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157 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Abstruse
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Difficult to understand; obscure: "an abstruse philosophical inquiry."
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Recondite
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little known; abstruse. Denotes topics that are known and understood by only a few experts.
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Prodigal
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wastefully or recklessly extravagant
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Amatory
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of or pertaining to lovers or lovemaking
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Amity
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A friendly relationship, from Latin "amicus"
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Inamorata
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a female lover
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Perambulator
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Someone who makes a tour of inspection on foot
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Amphibian (non zoological)
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A person or thing having a twofold nature
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Animus
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1. Hostility or ill feeling
2. Motivation to do something 3. (Psych) Jung's term for the masculine part of a woman's personality |
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Equanimity
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Mental or emotional stability, especially under tension. Composure, even temper.
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Magnanimous
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very generous or forgiving, esp. toward a rival or someone less powerful
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Antediluvian
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of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood;
(chiefly humorous) ridiculously old-fashioned. |
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Misanthrope
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a person who dislikes humanity and avoids human society.
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Androgen
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any substance that promotes masculine characteristics; a male sex hormone, such as testosterone
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Anthropocentric
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regarding humankind as the central or most important element of existence, esp. as opposed to God or animals.
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Antipodal
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relating to or situated on the opposite side of the earth; diametrically opposed to something.
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Apocalypse
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complete final destruction of the world; an event involving destruction or damage on a large scale. Kaplan says "revelation, discovery; disclosure." ?
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Apogee
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The point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it's furthest from the earth. Opposite of Perigee.
(fig.) the highest point in the development of something; climax or culmination of something |
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Apocryphal
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of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.
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Apostasy
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the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief
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Oligarchy
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a small group of people having control of a country, organization or institution
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Autocrat
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a ruler who has absolute power; someone who insists on complete obedience; an imperious or domineering person
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Belittle
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make seem unimportant
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Belie
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1. fail to give a true notion or impression of; disguise or contradict
2. fail to fulfill or justify (a claim or expectation); betray (misrepresent, contradict) |
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Biennial
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Happening every two years. Contrast with "biannual" which means twice a year.
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Bilateral
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having or relating to two sides; affecting both sides
- involving two parties, usually countries. |
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Decadent
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Characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline; luxuriously self-indulgent.
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Recidivist
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a convicted criminal who reoffends, esp. repeatedly
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Recant
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say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, esp. one considered heretical
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Susceptible
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1. likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing; easily influenced by feelings or emotions; sensitive.
2. (predic.) (susceptible of) capable or admitting of |
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Percipient
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adj.: (of a person) having a good understanding of things; perceptive.
(noun) esp. in philosophy, or psychic phenomena: a person who is able to perceive things. |
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Precept
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1. a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought
2. a writ or warrant, e.g. "the commissioner issued precepts requiring the companies to provide information" |
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Precipitate
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1. cause (an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.
2. cause to move suddenly and with force 3. send something into a particular state or condition adj.: done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration occurring suddenly or abruptly |
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Capitulate
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cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender
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Carnage
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the killing of a large number of people.
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Castigate
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reprimand severely
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Chastise
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rebuke or reprimand severely;
(dated) punish, esp. by beating |
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Discrete
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individually separate and distinct
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Discreet
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careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, esp. in order to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage
- intentionally unobtrusive |
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Ascertain
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find out for certain; make sure of
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Anachronism
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a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, esp. a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned.
- an act of attributing a custom, event, or object to a period to which it doesn't belong |
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Circuit
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(v). move all the way around. e.g. "the trains will follow the northern line, circuiting the capital."
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Circumambulate
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Walk all the way around something
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Preclude
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prevent from happening; make impossible; prevent someone from doing something
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Disclaim
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refuse to acknowledge; deny.
- renounce a legal claim to (a property or title). |
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Conciliate
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1. stop someone from being angry or discontented; placate; pacify
- act as a mediatore - reconcile; make compatible 2. (archaic) gain esteem or goodwill |
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Commensurate
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corresponding in size or degree; in proportion. E.g., "salary will be commensurate with experience."
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Accretion
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the process of growth or increase; typically by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter
- a thing formed by such growth or increase |
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Cryptology v. cryptography
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(a) the science of interpreting secret writings, codes, ciphers, etc.
(b) procedures of making and using secret writing |
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Inculpate
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accuse or blame; incriminate
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Didactic
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intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.
