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930 Cards in this Set
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complement
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something that completes or helps form a whole; often balancing out or compensating for deficiencies
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compliant
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yielding, cooperative, submitting to demands/authority
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comprise
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to make up or be composed of; including or containing
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compunction
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haunting sense of unease or discomfort caused by guilt, remorse, or regret; also from dilemma caused by moral questioning of prospective action (e.g. driving Earl Hickey to right his wrongs)
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concave
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curving/bending inward (like a cavernous lens with an 'hourglass' shape)
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concede
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to admit or reluctantly yield; surrender or give up
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conciliatory
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intended to reconcile or placate (e.g. in words or tone) ; overcoming of distruct or hostility
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concoct
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novel synthesis, put together or "whip up", invent
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concomitant
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coexisting or occurring with something else, often as a secondary result/outcome or corallary
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condone
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to turn a blind eye from or overlook voluntarily; allow/permit or forgive
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conducive
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facilitating, catalyzing, promoting or conditions otherwise favorable to a certain outcome
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confound
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to confuse, mix-up, or mistake with something else; baffle or perplex
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congenial
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friendly, agreeable, alike in tastes/habits; a compatible match or suited for in temperament
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conjugal
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nuptial, pertaining to marriage or the terms of a marriage
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connoisseur
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a person with specialized expertise or familiarity in an area which qualifies them to judge; one with discriminating/discerning taste (e.g. art or food)
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conscript
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<n>a person who is mandatorily enlisted for military service; <v> to draft or enlist individuals into military service
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consecrate
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to declare as sacred, beatify; to dedicate as a paragon of some cause/ideal/purpose
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consternation
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fear, alarm, worry; a general unsettled state of dismay or dreading
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contend
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to compete or struggle in opposition; to assert or argue
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contentious
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loaded with controversy or potential for quarrel, inciting argument, polemical/polarizing
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contiguous
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sharing borders, adjacent, touching or neighboring; continuously connected without break
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continence
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self-control (especially bodily control), faculty to moderate base urges and desires (e.g. fecal or sexual)
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contrite
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penitent, regretful or induced by remorse; with desire to repent/redeem or seek forgiveness
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contumacious
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stubborn, disobedient, incorrigible; causing disruption with deliberate controversy, rebellious
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conundrum
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riddle or paradox; unsolvable puzzle
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convention
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generally accepted behavior, practice/method, or attitude; customary norms observed in a group
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converge
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to approach, meet or merge together; arrive/conclude at a definitive point
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convex
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curving outward (like a lens with a bulge in the middle)
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convivial
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social, festive, merry and good-humored
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convoluted
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twisted, tortuous; extremely complicated or complex
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copious
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excessive, overwhelming; full-bodied or rich; plentiful or in abundance
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coquette
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term for flirtatious/teasing woman
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cornucopia
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the horn of Amalthaea or anything featuring/embodying this great horn-shape; an area of flourishing abundance; referring to a horn overflowing with fruit and grain
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cosmology
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study of the universe as a whole through physical laws and observation of celestial bodies; theory involving the origin/structure/dynamics of the universe
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covert
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hidden, under-cover, secret
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covetous
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greedy, avaricious, especially for another's possessions
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cozen
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to cheat or mislead by trickery/defrauding; deceive
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craven
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abjectly cowardly, faint-hearted, or of poor faith
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credence
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belief/faith or inclination to accept something as true
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credo
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statement/declaration of belief or principle, often poetic or cogent in its articulation
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credulous
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state of or willingness to believe; tending to believe too easily without sufficient skepticism/evidence; gullible
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culpable
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deserving or worthy of blame, responsible for a fiasco
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cynicism
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an attitude or belief steeped in the perspective that people are inherently selfish, flouting platitudes of "morality"
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daunt
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to discourage, intimidate or dishearten
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de facto
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"in fact" or actuality; existing or in force autonomously of any official laws (e.g. marriages without legal recognition or unwritten rules)
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dearth
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scarcity or rarity, hard to find; a lack of
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debauchery
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sinful indulgence in sensual pleasures (e.g. bacchanlian orgies), dirty/immoral entertainment, corruption of virtue/purity
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decorum
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set of accepted standards or conduct governing polite public/civil behavior
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defame
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to deliberately harm/sabotage someone's reputation or discredit them; malign, slander
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default
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<adj>of the standard, automatic result from taking no action or abstaining from choice; <v> failing to act or address a choice/obligation
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defer
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to pass on; submit to the wishes/discretion of another (usually of greater authority/knowledge)
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deference
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respect and regard for another's discretion, yielding to their judgment
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defunct
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no longer in existence, running or otherwise functioning
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delineate
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to outline, present (e.g. in words or writing), or depict
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demographic
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of the population, related to people; a major sub-group of people important in the census
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demotic
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pertaining to regular, everyday people; common, vernacular, informal/simplified
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demur
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to bring up an objection, raise doubt or question
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denigrate
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to belittle or dismiss, speak of in a disrespectful way
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denizen
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an inhabitant or resident; one who frequents, is drawn to or otherwise fits into to a certain place/setting
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denouement
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outcome, predicament; (in fiction) the final result/ resolution from a plot fully unraveled (e.g. from karma or a sharply ironic twist)
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deride
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to laugh at, jeer or mock in a contemptuous manner
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derision
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ridicule, mockery and laughter in scorn/belittlement an individual
