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971 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Abscond
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to depart clandestinely; to steal off and hide
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approbation
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an expression of approval or praise
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capricious
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inclined to change one's mind impulsively; erratic, unpredictable
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chicanery
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trickery or subterfuge
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disabuse
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to undeceive; to set right
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effrontery
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extreme boldness; presumptuousness
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enervate
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to weaken; to reduce in vitality
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ennui
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dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy
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exigent
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urgent, pressing; requiring immediate action or attention
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fulminate
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to loudly attack or denounce
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inured
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accustomed to accepting something undesirable
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abet
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assist (in doing something wrong), encourage
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abeyance
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suspended action
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abjure
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renounce upon oath; disavow
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abnegation
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renunciation; self-sacrifice
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aboriginal
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first of its kind
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abortive
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unsuccessful; fruitless
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abrogate
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abolish
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abscission
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removal by cutting off
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abstemious
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sparing in eating and drinking
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abut
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border upon
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accede
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agree
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acclivity
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sharp upslope of a hill
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accoutre
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equip
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accretion
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growth; increase
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acerbic
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bitter or sour in nature; sharp/cutting
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acidulous
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slightly sour; sharp, caustic
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acme
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peak; highest point
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acquiesce
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assent; agree passively
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acrid
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sharp; bitterly pungent
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actuate
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motivate
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acuity
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sharpness
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addle
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muddle; drive crazy
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adjunct
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noun - something added on or attached
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adjuration
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solemn urging
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adventitious
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accidental; casual
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advert
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refer to
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aegis
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shield; defense
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aerie
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nest of a large bird of prey
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affidavit
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written statement under oath
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agglomeration
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collection; heap
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aggrandize
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increase or intensify; raise in power or wealth
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agog
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highly excited; intensely curious
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alacrity
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cheerful promptness; eagerness
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alimentary
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supplying nourishment
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allegory
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story in which characters are used as symbols; fable
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allusion
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indirect reference
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alluvial
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pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
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ambrosia
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food of the gods
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ambulatory
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able to walk; not bedridden
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amity
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friendship
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anachronism
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something or someone misplaced in time
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analgesic
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causing insensitivity to pain
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anathema
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solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse
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ancillary
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serving as an aid or accessory
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animadversion
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critical remark
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animus
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hostile feeling or intent
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anodyne
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drug that relieves pain; opiate
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anomalous
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abnormal; irregular
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antediluvian
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antiquated; extremely ancient
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antic (adj)
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extravagantly odd
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aphasia
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loss of speech due to injury or illness
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aphorism
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pithy maxim or saying (philosophic or scientific)
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apiary
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a place where bees are kept
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apocryphal
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spurious; not authentic; invented rather than true
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apogee
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highest point
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apostate
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one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs
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apothegm
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pithy, compact saying
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apotheosis
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elevation to godhood
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appellation
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name; title
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approbation
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approval
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appurtenances
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subordinate possessions
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apropos
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to the point and timely
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aquiline
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curved, hooked
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arabesque (n)
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style of decoration involving intertwined plants and abstract curves
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archetype
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prototype; primitive pattern
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argot
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slang
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array (v)
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1. marshal; draw up in order
2. clothe; adorn |
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arrears (n)
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being in debt
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arroyo
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gully
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asinine
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stupid
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askance (adv)
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with a sideways or indirect look
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asperity
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sharpness (of temper)
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aspersion
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slanderous remark
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assiduous
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diligent
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astringent
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binding; causing contraction; harsh or severe
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asunder
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into parts; apart
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atavism
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resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; throwback
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attenuate
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make thinner; wekaen or lessen
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augury
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omen; prophecy
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aureole
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sun's corona; halo
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automaton
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mechanism that imitates actions of humans
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aver
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assert confidently or declare
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avocation
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secondary or minor occupation
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avuncular
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like an uncle
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awl
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pointed too used for piercing
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bacchanalian
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drunken
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baleful
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threatening; menacing; sinister
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banal
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commonplace; trite; lacking originality
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bandy
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discuss lightly or glibly; exchange (words) heatedly
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bate
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let down; restrain
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beatific
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showing or producing joy; blissful
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beatitude
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blessedness; state of bliss
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bedizen
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dress with vulgar finery
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bedraggle
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wet thoroughly
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benison
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blessing
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bent (n)
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natural talent or inclination
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betoken
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signify, indicate
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bevy
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large group
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bilious
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peevishly ill humored
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bilk
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swindle; cheat
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bivouac
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temporary encampment
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blandish
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cajole; coax with flattery
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blowhard
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talkative boaster
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bombastic
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pompous; using inflated language
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bowlderize
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remove unsuitable matter, expurgate
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brackish
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somewhat saline
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brindled
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tawny or grayish with streaks or spots
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brocade
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rich, figured fabric
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browbeat
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bully; intimidate
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brusque
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blunt; abrupt
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bucolic
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rustic; pastoral
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bugaboo
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object of baseless terror
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bulwark
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earthwork or strong defense; person who defends
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bungle
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mismanage; blunder
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cabal
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small group of person secretly united to promote their own interests
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cadence
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rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat
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cadge
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beg; mooch; panhandle
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calumny
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malicious misrepresentation; slander
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canard
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false or unfounded story; fabricated report
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candor
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frankness; open honesty
