch; also, to mark with spots.
	daunt	intimidate, make fearful.
	de facto	adj. actual; especially, being such in effect though not formally recognized <a de facto state of war>
	de jure	adj. by right, of right.
	dearth	famine.
	debacle	a breakup, overthrow, sudden disaste.
	debase	to lower in status, esteem, quality, or character.
	debouch	to emerge; to issue.
	Decipiency	v.? (state of being?) State of being deceived; hallucination. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
	decorum	propriety, properness.
	defenestrate	to throw out of a window.
	deference	honour, respect.
	deglutition	swallowing
	deign	to think fit or in accordance with one's dignity; to condescend. (with obj.) to condescend to give or grant: He deigned no reply.
	deipnosophist	one skilled in table talk.
	delectation	great pleasure; delight.
	deleterious	hurtful; destructive; pernicious.
	delineate	to portray, depict, sketch out.
	deliquesce	to melt away or become liquid.
	delphinium	n. A plant of the genus Delphinium, especially any of several tall cultivated varieties having palmate leaves and long racemes of showy, variously colored -blue- spurred flowers. Also called larkspur.
	demagogue	a leader who obtains power by means of appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace.
	demotic	of or pertaining to the ordinary, everyday, current form of a language; vernacular.
	demur	to object; to delay.
	denigrate	blacken, belittle, sully, defame.
	denizen	an inhabitant.
	denouement	an outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot.
	deportment	n. 1. demeanor; conduct; behavior.
	deposition	accretion, depositing, building up layer by layer.
	deprecate	to disapprove of; also, to belittle.
	depredation	an act of plundering or ravaging. also predation.
	deracinate	to uproot.
	deride	to laugh at with contempt.
	derision	n. ridicule; mockery: The inept performance elicited derision from the audience.
	derivative	unoriginal, obtained from another source. adj. 1 formed by derivation 2 made up of or marked by derived elements 3 lacking originality, banal - derivatively adv. - derivativeness n.
	derogate	to deviate from expectation; also, to detract; also, to disparage.
	descant	a discourse; also, to discourse.
	descry	to catch sight of something distant or obscure; to discover; to detect.
	deshabille	n. the state of being dressed in a careless, disheveled, or disorderly style or manner; undress. 2.
	desiccate	to dry up, dehydrate.
	desideratum	something desired.
	despondent	feeling or showing profound hopelessness, dejection, discouragement, or gloom.
	desuetude	disuse.
	desultory	without logical sequence; disconnected; aimless.
	detraction	slandering, verbal attack, aspersion.
	detritus	debris.
	detumescence	diminishing or lessening of swelling.
	deus ex machina	an agent who appears unexpectedly to solve an apparently insoluble difficulty.
	diablerie	sorcery; also, mischievous conduct.
	diabolical	devilish; relating to the devil.
	diadem	a crown.
	diaphanous	allowing light to pass through; transparent; gauze.
	diatonic scale	(also known as the heptatonia prima) is a seven-note musical scale comprising five whole-tone and two half-tone steps, in which the half tones are maximally separated.
	dictum	an authoritative statement.
	didactic	conveying instruction; teaching some moral lesson.
	dietetic	adj. Of or relating to diet or its regulation. Specially prepared or processed for restrictive diets.
	diffidence	shyness.
	diffident	bashful or unassertive; showing modest reserve. lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness.
	digerati	persons knowledgeable about computers.
	diktat	an authoritative decree or order.
	dilatory	given to, or marked by, procrastination or delay.
	dilettante	n. 1 an admirer or lover of the arts 2 a person having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of knowledge, DABBLER syn. AMATEUR - adj. dilettante. adj. dilettantish. n. dilettantism.
	disabuse	to undeceive, correct a false impression.
	disaffected	adj. discontented and disloyal, as toward the government or toward authority.
	disavow	v. 1 to deny responsibility for, REPUDIATE 2 to refuse to acknowledge, DISCLAIM
	disclaimer	n. 1 a a denial or disavowal of legal claim, relinquishment of or formal refusal to accept an interest or estate. b a writing that embodies a legal disclaimer
	discomfit	to disconcert; also, to thwart; to put into a state of perplexity and embarrassment; to defeat.
	disconcert	confuse; to disturb the composure of.
	disconsolate	hopelessly sad; also, saddening; cheerless.
	discrete	constituting a separate thing; also, consisting of distinct or unconnected parts.
	discursive	rambling; digressive; marked by analytical reasoning.
	dishabille	the state of being carelessly or partially dressed.
	disheveled	disordered; disorderly; untidy.
	disingenuous	lacking in candor; giving a false appearance of simple frankness.
	disinterested	adj. impartial; free of bias and self-interest;
	disparate	fundamentally different; composed of markedly dissimilar elements.
	disport	to frolic; to amuse (oneself).
	disquisition	a formal discourse on a subject.
	dissemble	present false appearance; deceive.
	disseminate	tr. v. 1 to spread abroad as though sowing seed <disseminate ideas> 2 to disperse throughout -n. dissemination - n. disseminator
	dissident	disagreeing especially with an established religious or political system, organization, or belie.
	dissimulate	to hide under a false appearance; also, to feign or pretend.
	dissolute	adj. Lacking moral restraint; indulging in sensual pleasures or vices.
	dissolution	disintegration, looseness in moral.
	dissonance	lack of agreement.
	distrait	divided or withdrawn in attention, especially because of anxiety.
	doff	to take off; to remove; also, to rid oneself of.
	Doggerel	adj. verse considered of little literary value. n. Crudely or irregularly fashioned verse, often of a humorous or burlesque nature.
	dogmatic	positive, certain, arbitrary, without room for discussio.
	dolorous	marked by, causing, or expressing grief or sorrow.
	donnybrook	a brawl or dispute.
	doppelganger	a ghostly double.
	dotage	feebleness of mind due to old age; senility.
	douce	adj. 1. Sweet; pleasant. [Obs.] 2. Sober; prudent; sedate; modest. [Scot.]
	doughty	valiant; brave.
	doula	a woman who assists in childbirth.
	dour	stubbornly unyielding; also, harshly uninviting; also, showing a brooding ill humor.
	dowager	a woman who holds some title or property from her deceased husband, esp. the widow of a king, duke, etc. (often used as an additional title to differentiate her from the wife of the present king, duke, etc.): a queen dowager; an empress dowager.; an elderly woman of stately dignity, esp. one of elevated social position: a wealthy dowager.
	doyen	n. the senior member of a body or group; a person considered to be knowledgeable or uniquely skilled as a result of long experience in some field of endeavor; the oldest example of a category.
	doyen	the senior member of a body or group.
	doyenne	n. feminine of doyen. a woman who is a doyen.
	draconian	excessively harsh; severe.
	dross	waste product, sludge; something worthless, common, or trivia.
	dubiety	the condition or quality of being doubtful; also, a matter of doubt.
	dudgeon	a state or fit of intense indignation.
	dulcet	melodious, harmonious.
	durance	imprisonment.
	dybbuk	a demon, or the soul of a dead person, that enters the body of a living person and directs the person's conduct, exorcism being possible only by a religious ceremony.
	dynamo	a generator, something that produces electric current; an energetic person.
	dyspeptic	pertaining to or having indigestion; also, irritable or ill-humored.
	ebullient	joyously unrestrained; high-spirited.
	ecclesiastical	adj. Of or relating to a church, especially as an organized institution; Appropriate to a church or to use in a church
	ecumenical	general; universal. the whole Christian church.
	edacious	given to eating; voracious, devouring.
	eddy	a current running contrary to a main current or in a circular direction.
	edentate	toothless.
	edify	to instruct and improve.
	edifying	enlightening.
	efface	to make modestly inconspicuous; to cause to disappear by rubbing out, striking out, etc.
	effete	adj. infertile. having lost character, vitality, or strength; marked by weakness or decadence; soft or delicate from or as if from a pampered existence; also, characteristic of an effete person. Effeminate. adv. effetely. n.effeteness.
	efficacious	producing, or capable of producing, a desired effect.
	efflorescence	1. the state or a period of flowering. 2. an example or result of growth and development: These works are the efflorescence of his genius. 3. Chemistry. a. the act or process of efflorescing. b. the resulting powdery substance or incrustation. 4. Pathology. a rash or eruption of the skin.
	effluvia	outflow in a stream of particles; a noxious odour or vapour.
	effrontery	shameless boldness; insolence.
	effulgence	a flood of light; the state of being bright and radiant; splendour.
	effusion:	the act of effusing or pouring forth. something that is effused. an unrestrained expression, as of feelings: poetic effusions.
	effusive	excessively demonstrative.
	egregious	adj. especially, conspicuously bad, flagrant. - egregiously adv. - egregiousness n.
	egress	the act of going out or leaving; exit.
	eidolon	n. pl. eidolons or eidola. A phantom; an apparition. An image of an ideal.
	eke	to increase; to add to.
	elan	1. Enthusiastic vigor and liveliness. 2. Distinctive style or flair.
	eldritch	unearthly; weird; eerie.
	eleemosynary	relating to charity; charitable.
	elegy	a lament, a melancholy compositio.
	elfin	having otherworldly or magical charm.
	elide	tr. v. 1 a to suppress or alter (as a vowel or syllable) by elision. b to strike out (as a written word). 2 a to leave out of consideration, OMIT. b CURTAIL, ABRIDGE.
	elucidate	to make clear or manifest.
