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1241 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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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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ABOMINATE
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loathe; hate
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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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ABYSMAL
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bottomless
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ACCLIVITY
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sharp upslope of a hill
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ACCOST
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approach and speak first to a person
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*ACCRETION
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growth; increase
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ACETIC
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vinegary
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ACIDULOUS
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slightly sour; sharp; caustic
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ACROPHOBIA
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fear of heights
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ACTUARIAL
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calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
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ACTUATE
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motivate
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ADDLE
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muddle; drive crazy; become rotten
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ADJUNCT
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something (generally nonessential or inferior) added on or attached
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ADJURATION
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solemn urging
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ADJUTANT
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staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
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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 (eagle, hawk)
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AFFIDAVIT
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written statement made under oath
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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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*ALIAS
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an assumed name
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*ALIMENTARY
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supplying nourishment
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ALIMONY
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payments made to an ex-spouse after divorce
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ALLOY
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mix; make less pure; lessen or moderate
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ALLUVIAL
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pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
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AMBLE
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moving at an easy pace
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AMITY
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friendship
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AMOK (also AMUCK)
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in a state of rage
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*ANALGESIC
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causing insensitivity to pain
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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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*ANNEAL
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reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling
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ANNEX
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attach; take possession of
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ANNOTATE
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comment; make explanatory notes
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ANNUITY
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yearly allowance
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ANODYNE
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drug that relieves pain; opiate
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*ANTEDILUVIAN
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antiquated; extremely ancient
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*ANTHROPOID
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manlike
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ANTIC
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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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*APIARY
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a place where bees are kept
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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
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APPOSITE
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appropriate; fitting
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APPRAISE
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estimate value of
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APPRISE
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inform
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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
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ARABESQUE
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style of decoration involving intertwined plants and abstract curves; ballet position with one leg supporting the weight of the body
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ARABLE
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fit for growing crops
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*ARCADE
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a covered passageway
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ARGOT
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slang
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ARRAIGN
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charge in court; indict
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ARREARS
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being in debt
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*ARROYO
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gully
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ARTICULATE
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effective; distinct
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ASEPTIC
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preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
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ASPERITY
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sharpness (of temper)
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ASSAY
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analyze; evaluate
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ASTRINGENT
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binding; causing contraction; harsh or severe
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*ATAVISM
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resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback
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ATTRITION
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gradual decrease in numbers; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment
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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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*AVER
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assert confidently or declare; as used in law
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AVIARY
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enclosure for birds
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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 tool used for piercing
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BACCHANALIAN
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drunken
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BADINAGE
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teasing conversation
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BAIT
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harass; tease
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BALEFUL
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threatening; menacing; sinister; foreshadowing evil
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BALK
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stop short
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BALLAST
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heavy substance used to add stability or weight
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BALMY
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mild; fragrant
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BANDY
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discuss lightly or glibly; exchange (words) heatedly
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BANEFUL
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destructive; causing ruin or death
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BAROQUE
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highly ornate
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BARRAGE
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barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion
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BATE
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let down; restrain
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BAUBLE
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trinket; trifle
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BEATIFIC
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showing or producing joy; blissful
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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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BEELINE
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direct, quick route
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BELIE
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contradict; give a false impression
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BEMUSED
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confused; lost in thought; preoccupied
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BENEDICTION
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blessing
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BENISON
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blessing
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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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suffering from a liver complaint; 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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BLANDISHMENT
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flattery
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BLIGHTED
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suffering from a disease; destroyed
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BLOWHARD
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talkative boaster
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BLUFF
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rough but good-natured; pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff
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BLUSTER
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blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully
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BOLT
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door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; dash or dart off; fasten (a door); gobble down
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*BOMBASTIC
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pompous; using inflated language
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*BOUILLON
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clear beef soup
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BOURGEOIS
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middle class; selfishly materialistic; dully conventional
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BOVINE
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cowlike; placid and dull
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BOWDLERIZE
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expurgate
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BRACKISH
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somewhat saline
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BRAGGADOCIO
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boasting
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*BRAVADO
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swagger; assumed air of defiance
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BRINDLED
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tawny or grayish with streaks or spots
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* BRITTLE
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easily broken; difficult
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BROCADE
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rich, figured fabric
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BROOK
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tolerate; endure
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BUCOLIC
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rustic; pastoral
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*BUGABOO
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bugbear; object of baseless terror
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BURLESQUE
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give an imitation that ridicules
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BURNISH
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make shiny by rubbing; polish
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CABAL
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small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
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*CACHE
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hiding place
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*CADGE
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beg; mooch; panhandle
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*CALLOW
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youthful; immature; inexperienced
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CALORIFIC
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heat-producing
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CALUMNY
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malicious misrepresentation; slander
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*CAMEO
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shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film
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CANARD
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false or unfounded story; fabricated report
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*CANKER
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any ulcerous sore; any evil
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CANNY
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shrewd; thrifty
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CANON
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rule or principle; frequently religious
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CANT
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insincere expressions of piety; jargon of thieves
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CANTATA
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story set to music
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*CANTER
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slow gallop
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*CANTO
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division of a long poem
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CANVASS
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determine or seek opinions
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*CAPILLARY
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having a very fine bore
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*CAPTIOUS
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faultfinding
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CARAFE
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glass water bottle; decanter
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*CARAPACE
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shell covering the back (of a turtle, crab, etc.)