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derivative
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secondary, extracted from some other source; uncreative or unoriginal
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dessiccate
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to completely dry/dehydrate or draw out water; render dry, dull or lifeless
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desuetude
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state of disuse or falling out of practice; becoming obsolete, atrophy
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desultory
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inconsistent, incoherent, all over the place, or chaotic; random or rambling in speech/thought
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deterrent
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an obstacle or something intended to discourage/prevent
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detraction
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a slight or other attack aiming to diminish a person's character, reputation or value; disparaging comment
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deviant
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someone who eschews norms or practices behavior outside/contrary to the normative standards of society
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diaphanous
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translucent, fine-textured, so light or insubstantial as to be phantom-like or transparent
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diatribe
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harsh denunciation; a scorching verbal attack/rant, lambasting and harping on criticisms
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dichotomy
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a binary division or bipolarity; two differentiated parts set often in sharp contrast to each-other
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didactic
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adapted to teach or instruct (sometimes containing a moral lesson); resembling the tone of a lecture
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diffidence
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shyness or timidity; lack of assertive expression or self-confidence
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diffuse
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<v>to scatter, disperse or spread out; <adj> spread out widely or thin, pervasive or completely mixed in; wordy or rambling (i.e. verbally all over the place)
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digression
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a tangent or wandering from the main point/focus of a discussion in writing or speech
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dilettante
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one with an amateurish or superficial competence in a certain subject/activity; often dabbling in many areas of knowledge (e.g. the arts or academia)
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dirge
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a mournful poem or hymn heard typically at funerals
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disabuse
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to dispel a false belief or notion; set the record straight
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discern
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to keenly perceive/understand something obscure or otherwise not obvious
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discerning
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keenly perceptive and skilled at judgment; having the expertise or acquired taste to recognize some subtleties
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discomfit
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to make uneasy, insecure or disconcerted; put one out of place or their element
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discordant
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conflicting, dissonant or harsh in mind; not in tune
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discredit
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to undermine someone's reputation, whether through dismissal, slander, or dishonor bringing embarrassment/disgrace to their name
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discrepancy
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comparative difference or sheer gap between two things; inconsistency/disagreement
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discrete
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distinct, constituting a separate thing; held away quietly or secretly
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discretion
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caution, consideration or prudence (e.g. verbal filter); ability or freedom to make responsible judgments/decisions
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disingenuous
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lacking sincerity or candidness; crafted or manipulated, with ulterior motives
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disinterested
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impartial, neutral, unprejudiced; free from the bias of self-interest or passions
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disjointed
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lacking coherence , unity or higher organization; disconnected, dislocated, completely separated
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dismiss
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remove from consideration, rule-out or reject; overlook
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disparage
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to slight/belittle in a disrespectful or insulting way; humiliate
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disparate
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fundamentally different; starkly contrasting, greatly unequal/incongruent or far apart
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dissemble
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to disguise or conceal; mislead through pretending
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disseminate
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to spread through dispersion/scattering, planting in others (e.g. information or other influences)
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dissident
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person who raises disagreement or objection, dissenter opposing prevailing belief or hegemony
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dissolution
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dissolving or disintegration, breaking apart an organization/relationship or moral order
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dissonance
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discord or conflict, unresolved disequilibrium (e.g. cognitive); a lack of harmony
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distend
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to swell up/out (like a tumor); grow all around
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distill
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extract or boil down to the essential elements
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DISTRAIT
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INATTENTIVE; PREOCCUPIED
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DIVERGE
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TO VARY; GO IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS FROM THE SAME POINT
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DIVEST
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TO STRIP; DEPRIVE; RID
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DIVULGE
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TO MAKE KNOWN SOMETHING THAT IS SECRET
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divulge
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v. disclose something secret
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DOCTRINAIRE
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RELATING TO A PERSON WHO CANNOT COMPROMISE ABOUT POINTS OF A THEORY OR DOCTRINE; DOGMATIC; UNYIELDING
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DOCUMENT
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TO PROVIDE WITH WRITTEN EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT
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DOGGEREL
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POOR VERSE
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dogmatic
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adj. expressing a rigid opinion based on unproved or unprovable principles (n. dogma)
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DOGMATIC
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STATING OPINIONS WITHOUT PROOF
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DORMANT
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INACTIVE
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DROSS
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WASTE; WORTHLESS MATTER; TRIVIAL MATTER
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DUPE
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TO DECEIVE; TRICK
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ebullience
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adj. the quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts and feelings (adj. ebullient)
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EBULLIENT
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EXHILARATED; ENTHUSIASTIC
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eccentric
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adj. departing from norms or conventions
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eclectic
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adj. composed of elements drawn from various sources
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ECLECTIC
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SELECTING FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
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EFFERVESCENCE
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STATE OF HIGH SPIRITS OR LIVELINESS; THE PROCESS OF BUBBLING AS GAS ESCAPES
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EFFETE
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DEPLETED OF VITALITY; OVERREFINED; DECADENT
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EFFICACY
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EFFICIENCY; EFFECTIVENESS
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effrontery
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n. extreme boldness; presumptuousness
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EFFRONTERY
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SHAMELESS BOLDNESS; PRESUMPTUOUSNESS
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EGOISM
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THE TENDENCY TO SEE THING IN RELATION TO ONESELF; SELF-CENTERED
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EGOTISTICAL
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EXCESSIVELY SELF-CENTERED; CONCEITED
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elegy
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n. a mournful poem, esp. one lamenting the dead (adj. elegiac)
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ELEGY
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POEM OR SONG EXPRESSING LAMENTATION
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ELICIT
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TO PROVOKE; DRAW OUT
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ELIXIR
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A SUBSTANCE BELIEVED TO HAVE THE POWER TO CURE ILLS