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canker
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any evil
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cant
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insincere expression of piety; jargon of thieves
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cantankerous
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ill-humored; irritable
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capacious
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spacious
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cafe
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glass water bottle; decanter
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careen
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lurch; sway from side to side
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carousal
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drunken revel
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castigation
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punishment; severe criticism
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cataclysm
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deluge; upheaval
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catechism
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book for religious instruction; instruction by question and answer
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catharsis
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purging or cleansing of any passage of the body
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caucus
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private meeting of a party to select officers or determine policy
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caustic
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burning; sarcastically biting
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cavalcade
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procession; parade
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cavil
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make frivolous objections
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celerity
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speed; rapidity
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centripetal
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tending toward the center
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cerebration
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thought
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charlatan
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quack; pretender to knowledge
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chary
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cautious; sparing or restrained about giving money
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chimerical
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fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic
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choleric
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hot-tempered
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churlish
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boorish; rude
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ciliated
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having minute hairs
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cipher
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nonentity; worthless person or thing
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circuitous
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roundabout
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circumlocution
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unnecessarily wordy and indirect speech
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clairvoyant
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having foresight; fortune teller
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clangor
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loud, resounding noise
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clemency
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disposition to be lenient; mildness, as of the weather
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cloying
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distasteful because excessive; excessively sweet or sentimental
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codicil
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supplement to the body of a will
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coeval
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living at the same time as; contemporary
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cogent
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convincing
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colander
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straining device
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collate
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examine in order to verify; arrange in order
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colloquy
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informal discussion
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comely
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attractive; agreeable
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comestible
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something fit to be eaten
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comity
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courtesy; civility
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commensurate
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corresponding in extent degree amount; proportionate
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commodious
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spacious and comfortable
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compendium
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brief, comprehensive summary
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complaisant
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trying to please; overly polite; obliging
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comport
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bear one's self; behave
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compunction
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remorse
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concomitant (n)
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that which accompanies
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concord
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harmony
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condign (adj)
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appropriate; deserved (punishment)
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congruent
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in agreement; corresponding
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conjugal
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pertaining to marriage
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connivance
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pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance
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connubial
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pertaining to marriage
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consanguinity
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kinship
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consign
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deliver officially; entrust
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consummate
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wholly without flaw; supremely skilled
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continence
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self-restraint; sexual chastity
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contravene
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contradict; oppose
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contrite
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penitent
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contumacious
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disobedient; resisting authority
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conversant
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familiar with
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convivial
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festive; gay
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coquette (n/v)
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flirt
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cornucopia
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symbol of abundance
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countermand
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cancel; revoke
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cozen
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cheat; hoodwink
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crabbed
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sour; peevish
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credo
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creed
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credulity
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belief on slight evidence; gullibility
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crotchety
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eccentric; whimsical
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cull
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pick out; reject
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culvert
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artificial channel for water
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cupidity
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greed
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curmudgeon
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churlish, miserly individual
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cursory
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casual; hastily done
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cynosure
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object of general attentino
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dappled
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spotted
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declivity
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downward slope
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defray
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provide for the payment of
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deign
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condescend; stoop
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demagogue
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person who appeals to people's prejudices; false leader
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demoniac
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fiendish
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demotic
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pertaining to the people
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demur
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objection; protest
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denigrate
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blacken
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depravity
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extreme corruption; wickedness
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deprecate
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express disapproval of; protest against
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depredation
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plundering
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descry
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catch sight of
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desiccate
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dry up
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desuetude
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state of disuse
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detraction
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slandering; aspersion
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diadem
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crown
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dialectical
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relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal
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diaphanous
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sheer; transparent
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diatribe
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bitter scolding; invective
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diffidence
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shyness
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diffuse
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wordy; rambling; spread out
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dilatory
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tending to delay; intentionally delaying
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dilettante
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aimless follower of the arts; amateur; dabbler
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dinghy
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small boat
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diorama
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life-size, 3D scene from nature or history
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dirge
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(n) lament with music
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disaffected
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disloyal
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disapprobation
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disapproval; condemnation
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discombobulated
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confused; discomposed
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discomfit
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put to rout; defeat; disconcert
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discursive
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digressing; rambling
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disgorge
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surrender something; eject; vomit
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disinter
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dig up; unearth
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disjunction
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act of state of separation; disunity
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disport
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amuse
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disputatious
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argumentative
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disquisition
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formal systematic inquiry
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dissimulate
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pretend; conceal by feigning
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distend
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expand; swell out
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distrait
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inattentive; distracted, often by anxiety
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diurnal
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daily
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divest
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strip; deprive
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docket
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program as for trial
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doctrinaire
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dogmatic; unyielding
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doddering
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shaky; infirm from old age
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doggerel
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poor verse
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dolorous
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sorrowful
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dotage
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senility
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dowdy
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slovenly; untidy
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dregs
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sediment; worthless residue
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droll
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queer and amusing
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dulcet
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sweet sounding
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dyspeptic
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suffering from indigestion
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ebullient
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showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm
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ecclesiastic
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pertaining to the church
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eddy
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swirling current of water, air, etc.