	Elysium	paradise.
	emblazon	to display pompously; to decorate.
	embonpoint	plumpness of person.
	embrangle	confuse.
	emolument	profit, gain; the wages or perquisites arising from office, employment, or labor.
	empyrean	the highest heaven; the heavens; the sky.
	en masse	all together; as a whole.
	encomium	warm or glowing praise; eulogy, panegyric.
	encumbrance	a burden, impediment, or hindrance.
	endemic	prevailing in a specific area. characteristic.
	enervate	to weaken; attenuate.
	engender	cause, produce, give rise t.
	enjoin	to direct or impose with authority; also, to forbid.
	enmity	hatred; ill will.
	ennui	bordom, The feeling of mental weariness and dissatisfaction produced by want of occupation, or by lack of interest in present surroundings or employments.
	enormity	excessive wickedness; evilness.
	ensorcell	to enchant; to bewitch.
	entre-deux-guerres	inter-war period
	entreat	to ask for or request earnestly.
	entropy	a doctrine of inevitable social decline and degeneration.
	enunciate	to utter articulately; also, to state or set forth precisely or systematically.
	envy	n.1 painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.
	epanorthosis	the rephrasing of an immediately preceding word or statement for the purpose of intensification, emphasis, or justification, as in "Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not "seems."
	ephemeral	short-lived.
	ephemeron	something short-lived.
	epicene	having the characteristics of both the male and the female.
	epicure	food lover.
	epigone	an inferior imitator.
	episodic	loosely connected, not flowing logically.
	epitome	representative, a summary or abstract, a typical example.
	epulation	a feast
	equable	equal and uniform; also, not easily disturbed, serene.
	equanimity	calmness; composure.
	equipoise	equilibrium; counterbalance.
	equivocate	to be deliberately ambiguous; lie, mislead, conceal the truth.
	eremite	a hermit.
	ergo	therefore; consequently.
	errant	wandering; deviating from an appointed course, or from a direct path; roving.
	erroneous	containing or characterized by error.
	ersatz	being a substitute or imitation, especially a poor one.
	erstwhile	adv. In the past; at a former time; formerly. adj. former.
	eructation	the act of belching; a belch.
	erudite	learned, scholarly.
	escarpment	steep slope or long cliff.
	eschew	to shun; to avoid.
	escry	to catch sight of; to detect.
	esoteric	adj. Intended for or understood by only a particular group. Of or relating to that which is known by a restricted number of people. Confined to a small group
	espy	to see at a glance.
	esurient	hungry; greedy.
	etiolate	to blanch or bleach; to make sickly.
	eulogy	formal praise; panegyric.
	euphonious	pleasing or sweet in sound.
	euphony	pleasing or sweet sound; especially, the acoustic effect produced by words so formed or combined as to please the ear
	evanescent	adj. tending to vanish like vapor. syn. transient, fleeting.
	evince	to show in a clear manner; to indicate.
	ex cathedra	adv. or adj. by virtue of or in the exercise of one's office or position <ex cathedra pron.cements>
	exacerbate	to aggravate; to make worse.
	exalt	to praise, glorify, or honor.
	excoriate	to blame scathingly; to flay.
	excrescence	something growing out from something else; also, a disfiguring or unwanted part.
	exculpate	to clear from alleged fault, blame or guilt.
	excursus	a digression.
	execrable	detestable; extremely bad.
	exegesis	exposition; explanation.
	exegete	a person who explains or interprets difficult parts of written works.
	exemplar	an ideal model or type.
	exhort	to urge strongly.
	exigency	emergency, an urgent situation; that which is required in a particular situation.
	exigent	requiring immediate aid or action; also, demanding.
	exiguity	smallness; thinness; the quality of being meager.
	exiguous	extremely scanty.
	expatiate	to roam; to speak or write at length.
	expeditious	characterized by speed and efficiency.
	expiate	to make amends for; to atone for.
	explicate	to explain.
	expostulate	argue earnestly to dissuade, correct, or protest.
	expropriate	to deprive of possession; also, to transfer (another's property) to oneself.
	expunge	to strike out or erase; to obliterate.
	expurgate	to remove obscenity, purify, censor.
	exscind	to cut out, cut away.
	exsert	thrust out, push forth.
	extant	still in existence.
	extemporaneous	composed, performed, or uttered on the spur of the moment.
	extempore	without premeditation or preparation.
	extenuate	reduce the strength of, lessen seriousness, partially excuse.
	extirpate	to root out; to eradicate.
	extol	to praise.
	extort	tr. v. to obtain from a person by force, intimidation, or undue or illegal power, wring; also, to gain especially by ingenuity or compelling argument. syn. EDUCE. n. extorter. adj. extortive.
	extraneous	coming from the outside; also, not essential; also, irrelevant.
	extricate	to free or release from a difficulty or entanglement.
	exult	show joy, be joyful.
	facetious	playfully jocular; humorous.
	facile	easily done or performed.
	faction	a usually contentious group or party; also, internal dissension.
	factious	addicted to form parties and raise dissensions.
	factitious	artificial; not authentic or genuine.
	factotum	a person employed to do all kinds of work.
	fain	adv. gladly; willingly: He fain would accept. adj. content; willing: They were fain to go.
	faineant	doing nothing; idle; also, a do-nothing.
	fait accompli	an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed or fact.
	fallible	liable to make a mistake.
	fanfaronade	empty boasting; bluster.
	farrago	an assortment; a medley.
	fastidious	having high and often capricious standards.
	fatidic	of, relating to, or characterized by prophecy.
	fatuous	complacently stupid; illusory; weak; stupid; foolish.
	faute de mieux	adv. for lack of something better or more desirable [it made him dopey but...drank it faute de mieux]
	favonian	pertaining to the west wind; soft; mild; gentle.
	fealty	fidelity; allegiance; faithfulness.
	febrile	feverish.
	feckless	adj. 1 weak, ineffective 2 worthless, irresponsible. incompetent - adv. fecklessly. n. fecklessness.
	fecund	fruitful; prolific.
	felicitous	apt or appropriate; also, delightful. felicity, n.
	ferment	state of agitation or intense activity.
	fervid	intense, zealous.
	fervor	zeal, ardor, intense emotio.
	fete	festival; a lavish often outdoor entertainment. b a large elaborate party
	fetid	(also foetid) malodorous.
	fetor	a strong, offensive smell.
	fetter	a restraint; also, to impose restraints on.
	fettle	a state or condition of fitness, order, or mind.
	fey	possessing or displaying otherworldly quality; elfin.; clairvoyant; appearing crazy, as spellbound; Scots. Fated to die soon. Full of the sense of approaching death.
	fiat lux	Lat. let there be light
	fiat	n. 1 a command or act of will that creates something without or as if without further effort 2 an authoritative determination, dictate <a fiat of conscience> 3 an authoritative or arbitrary order, decree <government by fiat>
	fiduciary	relating to the holding of something in trust for another.
	fifth column	noun 1. a group of people who act traitorously and subversively out of a secret sympathy with an enemy of their country.
	filial	of, pertaining to, or befitting a son or daughter.
	fillip	a snap; also, a stimulus.
	fin de siecle	characteristic of the close of the century; sophisticated; world-weary.
	finical	finicky.