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*CAREEN
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lurch
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CARILLON
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a set of bells capable of being played
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CAROUSAL
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drunken revel
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CARRION
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rotting flesh of a dead body
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CASTIGATION
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punishment; severe criticism
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CATARACT
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great waterfall; eye abnormality
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CATCALL
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shout of disapproval; boo
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CATECHISM
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book for religious instruction; instruction by question and answer
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*CATHOLIC
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universal
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*CAULK
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to make watertight (by plugging seams)
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CAUTERIZE
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burn with hot iron or caustic
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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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CENSORIOUS
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critical
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CENTRIFUGAL
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radiating; departing from the center
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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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CHAFFING
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bantering; joking
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CHAGRIN
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vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride); disappointment
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CHALICE
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goblet; consecrated cup
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*CHARY
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cautious; sparing or restrained about giving
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CHASE
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ornament a metal surface by indenting
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CHASSIS
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framework and working parts of an automobile
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*CHECKERED
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marked by changes in fortune
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*CHICANERY
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trickery; deception
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CHIMERICAL
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fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; imaginative
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CHISEL
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swindle or cheat; cut with a chisel
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CHOLERIC
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hot-tempered
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*CHORTLE
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chuckle with delight
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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; secret code
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CIRCUMVENT
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outwit; baffle
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*CISTERN
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reservoir or water tank
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CLAMBER
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climb by crawling
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CLAPPER
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striker (tongue) of a bell
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CLARION
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shrill
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CLAVICLE
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collarbone
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CLEAVE
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split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to
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CLOISTER
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monastery or convent
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CODA
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concluding section of a musical or literary composition; something that rounds out
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CODDLE
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treat gently; pamper
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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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COGNATE
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related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature
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COHORTS
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armed band
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COIFFURE
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hairstyle
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COLANDER
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utensil with perforated bottom used for straining
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COLLATE
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examine in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order
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COLLATION
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a light meal
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COLLOQUY
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informal discussion
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COLLUSION
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conspiring in a fraudulent scheme