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edify
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instruct; correct morally
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effervescence
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inner excitement or exuberance; bubbling from fermentation
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effete
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lacking vigor; worn out
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effluvium
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noxious smell
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effusive
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pouring forth; gushing
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elegy
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poem or song expressing lamentation
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elicit
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draw out bu discussion
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ellipsis
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omission of words from a text
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elliptical
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ambiguous, either purposely or because key words are left out
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elysian
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relating to paradise; blissful
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emaciated
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thin and wasted
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emend
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correct, usually a text
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emetic
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substance causing vomiting
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emollient
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soothing or softening remedy
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emolument
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salary; compensation
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encomiastic
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praising; eulogistic
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endue
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provide with some quality; endow
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enervate
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weaken
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engender
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cause; produce
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enjoin
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command; order; forbid
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ensconce
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settle comfortably
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environ
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(v) enclose; surround
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epaulet
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ornament worn on the shoulder
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ephemeral
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short-lived; fleeting
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epicure
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connoisseur of food and drink
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epigram
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witty thought or saying, usually short
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episodic
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loosely connected
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epitaph
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inscription in memory of deceased
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equable
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tranquil; steady; uniform
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equanimity
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calmness of temperament; composure
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equipoise
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balance; balancing force; equilibrium
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equivocal
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ambiguous; intentionally misleading
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erudite
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learned; scholarly
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essay
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(v) make an attempt at; test
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euphony
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sweet sound
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excoriate
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scold with biting harshness
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execrate
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curse; express abhorrence for
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exegesis
|
explanation, especially of biblical passages
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exigency
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urgent situation; pressing needs or demands
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exiguous
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small; minute
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expatiate
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talk at length
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expiate
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make amends for (a sin)
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expository
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explanatory
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expostulation
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protest; remonstrance
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extant
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still in existence
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extirpate
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root up
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extrude
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force or push out
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facetious
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joking (inappropriately); humorous
