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741 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
execrable
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utter detestable, odious, and abhorrent (like excrement)
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exhort
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to urge through strong appeals; persuade or caution earnestly
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exigency
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urgency or crisis calling for immediate attention/ action
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exigent
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urgent, pressing, requiring immediate action or attention (like an emergency)
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existentialism
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the philosophy of being, thinking, and subjective experience; concerning one's existence/identity
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exonerate
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to remove blame or free from charge
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exorcise
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to expel or dispossess someone of evil spirits (often religious); free from bad or malignant influences
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expatiate
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to speak or write at length; expand discourse through laying out excessive details
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expatriate
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<v> to send someone into exile; withdraw or remove oneself from citizenry/allegiance of a country; <n> someone who no longer resides or has citizenship in their home country
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expiate
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to atone for, make amends
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explicate
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to explain, translate/interpret, or clarify
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expository
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intended/with design to lay out, explain or expound upon
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expunge
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to remove, exempt or delete from record; purge or wipe out of existence
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extant
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still existing/remaining; not completely lost
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extemporaneous
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done spontaneously, improvised without rehearsal; makeshift or whimsically appropriate
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extenuating
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rendering an individual less culpable or offense less serious (e.g. outside circumstances outside one's control); giving leniency/levity to a situation
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extirpate
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to uproot; destroy, wipe out, or exterminate from the very root/source
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extol
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to praise enthusiastically, glorify reverently
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extraneous
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extra, not essential or necessary; excessive or irrelevant
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extrapolation
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predicting or projecting forward into hypothetical circumstances, based on observed patterns/trends
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extricate
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to disentangle; free through removal or excavation
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extrinsic
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concerned with outside influences/factors (rather than intrinsic ones); not inherent or essential
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extrovert
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one who is outgoing or gregarious; preoccupied with things and affairs going all around him/her; drawing energy from interaction with the outside (as opposed to introspection)
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exultant
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full of joy/glee from triumph or success
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facetious
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in jest; playful or humorous
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facilitate
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to support or be a conduit for; make easier
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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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rooted in a misconception, false idea or faulty logic; misleading
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fallacy
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a misconception, false idea/erroneous belief or otherwise faulty reasoning
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fallow
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uncultivated, pertaining to land that has been plowed but not seeded; dormant or currently in a state of disuse/unfulfilled potential
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fatuous
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foolishly self-satisfied; silly and smug in an almost petty way (like a child who yoinked a cookie)
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fauna
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the animal segment of wildlife, pertaining to a region or time period
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fawn
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to flatter, praise or show excessive admiration/ affection, in the hopes of currying favor
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fawning
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currying favor through excessive flattery, praise or exaggerated displays of admiration/affection
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felicitous
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befitting of the occasion, suitably expressed, or well-chosen; always (almost impeccably) appropriate
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feral
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in a wild/untamed state, or having reverted to the wild; having uncivilized animalistic characteristics
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fervent
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heated with intensity of spirit, emotion or zeal; hot, glowing or feverish
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fervor
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warmth/heat from intensity of emotion, spirit, zeal or passion;
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fetid
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thickly foul/rotten smelling, or having an otherwise offensive odor
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fetter
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<v>to bind, shackle or otherwise confine; <n> something that restricts or restrains (e.g. a chain)
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fiat
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arbitrary, overriding decree/order derived from authority (e.g. fatwa)
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fidelity
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loyalty, faithfulness; in keeping with canon or exact correspondence
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filibuster
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<v>to use delaying/obstructive tactic for preventing legislation; prolonged, tortuous political speech intended for this purpose; <n> member of legislature who delivers such a speech
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finesse
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to use subtle manipulation or other cunning artifice, often to overcome brute force
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fissure
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crevice; a cleavage or split along a surface
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flag
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to droop, sag or flop down; trend downward or diminish in strength