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eloquent
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adj. well-spoken; expressive; articulate (n. eloquence)
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ELYSIAN
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BLISSFUL; DELIGHTFUL
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EMACIATED
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THIN AND WASTED
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EMBELLISH
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TO ADORN; DECORATE; ENHANCE; MAKE MORE ATTRACTIVE BY ADDING DETAILS
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emollient
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adj. / n. soothing, esp. to the skin; making less harsh; mollifying; an agent that softens of smoothes the skin
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EMOLLIENT
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ADJ. SOOTHING; MOLLIFYING
N. AN AGENT THAT SOOTHES OR MAKES MORE ACCEPTABLE |
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empirical
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adj. based on observation or experiment
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EMPIRICAL
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DERIVED OBSERVATION AND EXPERIMENT
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EMULATE
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TO IMITATE; COPY
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ENCOMIUM
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A FORMAL EXPRESSION OF PRAISE
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endemic
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adj. characteristic of or often found in a particular locality, region, or people
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ENDEMIC
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INHERENT; BELONGING TO AN AREA
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ENERVATE
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TO WEAKEN
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enervate
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v. weaken; reduce in vitality
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ENGENDER
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TO CAUSE; PRODUCE
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ENHANCE
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TO INCREASE; IMPROVE
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enigmatic
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adj. mysterious; obscure; difficult to understand (n. enigma)
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ennui
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n. dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy
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ENTOMOLOGY
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THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF INSECTS
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ENUCIATE
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TO PRONOUNCE CLEARLY
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ephemeral
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lasting or used for only a short period of time
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EPHEMERAL
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SHORT-LIVED; FLEETING
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EPISTEMOLOGY
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BRANCH OF PHILOSOPHY THAT EXAMINES THE NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE
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EQUABLE
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STEADY; UNVARYING; SERENE
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EQUANIMITY
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COMPOSURE; CALMNESS
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EQUITABLE
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FAIR; JUST; IMPARTIAL
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equivocate
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v. use ambiguous language with a deceptive intent (adj. equivocal)
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EQUIVOCATION
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TO INTENTIONALLY USE VAGUE LANGUAGE
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ERRANT
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MISTAKEN; STRAYING FROM THE PROPER COURSE
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erudite
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adj. very learned; scholarly (n. erudition)
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ERUDITE
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LEARNED; SCHOLARLY
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esoteric
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adj. intended for or understood by a small, specific group
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ESOTERIC
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HARD TO UNDERSTAND; KNOWN ONLY TO A FEW
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ESSAY
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TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT; SUBJECT TO A TEST
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ESTIMABLE
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ADMIRABLE; POSSIBLE TO ESTIMATE
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ETHNOCENTRIC
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BASED ON THE ATTITUDE THAT ONE'S GROUP IS SUPERIOR
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ETIOLOGY
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CAUSES OR ORIGINS
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ETYMOLOGY
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ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF A WORD
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EUGENICS
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STUDY OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE HEREDITARY QUALITIES OF THE HUMAN RACE AND WAYS TO IMPROVE THESE QUALITIES
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EULOGY
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HIGH PRAISE, ESPECIALLY OF A PERSON WHO HAS RECENTLY DIED
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eulogy
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n. a speech or piece of writing praising somebody/something very much
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EUPHEMISM
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USE OF AGREEABLE OR INOFFENSIVE LANGUAGE IN PLACE OF UNPLEASANT OR OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE
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EUPHORIA
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A FEELING OF EXTREME HAPPINESS
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EUTHANASIA
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MERCY KILLING
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evanescent
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adj. tending to disappear like vapor; vanishing
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EVINCE
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TO SHOW PLAINLY; BE AN INDICATION OF
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EVOCATIVE
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TENDING TO CALL TO MIND OR PRODUCE A REACTION
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EXACERBATE
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TO AGGRAVATE; MAKE WORSE
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exacerbate
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v. make worse or more severe
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EXACT
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V. TO FORCE THE PAYMENT OF; DEMAND AND OBTAIN BY AUTHORITY
ADJ. EXTREMELY DEMANDING (EXACTING) |
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EXCULPATE
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TO CLEAR OF BLAME; VINDICATE
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exculpate
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v. exonerate; clear of blame
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EXECRABLE
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DETESTABLE; ABHORRENT
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EXHORT
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TO URGE BY STRONG APPEALS
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EXIGENCY
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CRISIS; URGENT REQUIREMENTS
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exigent
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adj. urgent; pressing; requiring immediate action or attention
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EXISTENTIAL
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HAVING TO DO WITH EXISTENCE; BASED ON EXPERIENCE; HAVING TO DO WITH THE PHILOSOPHY OF EXISTENTIALISM
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exonerate
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v. remove blame
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EXORCISE
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TO EXPEL EVIL SPIRITS; FREE FROM BAD INFLUENCES
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EXPATIATE
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TO SPEAK OR WRITE AT LENGTH
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EXPATRIATE
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TO SEND INTO EXILE
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EXPIATE
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TO ATONE FOR
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EXPLICATE
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TO EXPLAIN; INTERPRET; CLARIFY
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EXPOSITORY
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EXPLANATORY
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EXTANT
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IN EXISTENCE; NOT LOST
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extemporaneous
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adj. improvised; done without preparation
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EXTEMPORANEOUS
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UNREHEARSED
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EXTIRPATE
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TO ROOT UP; TO DESTROY
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EXTRANEOUS
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NOT ESSENTIAL
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EXTRAPOLATION
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THE ACT OF ESTIMATION BY PROJECTING KNOWN INFORMATION
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EXTRINSIC
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NOT INHERENT OR ESSENTIAL
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facetious
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adj. playful; humorous
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FACETIOUS
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HUMOROUS
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FACILITATE
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TO MAKE LESS DIFFICULT
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FACTOTUM
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A PERSON WHO DOES ALL SORTS OF WORK; A HANDYMAN
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FALLACIOUS
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BASED ON A FALSE IDEA OR FACT; MISLEADING
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fallacy
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n. an invalid or incorrect notion; a mistaken belief (adj. fallacious)
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FALLOW
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PLOWED BUT NOT SOWED; UNCULTIVATED