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factious
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causing dissension
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factotum
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handyman
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fastidious
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difficult to please; squeamish
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fatuous
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brainless; foolish, yet smug
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feckless
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feeble and ineffective; careless and irresponsible
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fecundity
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fertility; fruitfulness
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felicitous
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apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
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fell
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(adj) cruel; deadly
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ferret
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(v) drive or hunt out of hiding
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fetid
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malodorous; foul-smelling
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fiat
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command; authorization (n)
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filigree
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delicate, lacelike metalwork
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florid
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ruddy; reddish; flowery
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flotsam
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drifting wreckage
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flout
|
reject; mock; show contempt for
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foible
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weakness; slight fault
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foist
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Impose an unwelcome or unnecessary person or thing on
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foment
|
stir up; instigate
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fop
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dandy; metrosexual
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|
|
forestall
|
prevent by taking action in advance
|
|
|
forswear
|
renounce; abandon
|
|
|
founder
|
(v) fail completely; sink
|
|
|
frieze
|
ornamental band on a wall
|
|
|
froward
|
stubbornly contrary; obstinately disobedient
|
|
|
fulsome
|
disgustingly excessive
|
|
|
funereal
|
sad; solemn
|
|
|
furtive
|
stealthy; sneaky
|
|
|
fusillade
|
simultaneous firing or outburst (missiles, questions)
|
|
|
gadfly
|
animal-biting fly; irritating person
|
|
|
gainsay
|
deny
|
|
|
gambit
|
a device/move entailing risk to improve one's position
|
|
|
gambol
|
romp; skip about
|
|
|
gamut
|
entire range
|
|
|
garrulous
|
loquacious; wordy
|
|
|
gauche
|
clumsy; coarse and uncouth
|
|
|
genteel
|
well-bred, elegant
|
|
|
gentry
|
people of standing; class just below nobility
|
|
|
genuflect
|
bend the knee as in worship
|
|
|
germane
|
pertinent; bearing upon the case at hand
|
|
|
germinal
|
pertaining to a germ; creative
|
|
|
gerontocracy
|
government ruled by old people
|
|
|
gerrymander
|
change voting lines in order to favor political party
|
|
|
gestate
|
evolve, as in prenatal growth
|
|
|
gibe
|
to mock
|
|
|
glib
|
(adj) fluent; facile; slick
|
|
|
glut
|
overstock; fill to excess
|
|
|
gossamer
|
sheer; like cobwebs
|
|
|
gouge
|
overcharge
|
|
|
gourmand
|
epicure; person who takes excessive please in food and drink
|
|
|
grandiloquent
|
pompous; bombastic; using high-sounding language
|
|
|
gregarious
|
sociable
|
|
|
grouse
|
complain; fuss
|
|
|
gustatory
|
affecting the sense of taste
|
|
|
hackneyed
|
commonplace; trite
|
|
|
halcyon
|
calm; peaceful
|
|
|
hale
|
healthy
|
|
|
hap
|
chance; luck
|
|
|
harangue
|
(n) long, passionate, and vehement speech
|
|
|
harbinger
|
forerunner
|
|
|
harping
|
tiresome dwelling on a subject
|
|
|
harrowing
|
agonizing; distressing
|
|
|
headlong
|
hasty; rash
|
|
|
hermetic
|
sealed by fusion; obscure and mysterious
|
|
|
hermitage
|
home of a hermit
|
|
|
heterodox
|
unorthodox; unconventional
|
|
|
hinterlands
|
back country
|
|
|
hirsute
|
hairy
|
|
|
hoary
|
white with age
|
|
|
holocaust
|
destruction by fire
|
|
|
homily
|
sermon; serious warning
|
|
|
hortatory
|
encouraging; exhortive
|
|
|
hubbub
|
confused uproar
|
|
|
hummock
|
small hill
|
|
|
ichthyology
|
study of fish
|
|
|
iconoclastic
|
attacking cherished traditions
|
|
|
igneous
|
produced by fire, volcanic
|
|
|
illimitable
|
infinite
|
|
|
illusory
|
deceptive; not real
|
|
|
imbroglio
|
complicated situation; entanglement
|
|
|
immolate
|
offer as a sacrifice
|
|
|
impalpable
|
imperceptible; intangible
|
|
|
impassive
|
without feeling; stoical
|
|
|
impecunious
|
without money
|
|
|
impenitent
|
not repentant
|
|
|
impertinent
|
insolent; rude
|
|
|
impiety
|
irreverence
|
|
|
impolitic
|
not wise
|
|
|
imponderable
|
weightless
|
|
|
importunate
|
urging; demanding
|
|
|
imposture
|
assuming a false identity; masquerade
|
|
|
imprecation
|
curse
|
|
|
impropriety
|
improperness; unsuitableness
|
|
|
improvident
|
thriftless
|
|
|
impugn
|
dispute or contradict; challenge
|
|
|
impute
|
attribute; ascribe
|
|
|
inchoate
|
recently begun; rudimentary; elementary
|
|
|
incipient
|
beginning; in an early stage
|
|
|
inclement
|
stormy; unkind
|
|
|
incognito
|
with identity concealed; using an assumed name
|
|
|
incommodious
|
not spacious; inconvenient
|
|
|
incontinent
|
lacking self-restraint
|
|
|
incubus
|
burden; mental care; nightmare
|
|
|
inculcate
|
teach
|
|
|
indemnify
|
make secure against loss; compensate for loss
|
|
|
indigence
|
poverty
|
|
|
indissoluble
|
permanent
|
|
|
indite
|
write; compose
|
|
|
indolent
|
lazy
|
|
|
indubitable
|
unquestionable
|
|
|
inductive
|
proceeding from the specific to the general
|
|
|
ineffable
|
unutterable; cannot be described
|
|
|
ineluctable
|
irresistible; not to be escaped
|
|
|
inerrancy
|
infallibility
|
|
|
inexorable
|
relentless; unyielding; implacable
|
|
|
ingenuous
|
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated
|
|
|
ingrate
|
ungrateful person
|
|
|
inimical
|
unfriendly; hostile
|
|
|
inimitable
|
matchless; not able to be imitated
|
|
|
iniquitous