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fledgling
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a young bird just learning to fly; beginner or novice
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flora
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plantlife in the wild, pertaining to a region or time period
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florid
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flowery, elaborately or excessively adorned/decorated; rosy or flushed reddish
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flourish
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<v> to thrive or grow vigorously, having a golden age; <n> an embellishment, refinement, or enhancement in presentation
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flout
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to express scorn, disdain or contempt towards something (especially rules/beliefs), with derision or diatribes
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flux
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flowing; continuous dynamic interchange or passage
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foment
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to incite or arouse; be the catalyzing agent for
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forbearance
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patience, leniency (e.g. permitting of late payments without strictly enforcing legal penalties)
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forestall
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to prevent or delay; block through preemptive measures
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formidable
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daunting, fearsome, threatening; inspiring awe or fear
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forswear
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to renounce or repudiate, especially officially under oath; deny or commit perjury under oath
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fortuitous
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fortunate or lucky; happening by chance or coincidence
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flounder
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to struggle clumsily in attempt to stay afloat; sink, drown/collapse, or otherwise failing
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fracas
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commotion or ruckus, especially related to loud quarrels, fights or large brawls
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fractious
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given to conflict/quarrel; irate, unruly or rebellious
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fresco
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<adj> fresh; <n> refers to a painting done on plaster
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frieze
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ORNAMENTAL BAND ON A WALL
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froward
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stubborn, obstinate, disobedient and unyielding; contrarian in resistance, contumacious
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frugality
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tendency toward spending little or saving money; thrift
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fulminate
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to attack loudly or publicly denounce; explode
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fulsome
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grossly/disgustingly excessive, in sickening quantity; tastelessly lavish, overwhelming on the whole
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furtive
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subtle, stealthy or surreptitious; done on the sly
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fusion
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fusing/melding together into one; synthesis
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futile
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useless or hopeless; ineffective and fruitless
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gainsay
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to contradict, dispute or deny in opposition; raise an objection
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gambol
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to frolic; skip around or leap about playfully
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garrulous
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talkative, annoyingly chatty; wordy, full of idle talk or extraneous trivia
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gauche
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coarse, inelegant, inappropriately/awkwardly expressed; lacking sensitivity, sensibilities or tact
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geniality
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friendliness/amiability and cordiality, with a cheerful demeanor; kindness and hospitality
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germane
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relevant or pertinent to the subject at hand; appropriate, applicable or helpful to the situation
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gerrymander
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TO DIVIDE AN AREA INTO VOTING DISTRICTS IN A WAY THAT FAVORS A POLITICAL PARTY
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glib
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casual, nonchalant, easy, superficial; automatic, requiring little sincere attention or depth of thought
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goad
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to prod, egg on; provoking or urging on to elicit a response
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gossamer
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sheer or fine-textured; lightly constructed (and often flimsy); like cobwebs
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gouge
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to tear, dig or scoop out; using extortion to take excessive money (e.g. overcharging)
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grandiloquence
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pompous, bombastic and grandiose speech or expression
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grandiloquent
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pompous, bombastic or grandiose in presentation, usually pertaining to speech or writing
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gregarious
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sociable, outgoing, enjoying the company of other people; habitually living in groups or social settings
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grouse
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to complain or grumble, often in a yammering way
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guile
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cunning deception or trickery; artifice
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guileless
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straightforward, honest/earnest, without tricks; artless
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guise
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outward or ostensible appearance/presentation; pretense
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gullible
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believing too easily, readily deceived
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gustatory
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related to taste (e.g. of food), the sense/faculty of taste or palate
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hackneyed
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rendered trite or commonplace by overuse; tired or cliched
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halcyon
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idyllic state of calmness and peace; a golden age of prosperity
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hallowed
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made holy or sacred; venerated
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harangue
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<v> to subject to lengthy, condemning speech/criticism (usually self-righteous and scorning); <n> condescending self-righteous tirade or diatribe