- in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to treat someone in a patronizing way |
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Endemic
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1 (of a disease or condition) regularly found among particular people or in a certain area
2. (of plant or animal) native or restricted to a certain country or area |
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Interdict
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an authoritative prohibition.
(v). to prohibit or forbid 2. intercept and prevent the movement of (a prohibited commodity or person) |
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Condign
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(of punishment or retribution) appropriate to the crime or wrongdoing; fitting and deserved.
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Indolent
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1. wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.
2. (of a disease condition)causing little or no pain; 3. slow to develop, progress or heal; persistent. |
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Dubiety
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doubtfulness
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Dyspepsia
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indigestion
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Efface
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erase (a mark) from a surface;
(fig.) make oneself appear insignificant or inconspicuous |
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Epithet
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1. an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned
2. such a word or phrase as a term of abuse 3. a descriptive title |
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Arrant
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Complete, utter: e.g., "what arrant nonsense!"
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Eugenics
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the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics
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Euphony
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the quality of being pleasing to the ear, esp. through a harmonious combination of words
- the tendency to make phonetic change for ease of pronunciation |
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Extrapolate
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Extend the application of (a method or conclusion, esp. one based on statistics) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue;
2. estimate or conclude in this way |
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Effervescent
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giving off bubbles; fizzy
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Flambeau
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a flaming torch, esp. one made with several thick wicks dipped in wax.
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Conflagration
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an extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property
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Fractious
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easily irritated; bad tempered.
2. difficult to control; unruly |
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Refractory
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1. stubborn, unmanageable
2. resistant to a process or stimulus 3. not yielding to treatment 4. resistant to heat; hard to melt or fuse |
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Fusillade
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a series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession
v. attack or shoot down by a series of shots |
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Suffuse
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gradually spread through or over
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Diffuse
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spread or cause to spread over a wide area or among a large number of people; scatter.
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Egress
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the action of going out or leaving a place; a way out; the right or freedom to come out or go out
(v). go out of or leave a place |
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Ingratiate
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bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them
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Heterodox
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not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs
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Indigent
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(adj.) poor; needy
(n.) a needy person |
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Junta
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1. a military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force
2. a deliberative or administrative council in Spain or Portugal |
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Abjure
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solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim)
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Adjure
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urge or request solemnly or earnestly to do something
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Ablution
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the act of washing oneself (often used for humorously formal effect)
- a ceremonial act of washing parts of the body or sacred containers |
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Predilection
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a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something
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Magnanimous
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generous in forgiving an insult or injury
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Maladroit
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ineffective or bungling; clumsy
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Malaprop/malapropism
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the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect
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Malfeasance
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wrongdoing, esp. by a public official
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Minatory
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expressing or conveying a threat
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Remit
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1. cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting
2. send money in payment or as a gift 3. refer to some authority 4. (rare) postpone, (archaic) diminish |
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Promiscuous (alt.)
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demonstrating or implying an undiscriminating or unselective approach; indiscriminate or casual;
consisting of a wide range of different things |
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Monitor
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one that admonishes cautions or reminds
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Moribund
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(of a person) at the point of death
(of a thing) in terminal decline; lacking vitality or vigor |
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Cognate
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1. having the same linguistic derivation as another; from the same original word or root
2. (formal) related; connected - related to or descended from a common ancestor (noun) 1. (law) a blood relative |
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Gastronomy
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the practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food.