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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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COMEUPPANCE
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rebuke; deserts
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COMMANDEER
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to draft for military purposes; to take for public use
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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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*CONCATENATE
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link as in a chain
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CONCLAVE
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private meeting
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CONDIGN
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appropriate; deserved (almost always
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RIG
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a carriage or wagon together with the horse or horses that draw it
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CHANDLER
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a person who makes or sells candles
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DECEDENT
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a deceased person
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EXECUTRIX
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a person named in a decedent's will to carry out the provisions of that will
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INFLAMMABLE
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flammable
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TRUSS
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a supporting device
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HERNIA
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a protrusion of an organ through a wall that normally contains it
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SKEIN
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a length of yarn or thread wound on a reel
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*KNOLL
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small hill
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LEGERDEMAIN
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sleight of hand; trickery; deception
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TIDINGS
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news
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CONIFER
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pine tree; cone-bearing tree
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CONNUBIAL
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pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
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*CONSANGUINITY
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kinship
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*CONSCRIPT
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draftee; person forced into military service
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CONSEQUENTIAL
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pompous; self-important
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CONSIGN
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deliver officially; entrust; set apart
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*CONSORT
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associate with; husband or wife
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CONTINENCE
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self-restraint; sexual chastity
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CONTRAVENE
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contradict; oppose; infringe on or transgress
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CONTUMACIOUS
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disobedient; resisting authority
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CONTUSION
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bruise
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CONVENE
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assemble
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COQUETTE
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flirt
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CORNICE
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projecting molding on building (usually above columns)
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COROLLARY
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consequence; accompaniment
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*CORPULENT
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very fat
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COTERIE
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group that meets socially; select circle
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COUNTERMAND
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cancel; revoke
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COZEN
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cheat; hoodwink; swindle
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*CRABBED
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sour; peevish
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CRONE
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hag
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CROTCHETY
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irritable, often due to old age; eccentric; whimsical
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CRYPT
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secret recess or vault usually used for burial
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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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CURSIVE
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flowing
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*CYNOSURE
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object of general attention
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DAIS
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raised platform for guests of honor
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*DANK
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damp
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DEADPAN
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wooden; impassive
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DECADENCE
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decay
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DECANT
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pour off gently