	firmament	the sky; the heavens.
	flagitious	grossly wicked; scandalous.
	flaneur	one who strolls about aimlessly; a lounger; a loafer.
	flaunt	v. tr. To exhibit ostentatiously or shamelessly. flaunts his knowledge.
	flibbertigibbet	a silly, flighty, or excessively talkative person.
	flippant	showing inappropriate levity; pert.
	florid	flushed with red; also, excessively ornate.
	floridness	ruddiness; heavily decorated; ornatenes.
	flout	to treat with contempt or disregard, reject, mock, to go against (tradition e.g.)(compare flaunt).
	flummery	mumbo jumbo; nonsense.
	flummox	to confuse; to perplex.
	foist	to force upon or impose fraudulently or unjustifiably. to bring, put, or introduce surreptitiously or fraudulently.
	foment	to instigate; to incite; to nurse to life.
	foofaraw	excessive or flashy ornamentation; also, a fuss over a trivial matter.
	fop	a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance.
	forbearance	patience, willingness to wait.
	forcible	effected by force used against resistance; also, powerful.
	forestall	prevent by taking action in advance, preemp.
	forfend	to avert; also, to protect or preserve.
	forgo	to do without.
	forlorn	sad and lonely because deserted, abandoned, or lost.
	forswear	ren.ce, disallow, repudiat.
	fortuitous	happening by chance.
	foundling	an abandoned child.
	fractious	tending to cause trouble; also, irritable.
	frangible	capable of being broken; easily broken.
	friable	easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder.
	frisson	a brief moment of intense excitement, pleasure, or fear.
	froward	intractable, not willing to yield or comply, stubborn.
	fructuous	fruitful; productive.
	fugacious	lasting but a short time.
	fulminate	berate, vituperate, to explode; issue or utter verbal attacks or censures.
	fulsome	offensive from excess of praise; offensive due to excessiveness; copious.
	funereal	pertaining to or suiting a funeral; gloomy; mournful.
	fungible	interchangeable.
	furbelow	something showy or superfluous.
	furtive	obtained or characterized by stealth; sly; secret; stealthy.
	fustian	pompous or pretentious language; a kind of coarse twilled cotton.
	fusty	adj. malodorous; 1 British, impaired by age or dampness, moldy 2 musty 3 old-fashioned or reactionary
	gaberdine	n. A long, coarse cloak or frock worn especially by Jews during the Middle Ages. Also called gabardine. Chiefly Br. A loose smock worn by laborers.
	gadabout	one who roams about in search of amusement or social activity.
	gainsay	deny; contradict.
	gallimaufry	a hodgepodge.
	galumph	to move in a clumsy manner or with a heavy tread.
	galvanic	pertaining to a direct current of electricity; also, having the effect of an electric shock.
	gambol	to dance and skip about in play.
	game	unyielding spirit
	gamine	an urchin; also, a mischievous girl or young woman.
	gamut	a complete extent or range.
	garner	to gather and save; to store u.
	garrulous	talkative; wordy.
	gastronome	a lover of good food and drink.
	gauche	lacking social polish; tactless.
	gaucherie	a socially awkward or tactless act; also, lack of tact.
	gelid	extremely cold; icy.
	genial	sympathetically cheerful and cheering; kindly.
	genuflect	to bend the knee, as in worship; also, to grovel.
	germane	appropriate or fitting; relevant.
	gestalt	a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts.
	gesticulate	to make gestures or motions.
	gewgaw	a showy trifle; a pretty but worthless bauble.
	gimbal	OED pl. A contrivance by means of which articles for use at sea (esp. the compass and the chronometer) are suspended so as to keep a horizontal position. It usually consists of a pair of rings moving on pivots in such a way as to have a free motion in two directions at right angles, so as to counteract the motion of the vessel.
	gimcrack	a showy but useless or worthless object; a trivial mechanism..
	glabrous	without hairs or projections; smooth.
	glib	marked by ease and informality; ease and speaking or writing often to the point of being insincere or deceitful.
	gloaming	twilight; dusk.
	glower	to stare angrily or with a scowl.
	glutinous	gluey; sticky.
	gnomic	uttering, containing, or characterized by maxims.
	gourmand	one who enjoys good food in great quantities.
	grandee	a man of elevated rank or station; a nobleman.
	grandiloquent	lofty in style.
	gravid	pregnant.
	gravitas	high seriousness; dignity.
	gregarious	sociable, outgoing.
	grievous	causing grief or pain; serious, dire, grav.
	grimoire	n. a manual of black magic (for invoking spirits and demons)
	grok	to understand.
	Grub Street	the world or category of impoverished literary hacks.
	gubernatorial	of or pertaining to a governor.
	guileless	without deceit, honest.
	gustatory	pertaining to the sense of taste.
	guying	tr.v. guyed, guying, guys To hold up to ridicule; mock.
	gyre	(ji-er) noun 1. a ring or circle. 2. a circular course or motion. 3. Oceanography. a ringlike system of ocean currents rotating clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
	habiliment	special dress or garb associated with an occasion or office.
	habitué	one who habitually frequents a place.
	hagiography	biography of saints; also, idealizing or idolizing biography.
	halcyon	peaceful; undisturbed; happy.
	hale	free from disease and weakening conditions; healthy.
	half relief	n. Sculptural relief composed of modeled forms that project approximately halfway from the background. Also called demirelief, mezzo-relievo.
	hallow	to make holy; consecrate.
	hapless	unlucky, unfortunat.
	harangue	a long, passionate speech; a noisy or pompous speech.
	harbinger	a precursor; one that presages what is to come.
	hardscrabble	barren, marginal; also, marked by poverty.
	harridan	a scolding, vicious old woman.
	harrow	to distress, create stress or torment.
	hauteur	haughtiness; pride; arrogance.
	hebetude	mental dullness or sluggishness.
	hector	to bully or harass.
	hegemony	n. preponderant influence or authority over others. adj. hegemonic.
	hermetic	sealed by fusion.
	hermitage	a secluded residence; a retreat.
	heterodox	adj. holding unorthodox opinions.
	heterogeneous	consisting of dissimilar elements.
	hie	to go quickly; hasten.
	hieratic	adj. 1 constituting or belonging to a cursive form of ancient Egyptian writing simpler than the hieroglyphic 2 SACERDOTAL 3 highly stylized or formal <hieratic poses> - hieratically adv.
	hinterland	backcountry.
	hirsute	covered with hair or bristles.
	historic	adj. Having importance in or influence on history.
	historical	adj. Of something existing in the past.
	histrionic	theatrical. of or pertaining to actors or acting. 2. deliberately affected or self-consciously emotional; overly dramatic, in behavior or speech.
	hoary	white or gray with age; hence, extremely old.
	hobbledehoy	an awkward, gawky young fellow.
	hobnob	to associate familiarly.
	Hobson's choice	a choice without an alternative.
	Hogmanay	the name, in Scotland, for the last day of the year.
	hoi polloi	the common people; the masses.
	holistic	concerned with the whole, not the parts
	homily	a sermon or lecture; also, an inspirational saying or a platitude.
	hortatory	giving strong encouragement; inciting.
	hubris	overbearing pride or presumption.
	hugger-mugger	secret; clandestine; also, muddled, disorderly.
	hullabaloo	a confused noise; uproar.
	hyperbole	extravagant exaggeration.
	hypnagogic	leading to sleep; hypnotic.
	Iambic pentameter:	is a meter in poetry. It refers to a line consisting of five iambic feet. The word "pentameter" simply means that there are five feet in the line; iambic pentameter is a line comprising five iambs. The term originally applied to the quantitative meter of Classical Greek poetry, in which an iamb consisted of a short syllable followed by a long syllable.
	iconoclastic	attacking cherished belief.
	ideate	v. ideated, ideating, ideates v. tr. To form an idea of; imagine or conceive. v. intr. To conceive mental images; think.
	idee fixe	a fixed idea; an obsession.
	ideologue	a person who zealously advocates an ideology.