|
wicked; immoral
|
|
|
insalubrious
|
unwholesome; not healthful
|
|
|
insensate
|
without feeling
|
|
|
insouciant
|
indifferent; without concern or care
|
|
|
insuperable
|
insurmountable; unbeatable
|
|
|
inter
|
bury
|
|
|
internecine
|
mutually destructive
|
|
|
interregnum
|
period between two reigns
|
|
|
intransigence
|
refusal of any compromise; stubbornness
|
|
|
inured
|
accustomed; hardened
|
|
|
invective
|
(n) abuse
|
|
|
inveigh
|
denounce; utter censure or invective
|
|
|
inveigle
|
lead astray; wheedle
|
|
|
inveterate
|
deep rooted; habitual
|
|
|
invidious
|
designed to create ill will or envy
|
|
|
inviolable
|
secure from corruption, attack, or violence
|
|
|
irresolute
|
uncertain how to act; weak
|
|
|
isthmus
|
narrow neck of land connectin two larger bodies of land
|
|
|
itinerant
|
wandering; traveling
|
|
|
jaundiced
|
prejudiced; yellowed
|
|
|
jocose
|
given to joking
|
|
|
judicious
|
sound in judgment; wise
|
|
|
junket
|
trip; one taken by official for please at public expense
|
|
|
ken
|
range of knowledge
|
|
|
kismet
|
fate
|
|
|
knave
|
untrustworthy person; rogue
|
|
|
knell
|
tolling of a bell (funeral)
|
|
|
lachrymose
|
producing tears
|
|
|
laconic
|
brief and to the point
|
|
|
laity
|
laypersons; persons not connected with the clergy
|
|
|
lancet
|
small surgical tool for making incisions
|
|
|
languor
|
lassitude; depression
|
|
|
larder
|
pantry
|
|
|
lascivious
|
lustful
|
|
|
lassitude
|
languor; weariness
|
|
|
legerdemain
|
slight of hand
|
|
|
leonine
|
like a lion
|
|
|
levee
|
earth or stone embankment to prevent flooding
|
|
|
levity
|
lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity
|
|
|
libertine
|
debauched person, roué
|
|
|
libidinous
|
lustful
|
|
|
libido
|
emotional urges behind human activity
|
|
|
lien
|
legal claim on a property
|
|
|
ligneous
|
like wood
|
|
|
limn
|
draw; outline; describe
|
|
|
limpid
|
clear
|
|
|
list
|
(v) tilt; lean over
|
|
|
litotes
|
understatement for emphasis
|
|
|
lode
|
metal-bearing vein
|
|
|
loll
|
lounge about
|
|
|
low
|
(v) moo
|
|
|
lucre
|
money
|
|
|
lugubrious
|
mournful
|
|
|
lumen
|
unit of light energy
|
|
|
lueis
|
wild; sensational; graphic
|
|
|
macerate
|
soften by soaking in liquid; waste away
|
|
|
machinations
|
evil schemes or plots
|
|
|
maculated
|
spotted; stained
|
|
|
magnanimity
|
generosity
|
|
|
magniloquent
|
boastful; pompous
|
|
|
malapropism
|
comic misuse of a word
|
|
|
malediction
|
curse
|
|
|
malingerer
|
one who feigns illness to escape duty
|
|
|
mangy
|
shabby; wretched
|
|
|
mannered
|
affected; not natural
|
|
|
manumit
|
emancipate; free from bondage
|
|
|
martial
|
warlike
|
|
|
masticate
|
chew
|
|
|
maudlin
|
effusively sentimental
|
|
|
mauve
|
pale purple
|
|
|
maverick
|
rebel; nonconformist
|
|
|
mawkish
|
mush and gushy; maudlin
|
|
|
mealymouthed
|
indirect in speech; hypocritical
|
|
|
megalomania
|
mania for doing grandiose things
|
|
|
mellifluous
|
sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious
|
|
|
menagerie
|
collection of wild animals
|
|
|
mendacious
|
lying; habitually dishonest
|
|
|
mendicant
|
beggar
|
|
|
meretricious
|
flash; tawdry
|
|
|
mete
|
measure; distribute
|
|
|
miasma
|
swamp gas; heavy, vaporous atmosphere
|
|
|
milieu
|
environment; means of expression
|
|
|
militate
|
work against
|
|
|
minatory
|
menacing; threatening
|
|
|
misanthrope
|
one who hates mankind
|
|
|
miscellany
|
mixture of writings on various subjects
|
|
|
misnomer
|
wrong name
|
|
|
misogamy
|
hatred of marriage
|
|
|
missive
|
letter
|
|
|
mnemonic
|
pertaining to memory
|
|
|
modicum
|
limited quantitiy
|
|
|
modish
|
fashionable
|
|
|
mollify
|
soothe
|
|
|
monolithic
|
solidly uniform; unyielding
|
|
|
moratorium
|
legal delay of payment
|
|
|
mordant
|
sarcastic; biting; stinging
|
|
|
mores
|
conventions; customs
|
|
|
moribund
|
dying
|
|
|
mote
|
small speck
|
|
|
mountebank
|
charlatan; boastful pretender
|
|
|
mulct
|
defraud a person of something
|
|
|
mutability
|
ability to change form; fickleness
|
|
|
natation
|
swimming
|
|
|
natty
|
neatly or smartly dressed
|
|
|
neologism
|
newly coined word or phrase
|
|
|
neophyte
|
recent convert; beginner
|
|
|
nettle
|
annoy; vex
|
|
|
noisome
|
foul-smelling; unwholesome
|
|
|
nonplus
|
bring to a halt by confusion; perplex
|
|
|
nostrum
|
questionable medicine
|
|
|
nubile
|
marriageable
|
|
|
nugatory
|
futile; worthless
|
|
|
numismatist
|
person who collects coins
|
|
|
obeisance
|
bow
|
|
|
obfuscate
|
confuse; muddle
|
|
|
obloquy
|
slander; disgrace; infamy
|
|
|
obsequious
|
slavishly attentive; servile; sycophantic
|
|
|
obsequy
|
funeral ceremony
|
|
|
obstetrician
|
physician specializing in baby delivery
|
|
|
obstreperous
|
boisterous; noisy
|
|
|
obtuse
|
blunt; stupid
|
|
|
obviate
|
make unnecessary; get rid of
|
|
|
occlude
|
shut; close
|
|
|
oculist
|
eye doctor
|
|
|
occult
|
mysterious; secret
|
|
|
odious
|
hateful; vile
|
|
|
odoriferous
|
giving off an odor
|
|
|
officious
|
meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services
|
|
|
onerous
|
burdensome
|
|
|
opalescent
|
iridescent; lustrous
|
|
|
opprobrium
|
infamy; vilification
|
|
|
oracular
|
prophetic; mysterious or ambiguous
|
|
|
ordination
|
ceremony conferring holy orders
|
|
|
orthography
|
correct spelling
|
|
|
osseous
|
made of bone; bony
|
|
|
ostensible
|
apparent; professed; pretended
|
|
|
overweening
|
presumptuous; arrogant
|
|
|
overwrought
|
extremely agitated; hysterical
|
|
|
pachyderm
|
thick-skinned animal
|
|
|
paean
|
song of praise or joy
|
|
|
panacea
|
cure-all; remedy for all diseases
|
|
|
panegyric
|
formal praise
|
|
|
paramour
|
illicit lover
|
|
|
parlance
|
language; idiom
|
|
|
parley
|
conference
|
|
|
paroxysm
|
fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage
|
|
|
pastiche
|
imitation of another's style in music or writing
|
|
|
pathos
|
tender sorrow; pity
|
|
|
patina
|
green crust on old bronze works
|
|
|
patois
|
local or provincial dialect
|
|
|
peccadillo
|
slight offense
|
|
|
pecuniary
|
pertaining to money
|
|
|
pedant
|
scholar who overemphasizes technicalities
|
|
|
pellucid
|
transparent; limpid; easy to understand
|
|
|
penance
|
self-imposed punishment for sin
|
|
|
penumbra
|
partial shadow (in an eclipse)
|
|
|
penitent
|
repentant
|
|
|
penury
|
severe poverty; stinginess
|
|
|
perdition
|
damnation; complete ruin
|
|
|
peregrination
|
journey
|
|
|
peremptory
|
demanding and leaving no choice
|
|
|
perfidious
|
treacherous; disloyal
|
|
|
perfunctory
|
superficial; not thorough
|
|
|
perigee
|
point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth
|
|
|
peripatetic
|
walking about; moving
|
|
|
pernicious
|
very destructive
|
|
|
peroration