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CONFEDERATE
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ally; accomplice, esp. in a mischievous or criminal act
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DECIDUOUS
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falling off, as of leaves
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DECLIVITY
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downward slope
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DECOLLETE
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having a low-cut neckline
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DECOY
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lure or bait
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DECRY
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express strong disapproval of; disparage
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DEFAULT
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failure to act
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DEFOLIATE
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destroy leaves
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DEFRAY
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provide for the payment of
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DEFROCK
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to strip a priest or minister of church authority
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DEIGN
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condescend; stoop
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DELTA
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flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river
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DELUSIVE
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deceptive; raising vain hopes
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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; object (because of doubts
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DEMURE
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grave; serious; coy
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*DENIZEN
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inhabitant or resident; regular visitor
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DENOTATION
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meaning; distinguishing by name
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DENOUEMENT
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outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work
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DEPLORE
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condemn; regret
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DEPREDATION
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plundering
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DERELICT
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abandoned; negligent
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DESCRY
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catch sight of
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*DESSICATE
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dry up
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DESPERADO
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reckless outlaw
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*DESUETUDE
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state of disuse
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*DESULTORY
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aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
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DETRACTION
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slandering; aspersion
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DEVOLVE
|
be transferred to another; delegate to another; gradually worsen
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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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DIE
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device for stamping or impressing; mold
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DILETTANTE
|
aimless follower of the arts; amateur; dabbler
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*DINGHY
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small boat (often ship's boat)
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DIRGE
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lament with music
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DISABUSE
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correct a false impression; undeceive
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DISAFFECTED
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disloyal
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DISBURSE
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pay out
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DISCOMFIT
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put to rout; defeat; disconcert
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DISGORGE
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surrender something; eject; vomit
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GANDER
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male goose; look or glance; simpleton; ninny
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MALFEASANCE
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misconduct or wrongdoing
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DISINGENUOUS
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lacking genuine candor; insincere
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DISPORT
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amuse
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DISQUISITION
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a formal systematic inquiry; an explanation of the results of a formal inquiry
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*DISSIMULATE
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pretend; conceal by feigning
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DISTRAIT
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upset; distracted by anxiety
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DIVA
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operatic singer; prima donna
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DOCKET
|
program as for trial; book where such entries are made
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DODDERING
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shaky; infirm from old age