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FATUOUS
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FOOLISHLY SELF-SATISFIED
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FAUNA
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ANIMALS OF A PERIOD OR REGION
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fawn
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v. flatter or praise excessively
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FAWNING
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SEEKING FAVOR BY FLATTERY
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FELICITOUS
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SUITABLY EXPRESSED; APPROPRIATE; WELL-CHOSEN
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FERAL
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EXISTING IN A WILD OR UNTAMED STATE
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fervent
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adj. greatly emotional or zealous (n. fervor)
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FERVOR
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N. WARMTH AND INTENSITY OF EMOTION
ADJ. FULL OF STRONG EMOTION OR IMPASSIONED (FERVENT) |
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FETID
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HAVING A BAD SMELL
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FETTER
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V. TO BIND; CONFINE
N. SOMETHING THAT RESTRICTS OR RESTRAINS |
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FIAT
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ARBITRARY ORDER; AUTHORIZATION
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FIDELITY
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LOYALTY; EXACT CORRESPONDENCE
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filibuster
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n. intentional obstruction, esp. using prolonged speechmaking to delay legislative action
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FILIBUSTER
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USE OF OBSTRUCTIVE TACTICS IN A LEGISLATURE TO BLOCK PASSAGE OF A LAW
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FINESSE
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TO HANDLE WITH A DECEPTIVE OR EVASIVE STRATEGY; TO USE FINESSE, THAT IS, REFINEMENT IN PERFORMANCE
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FISSURE
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CREVICE
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FLAG
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TO DROOP; GROW WEAK
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FLEDGLING
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BEGINNER; NOVICE
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FLORA
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PLANTS OF A REGION OR ERA
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FLORID
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RUDDY; REDDISH; FLOWERY
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FLOURISH
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N. AN EMBELLISHMENT OR ORNAMENTATION
V. MEANING TO GROW VIGOROUSLY, OR TO THRIVE |
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FLOUT
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TO TREAT SCORNFULLY
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flout
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v. show contempt for, as in a rule or convention
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FLUX
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FLOWING; A CONTINUOUS MOVING
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FOMENT
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TO INCITE; AROUSE
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FORBEARANCE
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PATIENCE
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FORESTALL
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TO PREVENT; DELAY
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FORMIDABLE
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MENACING; THREATENING; daunting, fearsome
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FORSWEAR
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RENOUNCE; REPUDIATE
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fortuitous
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adj. happening by accident or chance
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FOUNDER
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TO SINK; FAIL; COLLAPSE
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FRACAS
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A LOUD QUARREL; BRAWL
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|
FRACTIOUS
|
QUARRELSOME; UNRULY; REBELLIOUS
|
|
|
FRESCO
|
A PAINTING DONE ON PLASTER
|
|
|
FRIEZE
|
ORNAMENTAL BAND ON A WALL
|
|
|
FROWARD
|
STUBBORNLY CONTRARY; OBSTINATELY DISOBEDIENT
|
|
|
FRUGALITY
|
THRIFT
|
|
|
FULMINATE
|
TO ATTACK LOUDLY; DENOUNCE
|
|
|
fulminate
|
v. loudly attack or denounce
|
|
|
FULSOME
|
SO EXCESSIVE AS TO BE DISGUSTING
|
|
|
furtive
|
adj. marked by stealth; covert; surreptitious
|
|
|
FUSION
|
UNION; SYNTHESIS
|
|
|
FUTILE
|
INEFFECTIVE; USELESS; FRUITLESS
|
|
|
GAINSAY
|
TO DENY; DISPUTE; OPPOSE
|
|
|
GAMBOL
|
TO FROLIC; LEAP PLAYFULLY
|
|
|
garrulous
|
adj. pointlessly talkative, talking too much
|
|
|
GARRULOUS
|
VERY TALKATIVE; WORDY
|
|
|
GAUCHE
|
COARSE AND UNCOUTH; CLUMSY
|
|
|
GENIALITY
|
CHEERFULNESS; KINDLINESS; SOCIABILITY
|
|
|
germane
|
adj. relevant to the subject at hand; appropriate in subject matter
|
|
|
GERRYMANDER
|
TO DIVIDE AN AREA INTO VOTING DISTRICTS IN A WAY THAT FAVORS A POLITICAL PARTY
|
|
|
glib
|
adj. marked by ease or informality; nonchalant; lacking in depth; superficial
|
|
|
GLIB
|
FLUENT IN AN INSINCERE WAY; OFFHAND
|
|
|
GOAD
|
TO PROD; URGE ON
|
|
|
GOSSAMER
|
SHEER; LIGHT AND DELICATE, LIKE COBWEBS
|
|
|
GOUGE
|
TO TEAR OUT; SCOOP OUT; OVERCHARGE
|
|
|
grandiloquence
|
n. pompous speech or expression (adj. grandiloquent)
|
|
|
GRANDILOQUENT
|
POMPOUS; BOMBASTIC
|
|
|
gregarious
|
adj. sociable; outgoing; enjoying the company of other people
|
|
|
GREGARIOUS
|
SOCIABLE
|
|
|
GROUSE
|
TO COMPLAIN
|
|
|
GUILE
|
DECEPTION OR TRICKERY
|
|
|
GUILELESS
|
FREE OF CUNNING OR DECEIT; ARTLESS
|
|
|
GUISE
|
OUTWARD APPEARANCE; FALSE APPEARANCE; PRETENSE
|
|
|
GULLIBLE
|
EASILY DECEIVED
|
|
|
GUSTATORY
|
AFFECTING THE SENSE OF TASTE
|
|
|
hackneyed
|
adj. rendered trite or commonplace by frequent usage
|
|
|
halcyon
|
adj. calm and peaceful
|
|
|
HALCYON
|
CALM AND PEACEFUL; HAPPY; GOLDEN; PROSPEROUS
|
|
|
HALLOWED
|
HOLY; SACRED
|
|
|
HARANGUE
|
LONG, POMPOUS SPEECH; TIRADE
|
|
|
harangue
|
v. / n. deliver a pompous speech or tirade; a long, pompous speech
|
|
|
HARROWING
|
EXTREMELY DISTRESSING; TERRIFYING
|
|
|
hedonism
|
n. devotion to pleasurable pursuits, esp. to the pleasures of the senses ( a hedonist is someone who purses pleasure)
|
|
|
hegemony
|
n. the consistent dominance of one state or ideology over others
|
|
|
HERBIVOROUS
|
RELATING TO A HERBIVORE, AN ANIMAL THAT FEEDS MAINLY ON PLANTS
|
|
|
heretical
|
adj. violating accepted dogma or convention (n. heresy)
|
|
|
HERMETIC
|
TIGHTLY SEALED; MAGICAL
|
|
|
HETERODOX
|
UNORTHODOX; NOT WIDELY ACCEPTED
|
|
|
HEURISTIC
|
RELATING TO A SPECULATIVE FORMULATION GUIDING THE INVESTIGATION OR SOLUTION OF A PROBLEM; EDUCATIONAL METHOD IN WHICH STUDENTS LEARN FROM THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS
|
|
|
HIEROGLYPHICS
|
A SYSTEM OF WRITING IN WHICH PICTORIAL SYMBOLS REPRESENT MEANING OR SOUNDS; WRITING OR SYMBOLS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO DECIPHER; THE SYMBOLS USED IN ADVANCED MATHEMATICS
|
|
|
HIRSUTE
|
COVERED WITH HAIR
|
|
|
HISTRIONIC
|
RELATING TO EXAGGERATED EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR CALCULATED FOR EFFECT; THEATRICAL ARTS OR PERFORMANCES
|
|
|
HOMEOSTASIS
|
AUTOMATIC MAINTENANCE BY AN ORGANISM OF NORMAL TEMPERATURE, CHEMICAL BALANCE, ETC. WITHIN ITSELF
|
|
|
HOMILY
|
SERMON; TEDIOUS MORALIZING LECTURE; PLATITUDE
|
|
|
HOMOGENEOUS
|
COMPOSED OF IDENTICAL PARTS; UNIFORM IN COMPOSITION
|
|
|
hubris
|
n. overbearing presumption or pride; arrogance
|
|
|
hyperbole
|
n. an exaggerated statement, often used as a figure of speech (adj. hyperbolic)
|
|
|
HYPERBOLE
|
PURPOSEFUL EXAGGERATION FOR EFFECT
|
|
|
iconoclast
|
a person who criticizes popular beliefs or established customs and ideas
|
|
|
ICONOCLASTIC
|
ATTACKING CHERISHED TRADITION
|
|
|
idolatrous
|
adj. given to intense or excessive devotion to something (n. idolatry)
|
|
|
IDOLATRY
|
IDOL WORSHIP; BLIND OR EXCESSIVE DEVOTION
|
|
|
IGNEOUS
|
PRODUCED BY FIRE; VOLCANIC
|
|
|
IMBROGLIO
|
COMPLICATED SITUATION; AN ENTANGLEMENT
|
|
|
imminent
|
adj. about to happen; impending
|
|
|
immutable
|
adj. not capable of change
|
|
|
IMMUTABLE
|
UNCHANGEABLE
|
|
|
IMPAIR
|
TO DAMAGE; INJURE
|
|
|
impassive
|
adj. revealing no emotion
|
|
|
IMPASSIVE
|
SHOWING NO EMOTION
|
|
|
impecunious
|
adj. lacking funds; without money
|
|
|
IMPECUNIOUS
|
POOR; HAVING NO MONEY
|
|
|
IMPEDE
|
TO HINDER; BLOCK
|
|
|
IMPERMEABLE
|
IMPOSSIBLE TO PENETRATE
|
|
|
imperturbable
|
adj. marked by extreme clam, impassivity, and steadiness
|
|
|
IMPERTURBABLE
|
NOT EASILY DISTURBED
|
|
|
IMPERVIOUS
|
IMPOSSIBLE TO PENETRATE; INCAPABLE OF BEING AFFECTED
|
|
|
impetuous
|
adj. hastily or rashly energetic; impulsive and vehement
|
|
|
IMPINGE
|
TO STRIKE; ENCROACH
|
|
|
implacable
|
adj. not capable of being appeased or significantly changed
|
|
|
IMPLACABLE
|
INFLEXIBLE; INCAPABLE OF BEING PLEASED
|
|
|
IMPLAUSIBLE
|
UNLIKELY; UNBELIEVABLE
|
|
|
IMPLICIT
|
IMPLIED; UNDERSTOOD BUT NOT STATED
|
|
|
IMPLODE
|
COLLAPSE INWARD VIOLENTLY
|
|
|
IMPRECATION
|
CURSE
|
|
|
impunity
|
n. immunity from punishment or penalty
|
|
|
IMPUTE
|
TO RELATE TO A PARTICULAR CAUSE OR SOURCE; ATTRIBUTE THE FAULT TO; ASSIGN AS A CHARACTERISTIC
|
|
|
INADVERTENTLY
|
CARELESSLY; UNINTENTIONALLY
|
|
|
INCARNATE
|
HAVING BODILY FORM
|
|
|
inchoate
|
adj. in an initial stage; not fully formed
|
|
|
INCHOATE
|
IMPERFECTLY FORMED OR FORMULATED
|
|
|
incipient
|
adj. beginning to come into being or to become apparent
|
|
|
INCONGRUITY
|
STATE OF NOT FITTING
|
|
|
INCONSEQUENTIAL
|
INSIGNIFICANT; UNIMPORTANT
|
|
|
INCORPORATE
|
INTRODUCE SOMETHING INTO ANOTHER THING ALREADY IN EXISTENCE; COMBINE
|
|
|
INCURSION
|
SUDDEN INVASION
|
|
|
INDETERMINATE
|
UNCERTAIN; INDEFINITE
|
|
|
indifferent
|
adj. having no interest or concern; showing no bias or prejudice
|
|
|
INDIGENCE
|
POVERTY
|
|
|
INDOLENT
|
HABITUALLY LAZY; IDLE
|
|
|
INELUCTABLE
|
NOT TO BE AVOIDED OR ESCAPED; INEVITABLE
|
|
|
inert
|
adj. unmoving; lethargic; sluggish
|
|
|
INERT
|
UNABLE TO MOVE; SLUGGISH
|
|
|
INERTIA
|
DISINCLINATION TO ACTION OR CHANGE
|
|
|
infelicitous
|
adj. unfortunate; inappropriate
|
|
|
ingenuous
|
adj. artless; frank and candid; lacking in sophistication
|
|
|
INGENUOUS
|
NAIVE AND TRUSTING; LACKING SOPHISTICATION
|
|
|
INHERENT
|
FIRMLY ESTABLISHED BY NATURE OR HABIT
|
|
|
inimical
|
adj. damaging; harmful; injurious
|
|
|
innocuous
|
adj. harmless; causing no damage
|
|
|
INNOCUOUS
|
HARMLESS
|
|
|
INSENSIBLE
|
UNCONSCIOUS; UNRESPONSIVE
|
|
|
INSINUATE
|
TO SUGGEST; SAY INDIRECTLY; IMPLY
|
|
|
insipid
|
adj. without taste or flavor; lacking in spirit; bland
|
|
|
INSIPID
|
LACKING IN FLAVOR; DULL
|
|
|
INSOUCIANT
|
INDIFFERENT; LACKING CONCERN OR CARE
|
|
|
INSULARITY
|
NARROW-MINDEDNESS; ISOLATION
|
|
|
INSUPERABLE
|
INSURMOUNTABLE; UNCONQUERABLE
|
|
|
INTANGIBLE
|
NOT MATERIAL
|
|
|
INTERDICT
|
TO FORBID; PROHIBIT; TO CONFRONT AND HALT THE ACTIVITIES, ADVANCE, OR ENTRY OF
|
|
|
INTERNECINE
|
DEADLY TO BOTH SIDES
|
|
|
INTERPOLATE
|
TO INSERT; CHANGE BY ADDING NEW WORDS OR MATERIAL
|
|
|
INTERREGNUM
|
INTERVAL BETWEEN REIGNS; GAP IN CONTINUITY
|
|
|
INTIMATE
|
MARKED BY CLOSE ACQUAINTANCE
|
|
|
intractable
|
adj. not easily managed or directed; stubborn; obstinate
|
|
|
INTRACTABLE
|
NOT EASILY MANAGED
|
|
|
INTRANSIGENCE
|
STUBBORNNESS; REFUSAL TO COMPROMISE
|
|
|
intransigent
|
adj. refusing to compromise (n. intransigence)
|
|
|
intrepid