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harrowing
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highly distressing, disturbing or otherwise wearying; terrifying and grievous
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hedonism
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given to the pursuit of pleasure, especially of the carnal senses; philosophical principle defining individual happiness and extracting pleasure as the highest calling
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hegemony
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the established dominance/order of one faction or ideology over others (especially international politics)
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herbivorous
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vegetarian, feeding mainly on plants; of an animal that lives off of vegetation
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heretical
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violating accepted dogma or convention with heresy; having deviant or unorthodox tendencies/morality
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hermetic
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airtight, insulated or otherwise throughly isolated/sealed off; magical or occult
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HETERODOX
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UNORTHODOX; NOT WIDELY ACCEPTED
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HEURISTIC
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RELATING TO A SPECULATIVE FORMULATION GUIDING THE INVESTIGATION OR SOLUTION OF A PROBLEM; EDUCATIONAL METHOD IN WHICH STUDENTS LEARN FROM THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS
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HIEROGLYPHICS
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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
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HIRSUTE
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COVERED WITH HAIR
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HISTRIONIC
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RELATING TO EXAGGERATED EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR CALCULATED FOR EFFECT; THEATRICAL ARTS OR PERFORMANCES
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HOMEOSTASIS
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AUTOMATIC MAINTENANCE BY AN ORGANISM OF NORMAL TEMPERATURE, CHEMICAL BALANCE, ETC. WITHIN ITSELF
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HOMILY
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SERMON; TEDIOUS MORALIZING LECTURE; PLATITUDE
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HOMOGENEOUS
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COMPOSED OF IDENTICAL PARTS; UNIFORM IN COMPOSITION
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hubris
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n. overbearing presumption or pride; arrogance
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hyperbole
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n. an exaggerated statement, often used as a figure of speech (adj. hyperbolic)
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HYPERBOLE
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PURPOSEFUL EXAGGERATION FOR EFFECT
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iconoclast
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a person who criticizes popular beliefs or established customs and ideas
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ICONOCLASTIC
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ATTACKING CHERISHED TRADITION
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idolatrous
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adj. given to intense or excessive devotion to something (n. idolatry)
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IDOLATRY
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IDOL WORSHIP; BLIND OR EXCESSIVE DEVOTION
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IGNEOUS
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PRODUCED BY FIRE; VOLCANIC
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IMBROGLIO
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COMPLICATED SITUATION; AN ENTANGLEMENT
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imminent
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adj. about to happen; impending
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immutable
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adj. not capable of change
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IMMUTABLE
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UNCHANGEABLE
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IMPAIR
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TO DAMAGE; INJURE
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impassive
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adj. revealing no emotion
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IMPASSIVE
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SHOWING NO EMOTION
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impecunious
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adj. lacking funds; without money
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IMPECUNIOUS
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POOR; HAVING NO MONEY
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IMPEDE
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TO HINDER; BLOCK
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IMPERMEABLE
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IMPOSSIBLE TO PENETRATE
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imperturbable
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adj. marked by extreme clam, impassivity, and steadiness
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IMPERTURBABLE
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NOT EASILY DISTURBED
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IMPERVIOUS
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IMPOSSIBLE TO PENETRATE; INCAPABLE OF BEING AFFECTED
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impetuous
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adj. hastily or rashly energetic; impulsive and vehement
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IMPINGE
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TO STRIKE; ENCROACH
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implacable
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adj. not capable of being appeased or significantly changed
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IMPLACABLE
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INFLEXIBLE; INCAPABLE OF BEING PLEASED
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IMPLAUSIBLE
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UNLIKELY; UNBELIEVABLE
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IMPLICIT
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IMPLIED; UNDERSTOOD BUT NOT STATED
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IMPLODE
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COLLAPSE INWARD VIOLENTLY
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IMPRECATION
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CURSE
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impunity
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n. immunity from punishment or penalty
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IMPUTE
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TO RELATE TO A PARTICULAR CAUSE OR SOURCE; ATTRIBUTE THE FAULT TO; ASSIGN AS A CHARACTERISTIC
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INADVERTENTLY
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CARELESSLY; UNINTENTIONALLY
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INCARNATE
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HAVING BODILY FORM
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inchoate
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adj. in an initial stage; not fully formed
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INCHOATE
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IMPERFECTLY FORMED OR FORMULATED
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incipient
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adj. beginning to come into being or to become apparent
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INCONGRUITY
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STATE OF NOT FITTING
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INCONSEQUENTIAL