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DOFF
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take off
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DOGGEREL
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poor verse
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DOMICILE
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home
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DORMER
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window projecting from roof
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DOSSIER
|
file of documents on a subject
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*DOTAGE
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senility; foolish affection
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DOTE
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be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
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DOWDY
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slovenly; untidy
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DROLL
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queer and amusing
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|
|
DROSS
|
waste matter
|
|
|
*DRONE
|
idle person; male bee; talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee
|
|
|
*DYSPEPTIC
|
suffering from indigestion
|
|
|
*EDDY
|
swirling current of water
|
|
|
EFFETE
|
lacking vigor; worn out; sterile
|
|
|
EFFLUVIUM
|
noxious smell
|
|
|
*ELEGY
|
poem or song expressing lamentation
|
|
|
ELYSIAN
|
relating to paradise; blissful
|
|
|
EMBARGO
|
ban on commerce or other activity
|
|
|
EMBEZZLEMENT
|
stealing
|
|
|
EMBOSS
|
produce a design in raised relief
|
|
|
EMEND
|
correct
|
|
|
EMENDATION
|
correction of errors; improvement
|
|
|
EMETIC
|
substance causing vomiting
|
|
|
EMOLLIENT
|
soothing or softening remedy
|
|
|
EMOLUMENT
|
salary; compensation
|
|
|
ENCLAVE
|
territory enclosed within an alien land
|
|
|
ENCOMIASTIC
|
praising; eulogistic
|
|
|
ENCOMIUM
|
high praise; eulogy
|
|
|
ENDUE
|
provide with some quality; endow
|
|
|
ENERVATE
|
weaken
|
|
|
ENJOIN
|
command; order; forbid
|
|
|
*ENTERPRISING
|
full of initiative
|
|
|
ENTOMOLOGY
|
study of insects
|
|
|
ENTREE
|
entrance; a way in
|
|
|
*ENVIRON
|
enclose; surround
|
|
|
EPAULET
|
ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform
|
|
|
EPICURE
|
connoisseur of food and drink
|
|
|
EPIGRAM
|
witty thought or saying
|
|
|
EPISODIC
|
loosely connected
|
|
|
EPISTEMOLOGIST
|
philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge
|
|
|
EPITAPH
|
inscription in memory of a dead person
|
|
|
EPITHET
|
word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing
|
|
|
EQUABLE
|
tranquil; steady; uniform
|
|
|
EQUINOX
|
period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn
|
|
|
EQUIPOISE
|
balance; balancing force; equilibrium
|
|
|
ERRANT
|
wandering
|
|
|
ESPIONAGE
|
spying
|
|
|
ESSAY
|
make an attempt at; test
|
|
|
ETHNOLOGY
|
study of humankind
|
|
|
EUGENIC
|
pertaining to the improvement of race
|
|
|
EULOGISTIC
|
praising
|
|
|
EWE
|
a female sheep
|
|
|
EXCEPTIONABLE
|
objectionable
|
|
|
EXCISE
|
cut away; cut out
|
|
|
EXCORIATE
|
scold with biting harshness; strip the skin off
|
|
|
*EXECRATE
|
curse; express abhorrence for
|
|
|
*EXEGESIS
|
explanation
|
|
|
EXIGENCY
|
urgent situation; pressing needs or demands; state of requiring immediate action
|
|
|
EXIGUOUS
|
small; minute
|
|
|
EXPATIATE
|
talk at length
|
|
|
EXPIATE
|
make amends for (a sin)
|
|
|
EXPOSTULATION
|
protest; remonstrance
|
|
|
EXPURGATE
|
clean; remove offensive parts of a book
|
|
|
EXTENUATE
|
weaken; mitigate
|
|
|
FACILE
|
easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial
|
|
|
FACTITIOUS
|
artificial; sham
|
|
|
FACTOTUM
|
handyman; person who does all kinds of work
|
|
|
FALLOW
|
plowed but not sowed; uncultivated
|
|
|
FANCIED
|
imagined; unreal
|
|
|
FANCIER
|
breeder or dealer of animals
|
|
|
FARCE
|
broad comedy; mockery
|
|
|
*FASTIDIOUS
|
difficult to please; squeamish
|
|
|
FATALISM
|
belief that events are determined by forces beyond one's control
|
|
|
*FATUOUS
|
brainless; inane; foolish
|
|
|
FAUNA
|
animals of a period or region
|
|
|
*FEBRILE
|
feverish
|
|
|
FECKLESS
|
feeble and ineffective; careless and irresponsible
|
|
|
FELICITOUS
|
apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
|
|
|
FELL
|
cruel; deadly; cut or knock down; bring down (with a missile)
|
|
|
*FERAL
|
not domestic; wild
|
|
|
FERRET
|
drive or hunt out of hiding
|
|
|
FETE
|
honor at a festival
|
|
|
FIAT
|
command
|
|
|
*FILCH
|
steal
|
|
|
FILIGREE
|
delicate, lacelike metalwork
|
|
|
FLAG
|
droop; grow feeble
|
|
|
FLAIL
|
thresh grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about
|
|
|
FLAY
|
strip the skin off; plunder; whip; attack with harsh criticism
|
|
|
FLECK
|
spot
|
|
|
*FLEDGLING
|
inexperienced
|
|
|
FLEECE
|
rob; plunder
|
|
|
*FLOE
|
mass of floating ice
|
|
|
FLOTSAM
|
drifting wreckage
|
|
|
*FLOUNDER
|
struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter
|
|
|
FLOUT
|
reject; mock; show contempt for
|
|
|
FLUTED
|
having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar)
|
|
|
FOIL
|
contrast; defeat
|
|
|
FOIST
|
insert improperly; palm off
|
|
|
FORAY
|
raid; initial attempt
|
|
|
FORBEARANCE
|
patience
|
|
|
FORSWEAR
|
renounce; abandon
|
|
|
FORTUITOUS
|
accidental; by chance; lucky; fortunate
|
|
|
FOUNDER
|
fail completely; sink
|
|
|
FRESCO
|
painting on plaster (usually fresh)
|
|
|
FROND
|
fern leaf; palm or banana leaf
|
|
|
FROWARD
|
stubbornly contrary; obstinately disobedient
|
|
|
FRUCTIFY
|
bear fruit
|
|
|
DOCENT
|
a college or university lecturer; a person who is a knowledgeable guide
|
|
|
FULCRUM
|
support on which a lever rests
|
|
|
FULMINATE
|
denounce thunderously; explode
|
|
|
FULSOME
|
disgustingly excessive
|
|
|
FUNCTIONARY
|
official
|
|
|
FUSILLADE
|
simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles
|
|
|
GAFFE
|
social blunder
|
|
|
*GAINSAY
|
deny
|
|
|
GALL
|
bitterness; nerve; annoy; chafe
|
|
|
GALLEON
|
large sailing ship
|
|
|
GAMBIT
|
opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed
|
|
|
GAMBOL
|
romp; skip about; leap playfully
|
|
|
GAMELY
|
in a spirited manner; with courage
|
|
|
GAMUT
|
entire range
|
|
|
GARNISH
|
decorate
|
|
|
GASTRONOMY
|
science of preparing and serving good food
|
|
|
GAUCHE
|
clumsy; course and uncouth
|
|
|
GAUNT
|
lean and angular; barren
|
|
|
GENTEEL
|
well-bred; elegant
|
|
|
GENTRY
|
people of standing; class of people just below nobility
|
|
|
GENUFLECT
|
bend the knee as in worship
|
|
|
GERMANE
|
pertinent; bearing upon the case at hand
|
|
|
*GERONTOCRACY
|
government ruled by old people
|
|
|
*GERRYMANDER
|