	Ides	the fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, and the thirteenth day of the other months.
	idiom	an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements, as kick the bucket or hang one's head, or from the general grammatical rules of a language, as the table round for the round table, and that is not a constituent of a larger expression of like characteristics.
	idyll	a poem or prose work depicting rural or pastoral life or picturesque episode; also, a carefree episode or experience.
	ignoble	dishonorable, common, undignified.
	ignominious	shameful, dishonorable, undignified, disgracefu.
	ignoramus	an ignorant person; a dunce.
	illusory	deceptive; based on or producing an illusion.
	imbroglio	difficult or embarrassing situation.
	imbue	to dye; to instill profoundly.
	immanent:	adj. Existing or remaining within; inherent, believed in a God immanent in humans. Restricted entirely to the mind; subjective. immanence or immanency n. immanently adv.
	immolate	To kill or destroy, often by fire.
	immure	to enclose within or as if within walls.
	impair	worsen, diminish in value.
	impassible	incapable of suffering; unfeeling, or not showing feeling.
	impassive	without feeling, not affected by pain, devoid of emotion; showing no emotion.
	impecunious	poor, penniless.
	imperiousness	arrogance, commanding presence, overbearingness.
	impertinent	adj. 1. intrusive or presumptuous, as persons or their actions; insolently rude; uncivil: a brash, impertinent youth. 2. not pertinent or relevant; irrelevant: an impertinent detail.
	impervious	impenetrable; also, not capable of being affected.
	impetuous	impulsive, forceful, with energ.
	impetus	n. An impelling force; an impulse. The force or energy associated with a moving body. Something that incites; a stimulus. Increased activity in response to a stimulus [The approaching deadline gave impetus to the investigation.]
	implacable	incapable of being placated, unpleasable.
	implicit	adj. capable of being understood from something else though unexpressed; being without doubt or reserve, unquestioning.
	importunate	troublesomely urgent.
	importune	ask incessantly, to beg, to nag.
	imprecation	a curse; a hex.
	impregnable	able to resist attack.
	imprimatur	approval or sanction.
	improvident	lacking foresight; negligent; thoughtless.
	impugn	to call in question; to make insinuations against.
	impuissant	lacking strength; feeble; weak.
	impute	to attribute to a cause or source, ascribe.
	in situ	noun. situated in the original, natural, or existing place or position, undisturbed.
	inamorata	n. A woman with whom one is in love or has an intimate relationship. pl. inamoratas.
	inanition	exhaustion from lack of nourishment; also, emptiness.
	incarnadine	adj. having the pinkish color of flesh; red; especially, bloodred.
	inchoate	not yet fully formed, rudimentary, elementary.
	incipient	beginning to be; commencing; initial.
	incisive	adj. impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation). adv incisively. n. incisiveness.
	inclement	physically severe or harsh (esp. said of the weather).
	incommunicado	without the means or right to communicate.
	incongruous	lacking in harmony.
	incontrovertible	indisputable; unquestionable.
	incorrigible	bad beyond correction or reform: incorrigible; impervious to constraints or punishment.
	incredulous	skeptical, unwilling to believe.
	inculcate	to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions syn. implant. inculcation n., inculcator.
	incursion	a raid, a sudden attack.
	indefatigability	not easily exhaustible; tirelessnes.
	indefatigable	untiring.
	indelible	incapable of being removed or erased.
	indemnify	secure against loss; make compensation to for incurred hurt, loss, or damage (pay)
	indemnity	security against loss, or damage; exemption from incurred penalties or liabilities
	indigence	extreme poverty.
	indigent	extremely poor.
	indignation	n. anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean. syn. anger.
	indolent	avoiding labor and exertion; lazy.
	indomitable	unconquerable; not easily discouraged or subdued.
	indurate	to make hard; to harden.
	inebriety	drunkenness
	ineffable	adj. Incapable of being expressed; indescribable or unutterable. SYN
	ineffable	incapable of being expressed.
	ineffectual	without effect; weak; useless.
	ineluctable	impossible to avoid; inevitable.
	inexorable	unyielding; relentless. inexorably.
	infamy	disgrace; evil reputation brought about by a bad act. infamous, adj.
	infernal	hellish, diabolical, damnabl.
	ingenue	a naive girl or young woman, or an actress representing such a person.
	ingenuous	demonstrating childlike simplicity; open; frank.
	inhere	to be inherent.
	inherent	ingrained within one's nature; firmly established; a natural part of; definitionally so.
	inimical	unfriendly; unfavorable.
	inimitable	defying imitation, unmatchable.
	iniquity	gross injustice or wickedness. a violation of right or duty; wicked act; sin.
	inkhorn	affectedly or ostentatiously learned.
	innocuous	harmless; unlikely to offend or provoke.
	inscrutable	adj. not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood, MYSTERIOUS. n. inscrutability. n. inscrutableness. adv. inscrutably.
	inscrutable	difficult to understand; incomprehensible; impenetrable.
	insensate	adj. 1 lacking sense or understanding; also, FOOLISH 2 lacking animate awareness or sensation 3 lacking humane feeling, BRUTAL - adv. insensately.
	insensate	lacking sensation or awareness.
	insensible	unconscious, unresponsive, unaffected.
	insignia	n. 1 a badge of authority or honor 2 a distinguishing mark or sign
	insoluble	adj. incapable of being dissolved: insoluble salts. 2. incapable of being solved or explained: an insoluble problem.
	insouciance	in-soo-see-uhns n. lighthearted unconcern, nonchalance - insouciant adj. insouciantly adv.
	insouciant	marked by lighthearted unconcern; nonchalant; carefree.
	insularity	narrow-mindedness, isolate.
	insuperable	incapable of being passed over, surmounted, or overcome.
	interdict	prohibit, forbid.
	interlard	to insert between; to mix.
	internecine	destructive; especially, mutually destructive; also, relating to conflict within a group.
	interpolate	to insert between; also, to alter or corrupt by insertion.
	interregnum	the interval between two reigns; also, any breach of continuity in an order.
	interstice	a space between things or parts. adj interstitial.
	intimate	To make known subtly and indirectly; hint; suggest; To announce; proclaim.
	intractable	unruly, refractory, stubborn.
	intransigence	unwillingness to compromise, stubbornness, intractability.
	intransigent	not capable of being swayed or diverted from a course.
	intrepid	fearless; bold.
	introspection	the act or process of self-examination; reflection.
	inure	adapt; also, to take or have effect.
	invective	insulting or abusive language.
	inveigh	to attack with harsh criticism.
	inveigle	to entice; to persuade or obtain by ingenuity or flattery.
	inveterate	adj. firmly established by long persistence. confirmed in a habit, habitual.
	invidious	likely to produce envy or ill will.
	inviolable	secure from violation or profanation.
	involute	intricate, comple.
	iota	a very small quantity or degree.
	irascible	irritable, easily angered.
	irenic	promoting peace.
	iridescent	adj. Producing a display of lustrous, rainbowlike colors [an iridescent oil slick; iridescent plumage. Brilliant, lustrous, or colorful in effect or appearance.).
	irrefragable	impossible to refute.
	irreproachable	blameles.
	irresolute	unresolved, indecisiv.
	irrupt	to burst in forcibly or suddenly.
	itinerant	travelling from place to place.
	itinerate	to travel from place to place, to peregrinat.
	jaded	exhausted; dulled by experience or by excess
	jape	to jest.
	jealous:	adj. 1 a intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness. b disposed to suspect rivalry or unfaithfulness. 2 hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage 3 vigilant in guarding a possession <new colonies were jealous of their new independence -- Scott Buchanan>. adv. jealously. n. jealousness.
	jejune	immature; dull; lacking in nutritional value.
	jeremiad	a doleful story; also, a dolorous or angry tirade.
	jocose	given to joking; merry.
	jocular	given to or characterized by joking.
	jocund	light-hearted; mirthful.
	jollification	merrymaking; revelry.
	jovial	merry; joyous; jolly.
	judicious	sound in judgment; wisdom.
	juju	an object believed to embody magical powers.
	junta	a group that seeks or obtains power usually through revolution; a governmental council or committee, esp. one that rules after a revolution.
	juxtaposition	the act or an instance of placing in nearness or side by side.
	ken	cognizance; perception, view; especially, reach of sight or knowledge.
	kismet	destiny; fate.
	kith	acquaintances, friends, neighbors, or the like; persons living in the same general locality and forming a more or less cohesive group. a group of people living in the same area and forming a culture with a common language, customs, economy, etc., usually endogamous.
	kitsch	art in pretentious bad taste.
	knell	the stoke of a bell tolled at a funeral.
	kobold	a kind of domestic spirit in German mythology.
	kvetch	to complain habitually.
	labile	open to change; apt or likely to change.
	lachrymose	given to causing tears; tearful.
	lackadaisical	lacking spirit or liveliness.
	laconic	brief, to the point, terse.
	lacuna	a missing part; a gap.
	lambaste	to scold sharply; also, to beat.
	lambent	playing on the surface; flickering.
	land of Nod	sleep.
	languid	lacking vigor or force.
	languor	lack of energy or vitality.
	lapidary	of or pertaining to stone cutting; also, terse or refined in expression.
	largess	generous giving; also, gifts of money or other valuables.
	lascivious	adj. LEWD, LUSTFUL. adv. lasciviously. n. lasciviousness.
	lassitude	weariness.
	latitudinarian	having or expressing broad and tolerant views.
	laudable	praiseworthy; commendable.
	legerdemain	sleight of hand.
	leitmotif	a dominant and recurring theme; a melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a idea, person, or situation.
	lenity	the state or quality of being lenient.
	levant	intr.v. Chiefly British levanted, levanting, levants To leave hurriedly or in secret to avoid unpaid debts.