- the cooking of a particular area |
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Neologism
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a newly coined word or expression; the coining or use of new words
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Neophyte
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A person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief
- a new convert to a religion - a novice in a religious order, or a newly ordained priest |
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Obstreperous
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Noisy and difficult to control, often in an unruly and aggressive way, usually in defiance of authority
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Vociferous
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vehement or clamorous
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Obfuscate
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render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible
- bewilder |
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Obsequious
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obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
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Omnibus
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1. a volume containing several novels or other items previously published separately
2. (dated) a bus (adj.) comprising several items |
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Panegyric
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a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something
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Panoply
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a complete or impressive collection of things
- a splendid display - a complete set of arms or suit of armor |
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Paragon
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a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality
- a person or thing viewed as a model of excellence - a perfect diamond of 100 carats or more |
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Pusillanimous
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showing a lack of courage or determination; timid
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Pedant
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a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning
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Antipodes
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the direct opposite of something
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Perfunctory
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carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection; performed merely as routine duty
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Pertinacious
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holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action
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Perspicacious
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having a ready insight into and understanding of things
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Peripatetic
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(adj.) 1. traveling from place to place, esp. working or based in various places for relatively short periods
2. Aristotelian (origin: with reference to Aristotle's practice of walking to and fro while teaching) noun: 1. a person who travels from place to place |
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Philatelist
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collection and study of postage stamps
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Philology
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branch of knowledge that deals with the structure, historical development, and relationship of a language or languages
- literary or classical scholarship |
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Complaisant
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willing to please others; obliging; agreeable
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Duplicity
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1. deceitfulness; double-dealing
2. (archaic) doubleness |
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Deportment
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a person's behavior or manners
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Disport
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(v.) (archaic or humorous) enjoy oneself unrestrainedly; frolic
(n.) a diversion from work or serious matters; recreation or amusement (archaic) a pastime, game, or sport |
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Importune
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ask (someone) pressingly and persistently for or to do something
- approach to offer one's services as a prostitute |
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Presentiment
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an intuitive feeling about the future, esp. one of foreboding
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Proselytize
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convert or attempt to convert from one religion, belief, or opinion to another
- advocate or promote a belief or course of action |
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Propound
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put forward (an idea, theory, or point of view) for consideration by others
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Approbation
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approval or praise
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Opprobrium
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harsh criticism or censure
- public disgrace arising from someone's shameful conduct - (arch.) an occasion or cause of reproach or disgrace |
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Reprobate
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an unprincipled person (often used humorously or affectionately)
- (arch.) (esp. in Calvinism) a sinner who is not of the elect and is predestined to damnation (adj.) unprincipled. (v.) express or feel disapproval of |
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Probity
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the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency
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Compunction
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a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows the doing of something bad. (usually with negative, e.g. without compunction, had no compunction)
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Punctilious
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showing great attention to detail or correct behavior
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Perquisite
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Another term for perk.
- a thing regarded as a special right or privilege enjoyed as a result of one's position |
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Quiescence
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in a state or period of inactivity or dormacy
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Abeyance
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a state of temporary disuse or suspension
- (law) the position of being without, or waiting for, an owner or claimant |
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Abrogate
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repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement)
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Arrogate
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take or claim (something) for oneself without justification
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Execrable
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extremely bad or unpleasant
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Desultory
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lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
- (of conversation) going constantly from one subject to another in a halfhearted way; unfocused - occurring randomly or occasionally |
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Unconscionable
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Not right or reasonable;
unreasonably excessive |
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Proscribe
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forbid, esp. by law;
- denounce or condemn - (historical) outlaw (someone) |
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Obsequious
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Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
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Assiduous
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showing great care and perseverance
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Insensate
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lacking physical sensation;
lacking sympathy or compassion, unfeeling - completely lacking sense or reason |
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Dissolute
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lax in morals; licentious
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Circumspect
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wary and unwilling to take risks
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Specious
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superficially plausible, but actually wrong
- misleading in appearance, esp. misleadingly attractive |
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Subterfuge
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deceit used in order to achieve one's goal
- a statement or action resorted to in order to deceive |
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Supposition
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an uncertain belief
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Supercilious
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Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others
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Tendentious
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expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, esp. a controversial one
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Apotheosis
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The highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax
- the elevation of someone to divine status |
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Tractable
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easy to control or influence; easy to deal with
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Intransigent
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Unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something
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Contravene
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violate the prohibition or order of (a law, treaty, code of conduct)
- conflict with (a right, principle, etc.), esp. to its detriment |
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Adventitious
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happening or carried on according to chance rather than design or inherent nature
- coming from outside, not native |
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Veracious
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speaking or representing truth
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Verisimilitude
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the appearance of being true or real
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Aver
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state or assert to be the case
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Verdant
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green with grass or other rich vegetation; of the bright green color of lush grass
(other) inexperienced |
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Verdure
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lush green vegetation; fresh green color; a condition of freshness
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Clandestine
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kept secret or done secretly, esp. because illicit
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Joie de vivre
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exuberant enjoyment of life. Lit. "Joy of living"
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Equivocate
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use ambiguous language as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself
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Avocation
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a hobby or minor occupation
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