change voting district lines in order to favor a political party
|
|
|
GESTATE
|
evolve
|
|
|
GIBE
|
mock
|
|
|
GINGERLY
|
very carefully
|
|
|
GIRTH
|
distance around something; circumference
|
|
|
GLEAN
|
gather leavings
|
|
|
GLIB
|
fluent; facile; slick
|
|
|
GLUT
|
overstock; fill to excess
|
|
|
GLUTINOUS
|
sticky; viscous
|
|
|
GOSSAMER
|
sheer; like cobwebs
|
|
|
GOUGE
|
tear out; overcharge
|
|
|
GOURMAND
|
epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink
|
|
|
GOURMET
|
connoisseur of food and drink
|
|
|
GRANDILOQUENT
|
pompous; bombastic; using high-sounding language
|
|
|
GRANULATE
|
form into grains
|
|
|
GRATIS
|
free
|
|
|
GROTTO
|
small cavern
|
|
|
GROUSE
|
complain; fuss
|
|
|
GULL
|
trick; hoodwink
|
|
|
GUSTATORY
|
affecting the sense of taste
|
|
|
*GUSTO
|
enjoyment; enthusiasm
|
|
|
GUY
|
cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied
|
|
|
GYROSCOPE
|
apparatus used to maintain balance
|
|
|
HACKLES
|
hairs on back and neck
|
|
|
HALCYON
|
calm; peaceful
|
|
|
HALE
|
healthy
|
|
|
HALLOWED
|
blessed; consecrated
|
|
|
HAP
|
chance; luck
|
|
|
HAPLESS
|
unfortunate
|
|
|
HARANGUE
|
long, passionate, and vehement speech
|
|
|
HARPING
|
tiresome dwelling on a subject
|
|
|
HATCH
|
deck opening; lid covering a deck opening
|
|
|
HEADLONG
|
hasty; rash
|
|
|
HERMETIC
|
sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; obscure and mysterious; occult
|
|
|
HERPETOLOGIST
|
one who studies reptiles
|
|
|
*HETERODOX
|
unorthodox; unconventional
|
|
|
HEW
|
cut to pieces with ax or sword
|
|
|
HIBERNAL
|
wintry
|
|
|
*HINTERLANDS
|
back country
|
|
|
HIRELING
|
one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously)
|
|
|
HIRSUTE
|
hairy
|
|
|
HISTRIONIC
|
theatrical
|
|
|
*HOARY
|
white with age
|
|
|
HOLOCAUST
|
destruction by fire
|
|
|
HOLSTER
|
pistol case
|
|
|
HOMILY
|
sermon; serious warning
|
|
|
HOODWINK
|
deceive; delude
|
|
|
HORTATORY
|
encouraging; exhortive
|
|
|
HORTICULTURAL
|
pertaining to cultivation of gardens
|
|
|
HOVEL
|
shack; small, wretched house
|
|
|
HUMMOCK
|
small hill
|
|
|
HUMUS
|
substance formed by decaying vegetable matter
|
|
|
*HURTLE
|
crash; rush
|
|
|
HUSBAND
|
use sparingly; conserve; save
|
|
|
HUSBANDRY
|
frugality; thrift; agriculture
|
|
|
HYDROPHOBIA
|
fear of water; rabies
|
|
|
ICTHYOLOGY
|
study of fish
|
|
|
ICONOCLASTIC
|
attacking cherished traditions
|
|
|
IGNEOUS
|
produced by fire; volcanic
|
|
|
IMBROGLIO
|
complicated situation; painful or complicated misunderstanding; entanglement; confused mass (as of papers)
|
|
|
IMMURE
|
imprison; shut up in confinement
|
|
|
IMPASSIVE
|
without feeling; imperturbable; stoical
|
|
|
IMPECUNIOUS
|
without money
|
|
|
IMPENITENT
|
not repentant
|
|
|
*IMMOLATE
|
offer as a sacrifice
|
|
|
IMPLACABLE
|
incapable of being pacified
|
|
|
IMPOLITIC
|
not wise
|
|
|
IMPONDERABLE
|
weightless
|
|
|
IMPORTUNE
|
beg persistently
|
|
|
IMPRECATION
|
curse
|
|
|
IMPREGNABLE
|
invulnerable
|
|
|
IMPROVIDENT
|
thriftless
|
|
|
IMPUGN
|
dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); challenge; gainsay; villify
|
|
|
*IMPUISSANCE
|
powerlessness; feebleness
|
|
|
INANE
|
silly; senseless
|
|
|
INCHOATE
|
recently begun; rudimentary; elementary
|
|
|
INCISIVE
|
cutting; sharp
|
|
|
INCOMMODIOUS
|
not spacious; inconvenient
|
|
|
INCONTINENT
|
lacking self-restraint; licentious
|
|
|
INCORPOREAL
|
lacking a material body; insubstantial
|
|
|
INCREMENT
|
increase
|
|
|
INCRUSTATION
|
hard coating or crust
|
|
|
*INCUBATE
|
hatch
|
|
|
*INCUBUS
|
burden; mental care; nightmare
|
|
|
INDEMNIFY
|
make secure against loss; compensate for loss
|
|
|
INDENTURE
|
bind as servant or apprentice to master
|
|
|
*INDICES
|
signs; indications
|
|
|
INDICT
|
charge
|
|
|
INDIGENCE
|
poverty
|
|
|
INDIGENT
|
poor; destitute
|
|
|
INDISSOLUBLE
|
permanent
|
|
|
INDITE
|
write; compose
|
|
|
*INDOLENT
|
lazy
|
|
|
INDUCTIVE
|
pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general
|
|
|
INELUCTABLE
|
irresistible; not to be escaped
|
|
|
INEXORABLE
|
relentless; unyielding; implacable
|
|
|
*INGENIOUS
|
clever; resourceful
|
|
|
INGENUOUS
|
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated
|
|
|
INIQUITOUS
|
wicked; immoral; unrighteous
|
|
|
INSALUBRIOUS
|
unwholesome; not healthful
|
|
|
INSENSATE
|
without feeling
|
|
|
INSIDIOUS
|
treacherous; stealthy; sly
|
|
|
INSIPID
|
lacking in flavor; dull
|
|
|
INSOLVENT
|
bankrupt; lacking money to pay
|
|
|
INSOUCIANT
|
indifferent; without concern or care
|
|
|
*INTER
|
bury
|
|
|
INTERDICT
|
prohibit; forbid
|
|
|
INTERNECINE
|
mutually destructive
|
|
|
INTERPOLATE
|
insert between
|
|
|
INTERREGNUM
|
period between two reigns
|
|
|
INTRACTABLE
|
unruly; stubborn; unyielding
|
|
|
*INTRANSIGENCE
|
refusal of any compromise; stubbornness
|
|
|
INTREPID
|
fearless
|
|
|
INURED
|
accustomed; hardened
|
|
|
INVECTIVE
|
abuse
|
|
|
*INVEIGH
|
denounce; utter censure or invective
|
|
|
INVEIGLE
|
lead astray; wheedle
|
|
|
INVETERATE
|
deep-rooted; habitual
|
|
|
INVIDIOUS
|
designed to create ill will or envy
|
|
|
* IRIDESCENT
|
exhibiting rainbowlike colors
|
|
|
ISOTOPE
|
varying form of an element
|
|
|
ISTHMUS
|
narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land
|
|
|
JABBER
|
chatter rapidly or unintelligibly
|
|
|
JAUNDICED
|
prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful); yellowed
|
|
|
*JAUNT
|
trip; short journey
|
|
|
*JAUNTY
|
lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree
|
|
|
JETTISON
|
throw overboard
|
|
|
JIBE
|
agree; be in harmony with
|
|
|
JUDICIOUS
|
sound in judgment; wise
|
|
|
*JUGGERNAUT
|
irresistible crushing force
|
|
|
JUNKET
|
trip
|
|
|
JUNTA
|
group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal
|
|
|
JURISPRUDENCE
|
science of law
|
|
|
KEN
|
range of knowledge
|
|
|
KINETIC
|
producing motion
|
|
|
KISMET
|
fate
|
|
|
KNAVE
|
untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel
|
|
|
*KNELL
|
tolling of a bell
|
|
|
KNOLL
|
little
|
|
|
KUDOS
|
honor; glory; praise
|
|
|
LABILE
|
likely to change; unstable
|
|
|
*LACERATION
|
jagged wound or cut
|
|
|
LACONIC
|
brief and to the point
|
|
|
LAGOON
|
shallow body of water near a sea; lake
|
|
|
LAMBASTE
|
beat; thrash verbally or physically
|
|
|
LAMPOON
|
ridicule
|
|
|
LANCET
|
small surgical tool for making incisions
|
|
|
LANK
|
long and thin
|
|
|
LAP
|
take in food or drink with one's tongue; splash gently
|
|
|
LARCENY
|
theft
|
|
|
LARDER
|
pantry; place where food is kept
|
|
|
LARGESS
|
generous gift
|
|
|
LEAVEN
|
cause to rise of grow lighter; enliven
|
|
|
LECTERN
|
reading desk
|
|
|
LEVEE
|
earthen or stone enbankment to prevent flooding
|
|
|
LEXICOGRAPHER
|
compiler of a dictionary
|
|
|
LEXICON
|
dictionary
|
|
|
LIAISON
|
contact that keeps parties in communication; go-between; secret love affair