	Levant	the countries bordering on the E Mediterranean - Levantine /'le-v&n-"tIn, -"tEn, l&-'van-/ adj. or n.
	levity	an inappropriate frivolity.
	lexicography	the writing or compiling of dictionaries.
	lexicon	a dictionary; also, the vocabulary of a person, group, etc.
	libation	the act of pouring a liquid as a sacrifice; also, a beverage.
	libertine	immoral person.
	licentious	lacking moral restrain.
	limn	to draw or paint; also, to describe.
	limpid	clear; also, serene.
	lineament	a distinguishing or characteristic feature.
	lionize	to treat or regard as an object great interest or importance.
	lissom	limber; supple; flexible; lithe.
	listless	having no desire or inclination.
	littoral	on a coastal or shore region.
	logorrhea	excessive talkativeness.
	lollop	intransitive verb 1 dialect English, LOLL 2 to proceed with a bounding or bobbing motion
	longueur	a dull and tedious passage in a work of literature or performing art.
	loquacious	talkative, garrulous.
	lorn	forsaken, desolate, bereft, or forlorn.
	louche	of questionable taste or morality.
	louver	n. 1 a roof lantern or turret often with slatted apertures for escape of smoke or admission of light in a medieval building 2 a an opening provided with one or more slanted fixed or movable fins to allow flow of air but to exclude rain or sun or to provide privacy. b a finned or vaned device for controlling a flow of air or the radiation of light c, a fin or shutter of a louver - louvered also louvred /-v&rd/ adj.
	low relief	n. Sculptural relief that projects very little from the background. Also called bas-relief, basso-relievo
	lubricious	lewd; wanton; slippery or smooth.
	lucre	money; profit.
	lucubrate	write in scholarly fashion.
	lucubration	nocturnal study; also, that which is composed by night; meditation.
	luculent	clear; easily understood.
	ludic	playful.
	lugubrious	exaggeratedly or affectedly sorrowful; mournful; gloomy; dismal.
	luminary	any body that gives light; also, a person of eminence or brilliant achievement.
	lumpen	relating to those individuals cut off from their normal socioeconomic class.
	m'tier	an occupation for which one is especially well suited; a calling.
	macerate	cause to waste away by or as if by fasting; cause to become soft or separated into parts by or as if by steeping in fluid.
	machination	a crafty scheme intended to accomplish some usually evil end.
	maelstrom	a large, powerful whirlpool; also, a violent, disordered, or turbulent state of affairs.
	magnanimous	adj. 1 showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit. 2 showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind <too sincere for dissimulation, too magnanimous for resentment -- Ellen Glasgow> - magnanimously adv. - magnanimousness n.
	magniloquent	lofty or grandiose in speech or expression.
	maladroit	awkward; unskillful; inept.
	malaise	a condition of uneasiness or ill-being.
	malapropism	the usually unintentionally humorous misuse of a word, especially by confusion with one of similar sound; also, an example of such misuse.
	malapropos	unseasonable or unseasonably; inappropriate or inappropriately.
	malcontent	one who is discontented or dissatisfied.
	malediction	n. A curse or execration.
	malfeasance	wrongdoing, misconduct, or misbehavior.
	malign	adj. evil in nature, influence, or effect.
	malinger	to feign illness or inability.
	malleable	yielding; easily shaped; moldable; adaptable.
	malodorous	having a bad odor.
	malversation	misconduct in public office.
	manducation	act of chewing
	manes:	n. plural often capitalized, the deified spirits of the ancient Roman dead honored with graveside sacrifices 2 the venerated or appeased spirit of a dead person.
	manse	a large and imposing residence.
	manumit	to free from slavery or servitude.
	marmoreal	of or like marble.
	martinet	a strict disciplinarian.
	masticate	to chew.
	matutinal	relating to or occurring in the morning.
	maudlin	easily moved to tears; excessively sentimental, oft while drunk.
	maunder	to talk or wander aimlessly.
	maverick	rebel, nonconformis.
	mawkish	sickly or excessively sentimental.
	mazy	resembling a maze in form or complexity; intricate; confusing.
	mealy-mouthed	adj. Unwilling to state facts or opinions simply and directly.
	meander	a winding path; to wander aimlessly; a turn or winding of a stream
	megalomania	a mental disorder characterized by delusions of grandeur.
	megrim	a migraine; also, a fancy or whim; in the plural, low spirits.
	melange	a mixture.
	melee	a hand to hand conflict; a confused conflict.
	mellifluous	flowing sweetly or smoothly, as words.
	menagerie	a collection of wild or unusual animals; also, a diverse group.
	mendacious	given to deception or falsehood; untruthful; also, untrue.
	mendacity	dishonesty.
	mendicant	a beggar.
	menhir	standing stone. (Stonehenge)
	mephitic	offensive to the smell; also, noxious.
	mercurial	temperamental; changeable; quick; volatile.
	meretricious	pertaining to prostitutes; tawdry.
	Methuselah	an extremely old man.
	meticulous	extremely or excessively careful about details.
	mettlesome	courageous, high-spirited.
	miasma	noxious effluvia; also, a harmful atmosphere; also, an atmosphere that obscures.
	microcosm	a smaller, representative system having analogies to a larger system.
	mien	demeanor; also, aspect; appearance; manner.
	milieu	environment; setting.
	militate	to have force or influence.
	milium	n. a small whitish lump in the skin due to retention of keratin in an oil gland duct; whitehead
	milksop	an unmanly man.
	mimetic	imitative.
	minatory	threatening; menacing.
	mince	to speak affectedly, euphemize, speak too carefully; to take tiny steps.
	ministration	The act or process of serving or aiding. The act of performing the duties of a cleric.
	misanthrope	one who hates mankind.
	miscreant	a scoundrel, a villain; also, a heretic.
	misnomer	a misnaming; a wrong or inapplicable name.
	misogynist	one who hates women.
	misprize	to despise; also, to undervalue.
	missive	a written message; a letter.
	mitigate	appease, lessen, propitiate.