|
adj. steadfast and courageous
|
|
|
INTROSPECTIVE
|
CONTEMPLATING ONE'S OWN THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS
|
|
|
INUNDATE
|
TO COVER WITH WATER; OVERWHELM
|
|
|
inured
|
adj. accustomed to accepting something undesirable
|
|
|
INURED
|
HARDENED; ACCUSTOMED; USED TO
|
|
|
INVECTIVE
|
VERBAL ABUSE
|
|
|
INVEIGH
|
TO DISAPPROVE; PROTEST VEHEMENTLY
|
|
|
INVEIGLE
|
TO WIN OVER BY FLATTERY OR COAXING
|
|
|
inveigle
|
v. obtain by deception or flattery
|
|
|
INVETERATE
|
CONFIRMED; LONG-STANDING; DEEPLY ROOTED
|
|
|
INVIDIOUS
|
LIKELY TO PROVOKE ILL WILL; OFFENSIVE
|
|
|
irascible
|
adj. easily angered; prone to temperamental outbursts
|
|
|
IRASCIBLE
|
EASILY ANGERED
|
|
|
IRRESOLUTE
|
UNSURE OF HOW TO ACT; WEAK
|
|
|
ITINERANT
|
WANDERING FROM PLACE TO PLACE; UNSETTLED
|
|
|
ITINERARY
|
ROUTE OF A TRAVELER'S JOURNEY
|
|
|
JAUNDICED
|
HAVING A YELLOWISH DISCOLORATION OF THE SKIN; AFFECTED BY ENVY, RESENTMENT, OR HOSTILITY
|
|
|
JIBE
|
TO BE IN AGREEMENT
|
|
|
JOCOSE
|
FOND OF JOKING; JOCULAR; PLAYFUL
|
|
|
JUGGERNAUT
|
HUGE FORCE DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH
|
|
|
JUNTA
|
GROUP OF PEOPLE UNITED IN POLITIC INTRIGUE
|
|
|
JUXTAPOSE
|
PLACE SIDE BY SIDE
|
|
|
KUDOS
|
FAME; GLORY; GONOR
|
|
|
LABILE
|
LIKELY TO CHANGE
|
|
|
laconic
|
adj. using few words; terse
|
|
|
LACONIC
|
USING FEW WORDS
|
|
|
LAMBASTE
|
TO THRASH VERBALLY OR PHYSICALLY
|
|
|
LASCIVIOUS
|
LUSTFUL
|
|
|
LASSITUDE
|
LETHARGY; SLUGGISHNESS
|
|
|
LATENT
|
PRESENT BUT HIDDEN; POTENTIAL
|
|
|
LAUD
|
TO PRAISE
|
|
|
laud
|
v. praise highly (adj. laudatory)
|
|
|
LETHARGIC
|
INACTIVE
|
|
|
LEVEE
|
AN EMBANKMENT THAT PREVENTS A RIVER FROM OVERFLOWING
|
|
|
LEVITY
|
LIGHT MANNER OR ATTITUDE
|
|
|
LIBERAL
|
TOLERANT; BROAD-MINDED; GENEROUS; LAVISH
|
|
|
LIBERTINE
|
ONE WITHOUT MORAL RESTRAINT
|
|
|
LIBIDO
|
SEXUAL DESIRE
|
|
|
LILLIPUTIAN
|
EXTREMELY SMALL
|
|
|
LIMN
|
TO DRAW; DESCRIBE
|
|
|
LIMPID
|
CLEAR; TRANSPARENT
|
|
|
LINGUISTIC
|
PERTAINING TO LANGUAGE
|
|
|
LITANY
|
LENGTHY RECITATION; REPETITIVE CHANT
|
|
|
LITERATI
|
SCHOLARLY OR LEARNED PERSONS
|
|
|
LITIGATION
|
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
|
|
|
LOG
|
RECORD OF A VOYAGE; RECORD OF DAILY ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
loquacious
|
adj. extremely talkative (n. loquacity)
|
|
|
LOQUACIOUS
|
TALKATIVE
|
|
|
lucid
|
adj. clear; easily understood
|
|
|
LUCID
|
BRIGHT; CLEAR; INTELLIGIBLE
|
|
|
LUCRE
|
MONEY OR PROFITS
|
|
|
luminous
|
adj. characterized by brightness and the emission of light
|
|
|
LUMINOUS
|
BRIGHT; BRILLIANT; GLOWING
|
|
|
LUSTROUS
|
SHINING
|
|
|
MACHIAVELLIAN
|
CRAFTY; DOUBLE-DEALING
|
|
|
MACHINATIONS
|
PLOTS OR SCHEMES
|
|
|
MAELSTROM
|
WHIRLPOOL; TURMOIL
|
|
|
MAGNANIMITY
|
GENEROSITY; NOBILITY
|
|
|
magnanimity
|
n. the quality of being generously noble in mind and heart, esp. in forgiving (adj. magnanimous)
|
|
|
malevolent
|
adj. having or showing often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred (n. malevolence)
|
|
|
MALIGN
|
TO SPEAK EVIL OF
|
|
|
MALINGER
|
TO FEIGN ILLNESS TO ESCAPE DUTY
|
|
|
malleable
|
adj. capable of being shaped or formed; tractable; pliable
|
|
|
MALLEABLE
|
CAPABLE OF BEING SHAPED BY POUNDING; IMPRESSIONABLE
|
|
|
martial
|
adj. associated with war and the armed forces
|
|
|
MAVERICK
|
DISSENTER
|
|
|
maverick
|
n. an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party
|
|
|
MEGALOMANIA
|
DELUSIONS OF POWER OR IMPORTANCE
|
|
|
MENAGERIE
|
A VARIETY OF ANIMALS KEPT TOGETHER
|
|
|
MENDACIOUS
|
DISHONEST
|
|
|
mendacity
|
n. the condition of being untruthful; dishonesty (adj. mendacious)
|
|
|
MENDICANT
|
BEGGAR
|
|
|
mercurial
|
adj. characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood
|
|
|
MERETRICIOUS
|
GAUDY; PLAUSIBLE BUT FALSE; SPECIOUS
|
|
|
MESMERIZE
|
TO HYPNOTIZE
|
|
|
METAMORPHOSIS
|
CHANGE; TRANSFORMATION
|
|
|
METAPHYSICS
|
A BRANCH OF PHILOSOPHY THAT INVESTIGATES THE ULTIMATE NATURE OF REALITY
|
|
|
METEOROLOGICAL
|
CONCERNED WITH THE WEATHER
|
|
|
meticulous
|
adj. characterized by extreme case and precision; attentive to detail
|
|
|
METICULOUS
|
VERY CAREFUL; FASTIDIOUS
|
|
|
METTLE
|
COURAGE; ENDURANCE
|
|
|
METTLESOME
|
FULL OF COURAGE AND FORTITUDE; SPIRITED
|
|
|
MICROCOSM
|
A SMALL SYSTEM HAVING ANALOGIES TO A LARGER SYSTEM; SMALL WORLD
|
|
|
MILITATE
|
TO WORK AGAINST
|
|
|
MINATORY
|
THREATENING; MENACING
|
|
|
MINUSCULE
|
VERY SMALL
|
|
|
MINUTIA
|
PETTY DETAILS
|
|
|
misanthrope
|
n. one who hates all other humans (adj. misanthropic)
|
|
|
MISANTHROPE
|
ONE WHO HATES HUMANITY
|
|
|
MISCELLANY
|
MIXTURE OF WRITINGS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS
|
|
|
MISCREANT
|
VILLAIN; CRIMINAL
|
|
|
MISOGYNIST
|
ONE WHO HATES WOMEN
|
|
|
MITIGATE
|
TO CAUSE TO BECOME LESS HARSH; SEVERE, OR PAINFUL; ALLEVIATE
|
|
|
mitigate
|
v. make or become less severe or intense; moderate
|
|
|
MNEMONIC
|
ADJ. RELATED TO MEMORY; ASSISTING MEMORY
N. A SYSTEM THAT DEVELOPS AND IMPROVES THE MEMORY |
|
|
MODICUM
|
LIMITED QUANTITY
|
|
|
MOLLIFY
|
SOOTHE
|
|
|
mollify
|
v. calm or soothe; reduce in emotional intensity
|
|
|
MONOLITHIC
|
SOLID AND UNIFORM; CONSTITUTING A SINGLE, UNIFIED WHOLE
|
|
|
morose
|
adj. unhappy, bad-tempered and not talking very much
|
|
|
MOROSE
|
ILL-HUMORED; SULLEN
|
|
|
MOTLEY
|
MANY COLORED; MADE UP OF MANY PARTS
|
|
|
MULTIFARIOUS
|
DIVERSE
|
|
|
multifarious
|
of many different kinds; having great variety
|
|
|
mundane
|
adj. of the world; typical of or concerned with the ordinary
|
|
|
MUNDANE
|
WORLDLY AS OPPOSED TO SPIRITUAL; CONCERNED WITH THE ORDINARY
|
|
|
nascent
|
adj. coming into being; in early developmental stages
|
|
|
nebulous
|
adj. vague; cloudy; lacking clearly defined form
|
|
|
NECROMANCY
|
BLACK MAGIC
|
|
|
NEGATE
|
TO CANCEL OUT; NULLIFY
|
|
|
neologism
|
n. a new word, expression, or usage; the creation or use of new words or senses
|
|
|
NEOLOGISM
|
NEW WORD OR EXPRESSION
|
|
|
neophyte
|
n. a recent convert; a beginner; novice
|
|
|
NEOPHYTE
|
NOVICE; BEGINNER
|
|
|
NEXUS
|
A MEANS OF CONNECTION; A CONNECTED GROUP OR SERIES; A CENTER
|
|
|
NONPLUSSED
|
BEWILDERED
|
|
|
NOSTALGIA
|
SENTIMENTAL LONGING FOR A PAST TIME
|
|
|
NOSTRUM
|
MEDICINE OR REMEDY OF DOUBTFUL EFFECTIVENESS; SUPPOSED CURE
|
|
|
noxious
|
adj. harmful; injurious
|
|
|
NUGATORY
|
TRIFLING; INVALID
|
|
|
obdurate
|
adj. unyielding; hardhearted; intractable
|
|
|
OBDURATE
|
STUBBORN
|
|
|
obfuscate
|
deliberately obscure; make confusing
|
|
|
obsequious
|
adj. exhibiting a fawning attentiveness
|
|
|
OBSEQUIOUS
|
OVERLY SUBMISSIVE
|
|
|
OBSEQUY
|
FUNERAL CEREMONY (OFTEN USED IN THE PLURAL, OBSEQUIES)
|
|
|
obstinate
|
adj. stubborn; hardheaded; uncompromising
|
|
|
obtuse
|
adj. lacking sharpness of intellect; not clear or precise in thought or expression
|
|
|
OBVIATE
|
TO MAKE UNNECESSARY; TO ANTICIPATE AND PREVENT
|
|
|
obviate
|
v. anticipate and make unnecessary
|
|
|
OCCLUDE
|
TO SHUT; BLOCK
|
|
|
occlude
|
v. obstruct or block
|
|
|
OCCULT
|
RELATING TO PRACTICES CONNECTED WITH SUPERNATURAL PHENOMENA
|
|
|
odious
|
adj. evoking intense aversion or dislike
|
|
|
ODYSSEY
|
A LONG ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE; A QUEST
|
|
|
OFFICIOUS
|
TOO HELPFUL; MEDDLESOME
|
|
|
OLFACTORY
|
CONCERNING THE SENSE OF SMELL
|
|
|
OLIGARCHY
|
FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN WHICH POWER BELONGS TO ONLY A FEW LEADERS
|
|
|
onerous
|
adj. troubling; burdensome
|
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|
ONEROUS
|
BURDENSOME
|
|
|
ONOMATOPOEIA
|
FORMATION OR USE OF WORDS THAT IMITATE SOUNDS OF THE ACTIONS THEY REFER TO
|
|
|
opaque
|
adj. impenetrable by light; not reflecting light
|
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|
OPPROBRIUM
|
DISGRACE; CONTEMPT
|
|
|
opprobrium
|
n. disgrace; contempt; scorn
|
|
|
ORNITHOLOGIST
|
SCIENTIST WHO STUDIES BIRDS
|
|
|
OSCILLATE
|
TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH
|
|
|
oscillation
|
n. the act or state of swinging back and forth with a steady, uninterrupted rhythm (v. oscillate)
|
|
|
ostentatious
|
adj. characterized by or given to pretentious display; showy
|
|
|
OSTENTATIOUS
|
SHOWY; TRYING TO ATTRACT ATTENTION; PRETENTIOUS
|
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OVERWEENING
|
PRESUMPTUOUS; ARROGANT; OVERBEARING
|
|
|
paean
|
n. a song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving
|
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|
PAEAN
|
SONG OF JOY OR TRIUMPH; A FERVENT EXPRESSION OF JOY
|
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|
PALEONTOLOGY
|
STUDY OF PAST GEOLOGICAL ERAS THROUGH FOSSIL REMAINS
|
|
|
PALLID
|
LACKING COLOR OR LIVELINESS
|
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PANEGYRIC
|
ELABORATE PRAISE; FORMAL HYMN OF PRAISE
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PARAGON
|
MODEL OF EXCELLENCE OR PERFECTION
|
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|
parody
|
n. a humorous imitation intended for ridicule or comic effect, esp. in literature and art
|
|
|
PARTISAN
|
ONE-SIDED; COMMITTED TO A PARTY, GROUP. OR CAUSE; PREJUDICED
|
|
|
PATHOLOGICAL
|
DEPARTING FROM NORMAL CONDITION
|
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|
PATHOS
|
A QUALITY THAT CAUSES A FEELING OF PITY OR SORROW
|
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|
PATOIS
|
A REGIONAL DIALECT; NONSTANDARD SPEECH; JARGON
|
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PAUCITY
|
SCARCITY
|
|
|
pedagogy
|
n. the profession or principles of teaching, or instructing
|
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PEDANT
|
UNINSPIRED, BORING ACADEMIC
|
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pedantic
|
adj. the parading of learning; excessive attention to minutiae and formal rules
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PEDANTIC
|
SHOWING OFF LEARNING
|
|
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PELLUCID
|
TRANSPARENT; TRANSLUCENT; EASILY UNDERSTOOD
|
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PENCHANT
|
INCLINATION
|
|
|
penurious
|
adj. penny-pinching; excessively thrifty; ungenerous
|
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|
PENURTY
|
EXTREME POVERTY
|
|
|
penury
|
n. poverty; destitution
|
|
|
PEREGRINATION
|
A WANDERING FROM PLACE TO PLACE
|
|
|
PEREMPTORY
|
IMPERATIVE; LEAVING NO CHOICE
|
|
|
perennial
|
adj. recurrent though the year or many years; happening repeatedly
|
|
|
PERENNIAL
|
PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS; PERSISTENT
|
|
|
PERFIDIOUS
|
FAITHLESS; DISLOYAL; UNTRUSTWORTHY
|
|
|
perfidy
|
n. intentional breach of faith; treachery (adj. perfidious)
|
|
|
perfunctory
|
adj. cursory; done without care or interest
|
|
|
PERFUNCTORY
|
SUPERFICIAL; NOT THOROUGH; PERFORMED REALLY AS A DUTY
|
|
|
PERIGEE
|
POINT IN AN ORBIT THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE EARTH
|
|
|
PERMEABLE
|
PENETRABLE
|
|
|
pernicious
|
adj. extremely harmful; potentially causing death
|
|
|
perspicacious
|
adj. acutely perceptive; having keen discernment (n. perspicacity)
|
|
|
PERTURB
|
TO DISTURB GREATLY; MAKE UNEASY OR ANXIOUS; CAUSE A BODY TO DEVIATE FROM ITS REGULAR ORBIT
|
|
|
peruse
|
v. examine with great care (n. perusal)
|
|
|
pervade
|
v. permeate throughout (adj. pervasive)
|
|
|
pervasive
|
adj. having the tendency to permeate or spread throughout
|
|
|
PERVASIVE
|
SPREAD THROUGHOUT EVERY PART
|
|
|
PETULANT
|
RUDE; PEEVISH
|
|
|
phlegmatic
|
adj. calm; sluggish; unemotional
|
|
|
PHLEGMATIC
|
CALM IN TEMPERAMENT; SLUGGISH
|
|
|
PHOENIX
|
MYTHICAL, IMMORTAL BIRD THAT LIVES FOR 500 YEARS, BURNS ITSELF TO DEATH, AND RISES FROM THE ASHES; ANYTHING THAT IS RESTORED AFTER SUFFERING GREAT DESTRUCTION
|
|
|
PHYSIOGNOMY
|
FACIAL FEATURES
|
|
|
PIETY
|
DEVOUTNESS
|
|
|
pine
|
v. yearn intensely; languish; lose vigor
|
|
|
pious
|
adj. extremely reverent or devout; showing strong religious devotion (n. piety)
|
|
|
PIQUANT
|
APPEALINGLY STIMULATING; PLEASANTLY PUNGENT; ATTRATIVE
|
|
|
PIQUE
|
N. FLEETING FEELING OF HURT PRIDE
V. TO PROVOKE OR AROUSE |
|
|
pirate
|
v. illegally use or reproduce
|
|
|
pith
|
n. the essential or central part
|
|
|
pithy
|
adj. precise and brief
|
|
|
PLACATE
|
TO LESSEN ANOTHER'S ANGER; TO PACIFY
|
|
|
placate
|