|
|
|
LIBERTINE
|
debauched person; roue
|
|
|
LIBRETTO
|
text of an opera
|
|
|
*LIEN
|
legal claim on a property
|
|
|
LIGNEOUS
|
like wood
|
|
|
*LIMN
|
draw; outline; describe
|
|
|
LIMPID
|
clear
|
|
|
LIMBER
|
flexible
|
|
|
LIONIZE
|
treat as a celebrity
|
|
|
LIQUIDATE
|
settle accounts; clear up
|
|
|
*LIST
|
tilt; lean over
|
|
|
LITANY
|
supplicatory prayer
|
|
|
LITHE
|
flexbile; supple
|
|
|
LITOTES
|
understatement for emphasis
|
|
|
LIVID
|
lead-colored; black and blue; ashen; enraged
|
|
|
LODE
|
metal-bearing vein
|
|
|
*LOOM
|
appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged or distorted form)
|
|
|
LOPE
|
gallop slowly
|
|
|
LOUT
|
clumsy person
|
|
|
LOW
|
moo
|
|
|
LUCRE
|
money
|
|
|
*LUGUBRIOUS
|
mournful
|
|
|
LUMBER
|
move heavily or clumsily
|
|
|
LUMEN
|
unit of light energy (one candle's worth)
|
|
|
*LURID
|
wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome
|
|
|
MACABRE
|
gruesome; grisly
|
|
|
MACERATE
|
soften by soaking in liquid; waste away
|
|
|
MACULATED
|
spotted; stained
|
|
|
MADRIGAL
|
pastoral song
|
|
|
MAELSTROM
|
whirlpool
|
|
|
MAGNATE
|
person of prominence or influence
|
|
|
MAGNILOQUENT
|
boastful
|
|
|
MALADROIT
|
clumsy; bungling
|
|
|
MALAISE
|
uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health
|
|
|
MALAPROPISM
|
comic misuse of a word
|
|
|
*MALINGERER
|
one who feigns illness to escape duty
|
|
|
MANACLE
|
restrain; handcuff
|
|
|
*MANGY
|
shabby; wretched
|
|
|
MANNERED
|
affected; not natural
|
|
|
MANUMIT
|
emancipate; free from bondage
|
|
|
MARKED
|
noticeable; targeted for vengeance
|
|
|
MARSHAL
|
put in order
|
|
|
*MARSUPIAL
|
one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch
|
|
|
MARTINET
|
strict disciplinarian
|
|
|
MASTICATE
|
chew
|
|
|
MATRIX
|
point of origin
|
|
|
*MAUDLIN
|
effusively sentimental
|
|
|
MAUVE
|
pale purple
|
|
|
MAVERICK
|
rebel; nonconformist
|
|
|
MAWKISH
|
mushy and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; maudlin
|
|
|
MAYHEM
|
injury to body
|
|
|
MEALYMOUTHED
|
indirect in speech; hypocritical; evasive
|
|
|
MEGALOMANIA
|
mania for doing grandiose things
|
|
|
MELEE
|
fight
|
|
|
MENAGERIE
|
collection of wild animals
|
|
|
MENDACIOUS
|
lying; habitually dishonest
|
|
|
*MENDICANT
|
beggar
|
|
|
MERETRICIOUS
|
flashy; tawdry
|
|
|
METALLURGICAL
|
pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores
|
|
|
METAPHYSICAL
|
pertaining to speculative philosophy
|
|
|
METE
|
measure; distribute
|
|
|
*MIASMA
|
swamp gas; heavy, vaporous atmosphere, often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence
|
|
|
*MILIEU
|
environment; means of expression
|
|
|
MILLENNIUM
|
thousand-year period; period of happiness and prosperity
|
|
|
MINATORY
|
menacing; threatening
|
|
|
MINCING
|
affectedly dainty
|
|
|
MINION
|
a servile dependent
|
|
|
MISCREANT
|
wretch; villain
|
|
|
MISGIVINGS
|
doubts
|
|
|
MISOGAMY
|
hatred of marriage
|
|
|
MISSIVE
|
letter
|
|
|
MITE
|
very small object or creature; small coin
|
|
|
MNEMONIC
|
pertaining to memory
|
|
|
MODISH
|
fashionable
|
|
|
MODULATE
|
tone down in intensity; regulate; change from one key to another
|
|
|
MOGUL
|
powerful person
|
|
|
MOLLYCODDLE
|
pamper; indulge excessively
|
|
|
MOLT
|
shed or caste off hair or feathers
|
|
|
MOLTEN
|
melted
|
|
|
MORATORIUM
|
legal delay of payment
|
|
|
MORBID
|
given to unwholesome thought; moody; characteristic of disease
|
|
|
MORDANT
|
biting; sarcastic; stinging
|
|
|
MORES
|
conventions; moral standards; customs
|
|
|
MORTICIAN
|
undertaker
|
|
|
MOTE
|
small speck
|
|
|
MOUNTEBANK
|
charlatan; boastful pretender
|
|
|
MULCT
|
defraud a person of something
|
|
|
MUSTY
|
stale; spoiled by age
|
|
|
NADIR
|
lowest point
|
|
|
NATATION
|
swimming
|
|
|
NATTY
|
neatly or smartly dressed
|
|
|
NECROMANCY
|
black magic; dealings with the dead
|
|
|
NEFARIOUS
|
very wicked
|
|
|
NEMESIS
|
someone seeking revenge
|
|
|
NEOLOGISM
|
new or newly coined word or phrase
|
|
|
NEOPHYTE
|
recent convert; beginner
|
|
|
NETHER
|
lower
|
|
|
NETTLE
|
annoy; vex
|
|
|
*NIB
|
beak; pen point
|
|
|
NEXUS
|
connection
|
|
|
NICETY
|
precision; minute distinction
|
|
|
NIGGARDLY
|
meanly stingy; parsimonious
|
|
|
NIGGLE
|
spend too much time on minor points; carp
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
OBDURATE
|
stubborn
|
|
|
OBEISANCE
|
bow
|
|
|
OBLIQUE
|
indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line)
|
|
|
OBLOQUY
|
slander; disgrace; infamy
|
|
|
*OBSEQIOUS
|
slavishly attentive; servile; sycophantic
|
|
|
OBSEQUY
|
funeral ceremony
|
|
|
OBSIDIAN
|
black volcanic rock
|
|
|
NUGATORY
|
trifling; worthless; ineffective
|
|
|
JEJUNE
|
dull; juvenile; uninformed
|
|
|
PRESTIDIGITATION
|
sleight of hand
|
|
|
PEREGRINATION
|
travel from one place to another
|
|
|
PERORATION
|
lofty and long speech; closing of a speech
|
|
|
SUPERANNUATE
|
to allow to retire on a pension because of age or infirmity; remove as too old
|
|
|
SUPERANNUATION
|
pension
|
|
|
REDACT
|
revise; draw up
|
|
|
PLANGENT
|
loud and resounding; plaintive
|
|
|
EBB
|
decline or decay
|
|
|
TURPITUDE
|
depravity
|
|
|
OBSTETRICIAN
|
physician specializing in delivery of babies
|
|
|
OBTUSE
|
blunt; stupid
|
|
|
OBVIATE
|
make unnecessary; get rid of
|
|
|
OCCIDENT
|
the West
|
|
|
OCCLUDE
|
shut; close
|
|
|
ODIUM
|
detestation; hatefulness; disrepute
|
|
|
OFFICIOUS
|
meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services
|
|
|
OGLE
|
look at amorously; make eyes at
|
|
|
OLIGARCHY
|
government by a privileged few
|
|
|
ONOMATOPOEIA
|
words formed in imitation of natural sounds
|
|
|
OPALESCENT
|
iridescent; lustrous
|
|
|
OPIATE
|
medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction
|
|
|
OPPROBRIUM
|
infamy; vilification
|
|
|
OPTICIAN
|
maker and seller of eyeglasses
|
|
|
OPTOMETRIST
|
one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects
|
|
|
OPUS
|
work
|
|
|
ORACULAR
|
prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous
|
|
|
ORATORIO
|
dramatic poem set to music
|
|
|
ORDINATION
|
ceremony conferring holy orders
|
|
|
ORNITHOLOGIST
|
scientific student of birds
|
|
|
ORTHOGRAPHY
|
correct spelling
|
|
|
OSSEOUS
|
made of bone; bony
|
|
|
OVERWEENING
|
presumptuous; arrogant
|
|
|
pachyderm
|
thick-skinned animal
|
|
|
paean
|
song of praise or joy
|
|
|
palate
|
roof of the mouth; sense of taste
|
|
|
palette
|
board on which a painter mixes pigments
|
|
|
palimpsest
|
parchment used for second time after original writing has been erased
|
|
|
pall
|
become insipid, boring, or wearisome
|
|
|
pallet
|
small, poor bed
|
|
|
palliate
|
ease pain; make less severe or offensive
|
|
|
pan
|
criticize harshly
|
|
|
panache
|
flair; flamboyance
|
|
|
panegyric
|
formal praise
|
|
|
pantomime
|
acting without dialogue