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INSIGNIFICANT; UNIMPORTANT
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INCORPORATE
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INTRODUCE SOMETHING INTO ANOTHER THING ALREADY IN EXISTENCE; COMBINE
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INCURSION
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SUDDEN INVASION
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INDETERMINATE
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UNCERTAIN; INDEFINITE
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indifferent
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adj. having no interest or concern; showing no bias or prejudice
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INDIGENCE
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POVERTY
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INDOLENT
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HABITUALLY LAZY; IDLE
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INELUCTABLE
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NOT TO BE AVOIDED OR ESCAPED; INEVITABLE
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inert
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adj. unmoving; lethargic; sluggish
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INERT
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UNABLE TO MOVE; SLUGGISH
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INERTIA
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DISINCLINATION TO ACTION OR CHANGE
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infelicitous
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adj. unfortunate; inappropriate
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ingenuous
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adj. artless; frank and candid; lacking in sophistication
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INGENUOUS
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NAIVE AND TRUSTING; LACKING SOPHISTICATION
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INHERENT
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FIRMLY ESTABLISHED BY NATURE OR HABIT
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inimical
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adj. damaging; harmful; injurious
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innocuous
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adj. harmless; causing no damage
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INNOCUOUS
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HARMLESS
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INSENSIBLE
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UNCONSCIOUS; UNRESPONSIVE
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INSINUATE
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TO SUGGEST; SAY INDIRECTLY; IMPLY
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insipid
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adj. without taste or flavor; lacking in spirit; bland
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INSIPID
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LACKING IN FLAVOR; DULL
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INSOUCIANT
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INDIFFERENT; LACKING CONCERN OR CARE
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INSULARITY
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NARROW-MINDEDNESS; ISOLATION
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INSUPERABLE
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INSURMOUNTABLE; UNCONQUERABLE
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INTANGIBLE
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NOT MATERIAL
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INTERDICT
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TO FORBID; PROHIBIT; TO CONFRONT AND HALT THE ACTIVITIES, ADVANCE, OR ENTRY OF
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INTERNECINE
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DEADLY TO BOTH SIDES
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INTERPOLATE
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TO INSERT; CHANGE BY ADDING NEW WORDS OR MATERIAL
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INTERREGNUM
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INTERVAL BETWEEN REIGNS; GAP IN CONTINUITY
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INTIMATE
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MARKED BY CLOSE ACQUAINTANCE
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intractable
|
adj. not easily managed or directed; stubborn; obstinate
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INTRACTABLE
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NOT EASILY MANAGED
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INTRANSIGENCE
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STUBBORNNESS; REFUSAL TO COMPROMISE
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intransigent
|
adj. refusing to compromise (n. intransigence)
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intrepid
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adj. steadfast and courageous
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INTROSPECTIVE
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CONTEMPLATING ONE'S OWN THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS
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INUNDATE
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TO COVER WITH WATER; OVERWHELM
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inured
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adj. accustomed to accepting something undesirable
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INURED
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HARDENED; ACCUSTOMED; USED TO
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INVECTIVE
|
VERBAL ABUSE
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INVEIGH
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TO DISAPPROVE; PROTEST VEHEMENTLY
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INVEIGLE
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TO WIN OVER BY FLATTERY OR COAXING
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inveigle
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v. obtain by deception or flattery
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INVETERATE
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CONFIRMED; LONG-STANDING; DEEPLY ROOTED
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INVIDIOUS
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LIKELY TO PROVOKE ILL WILL; OFFENSIVE
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irascible
|
adj. easily angered; prone to temperamental outbursts
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IRASCIBLE
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EASILY ANGERED
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IRRESOLUTE
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UNSURE OF HOW TO ACT; WEAK
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ITINERANT
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WANDERING FROM PLACE TO PLACE; UNSETTLED
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ITINERARY
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ROUTE OF A TRAVELER'S JOURNEY
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JAUNDICED
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HAVING A YELLOWISH DISCOLORATION OF THE SKIN; AFFECTED BY ENVY, RESENTMENT, OR HOSTILITY
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JIBE
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TO BE IN AGREEMENT
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JOCOSE
|
FOND OF JOKING; JOCULAR; PLAYFUL
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JUGGERNAUT
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HUGE FORCE DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH
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JUNTA
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GROUP OF PEOPLE UNITED IN POLITIC INTRIGUE
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JUXTAPOSE
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PLACE SIDE BY SIDE
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KUDOS
|
FAME; GLORY; GONOR
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LABILE
|
LIKELY TO CHANGE
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|
laconic
|
adj. using few words; terse
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LACONIC
|
USING FEW WORDS
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LAMBASTE
|
TO THRASH VERBALLY OR PHYSICALLY
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LASCIVIOUS