v. appease; clam by making concessions
|
|
|
PLACID
|
CALM
|
|
|
PLAINTIVE
|
MELANCHOLY; MOURNFUL
|
|
|
PLASTICITY
|
CONDITION OF BEING ABLE TO BE SHAPED OR FORMED; PLIABILITY
|
|
|
platitude
|
n. a superficial remark, esp. one offered as meaningful
|
|
|
PLATITUDE
|
STALE, OVERUSED EXPRESSION
|
|
|
PLATONIC
|
SPIRITUAL, WITHOUT SENSUAL DESIRE, OR THEORETICAL
|
|
|
PLATONIC
|
SPIRITUAL; WITHOUT SENSUAL DESIRE; THEORETICAL
|
|
|
PLETHORA
|
EXCESS; OVERABUNDANCE
|
|
|
plethora
|
n. an overabundance; a surplus
|
|
|
PLUMB
|
TO DETERMINE THE DEPTH; TO EXAMINE DEEPLY
|
|
|
PLUME
|
TO CONGRATULATE ONESELF IN A SELF-SATISFIED WAY
|
|
|
PLUMMET
|
TO FALL; PLUNGE
|
|
|
plummet
|
v. plunge or drop straight down
|
|
|
PLUTOCRACY
|
SOCIETY RULED BY THE WEALTHY
|
|
|
polemical
|
adj. controversial; argumentative
|
|
|
POROUS
|
FULL OF HOLES; PERMEABLE TO LIQUIDS
|
|
|
POSEUR
|
PERSON WHO AFFECTS AN ATTITUDE OR IDENTITY TO IMPRESS OTHERS
|
|
|
pragmatic
|
adj. practical rather than idealistic
|
|
|
PRAGMATIC
|
PRACTICAL
|
|
|
PRATE
|
TO TALK IDLY; CHATTER
|
|
|
PRATTLE
|
MEANINGLESS, FOOLISH TALK
|
|
|
prattle
|
v. babble meaninglessly; talk in an empty and idle manner
|
|
|
PREAMBLE
|
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
|
|
|
PRECARIOUS
|
UNCERTAIN
|
|
|
PRECEPT
|
PRINCIPLE; LAW
|
|
|
precipitate
|
adj. acting with excessive haste or impulse, v. cause or happen before anticipated or required
|
|
|
PRECIPITATE
|
V. TO CAUSE TO HAPPEN; THROW DOWN FROM A HEIGHT
ADJ. RASH; HASTY SUDDEN |
|
|
PRECURSOR
|
FORERUNNER; PREDECESSOR
|
|
|
precursor
|
n. one that precedes and indicates or announces another
|
|
|
predilection
|
n. a disposition in favor of something; preference
|
|
|
PREEMPT
|
TO SUPERSEDE; APPROPRIATE FOR ONESELF
|
|
|
preen
|
v. dress up; primp; groom oneself with elaborate care
|
|
|
PREHENSILE
|
CAPABLE OF GRASPING
|
|
|
PREMONITION
|
FOREWARNING; PRESENTIMENT
|
|
|
PRESAGE
|
TO FORETELL; INDICATE IN ADVANCE
|
|
|
prescience
|
n. foreknowledge of events; knowing of events prior to their occurring (adj. prescient)
|
|
|
presumptuous
|
adj. overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy); taking liberties
|
|
|
PRESUMPTUOUS
|
RUDE; IMPROPERLY BOLD
|
|
|
PRETERNATURAL
|
BEYOND THE NORMAL COURSE OF NATURE; SUPERNATURAL
|
|
|
PREVARICATE
|
TO QUIBBLE; EVADE THE TRUTH
|
|
|
prevaricate
|
v. deliberately avoid the truth; mislead
|
|
|
PRIMORDIAL
|
ORIGINAL; EXISTING FROM THE BEGINNING
|
|
|
pristine
|
adj. pure; uncorrupted; clean
|
|
|
PRISTINE
|
UNTOUCHED; UNCORRUPTED
|
|
|
PROBITY
|
HONESTY; HIGH-MINDEDNESS
|
|
|
probity
|
n. adherence to highest principles; complete and confirmed integrity; uprightness
|
|
|
PROBLEMATIC
|
POSING A PROBLEM; DOUBTFUL; UNSETTLED
|
|
|
proclivity
|
n. a natural predisposition or inclination
|
|
|
prodigal
|
adj. recklessly wasteful; extravagant; profuse; lavish
|
|
|
PRODIGAL
|
WASTEFUL; EXTRAVAGANT; LAVISH
|
|
|
prodigious
|
adj. abundant in size, force, or extent; extraordinary
|
|
|
profligate
|
adj. excessively wasteful; recklessly extravagant (n. profligacy)
|
|
|
PROFOUND
|
DEEP; NOT SUPERFICIAL
|
|
|
profuse
|
adj. given or coming forth abundantly; extravagant
|
|
|
PROHIBITIVE
|
SO HIGH AS TO PREVENT THE PURCHASE OR USE OF; PREVENTING; FORBIDDING
|
|
|
PROLIFERATE
|
TO INCREASE RAPIDLY
|
|
|
proliferate
|
v. grow or increase swiftly and abundantly
|
|
|
prolific
|
adj. producing large volumes or amounts; productive
|
|
|
PROPENSITY
|
INCLINATION; TENDENCY
|
|
|
propensity
|
n. a natural inclination or tendency, penchant
|
|
|
PROPITIATE
|
TO WIN OVER; APPEASE
|
|
|
PROPRIETY
|
CORRECT CONDUCT; FITNESS
|
|
|
prosaic
|
adj. dull; lacking in spirit or imagination
|
|
|
PROSCRIBE
|
V. TO CONDEMN; FORBID OUTLAW
ADJ. RELATING TO PROHIBITION |
|
|
PROVIDENT
|
PROVIDING FOR FUTURE NEEDS; FRUGAL
|
|
|
PUISSANT
|
POWERFUL
|
|
|
PUNCTILIOUS
|
CAREFUL IN OBSERVING RULES OF BEHAVIOR OR CEREMONY
|
|
|
pungent
|
adj. characterized by a strong, sharp smell or taste
|
|
|
PUNGENT
|
STRONG OR SHARP IN SMELL OR TASTE; PENETRATING; CAUSTIC; TO THE POINT
|
|
|
PURPORT
|
V. TO PROFESS; SUPPOSE; CLAIM
N. MEANING INTENDED OR IMPLIED |
|
|
PUSILLANIMOUS
|
COWARDLY
|
|
|
putrefy
|
rot; decay and give off a foul odor (adj. putrid)
|
|
|
quaff
|
v. drink deeply
|
|
|
QUAGMIRE
|
MARSH; DIFFICULT SITUATION
|
|
|
QUAIL
|
TO COWER; LOSE HEART
|
|
|
QUALIFIED
|
LIMITED; RESTRICTED
|
|
|
qualm
|
n. misgivings; reservations; causes for hesitancy
|
|
|
QUALM
|
SUDDEN FEELING OF FAINTNESS OR NAUSEA; UNEASY FEELING ABOUT THE RIGHTNESS OF ACTIONS
|
|
|
queries
|
n. questions; inquiries; doubts in the mind; reservations
|
|
|
querulous
|
adj. prone to complaining or grumbling; peevish
|
|
|
QUERY
|
TO QUESTION
|
|
|
QUIBBLE
|
TO ARGUE OVER INSIGNIFICANT AND IRRELEVANT DETAILS
|
|
|
quiescence
|
n. stillness; motionlessness; quality of being at rest (adj. quiescent)
|
|
|
QUIESCENT
|
INACTIVE; STILL
|
|
|
quixotic
|
adj. foolishly impractical; marked by lofty romantic ideals
|
|
|
QUORUM
|
NUMBER OF MEMBERS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT A MEETING
|
|
|
quotidian
|
adj. occurring or recurring daily; commonplace
|
|
|
RACONTEUR
|
WITTY, SKILLFUL STORYTELLER
|
|
|
RAIL
|
TO SCOLD WITH BITTER OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE
|
|
|
RAIMENT
|
CLOTHING
|
|
|
RAMIFICATION
|
IMPLICATION; OUTGROWTH; CONSEQUENCE
|
|
|
rancorous
|
adj. characterized by bitter, long-lasting resentment (n. rancor)
|
|
|
RAREFIED
|
REFINED
|
|
|
rarefy
|
v. make or become thin, less dense, refine
|
|
|
RATIONALE
|
FUNDAMENTAL REASON
|
|
|
REBUS
|
PUZZLE IN WHICH PICTURES OR SYMBOLS REPRESENT WORDS
|
|
|
recalcitrant
|
adj. obstinately defiant of authority; difficult to manage
|
|
|
RECALCITRANT
|
RESISTING AUTHORITY OR CONTROL
|
|
|
RECANT
|
TO RETRACT A STATEMENT OR OPINION
|
|
|
recant
|
v. retract, esp. a previously held belief
|
|
|
RECLUSE
|
PERSON WHO LIVES IN SECLUSION AND OFTEN IN SOLITUDE
|
|
|
RECONDITE
|
ABSTRUSE; PROFOUND
|
|
|
recondite
|
adj. hidden; concealed; difficult to understand; obscure
|
|
|
redoubtable
|
adj. awe-inspiring; worthy of honor
|
|
|
REDOUBTABLE
|
FORMIDABLE; AROUSING FEAR; WORTHY OF RESPECT
|
|
|
REDUCTIONISTIC
|
ATTEMPTING TO EXPLAIN COMPLEX PHENOMENA BY SIMPLE PRINCIPLES
|
|
|
REFRACT
|
DEFLECT LIGHT OR SOUND
|
|
|
REFRACTORY
|
STUBBORN; UNMANAGEABLE; RESISTING ORDINARY METHODS OF TREATMENT
|
|
|
refulgent
|
adj. radiant; shiny; brilliant
|
|
|
REFULGENT
|
BRIGHTLY SHINING; RESPLENDENT
|
|
|
REFUTE
|
TO CONTRADICT; DISAPPROVE
|
|
|
refute
|
v. disprove; successfully argue against
|
|
|
REGALE
|
ENTERTAIN
|
|
|
RELEGATE
|
TO CONSIGN TO AN INFERIOR POSITION
|
|
|
relegate
|
v. forcibly assign, esp. to a lower place or position
|
|
|
REMONSTRATE
|
TO OBJECT OR PROTEST
|
|
|
RENEGE
|
TO GO BACK ON ONE'S WORD
|
|
|
renege
|
v. fail to honor a commitment; go back on a promise
|
|
|
REPARATION
|
AMENDS; COMPENSATION
|
|
|
REPINE
|
FRET; COMPLAIN
|
|
|
REPRISE
|
REPETITION, ESPECIALLY OF A PIECE OF MUSIC
|
|
|
REPROACH
|
TO FIND FAULT WITH; BLAME
|
|
|
REPROBATE
|
MORALLY UNPRINCIPLED PERSON
|
|
|
REPUDIATE
|
TO REJECT AS HAVING NO AUTHORITY
|
|
|
repudiate
|
v. refuse to have anything to do with; disown
|
|
|
RESCIND
|
TO CANCEL
|
|
|
rescind
|
v. invalidate; repeal; retract
|
|
|
RESOLUTION
|
DETERMINATION; RESOLVE
|
|
|
RESOLVE
|
DETERMINATION; FIRMNESS OF PURPOSE
|
|
|
reticent
|
adj. quiet; reserved; reluctant to express thoughts and feelings
|
|
|
RETICENT
|
NOT SPEAKING FREELY; RESERVED; RELUCTANT
|
|
|
reverent
|
adj. marked by, feeling, or expressing a feeling of profound awe and respect (n. reverence)
|
|
|
REVERENT
|
EXPRESSING DEEP RESPECT; WORSHIPFUL
|
|
|
rhetoric
|
n. the art or study of effective use of language for communication and persuasion
|
|
|
RIPOSTE
|
RETALIATORY ACTION OR RETORT
|
|
|
ROCOCO
|
EXCESSIVELY ORNATE; HIGHLY DECORATED; STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE IN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY EUROPE
|
|
|
RUBRIC
|
TITLE OR HEADING; CATEGORY; ESTABLISHED MODE OF PROCEDURE OR CONDUCT; PROTOCOL
|
|
|
RUE
|
TO REGRET
|
|
|
RUSE
|
TRICK; CRAFTY STRATAGEM; SUBTERFUGE
|
|
|
SAGE
|
WISE
|
|
|
SALACIOUS
|
LASCIVIOUS; LUSTFUL
|
|
|
salubrious
|
adj. promoting health or well-being
|
|
|
SALUBRIOUS
|
HEALTHFUL
|
|
|
SALUTARY
|
EXPECTING AN IMPROVEMENT; FAVORABLE TO HEALTH
|
|
|
sanction
|
n. / v. authoritative permission or approval; a penalty intended to enforce compliance; give permission or authority to
|
|
|
SANCTION
|
V. TO APPROVE; RATIFY; PERMIT
N. APPROVAL; RATIFICATION; PERMISSION; PENALIZE |
|
|
SARDONIC
|
CYNICAL; SCORNFULLY MOCKING
|
|
|
SARTORIAL
|
PERTAINING TO TAILORS
|
|
|
SATIATE
|
TO SATISFY
|
|
|
satire
|
n. a way of criticizing a person, an idea or an institution in which you use humor to show their faults or weaknesses; a piece of writing that uses this type of criticism
|
|
|
SATURATE
|
TO SOAK THOROUGHLY; IMBUE THROUGHOUT
|
|
|
SATURNINE
|
GLOOMY
|
|
|
SATYR
|
A CREATURE THAT IS HALF-MAN, HALF-BEAST WITH THE HORNS AND LEGS OF A GOAT; IT IS A FOLLOWER OF DIONYSOS; A LECHER
|
|
|
SAVOR
|
TO ENJOY; HAVE A DISTINCTIVE FLAVOR OR SMELL
|
|
|
SCHEMATIC
|
RELATING TO OR IN THE FORM OF AN OUTLINE OR DIAGRAM
|
|
|
SECRETE
|
PRODUCE AND RELEASE SUBSTANCE INTO AN ORGANISM
|
|
|
SEDITION
|
BEHAVIOR PROMPTING REBELLION
|
|
|
sedulous
|
adj. diligent; persistent; hardworking
|
|
|
SEDULOUS
|
DILIGENT
|
|
|
SEISMIC
|
RELATING TO EARTHQUAKES; EARTHSHAKING
|
|
|
SENSUAL
|
RELATING TO THE SENSES; GRATIFYING THE PHYSICAL SENSES, ESPECIALLY SEXUAL APPETITES
|
|
|
SENSUOUS
|
RELATING TO THE SENSES; OPERATING THROUGH THE SENSES
|
|
|
SENTIENT
|
AWARE; CONSCIOUS; ABLE TO PERCEIVE
|
|
|
SERVILE
|
SUBMISSIVE; OBEDIENT
|
|
|
SEXTANT
|
NAVIGATION TOOL THAT DETERMINES LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
|
|
|
SHARD
|
A PIECE OF BROKEN GLASS OR POTTERY
|
|
|
shard
|
n. a piece of broken pottery or glass
|
|
|
SIDEREAL
|
RELATING TO THE STARS
|
|
|
SIMIAN
|
APELIKE; RELATING TO APES
|
|
|
SIMILE
|
COMPARISON OF ONE THING WITH ANOTHER USING "LIKE" OR "AS"
|
|
|
SINECURE
|
WELL-PAYING JOB OR OFFICE THAT REQUIRES LITTLE OR NO WORK
|
|
|
SINGULAR
|
UNIQUE; EXTRAORDINARY; ODD
|
|
|
SINUOUS
|
WINDING; INTRICATE; COMPLEX
|
|
|
SKEPTIC
|
ONE WHO DOUBTS
|
|
|
SOBRIETY
|
SERIOUSNESS
|
|
|
SODDEN
|
THOROUGHLY SOAKED; SATURATED
|
|
|
solicitous
|
adj. concerned and attentive; eager
|
|
|
SOLICITOUS
|
CONCERNED; ATTENTIVE; EAGER
|
|
|
SOLILOQUY
|
LITERARY OR DRAMATIC SPEECH BY ONE CHARACTER, NOT ADDRESSED TO OTHERS
|
|
|
SOLVENT
|
ABLE TO MEET FINANCIAL OBLIGATION
|
|
|
solvent
|
adj. able to meet financial obligations; able to dissolve another substance
|
|
|
SOMATIC
|
RELATING TO OR AFFECTING THE BODY; CORPOREAL
|
|
|
soporific
|
adj. causing drowsiness; tending to induce sleep
|
|
|
SOPORIFIC
|
SLEEP PRODUCING
|
|
|
sordid
|
adj. characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul
|
|
|
SORDID
|
FILTHY; CONTEMPTIBLE AND CORRUPT
|
|
|
sparse
|
adj. thin; not dense; arranged at widely spaced intervals
|
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specious
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adj. seeming true, but actually being fallacious; misleadingly attractive; plausible but false
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SPECIOUS
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SEEMING TO BE LOGICAL AND SOUND, BUT NOT REALLY SO
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SPECTRUM
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BAND OF COLORS PRODUCED WHEN SUNLIGHT PASSES THROUGH A PRISM; A BROAD RANGE OF RELATED IDEAS OR OBJECTS
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spendthrift
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n. one who spends money wastefully
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SPENDTHRIFT
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N. PERSON WHO SPENDS MONEY RECKLESSLY
ADJ. WASTEFUL AND EXTRAVAGANT |
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sporadic
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adj. occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances
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SPORADIC
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IRREGULAR
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spurious