|
conclusion of an oration
|
|
|
perquisite
|
any gain above stipulated salary
|
|
|
perspicacious
|
having insight; astute
|
|
|
perspicuous
|
plainly expressed
|
|
|
pert
|
impertinent; forward
|
|
|
pertinacious
|
stubborn; persistent
|
|
|
pestilential
|
causing plauge; baneful
|
|
|
pestle
|
tool for mashing or grinding in a hard bowl
|
|
|
pharisaical
|
self-righteous; hypocritical
|
|
|
philanderer
|
faithless lover; flirt
|
|
|
philatelist
|
stamp-collector
|
|
|
philistine
|
narrow-minded person, uncultured and interested only in material gain
|
|
|
philology
|
study of language
|
|
|
phlegmatic
|
calm; not easily disturbed
|
|
|
physiognomy
|
face
|
|
|
piebald
|
of different colors; spotted
|
|
|
pied
|
variegated; multicolored
|
|
|
pillory
|
subject to criticism and ridicule
|
|
|
pinion
|
restrain
|
|
|
piquant
|
pleasantly tart-tasting; stimulating
|
|
|
pique
|
irritation; resentment
|
|
|
piscatorial
|
pertaining to fishing
|
|
|
pithy
|
concise; meaningful; meaty
|
|
|
plaintive
|
mournful
|
|
|
platitude
|
trite remark; commonplace statement
|
|
|
platonic
|
purely spiritual; theoretical
|
|
|
plenary
|
complete; full
|
|
|
podiatrist
|
foot doctor
|
|
|
poignancy
|
quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion
|
|
|
politic
|
expedient; prudent; well-advised
|
|
|
polity
|
form of government of nation or state
|
|
|
polyglot
|
speaking several different languages
|
|
|
pontifical
|
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious
|
|
|
portend
|
foretell; presage
|
|
|
poseur
|
person who pretends to be elegant to impress
|
|
|
posterity
|
descendants; future generations
|
|
|
potable
|
suitable for drinking
|
|
|
potentate
|
monarch; sovereign
|
|
|
practicable
|
feasible
|
|
|
prat
|
speak foolishly; boast idly
|
|
|
precipitate
|
rash; premature; hasty
|
|
|
precipitous
|
steep; overhasty
|
|
|
précis
|
precise summary of main points
|
|
|
predilection
|
partiality; preference
|
|
|
preen
|
make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction
|
|
|
prefatory
|
introductory
|
|
|
prehensile
|
capable of grasping or holding
|
|
|
prelate
|
church dignitary
|
|
|
prerogative
|
privilege; unquestionable right
|
|
|
presage
|
foretell
|
|
|
prescience
|
ability to foretell the future
|
|
|
preternatural
|
beyond that which is normal in nature
|
|
|
prevaricate
|
lie
|
|
|
primogeniture
|
seniority by birth
|
|
|
privation
|
hardship; want
|
|
|
probity
|
uprightness; incorruptibility
|
|
|
prodigal
|
wasteful; reckless with money
|
|
|
profusion
|
overabundance; lavish expenditure
|
|
|
prognosticate
|
predict
|
|
|
prolixity
|
tedious wordiness; verbosity
|
|
|
promontory
|
headland
|
|
|
promulgate
|
proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
|
|
|
propinquity
|
nearness; kinship
|
|
|
propitiate
|
appease
|
|
|
propitious
|
favorable; fortunate; advantageous
|
|
|
propound
|
put forth for analysis
|
|
|
proscenium
|
part of stage in front of curtain
|
|
|
prosody
|
the art of versification
|
|
|
protean
|
versatile; able to take on many forms
|
|
|
protuberance
|
protrusion; bulge
|
|
|
provender
|
dry food; fodder
|
|
|
prurient
|
having or causing lustful thoughts and desires
|
|
|
psychosis
|
mental disorder
|
|
|
puerile
|
childish
|
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|
pugilist
|
boxer
|
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|
pulchritude
|
beauty; comeliness
|
|
|
punctilious
|
minutely attentive to fine points
|
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purport
|
intention; meaning
|
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|
pusillanimous
|
cowardly; fainthearted
|
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|
putative
|
supposed; reputed
|
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|
quagmire
|
complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to escape
|
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|
quarry
|
victim; object of a hunt
|
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|
querulous
|
fretful; whining
|
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quibble
|
minor objection or complaint
|
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quintessence
|
purest and highest embodiment
|
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|
quisling
|
traitor who aids invaders
|
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|
quixotic
|
idealistic but impractical
|
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|
quotidian
|
daily; commonplace; customary
|
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raconteur
|
story-teller
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raiment
|
clothing
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rakish
|
stylish; sporty
|
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ramification
|
branching out; subdivision
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rancor
|
bitterness; hatred
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rarefied
|
made less dense [of a gas]
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ratiocination
|
reasoning; drawing conclusions from premises
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|
ravel
|
unravel
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|
reactionary
|
opposing progress; politically ultra conservative
|
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recalcitrant
|
obstinately stubborn; unruly
|
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recant
|
disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement
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recidivism
|
habitual return to crime
|
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recondite
|
abstruse; profound; secret
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recrimination
|
countercharges
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|
rectitude
|
uprightness; moral virtue
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redolent
|
fragrant; odorous
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redoubtable
|
formidable; causing fear
|
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refectory
|
dining hall
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refractory
|
stubborn; unmanageable
|
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refulgent
|
brightly shining; gleaming
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rejoinder
|
retort; comeback; reply
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remiss
|
negligent
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|
remission
|
temporary moderation of disease; forgiveness or pardon
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remunerative
|
compensating; rewarding
|