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LUSTFUL
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|
LASSITUDE
|
LETHARGY; SLUGGISHNESS
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LATENT
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PRESENT BUT HIDDEN; POTENTIAL
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LAUD
|
TO PRAISE
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laud
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v. praise highly (adj. laudatory)
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LETHARGIC
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INACTIVE
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LEVEE
|
AN EMBANKMENT THAT PREVENTS A RIVER FROM OVERFLOWING
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LEVITY
|
LIGHT MANNER OR ATTITUDE
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LIBERAL
|
TOLERANT; BROAD-MINDED; GENEROUS; LAVISH
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LIBERTINE
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ONE WITHOUT MORAL RESTRAINT
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LIBIDO
|
SEXUAL DESIRE
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LILLIPUTIAN
|
EXTREMELY SMALL
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LIMN
|
TO DRAW; DESCRIBE
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LIMPID
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CLEAR; TRANSPARENT
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LINGUISTIC
|
PERTAINING TO LANGUAGE
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LITANY
|
LENGTHY RECITATION; REPETITIVE CHANT
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LITERATI
|
SCHOLARLY OR LEARNED PERSONS
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LITIGATION
|
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
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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
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|
MACHIAVELLIAN
|
CRAFTY; DOUBLE-DEALING
|
|
MACHINATIONS
|
PLOTS OR SCHEMES
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|
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
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|
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
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
OVERWEENING
|
PRESUMPTUOUS; ARROGANT; OVERBEARING
|
|
paean
|
n. a song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving
|
|
PAEAN
|
SONG OF JOY OR TRIUMPH; A FERVENT EXPRESSION OF JOY
|
|
PALEONTOLOGY
|
STUDY OF PAST GEOLOGICAL ERAS THROUGH FOSSIL REMAINS
|
|
PALLID
|
LACKING COLOR OR LIVELINESS
|
|
PANEGYRIC
|
ELABORATE PRAISE; FORMAL HYMN OF PRAISE
|
|
PARAGON
|
MODEL OF EXCELLENCE OR PERFECTION
|
|
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
|
|
PATHOS
|
A QUALITY THAT CAUSES A FEELING OF PITY OR SORROW
|
|
PATOIS
|
A REGIONAL DIALECT; NONSTANDARD SPEECH; JARGON
|
|
PAUCITY
|
SCARCITY
|
|
pedagogy
|
n. the profession or principles of teaching, or instructing
|
|
PEDANT
|
UNINSPIRED, BORING ACADEMIC
|
|
pedantic
|
adj. the parading of learning; excessive attention to minutiae and formal rules
|
|
PEDANTIC
|
SHOWING OFF LEARNING
|
|
PELLUCID
|
TRANSPARENT; TRANSLUCENT; EASILY UNDERSTOOD
|
|
PENCHANT
|
INCLINATION
|
|
penurious
|
adj. penny-pinching; excessively thrifty; ungenerous
|
|
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
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SINUOUS
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WINDING; INTRICATE; COMPLEX
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SKEPTIC
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ONE WHO DOUBTS
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SOBRIETY
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SERIOUSNESS
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SODDEN
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THOROUGHLY SOAKED; SATURATED
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solicitous
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adj. concerned and attentive; eager
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SOLICITOUS
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CONCERNED; ATTENTIVE; EAGER
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SOLILOQUY
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LITERARY OR DRAMATIC SPEECH BY ONE CHARACTER, NOT ADDRESSED TO OTHERS
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SOLVENT
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ABLE TO MEET FINANCIAL OBLIGATION
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solvent
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adj. able to meet financial obligations; able to dissolve another substance
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SOMATIC
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RELATING TO OR AFFECTING THE BODY; CORPOREAL
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soporific
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adj. causing drowsiness; tending to induce sleep
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SOPORIFIC
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SLEEP PRODUCING
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sordid
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adj. characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul
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SORDID
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FILTHY; CONTEMPTIBLE AND CORRUPT
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sparse
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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
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adj. extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic
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VISAGE
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COUNTENANCE; APPEARANCE; ASPECT
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viscous
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adj. thick; sticky (n. viscosity)
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VISCOUS
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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
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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
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TENDING TO VARY FREQUENTLY; FICKLE
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voracious
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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
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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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fathom
|
understand or conceive of/ a measure of; six feet wide
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feckless
|
without purpose, resolution, direction, or otherwise useless; lazy and incompetent
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feign
|
to fake or deceive with fabricated act
|
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feint
|
an action or movement performed deceptively, to distract from true intentions (e.g. a faked left thrust)
|
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foil
|
to stop, prevent or otherwise frustrate (especially an adversaries' plan)
|
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forage
|
to search or rummage for food/other necessities
|
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forum
|
a public meeting place or convention; discussion board
|
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garrison
|
<v>to establish military operations or occupy by forces; <n> place stationed by military forces
|
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genre
|
a type or flavor characterized by mood, style, technique or presentation (usually associated with artistic classification)
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gist
|
the major/essential point, take-away message or moral
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gratuitous
|
freely/cheaply given, overabundant, obligatory; done senselessly or without reason
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grievous
|
causing great grief or sorrow; serious in impact
|
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harrow
|
to weary or otherwise cause great distress/disturbance; terrify or mortify
|
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hierarchy
|
established order or other stratified organizational structure
|
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heterogeneous
|
diverse, comprised of different mixed elements
|
|
hypothesis
|
aa
|