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adj. lacking authenticity or validity; false; counterfeit
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squalid
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adj. sordid; wretched and dirty as from neglect (n. squalor)
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SQUALOR
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FILTHY, WRETCHED CONDITION
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squander
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v. waste by spending or using irresponsibly
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STACCATO
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MARKED BY ABRUPT, CLEAR-CUT SOUNDS
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STANCH
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TO STOP OR CHECK THE FLOW OF
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static
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adj. not moving, active, or in motion; at rest
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STENTORIAN
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EXTREMELY LOUD
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STIGMA
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MARK OF DISGRACE OR INFERIORITY
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STINT
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V. TO BE SPARING
N. A PERIOD OF TIME SPENT DOING SOMETHING |
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STIPULATE
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TO SPECIFY AS AN ESSENTIAL CONDITION
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stoic
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adj. indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain (stoicism)
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STOLID
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HAVING OR SHOWING LITTLE EMOTION
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STRATIFIED
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ARRANGED IN LAYERS
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STRIATED
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MARKED WITH THIN, NARROW GROOVES OR CHANNELS
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STRICTURE
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SOMETHING THAT RESTRAINS; NEGATIVE CRITICISM
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STRIDENT
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LOUD; HARSH; UNPLEASANTLY NOISY
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STRUT
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TO SWAGGER; DISPLAY TO IMPRESS OTHERS
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STULTIFY
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TO IMPAIR OR REDUCE TO USELESSNESS
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STUPEFY
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TO DULL THE SENSES OF; STUN; ASTONISH
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stupefy
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v. stun, baffle, or amaze
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STYGIAN
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DARK AND GLOOMY; HELLISH
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stymie
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v. block; thwart
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subpoena
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n. a court order requiring appearance and/or testimony
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SUBPOENA
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NOTICE ORDERING SOMEONE TO APPEAR IN COURT
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SUBSIDE
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TO SETTLE DOWN; GROW QUIET
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SUBSTANTIATE
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TO SUPPORT WITH PROOF OR EVIDENCE
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SUBSTANTIVE
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ESSENTIAL; PERTAINING TO THE SUBSTANCE
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SUBSUME
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TO INCLUDE; INCORPORATE
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subtle
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adj. not obvious; elusive; difficult to discern
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SUBVERSIVE
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INTENDED TO UNDERMINE OR OVERTHROW, ESPECIALLY AN ESTABLISHED GOVERNMENT
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succinct
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adj. brief; concise
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SUCCOR
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RELIEF; HELP IN TIME OF DISTRESS OR WANT
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SUFFRAGE
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THE RIGHT TO VOTE
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SUNDRY
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VARIOUS
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superfluous
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adj. exceeding what is sufficient or necessary
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SUPERSEDE
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TO REPLACE, ESPECIALLY TO DISPLACE AS INFERIOR OR ANTIQUATED
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SUPINE
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LYING ON THE BACK; MARKED BY LETHARGY
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SUPPLANT
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TO REPLACE; SUBSTITUTE
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supplant
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v. take the place of; supersede
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SUPPLIANT
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BESEECHING
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SUPPLICANT
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ONE WHO ASKS HUMBLY AND EARNESTLY
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SUPPOSITION
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THE ACT OF ASSUMING TO BE TRUE OR REAL
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surfeit
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n./v. an overabundant supply; excess; feed or supply to excess
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SYLLOGISM
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A FORM OF DEDUCTIVE REASONING THAT HAS A MAJOR PREMISE, A MINOR PREMISE, AND A CONCLUSION
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SYLVAN
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RELATED TO THE WOODS OR FOREST
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synthesis
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n. the combination of parts to make a whole (v. synthesize)
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tacit
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adj. implied; not explicitly stated
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TACIT
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SILENTLY UNDERSTOOD; IMPLIED
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TALISMAN
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CHARM TO BRING GOOD LUCK AND AVERT MISFORTUNE
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TANGENTIAL
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PERIPHERAL; DIGRESSING
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TAUTOLOGY
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UNNECESSARY REPETITION
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TAXONOMY
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SCIENCE OF CLASSIFICATION; IN BIOLOGY, THE PROCESS OF CLASSIFYING ORGANSIMS IN CATEGORIES
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tenacity
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n. the quality of adherence or persistence to something valued; persistent determination (adj. tenacious)
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TENET
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BELIEF; DOCTRINE
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tenuous
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adj. having little substance or strength; flimsy; weak
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TENUOUS
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WEAK; INSUBSTANTIAL
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TERRESTRIAL
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EARTHLY; COMMONPLACE
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terse
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adj. brief and concise in wording
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THEOCRACY
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GOVERNMENT BY PRIESTS REPRESENTING A GOD
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THESPIAN
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AN ACTOR OR ACTRESS
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TIMBRE
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THE CHARACTERISTIC QUALITY OF SOUND PRODUCED BY A PARTICULAR INSTRUMENT OR VOICE; TONE COLOR
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TIRADE
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LONG, VIOLENT SPEECH; VERBAL ASSAULT
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tirade
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n. a long and extremely critical speech; a harsh denunciation
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TOADY
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FLATTERER; HANGER-ON; YES-MAN
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TOME
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BOOK, USUALLY LARGE AND ACADEMIC
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torpid
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adj. lethargic; sluggish; dormant (n. torpor)
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TORPOR
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LETHARGY; DORMANCY; SLUGGISHNESS
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TORQUE
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A TURNING OR TWISTING FORCE; THE MOMENT OF A FORCE; THE MEASURE OF A FORCE'S TENDENCY TO PRODUCE TWISTING OR TURNING AND ROTATION AROUND AN AXIS
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torque
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n. a force that causes rotation
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tortuous
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adj. winding; twisting; excessively complicated
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TORTUOUS
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HAVING MANY TWISTS AND TURNS; HIGHLY COMPLEX
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TOUT
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TO PROMOTE OR PRAISE ENERGETICALLY
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tout
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v. publicly praise or promote
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TRACTABLE
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OBEDIENT; YIELDING
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TRANSGRESSION
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ACT OF TRESPASSING OR VIOLATING A LAW OR RULE
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transient
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adj. fleeting; passing quickly; brief
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TRANSIENT
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TEMPORARY; SHORT-LIVED; FLEETING
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TRANSLUCENT
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PARTIALLY TRANSPARENT
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TRAVAIL