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|
rent
|
(n) rip; split
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repartee
|
clever reply
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repine
|
fret; complain
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|
reprehensible
|
deserving blame
|
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reprobate
|
person hardened in sin; devoid of sense of decency
|
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|
reprobation
|
severe disapproval
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|
requiem
|
mass for the dead; dirge
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requite
|
repay; take revenge
|
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restitution
|
reparation; indemnification
|
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restive
|
restlessly impatient
|
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reticent
|
reserved; uncommunicative; inclined to silence
|
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retinue
|
following; attendants
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|
retrench
|
cut down; economize
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|
retroactive
|
taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax)
|
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|
reverie
|
daydream; musing
|
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|
rhapsodize
|
to speak or write with great enthusiasm
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ribald
|
wanton; profane
|
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rococo
|
ornate; highly decorated
|
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roil
|
disturb
|
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|
roseate
|
rosy; optimistic
|
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|
rostrum
|
pulpit
|
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|
rotundity
|
roundness; sonorousness of speech
|
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|
ruminate
|
chew over and over; ponder
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ruse
|
trick
|
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|
rusticate
|
banish to the country; dwell in the country
|
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saccharine
|
cloyingly sweet
|
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|
sacrosanct
|
most sacred; inviolable
|
|
|
sagacious
|
perceptive; shrewd; having insight
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salacious
|
lascivious; lustful
|
|
|
sallow
|
yellowish; sickly in color
|
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|
salubrious
|
healthful
|
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|
salutary
|
tending to improve; beneficial
|
|
|
sanctimonious
|
displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness
|
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sanguinary
|
bloody
|
|
|
sanguine
|
cheerful; hopeful
|
|
|
sardonic
|
disdainful; sarcastic; cynical
|
|
|
saturnine
|
gloomy
|
|
|
scad
|
a great quantity
|
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scintilla
|
shred; least bit
|
|
|
scruple
|
fret about; hesitate for ethical reasons
|
|
|
scrupulous
|
conscientious; extremely thorough
|
|
|
scurrilous
|
obscene; indecent
|
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scuttle
|
sink
|
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seamy
|
sordid; unwholesome
|
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sedition
|
resistance to authority; insubordination
|
|
|
sedulous
|
diligent
|
|
|
sententious
|
terse; concise; aphoristic
|
|
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sentient
|
capable of sensation; aware
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sepulcher
|
tomb
|
|
|
sere
|
parched; dry
|
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serpentine
|
winding; twisting
|
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|
servile
|
slavish; cringing
|
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sheaf
|
any bundle of things tied together
|
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shrew
|
scolding woman
|
|
|
shyster
|
lawyer using questionable methods
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|
|
sibylline
|
prophetic; oracular
|
|
|
sidereal
|
relating to the stars
|
|
|
simian
|
monkeylike
|
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|
simper
|
smirk; smile affectedly
|
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|
sinecure
|
well-paid position with little responsibility
|
|
|
skinflint
|
stingy person; miser
|
|
|
slag
|
waste matter
|
|
|
slake
|
quench; sate
|
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|
slapdash
|
haphazard; careless; sloppy
|
|
|
slough
|
cast off
|
|
|
sojourn
|
temporary stay
|
|
|
solecism
|
construction that is flagrantly incorrect gramatically
|
|
|
solicitous
|
orried; concerned
|
|
|
soliloquy
|
talking to oneself
|
|
|
solvent
|
able to pay all debts
|
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somatic
|
pertaining to the body; physical
|
|
|
somnambulist
|
sleepwalker
|
|
|
somnolent
|
half asleep
|
|
|
sonorous
|
resonant
|
|
|
sophist
|
teacher of philosophy; quibbler
|
|
|
soporific
|
sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness
|
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|
spasmodic
|
fitful; periodic
|
|
|
specious
|
seemingly reasonable but incorrect
|
|
|
sportive
|
playful
|
|
|
staid
|
sober; sedate
|
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|
stanch
|
check flow of blood
|
|
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stentorian
|
extremely loud
|
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stilted
|
bombastic; stiffly pompous
|
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stint
|
be thrifty; set limits
|
|
|
stipple
|
paint or draw with dots
|
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|
stolid
|
dull; impassive
|
|
|
stratagem
|
clever trick; deceptive scheme
|
|
|
striated
|
market with parallel bands; grooved
|
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stricture
|
critical comments; severe criticism
|
|
|
striden
|
loud and harsh; insistent
|
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stringent
|
binding; rigid
|
|
|
stultify
|
cause to appear or become stupid; frustrate or hinder
|
|
|
stygian
|
gloomy; hellish
|
|
|
stymie
|
present an obstacle; stump
|
|
|
subaltern
|
(n) subordinate
|
|
|
sublimate
|
refine; purify
|
|
|
subliminal
|
below the threshold
|
|
|
suborn
|
persuade to act unlawfully
|
|
|
subpoena
|
writ summoning a witness to appear
|
|
|
subsume
|
include; encompass
|
|
|
subterfuge
|
pretense; evasion