	Mixolydian:	Mixolydian mode is a musical mode or diatonic scale.
	modicum	a small or token amount.
	modus vivendi	a way of life; temporary agreement between parties pending final settlement.
	moiety	a half; a small part.
	moil	to labour; to toil; to drudge.
	mollify	to soothe, soften, temper or reduce in intensity (emollient - making soft.)
	molybdenum	n. moe lib de num a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used especially in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism
	a priori	adj. 1. Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect; deductive. 2. 1. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning without reference to particular facts or experience. 2. Knowable without appeal to particular experience. 3. Made before or without examination; not supported by factual study. n. a priority
	ab ovo	from the beginning.
	abash	to destroy the self-confidence
	abatement	lowering in amount, degree, or intensity; moderation
	abecedarian	pertaining to the alphabet; also, rudimentary; also, a beginner.
	aberrant	abnormal.
	abeyance	suspension.
	abject	adj. 1. utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched: abject poverty. 2. contemptible; despicable; base-spirited: an abject coward. 3. shamelessly servile; slavish. 4. Obsolete. cast aside.
	abjure	to renouce, reject, or shun with solemnity.
	ablution	the washing of the body or some part of it.
	abnegate	refuse or deny oneself; also, to give up (rights, claims, etc.).
	abominate	to detest intensely.
	aborning	(while) being produced or born.
	abrade	erode.
	abrogate	to annul; to do away with.
	abstemious	sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.
	abstruse	difficult to comprehend; obscure.
	abulia	loss or impairment of the ability to act or to make decisions.
	abut	to border.
	abysmal	extreme; low, like an abyss.
	acarpous	effete, no longer fertile, worn out.
	accede	to agree or assent; also, to become a party.
	accession	n. a increase by something added. b acquisition of additional property. something added. the act of assenting or agreeing. the act of becoming joined, adherence; the act by which one nation becomes party to an agreement already in force between other powers. an act of coming near or to, approach, admittance; the act of coming to high office or a position of honor or power. a sudden fit or outburst, access. adj. accessional. tr. v. to record in order of acquisition.
	acclimate	to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or situation.
	accretion	growth, increase by successive addition, building up.
	acerbic	sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or tone.
	acidulous	adj. Slightly sour in taste or in manner.
	acme	the highest point of something.
	acquiesce	to accept or consent passively or without objection.
	acrid	sharp and harsh; bitter, oft taste or smell.
	acrimony	bitter, harsh, or biting sharpness.
	acuity	acuteness of perception or vision.
	acumen	quickness or keenness of perception or discernment.
	adage	an old saying.
	adamant	inflexible; unyielding; not susceptible to persuasion.
	addage	n. a saying often in metaphorical form that embodies a common observation.
	adenoidal	adj. exhibiting the characteristics (as snoring, mouth breathing, and voice nasality) of one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids, ADENOID <an adenoidal tenor> - not usually used technically
	admonition	gentle or friendly reproof; friendly warning.
	adumbrate	to outline; also, to foreshadow; also, to suggest; also, to shade.
	adventitious	added extrinsically; not essentially inherent.
	aegis	a shield; protection.
	Aelurophile	n. cat fancier, also ailurophile
	aerie	a nest or dwelling built in a lofty place.
	aesthete	one who cultivates great sensitivity to beauty.
	aestival	of or belonging to the summer.
	affable	courteous; sociable; gracious.
	affectation	artificiality.
	affinity	a natural attraction; inherent similarity.
	afflatus	a divine inspiration.
	affray	a tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl.
	aficionado	a fervent admirer; a fan.
	Agalmatophilia	or Pygmalionism. sexual attraction to nude statues.
	agglomeration	a cluster or mass.
	aggrandize	to make or make appear great or greater.
	aggress	to make an attack.
	agitprop	propaganda.
	agog	in eager desire.
	agon	struggle; conflict.
	agrestic	pertaining to fields or the country.
	alacrity	cheerful promptness willingness, or promptitude; speed.
	aleatory	of or pertaining to accidental causes; of luck or chance; unpredictable.
	alfresco	outdoors.
	algorithm	a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.
	aliment	nutriment or sustenance.
	alloy	to debase by mixing with something inferior.
	alpenglow	n. A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains.
	altercation	a heated, noisy, or angry dispute.
	amalgam	an alloy of mercury with other metals; also, a mixture.
	amanuensis	one employed to take dictation or to copy manuscripts.
	amative	pertaining to or disposed to love.
	ambit	circuit or compass; also, sphere of action or influence.
	ambulatory	adj. Of, relating to, or adapted for walking. Capable of walking; not bedridden, an ambulatory patient. Designed for or available to patients who are not bedridden. ambulatory care; ambulatory pediatrics. Moving about; itinerant.
	ambuscade	an ambush; also, to ambush.
	ameliorate	improve, make better.
	amicable	characterized by friendliness and good will.
	amity	friendship; friendly relations.
	anathema	a curse; a person or thing cursed, or intensely disliked.
	ancillary	subordinate, subsidiary; auxiliary.
	animadversion	harsh criticism or disapproval.
	animus	a feeling of ill will; also, animating spirit; disposition.
	anodyne	serving to relieve pain.
	anomalous	odd.
	antediluvian	extremely old. Before the Flood.
	antipathy	aversion, dislike.
	antipode	n. 1 the parts of the earth diametrically opposite -- usually used in plural; often used of Australia and New Zealand 2 the exact opposite or contrary adj. or n. antipodean
	antiquarian	one who collects, studies, or deals in antiquities.
	antithesis	opposition; contrast. Rhetoric - the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in "Give me liberty or give me death." b. the second sentence or part thus set in opposition
	antithetical	adj. Of, relating to, or marked by antithesis. Being in diametrical opposition. See Synonyms at opposite.
	apace	adv. at a quick pace, SWIFTLY. ABREAST -- used with of or with.
	aphorism	n. a concise statement of a principle; a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment, adage.
	aplomb	confidence; coolness.
	apocryphal	of doubtful authority or authenticity.
	apodictic	adj. expressing or of the nature of necessary truth or absolute certainty. adv. apodictically.
	apogee	the highest point.
	apologia	a formal defense or justification.
	apoplexy	n. to cripple by a stroke, from apo- + plEssein to strike -- more at PLAINT, STROKE 5
	apostasy	desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party.
	apostate	one who abandons long-held religious or political conviction.
	apothegm	n. AP-uh-them a terse remark conveying an important truth; short, witty, instructive saying. aphorism
	apotheosis	a model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
	apparition	a ghost; also, an unexpected appearance.
	appellation	a name, title, or designation.
	apposite	being of striking appropriateness and relevance.
	apprehension	misgiving, dread. Also a stopping or arrest.
	apprise	to give notice to; to inform.
	approbation	formal or official approval; also, praise.
	appropriate	take for one's own use, acquire, set aside.
	appurtenance	an adjunct or accessory.
	apropos	appropriate to the situation; apt.
	apse	n. 1 APSIS (the point in an astronomical orbit at which the distance of the body from the center of attraction is either greatest or least) 2 a projecting part of a building (as a church) that is usually semicircular in plan and vaulted
	arabesque	a complex, ornate design. Also a dance position.
	arbiter	one having the power of judging and determining.
	arbitrage	the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset or good in order to profit from price discrepancies.
	arcane	understood or known by only a few.
	arcanum	a secret; a mystery.
	ardent	zealous; fiery.
	ardour	[or, ardor] warm interest, passion, enthusiasm, zeal.
	arduous	steep, difficult ascent; laborious.
	argot	a specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group.
	Argus-eyed	extremely observant; watchful.
	a priori	adj. 1. Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect. deductive. 2. 1. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning without reference to particular facts or experience. 2. Knowable without appeal to particular experience. 3. Made before or without examination. not supported by factual study. n. a priority
	ab ovo	from the beginning.
	abash	to destroy the self-confidence
	abatement	lowering in amount, degree, or intensity. moderation
	abecedarian	pertaining to the alphabet. also, rudimentary. also, a beginner.
	aberrant	abnormal.
	abeyance	suspension.
	abject	adj. 1. utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched: abject poverty. 2. contemptible. despicable. base-spirited: an abject coward. 3. shamelessly servile. slavish. 4. Obsolete. cast aside.
	abjure	to renouce, reject, or shun with solemnity.
	ablution	the washing of the body or some part of it.
	abnegate	refuse or deny oneself. also, to give up (rights, claims, etc.).
	abominate	to detest intensely.
	aborning	(while) being produced or born.
	abrade	erode.
	abrogate	to annul. to do away with.
	abstemious	sparing or moderate in eating and drinking. temperate in diet.
	abstruse	difficult to comprehend. obscure.
	abulia	loss or impairment of the ability to act or to make decisions.
	abut	to border.
	abysmal	extreme. low, like an abyss.
	acarpous	effete, no longer fertile, worn out.
	accede	to agree or assent. also, to become a party.
	accession	n. a increase by something added. b acquisition of additional property. something added. the act of assenting or agreeing. the act of becoming joined, adherence. the act by which one nation becomes party to an agreement already in force between other powers. an act of coming near or to, approach, admittance. the act of coming to high office or a position of honor or power. a sudden fit or outburst, access. adj. accessional. tr. v. to record in order of acquisition.
	acclimate	to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or situation.
	accretion	growth, increase by successive addition, building up.
	acerbic	sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or tone.
	acidulous	adj. Slightly sour in taste or in manner.
	acme	the highest point of something.
	acquiesce	to accept or consent passively or without objection.
	acrid	sharp and harsh. bitter, oft taste or smell.
	acrimony	bitter, harsh, or biting sharpness.
	acuity	acuteness of perception or vision.
	acumen	quickness or keenness of perception or discernment.
	adage	an old saying.
	adamant	inflexible. unyielding. not susceptible to persuasion.
	addage	n. a saying often in metaphorical form that embodies a common observation.
	adenoidal	adj. exhibiting the characteristics (as snoring, mouth breathing, and voice nasality) of one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids, ADENOID <an adenoidal tenor> - not usually used technically
	admonition	gentle or friendly reproof. friendly warning.
	adumbrate	to outline. also, to foreshadow. also, to suggest. also, to shade.
	adventitious	added extrinsically. not essentially inherent.
	aegis	a shield. protection.