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N. WORK, ESPECIALLY ARDUOUS WORK; TRIBULATION; ANGUISH
V. TO WORK STRENUOUSLY |
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TRAVESTY
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PARODY; EXAGGERATED IMITATION; CARICATURE
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TREATISE
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ARTICLE TREATING A SUBJECT SYSTEMATICALLY AND THOROUGHLY
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TREMULOUS
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TREMBLING; QUIVERING; FRUGAL; TIMID
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trenchant
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adj. sharply perceptive; keen; penetrating
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TREPIDATION
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FEAR AND ANXIETY
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TRUCULENCE
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AGGRESSIVENESS; FEROCITY
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truculent
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adj. fierce and cruel; eager to fight
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TRYST
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AGREEMENT BETWEEN LOVERS TO MEET; RENDEZVOUS
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TUMID
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SWOLLEN; DISTENDED
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TURBID
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MUDDY; OPAQUE; IN A STATE OF GREAT CONFUSION
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TURGID
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SWOLLEN; BLOATED; POMPOUS
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TUTELARY
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SERVING AS A GUARDIAN OR PROTECTOR
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ubiquitous
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adj. existing everywhere at the same time; constantly encountered; widespread
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UNCANNY
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MYSTERIOUS; STRANGE
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UNDULATING
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MOVING IN WAVES
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unfeigned
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adj. genuine; not false or hypocritical
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UNFEIGNED
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NOT FALSE; NOT MADE UP; GENUINE
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untenable
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adj. indefensible; not viable; uninhabitable
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UNTENABLE
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INDEFENSIBLE
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UNTOWARD
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NOT FAVORABLE; TROUBLESOME; ADVERSE; UNRULY
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urbane
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adj. sophisticated; refined; elegant (n. urbanity)
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USURY
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PRACTICE OF LENDING MONEY AT EXORBITANT RATES
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VACILLATE
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TO WAVER; OSCILLATE
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vacillate
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v. waver indecisively between one course of action or opinion and another; waver
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VACUOUS
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EMPTY; VOID; LACKING INTELLIGENCE; PURPOSELESS
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VALEDICTORY
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PERTAINING TO A FAREWELL
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VAPID
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TASTELESS; DULL
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variegated
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adj. multicolored; characterized by a variety of patches of different color
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VARIEGATED
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VARIED; MARKED WITH DIFFERENT COLORS
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VAUNT
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TO BOAST; BRAG
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VENAL
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BRIBABLE; MERCENARY; CORRUPTIBLE
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VENDETTA
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PROLONGED FEUD MARKED BY BITTER HOSTILITY
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VENERATE
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V. TO ADORE; HONOR; RESPECT
ADJ. RESPECTED BECAUSE OF AGE, CHARACTER, OR POSITION |
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VERACIOUS
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TRUTHFUL; ACCURATE
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veracity
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n. truthfulness; honesty
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VERBOSE
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WORDY
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VERTIGO
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DIZZINESS
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VEXATION
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IRRITATION; ANNOYANCE; CONFUSION; PUZZLEMENT
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vexation
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n. annoyance; irritation (v. vex)
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VIABLE
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PRACTICABLE; CAPABLE OF DEVELOPING
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vigilant
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adj. alertly watchful (n. vigilance)
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vilify
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v. defame; characterize harshly
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VINDICTIVE
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SPITEFUL; VENGEFUL; UNFORGIVING
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VIRTUOSO
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SOMEONE WITH MASTERLY SKILLS; EXPERT MUSICIAN
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virulent
|
adj. extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic
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VISAGE
|
COUNTENANCE; APPEARANCE; ASPECT
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viscous
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adj. thick; sticky (n. viscosity)
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VISCOUS
|
THICK, SYRUPY, AND STICKY
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VITIATE
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TO IMPAIR THE QUALITY OF; CORRUPT MORALLY; MAKE INOPERATIVE
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vituperate
|
v. use harsh condemnatory language; abuse or censure severely or abusively; berate
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VITUPERATIVE
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USING OR CONTAINING HARSH, ABUSIVE CENSURE
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VIVISECTION
|
DISSECTION; SURGERY; OR PAINFUL EXPERIMENTS PERFORMED ON A LIVING ANIMAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
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VOGUE
|
PREVAILING FASHION OR PRACTICE
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volatile
|
adj. readily changing to a vapor; changeable; fickle; explosive (n. volatility)
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VOLATILE
|
TENDING TO VARY FREQUENTLY; FICKLE
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voracious
|
adj. having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous
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VORTEX
|
WHIRLPOOL; WHIRLWIND; CENTER OF TURBULENCE
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WARRANTED
|
ADJ. JUSTIFIED
V. TO ATTEST TO THE ACCURACY OR QUALITY; JUSTIFY; GRANT AUTHORIZATION |
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WARY
|
CAREFUL; CAUTIOUS
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waver
|
v. move to and fro; sway; be unsettled in opinion
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WELTER
|
TO WALLOW OR ROLL; TOSS ABOUT; BE IN TURMOIL
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WHIMSICAL
|
FANCIFUL; UNPREDICTABLE
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WHIMSY
|
PLAYFUL OR FANCIFUL IDEA
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WISTFUL
|
VAGUELY LONGING; SADLY THOUGHTFUL
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ZEALOT
|
ONE WHO IS FANATICALLY DEVOTED TO A CAUSE
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ZEALOTRY
|
FANATICISM
|
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zealous
|
adj. fervent; ardent; impassioned; devoted to a cause (cf. zealot)
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cordial
|
friendly, gracious, with overtones of warmth/hospitality; sincere and heartfelt
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correlate
|
to correspond or have corresponding characteristics, vary in conjunction with other conditions (qualitatively or quantitatively)
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corroborate
|
to confirm or back up with supporting evidence, vouch for
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countenance
|
face or facial features, especially related likeness of expression or demeanor; exhibiting calm composure (i.e. poker face) or thoughtful acceptance/approval
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cryptic
|
mysterious, obscure; concealed meaning or puzzling/difficult to understand
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culmination
|
the height, conclusion or crowning moment; totality or fruitful cumulation
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debilitate
|
to severely weaken or impair; render feeble or lifeless
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decimate
|
to wipe out, exterminate in large numbers, or otherwise inflict devastating damage on
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decry
|
denounce or criticize, especially publicly
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defamation
|
the deliberate harm/sabotage of someone's reputation or perceived character, including slander
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delve
|
to explore or deeply search through
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demise
|
the end or death/destruction of something
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depict
|
to portray or frame something, using description
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deplore
|
to condemn, disapprove or look down upon; feel ashamed of
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dexterity
|
manual skill, or agility in mobility; cleverness or adroitness
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dilate
|
to expand, widen or lengthen (especially an opening); enlarge
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diligent
|
persistently hard working, showing scrupulousness at every step
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disconcerting
|
unsettling or discomforting/discomfiting; upsetting or throwing one off center
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dislodge
|
to eject or remove from a place/position
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disparity
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fundamental difference, stark contrast, or gross inequality
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