|
|
|
subversive
|
tending to overthrow; destructive
|
|
|
succor
|
aid; assist; comfort
|
|
|
suffuse
|
spread over
|
|
|
sully
|
tarnish; soil
|
|
|
sultry
|
sweltering
|
|
|
sunder
|
separate; part
|
|
|
sundry
|
various; several
|
|
|
superannuated
|
retired or disqualified because of age
|
|
|
supercilious
|
arrogant; condescending; patronizing
|
|
|
supererogatory
|
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
|
|
|
supine
|
lying on back
|
|
|
suppliant
|
entreating; beseeching
|
|
|
supplicate
|
petition humbly; pray to grant a favor
|
|
|
supposititious
|
assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
|
|
|
surfeit
|
satiate; stuff; indulge to excess
|
|
|
swarthy
|
dark; dusky
|
|
|
swill
|
drink greedily
|
|
|
sybarite
|
lover of luxury
|
|
|
syllogism
|
deceptive or specious argument
|
|
|
sylvan
|
pertaining to the woods; rustic
|
|
|
tacit
|
understood; not put into words
|
|
|
taciturn
|
habitually silent
|
|
|
taper
|
candle
|
|
|
tarry
|
delay; dawdle
|
|
|
tautological
|
needlessly repetitious
|
|
|
tawdry
|
cheap and gaudy
|
|
|
teetotalism
|
practice of not drinking
|
|
|
temerity
|
boldness; rashness
|
|
|
temporize
|
act evasively to gain time; avoid commitment
|
|
|
tendentious
|
having an aim; biased
|
|
|
tensile
|
capable of being stretched
|
|
|
tenuous
|
thin; rare; slim
|
|
|
tesselated
|
inlaid; mosaic
|
|
|
testator
|
maker of a will
|
|
|
thrall
|
slave; bondage
|
|
|
throes
|
violent anguish
|
|
|
tightwad
|
miser
|
|
|
timorous
|
fearful
|
|
|
tipple
|
drink (alcohol) frequently
|
|
|
tithe
|
tax of one-tenth
|
|
|
titular
|
having the title of an office without the obligations
|
|
|
toady
|
servile flatterer; yes man
|
|
|
tonsure
|
shaving of the head
|
|
|
torpor
|
lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy
|
|
|
tortuous
|
winding; full of curves
|
|
|
tout
|
publicize; praise excessively
|
|
|
tractable
|
docile; easily managed
|
|
|
traduce
|
expose to slander
|
|
|
transmute
|
change; convert to something different
|
|
|
trappings
|
outward decorations; ornaments
|
|
|
trenchant
|
forceful and vigorous; cutting
|
|
|
trifling
|
trivial; unimportant
|
|
|
trite
|
hackneyed; commonplace
|
|
|
troth
|
pledge of good faith (betrothal)
|
|
|
truculence
|
aggressiveness; ferocity
|
|
|
tryst
|
meeting
|
|
|
tumid
|
swollen; pompous; bombastic
|
|
|
turbid
|
muddy; sediment disturbed
|
|
|
turgid
|
swollen; distended
|
|
|
turpitude
|
depravity
|
|
|
tutelary
|
protective; pertaining to guardianship
|
|
|
tyro
|
beginner; novice
|
|
|
umbrage
|
resentment; anger; sense of injury
|
|
|
unbridled
|
violent
|
|
|
unconscionable
|
unscrupulous; excessive
|
|
|
unction
|
the act of anointing with oil
|
|
|
unctuous
|
oily; bland; insincerely suave
|
|
|
unexceptionable
|
not offering any basis for criticism; entirely acceptable
|
|
|
unguent
|
ointment
|
|
|
unmitigated
|
unrelieved or immoderate; absolute
|
|
|
unprepossessing
|
unattractive
|
|
|
untoward
|
unfortunate or unlucky; adverse; unexpected
|
|
|
untrammeled
|
without limits or restrictions; unrestrained
|
|
|
unwonted
|
unaccustomed
|
|
|
upbraid
|
severely scold; reprimand
|
|
|
urbane
|
suave; refined; elegant
|
|
|
ursine
|
bearlike; pertaining to a bear
|
|
|
uxorious
|
excessively devoted to one's wife
|
|
|
vacillate
|
waver; fluctuate
|
|
|
vagary
|
caprice; whim
|
|
|
vagrant
|
stray; random
|
|
|
vainglorious
|
boastful; excessively conceited
|
|
|
vanguard
|
forerunners; advance forces
|
|
|
vapid
|
dull and unimaginative; insipid
|
|
|
vehement
|
forceful; intensely emotional
|
|
|
venal
|
capable of being bribed
|
|
|
venial
|
forgivable; trivial
|
|
|
venturesome
|
bold
|
|
|
veracious
|
truthful
|
|
|
verbiage
|
pompous array of words
|
|
|
verdant
|
green; lush in vegetation
|
|
|
verisimilar
|
probably or likely; having the appearance of truth
|
|
|
vernal
|
pertaining to spring
|
|
|
viand
|
food
|
|
|
vicissitude
|
change of fortune
|
|
|
victuals
|
food
|
|
|
vignette
|
picture; short literary sketch
|
|
|
virile
|
manly
|
|
|
visceral
|
felt in one's inner organs
|
|
|
viscid
|
adhesive; gluey
|
|
|
vitiate
|
spoil the effect of; make inoperative
|
|
|
vitreous
|
pertaining to or resembling glass
|
|
|
vituperative
|
abusive; scolding
|
|
|
vivisection
|
act of dissecting living animals
|
|
|
vociferous
|
clamorous; noisy
|
|
|
voluble
|
fluent; glib; talkative
|
|
|
vouchsafe
|
grant condescendingly; guarantee
|
|
|
vulpine
|
like a fox; crafty
|
|
|
waggish
|
mischievous; humorous; tricky
|
|
|
waif
|
homeless child or animal
|
|
|
wan
|
having a pale color; pallid
|
|
|
wanderlust
|
strong longing to travel
|
|
|
wangle
|
wiggle out; fake
|
|
|
wanton
|
unrestrained; unchaste
|
|
|
warren
|
crowded conditions in which people live
|
|
|
wastrel
|
profligate
|
|
|
waylay
|
ambush; lie in wait
|
|
|
welter
|
turmoil; bewildering jumble
|
|
|
welter
|
(v) wallow
|
|
|
wheedle
|
cajole; coax
|
|
|
whimsical
|
capricious; fanciful
|
|
|
whiy
|
smallest speck; shred; tiny bit
|
|
|
willful
|
intentional; headstrong
|
|
|
windfall
|
unexpected lucky event
|
|
|
winnow
|
sift; separate good parts from bad
|
|
|
winsome
|
agreeable; gracious; engaging
|
|
|
wont
|
custom
|
|
|
wrest
|
pull away; take by violence
|
|
|
yen
|
longing; urge
|
|
|
yeoman
|
man owning small estate; middle-class farmer
|
|
|
yoke
|
join together, unite
|
|
|
yokel
|
country bumpkin
|
|
|
yore
|
time past
|
|
|
zenith
|
summit
|
|
|
zephyr
|
gentle breeze; west wind
|
|
|
ineluctable
|
inescapable
|
|
|
invidious
|
hateful; injurious
|
|
|
plangent
|
resounding loudly
|
|
|
nugatory
|
of no real value; worthless
|
|
|
pusillanimous
|
cowardly; faint-hearted; timid
|
|
|
jejune
|
dull and insipid; juvenile or immature
|
|
|
cybernetics
|
study of human-like mechanical systems
|
|
|
filigree
|
anything very delicate or fanciful
|
|
|
tautology
|
needless repetition of an idea; logic
|
|
|
peregrination
|
journey
|
|
|
prestidigitation
|
sleight of hand
|
|
|
peroration
|
long speech characterized by lofty language; rhetoric
|
|
|
herpetology
|
study of reptiles and amphibians
|
|
|
ichthyology
|
study of fishes
|
|
|
superannuation
|
pension off; discard as obsolete
|
|
|
senescent
|
growing old; characteristic of old age
|
|
|
catholic
|
universal; general
|
|
|
quotidian
|
daily; usual or customary
|
|
|
obsequious
|
servilely compliant; fawning
|
|
|
obstreperous
|
unruly; noisy
|
|
|
insipid
|
without distinctive or interesting qualities
|
|
|
taciturn
|
inclined to silence; uncommunicative
|
|
|
garrulous
|
prating; babbling
|
|
|
sordid
|
morally ignoble; vile; selfish
|
|
|
disingenuous
|
lacking in frankness, candor, sincerity
|
|
|
hackneyed
|
overdone; trite
|
|
|
gainsay
|
deny, dispute, or contradict
|