	Aelurophile	n. cat fancier, also ailurophile
	aerie	a nest or dwelling built in a lofty place.
	aesthete	one who cultivates great sensitivity to beauty.
	aestival	of or belonging to the summer.
	affable	courteous. sociable. gracious.
	affectation	artificiality.
	affinity	a natural attraction. inherent similarity.
	afflatus	a divine inspiration.
	affray	a tumultuous assault or quarrel. a brawl.
	aficionado	a fervent admirer. a fan.
	Agalmatophilia	or Pygmalionism. sexual attraction to nude statues.
	agglomeration	a cluster or mass.
	aggrandize	to make or make appear great or greater.
	aggress	to make an attack.
	agitprop	propaganda.
	agog	in eager desire.
	agon	struggle. conflict.
	agrestic	pertaining to fields or the country.
	alacrity	cheerful promptness willingness, or promptitude. speed.
	aleatory	of or pertaining to accidental causes. of luck or chance. unpredictable.
	alfresco	outdoors.
	algorithm	a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.
	aliment	nutriment or sustenance.
	alloy	to debase by mixing with something inferior.
	alpenglow	n. A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains.
	altercation	a heated, noisy, or angry dispute.
	amalgam	an alloy of mercury with other metals. also, a mixture.
	amanuensis	one employed to take dictation or to copy manuscripts.
	amative	pertaining to or disposed to love.
	ambit	circuit or compass. also, sphere of action or influence.
	ambulatory	adj. Of, relating to, or adapted for walking. Capable of walking. not bedridden, an ambulatory patient. Designed for or available to patients who are not bedridden. ambulatory care. ambulatory pediatrics. Moving about. itinerant.
	ambuscade	an ambush. also, to ambush.
	ameliorate	improve, make better.
	amicable	characterized by friendliness and good will.
	amity	friendship. friendly relations.
	anathema	a curse. a person or thing cursed, or intensely disliked.
	ancillary	subordinate, subsidiary. auxiliary.
	animadversion	harsh criticism or disapproval.
	animus	a feeling of ill will. also, animating spirit. disposition.
	anodyne	serving to relieve pain.
	anomalous	odd.
	antediluvian	extremely old. Before the Flood.
	antipathy	aversion, dislike.
	antipode	n. 1 the parts of the earth diametrically opposite -- usually used in plural. often used of Australia and New Zealand 2 the exact opposite or contrary adj. or n. antipodean
	antiquarian	one who collects, studies, or deals in antiquities.
	antithesis	opposition. contrast. Rhetoric - the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in "Give me liberty or give me death." b. the second sentence or part thus set in opposition
	antithetical	adj. Of, relating to, or marked by antithesis. Being in diametrical opposition. See Synonyms at opposite.
	apace	adv. at a quick pace, SWIFTLY. ABREAST -- used with of or with.
	aphorism	n. a concise statement of a principle. a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment, adage.
	aplomb	confidence. coolness.
	apocryphal	of doubtful authority or authenticity.
	apodictic	adj. expressing or of the nature of necessary truth or absolute certainty. adv. apodictically.
	apogee	the highest point.
	apologia	a formal defense or justification.
	apoplexy	n. to cripple by a stroke, from apo- + plEssein to strike -- more at PLAINT, STROKE 5
	apostasy	desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party.
	apostate	one who abandons long-held religious or political conviction.
	apothegm	n. AP-uh-them a terse remark conveying an important truth. short, witty, instructive saying. aphorism
	apotheosis	a model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
	apparition	a ghost. also, an unexpected appearance.
	appellation	a name, title, or designation.
	apposite	being of striking appropriateness and relevance.
	apprehension	misgiving, dread. Also a stopping or arrest.
	apprise	to give notice to. to inform.
	approbation	formal or official approval. also, praise.
	appropriate	take for one's own use, acquire, set aside.
	appurtenance	an adjunct or accessory.
	apropos	appropriate to the situation. apt.
	apse	n. 1 APSIS (the point in an astronomical orbit at which the distance of the body from the center of attraction is either greatest or least) 2 a projecting part of a building (as a church) that is usually semicircular in plan and vaulted
	arabesque	a complex, ornate design. Also a dance position.
	arbiter	one having the power of judging and determining.
	arbitrage	the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset or good in order to profit from price discrepancies.
	arcane	understood or known by only a few.
	arcanum	a secret. a mystery.
	ardent	zealous. fiery.
	ardour	[or, ardor] warm interest, passion, enthusiasm, zeal.
	arduous	steep, difficult ascent. laborious.
	argot	a specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group.
	Argus-eyed	extremely observant. watchful.
	aright	rightly. correctly.
	arrant	outright. thoroughgoing.
	arriviste	an upstart.
	arrogate	to claim or seize without right or justification.
	artifice	an artful trick, stratagem or device. also, cleverness, skill.
	artless	free from artificiality. lacking art, knowledge or skill.
	ascend	int. v. a to move upward. to slope upward. a to rise from a lower level or degree. to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession. tr. v. to go or move up. to succeed to, OCCUPY <ascend the throne>. adj.ascendable or ascendible.
	ascetic	one who practices extreme self-denial. also, austere, severe.
	ascribe	to attribute, as to a cause.
	asperity	roughness of surface, sound, or manner.
	aspersion	a damaging or derogatory remark.
	assay	an analysis, examination, test. To put to a test.
	asseverate	to affirm or declare positively or earnestly.
	assiduous	diligent, hard-working, sedulous, constant in application or attention.
	assuage	to soften. to ease, or lessen.
	a priori	adj. 1. Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect. deductive. 2. 1. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning without reference to particular facts or experience. 2. Knowable without appeal to particular experience. 3. Made before or without examination. not supported by factual study. n. a priority
	ab ovo	from the beginning.
	abash	to destroy the self-confidence
	abatement	lowering in amount, degree, or intensity. moderation
	abecedarian	pertaining to the alphabet. also, rudimentary. also, a beginner.
	aberrant	abnormal.
	abeyance	suspension.
	abject	adj. 1. utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched: abject poverty. 2. contemptible. despicable. base-spirited: an abject coward. 3. shamelessly servile. slavish. 4. Obsolete. cast aside.
	abjure	to renouce, reject, or shun with solemnity.
	ablution	the washing of the body or some part of it.
	abnegate	refuse or deny oneself. also, to give up (rights, claims, etc.).
	abominate	to detest intensely.
	aborning	(while) being produced or born.
	abrade	erode.
	abrogate	to annul. to do away with.
	abstemious	sparing or moderate in eating and drinking. temperate in diet.
	abstruse	difficult to comprehend. obscure.
	abulia	loss or impairment of the ability to act or to make decisions.
	abut	to border.
	abysmal	extreme. low, like an abyss.
	acarpous	effete, no longer fertile, worn out.
	accede	to agree or assent. also, to become a party.
	accession	n. a increase by something added. b acquisition of additional property. something added. the act of assenting or agreeing. the act of becoming joined, adherence. the act by which one nation becomes party to an agreement already in force between other powers. an act of coming near or to, approach, admittance. the act of coming to high office or a position of honor or power. a sudden fit or outburst, access. adj. accessional. tr. v. to record in order of acquisition.
	acclimate	to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or situation.
	accretion	growth, increase by successive addition, building up.
	acerbic	sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or tone.
	acidulous	adj. Slightly sour in taste or in manner.
	acme	the highest point of something.
	acquiesce	to accept or consent passively or without objection.
	acrid	sharp and harsh. bitter, oft taste or smell.
	acrimony	bitter, harsh, or biting sharpness.
	acuity	acuteness of perception or vision.
	acumen	quickness or keenness of perception or discernment.
	adage	an old saying.
	adamant	inflexible. unyielding. not susceptible to persuasion.
	addage	n. a saying often in metaphorical form that embodies a common observation.
	adenoidal	adj. exhibiting the characteristics (as snoring, mouth breathing, and voice nasality) of one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids, ADENOID <an adenoidal tenor> - not usually used technically
	admonition	gentle or friendly reproof. friendly warning.
	adumbrate	to outline. also, to foreshadow. also, to suggest. also, to shade.
	adventitious	added extrinsically. not essentially inherent.
	aegis	a shield. protection.
	Aelurophile	n. cat fancier, also ailurophile
	aerie	a nest or dwelling built in a lofty place.
	aesthete	one who cultivates great sensitivity to beauty.
	aestival	of or belonging to the summer.
	affable	courteous. sociable. gracious.
	affectation	artificiality.
	affinity	a natural attraction. inherent similarity.
	afflatus	a divine inspiration.
	affray	a tumultuous assault or quarrel. a brawl.
	aficionado	a fervent admirer. a fan.
	Agalmatophilia	or Pygmalionism. sexual attraction to nude statues.
	agglomeration	a cluster or mass.
	aggrandize	to make or make appear great or greater.
	aggress	to make an attack.
	agitprop	propaganda.
	agog	in eager desire.
	agon	struggle. conflict.
	agrestic	pertaining to fields or the country.
	alacrity	cheerful promptness willingness, or promptitude. speed.
	aleatory	of or pertaining to accidental causes. of luck or chance. unpredictable.
	alfresco	outdoors.
	algorithm	a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.
	aliment	nutriment or sustenance.
	alloy	to debase by mixing with something inferior.
	alpenglow	n. A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains.
	altercation	a heated, noisy, or angry dispute.
	amalgam	an alloy of mercury with other metals. also, a mixture.
	amanuensis	one employed to take dictation or to copy manuscripts.
	amative	pertaining to or disposed to love.
	ambit	circuit or compass. also, sphere of action or influence.
	ambulatory	adj. Of, relating to, or adapted for walking. Capable of walking. not bedridden, an ambulatory patient. Designed for or available to patients who are not bedridden. ambulatory care. ambulatory pediatrics. Moving about. itinerant.
	ambuscade	an ambush. also, to ambush.
	ameliorate	improve, make better.
	amicable	characterized by friendliness and good will.
	amity	friendship. friendly relations.
	anathema	a curse. a person or thing cursed, or intensely disliked.
	ancillary	subordinate, subsidiary. auxiliary.
	animadversion	harsh criticism or disapproval.
	animus	a feeling of ill will. also, animating spirit. disposition.
	anodyne	serving to relieve pain.
	anomalous	odd.
	antediluvian	extremely old. Before the Flood.
	antipathy	aversion, dislike.
	antipode	n. 1 the parts of the earth diametrically opposite -- usually used in plural. often used of Australia and New Zealand 2 the exact opposite or contrary adj. or n. antipodean
	antiquarian	one who collects, studies, or deals in antiquities.
	antithesis	opposition. contrast. Rhetoric - the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in "Give me liberty or give me death." b. the second sentence or part thus set in opposition
	antithetical	adj. Of, relating to, or marked by antithesis. Being in diametrical opposition. See Synonyms at opposite.
	apace	adv. at a quick pace, SWIFTLY. ABREAST -- used with of or with.
	aphorism	n. a concise statement of a principle. a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment, adage.
	aplomb	confidence. coolness.
	apocryphal	of doubtful authority or authenticity.
	apodictic	adj. expressing or of the nature of necessary truth or absolute certainty. adv. apodictically.
	apogee	the highest point.
	apologia	a formal defense or justification.
	apoplexy	n. to cripple by a stroke, from apo- + plEssein to strike -- more at PLAINT, STROKE 5
	apostasy	desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party.
	apostate	one who abandons long-held religious or political conviction.
	apothegm	n. AP-uh-them a terse remark conveying an important truth. short, witty, instructive saying. aphorism
	apotheosis	a model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
	apparition	a ghost. also, an unexpected appearance.
	appellation	a name, title, or designation.
	apposite	being of striking appropriateness and relevance.
	apprehension	misgiving, dread. Also a stopping or arrest.
	apprise	to give notice to. to inform.
	approbation	formal or official approval. also, praise.
	appropriate	take for one's own use, acquire, set aside.
	appurtenance	an adjunct or accessory.
	apropos	appropriate to the situation. apt.
	apse	n. 1 APSIS (the point in an astronomical orbit at which the distance of the body from the center of attraction is either greatest or least) 2 a projecting part of a building (as a church) that is usually semicircular in plan and vaulted
	arabesque	a complex, ornate design. Also a dance position.
	arbiter	one having the power of judging and determining.
	arbitrage	the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset or good in order to profit from price discrepancies.
	arcane	understood or known by only a few.
	arcanum	a secret. a mystery.
	ardent	zealous. fiery.
	ardour	[or, ardor] warm interest, passion, enthusiasm, zeal.
	arduous	steep, difficult ascent. laborious.
	argot	a specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group.
	Argus-eyed	extremely observant. watchful.
	aright	rightly. correctly.
	arrant	outright. thoroughgoing.
	arriviste	an upstart.
	arrogate	to claim or seize without right or justification.
	artifice	an artful trick, stratagem or device. also, cleverness, skill.
	artless	free from artificiality. lacking art, knowledge or skill.
	ascend	int. v. a to move upward. to slope upward. a to rise from a lower level or degree. to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession. tr. v. to go or move up. to succeed to, OCCUPY <ascend the throne>. adj.ascendable or ascendible.
	ascetic	one who practices extreme self-denial. also, austere, severe.
	ascribe	to attribute, as to a cause.
	asperity	roughness of surface, sound, or manner.
	aspersion	a damaging or derogatory remark.
	assay	an analysis, examination, test. To put to a test.
	asseverate	to affirm or declare positively or earnestly.
	assiduous	diligent, hard-working, sedulous, constant in application or attention.
	assuage	to soften. to ease, or lessen.
	atavism	reversion to a remote ancestral type or to an earlier form. atavistic, adj.
	atelier	a workshop. a studio.
	atrabilious	irritable. ill-natured.
	attenuate	to make thin, fine, or small, enervate. To reduce in force, value, amount, or degree. weaken.
	aubade	a song greeting the dawn.
	Aubusson	n.A tapestry or usually pileless, densely patterned carpet woven in Aubusson, a city of central France, or similar to the ones made there.
	audacious	adj. intrepidly daring, ADVENTUROUS <an audacious mountain climber>. recklessly bold, RASH. contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum, INSOLENT. marked by originality and verve - audaciously adv. - audaciousness n.
	augur	seer.
	augury	an omen. prediction
	august	adj. marked by majestic dignity or grandeur - augustly adv. - augustness n.
	auspice	protection or support. observation by an augur esp. of the flight and feeding of birds to discover omens. a prophetic sign.
	auspices	kindly patronage and guidance.
	auspicious	favorable. promisin success. prosperous. fortunate, successful, prosperous. inauspicious, antonym.
	austere	adj. 1 a stern and cold in appearance or manner. b somber, grave <an austere critic> 2 morally strict, ASCETIC 3 markedly simple or unadorned <an austere office> <an austere style of writing> 4 giving little or no scope for pleasure <austere diets> 5 of a wine, having the flavor of acid or tannin predominant over fruit flavors usually indicating a capacity for aging syn. SEVERE. adv. austerely. n. austereness.
	austere	forbiddingly stern, simple, unadorned, very plain.
	autarchic	policy of self-sufficiency and nonreliance.
	autochthonous	indigenous. native. formed or existing where found.
	autocrat	a ruler with unlimited authority, despot.
	autodidact	one who is self-taught.
	avarice	greed.
	avast	verb imperative (or interjection) a nautical command to stop or cease.
	avatar	an incarnation.
	aver	to assert as true. prove as true.
	aversion	dislike for something and desire to avoid it.
	avoirdupois	weight. heaviness.
	avow	v. to declare openly, bluntly, assuredly, and without shame
	avuncular	resembling an uncle, as in kindness or indulgence.
	axiomatic	self-evident. taken for granted.

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