|
|
|
parameter
|
limit; independent variable
|
|
|
paramour
|
illicit lover
|
|
|
parity
|
equality; close resemblance
|
|
|
parlance
|
language; idiom
|
|
|
parley
|
conference
|
|
|
parquet
|
floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic-like pattern
|
|
|
*parsimony
|
stinginess; excessive frugality
|
|
|
*passe
|
old-fashioned; past the prime
|
|
|
pastiche
|
imitation of another's style in musical composition or writing
|
|
|
patina
|
green crust on old bronze works; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
|
|
|
patois
|
local or provincial dialect
|
|
|
peccadillo
|
slight offense
|
|
|
PEDAGOGUE
|
teacher
|
|
|
*PEDAGOGY
|
teaching; art of education
|
|
|
PEDESTRIAN
|
ordinary; unimaginative
|
|
|
PELL-MELL
|
in confusion; disorderly
|
|
|
PELLUCID
|
transparent; limpid; easy to understand
|
|
|
*PENDULOUS
|
hanging; suspended
|
|
|
PENUMBRA
|
partial shadow (in an eclipse)
|
|
|
*PENURY
|
severe poverty; stinginess
|
|
|
PEON
|
landless agricultural worker; bond servant
|
|
|
PERDITION
|
damnation; complete ruin
|
|
|
PEREGRINATION
|
journey
|
|
|
PEREMPTORY
|
demanding and leaving no choice
|
|
|
PERENNIAL
|
something long-lasting
|
|
|
PERFUNCTORY
|
superficial; not thorough; lacking interest
|
|
|
PERIGEE
|
point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth
|
|
|
PERIPATETIC
|
walking about; moving
|
|
|
*PERORATION
|
conclusion of an oration
|
|
|
PERQUISITE
|
any gain above stipulated salary
|
|
|
PERSPICUITY
|
clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
|
|
|
PERSPICUOUS
|
plainly expressed
|
|
|
*PERT
|
impertinent; forward
|
|
|
PERTINACIOUS
|
stubborn; persistent
|
|
|
*PERUSE
|
read with care
|
|
|
PESTLE
|
tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl
|
|
|
PHARISAICAL
|
pertaining to the Pharisees; self-righteous; hypocritical
|
|
|
PHILANDERER
|
faithless lover; flirt
|
|
|
PHILATELIST
|
stamp-collector
|
|
|
PHILISTINE
|
narrow-minded person; smug, ignorant, especially middle-class person indifferent or antagonistic to artistic and cultural values
|
|
|
PHILOLOGY
|
study of language
|
|
|
PHLEGMATIC
|
calm; not easily disturbed
|
|
|
PHOENIX
|
symbol of immortality or rebirth
|
|
|
PHYLUM
|
major classification
|
|
|
PHYSIOGNOMY
|
face
|
|
|
PIEBALD
|
of different colors; mottled; spotted
|
|
|
PIED
|
variegated; multicolored
|
|
|
PILLORY
|
punish by placing in a wooden frame; subject to criticism and ridicule
|
|
|
PINION
|
restrain
|
|
|
PIQUANT
|
pleasantly tart-tasting; stimulating
|
|
|
PITH
|
core or marrow; essence; substance
|
|
|
PLAINTIVE
|
mournful
|
|
|
PLAIT
|
braid; intertwine
|
|
|
PLAUDIT
|
enthusiastic approval; round of applause
|
|
|
*PLENARY
|
complete; full
|
|
|
PLUCK
|
courage
|
|
|
PLUMB
|
vertical
|
|
|
*PLUTOCRACY
|
society ruled by the wealthy
|
|
|
PODIATRIST
|
doctor who treats ailments of the feet
|
|
|
POLEMIC
|
controversy; argument in support of point of view
|
|
|
POLYGLOT
|
speaking several languages
|
|
|
POSEUR
|
person who pretends to be sophisticated
|
|
|
POSTULATE
|
self-evident truth
|
|
|
POTABLE
|
suitable for drinking
|
|
|
POULTICE
|
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
|
|
|
PRATE
|
speak foolishly; boast idly
|
|
|
PRATTLE
|
babble
|
|
|
PRECIPITANT
|
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form
|
|
|
PRECIS
|
concise summing up of main points
|
|
|
PREEN
|
make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction
|
|
|
*PREHENSILE
|
capable of grasping or holding
|
|
|
*PRELATE
|
church dignitary
|
|
|
PRELUDE
|
introduction; forerunner
|
|
|
PREMONITORY
|
serving to warn
|
|
|
PRETERNATURAL
|
beyond that which is normal in nature
|
|
|
PREVARICATE
|
lie
|
|
|
PRIMOGENITURE
|
seniority by birth
|
|
|
PRIVATION
|
hardship; want
|
|
|
PRIVY
|
secret; hidden; not public
|
|
|
PROBITY
|
uprightness; incorruptibility
|
|
|
PRODIGAL
|
wasteful; reckless with money
|
|
|
PRODIGIOUS
|
marvelous; enormous
|
|
|
PROFLIGATE
|
dissipated; wasteful; wildly immoral
|
|
|
PROGENITOR
|
ancestor
|
|
|
PROGNOSIS
|
forecasted course of a disease; prediction
|
|
|
PROLIXITY
|
tedious wordiness; verbosity
|
|
|
PROLOGUE
|
introduction (to a poem or play)
|
|
|
PROMONTORY
|
headland
|
|
|
PROPHYLACTIC
|
used to prevent disease
|
|
|
PROPINQUITY
|
nearness; kinship
|
|
|
*PROPITIATE
|
appease
|
|
|
PROPOUND
|
put forth for analysis
|
|
|
PROSAIC
|
dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact; factual
|
|
|
PROSCENIUM
|
part of stage in front of curtain
|
|
|
PROSCRIBE
|
ostracize; banish; outlaw
|
|
|
PROSODY
|
the art of versification
|
|
|
PROTEAN
|
versatile; able to take on many forms
|
|
|
PROTEGE
|
person receiving protection and support from a patron
|
|
|
PROVENANCE
|
origin or source of something
|
|
|
PROVENDER
|
dry food; fodder
|
|
|
*PROVISO
|
stipulation
|
|
|
PROXY
|
authorized agent
|
|
|
PRURIENT
|
having or causing lustful thoughts and desires
|
|
|
PUERILE
|
childish
|
|
|
PUGILIST
|
boxer
|
|
|
PUISSANT
|
powerful; strong; potent
|
|
|
PULMONARY
|
pertaining to the lungs
|
|
|
PUNCTILIOUS
|
stressing niceties of conduct or form; minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points
|
|
|
PUNDIT
|
authority on a subject; learned person; expert
|
|
|
PURCHASE
|
firm grasp or footing
|
|
|
PURGATORY
|
place of spiritual expiation
|
|
|
PURPORT
|
intention; meaning
|
|
|
*PURVEYOR
|
furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer
|
|
|
*PUSILLANIMOUS
|
cowardly; fainthearted
|
|
|
PYLON
|
marking post to guide aviators; steel tower supporting cables or telephone lines
|
|
|
QUAFF
|
drink with relish
|
|
|
QUAGMIRE
|
soft, wet, boggy land; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself
|
|
|
QUARRY
|
victim; object of a hunt; dig into
|
|
|
QUERULOUS
|
fretful; whining
|
|
|
QUIESCENT
|
at rest; dormant; temporarily inactive
|
|
|
QUIETUDE
|
tranquility
|
|
|
QUIP
|
taunt
|
|
|
QUISLING
|
traitor who aids invaders
|
|
|
QUIVER
|
case for arrows
|
|
|
QUIXOTIC
|
idealistic but impractical
|
|
|
QUIZZICAL
|
teasing; bantering; mocking; curious
|
|
|
QUOTIDIAN
|
daily; commonplace; customary
|
|
|
*RACONTEUR
|
story-teller
|
|
|
RAIMENT
|
clothing
|
|
|
RAKISH
|
dissolute; stylish; sporty
|
|
|
RAMIFICATION
|
branching out; subdivision
|
|
|
RAMIFY
|
divide into branches or subdivisions
|
|
|
RAMPART
|
defensive mound of earth
|
|
|
RAREFIED
|
made less dense [of a gas]
|
|
|
RATIOCINATION
|
reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises
|
|
|
RAVEL
|
fall apart into tangles; unravel or untwist; entangle
|
|
|
RAVINE
|
narrow valley with steep sides
|
|
|
RAZE
|
destroy completely
|
|
|
REAPER
|
one who harvests grain
|
|
|
REBUS
|
puzzle in which pictures stand for words
|
|
|
RECANT
|
disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error
|
|
|
RECAPITULATE
|
summarize
|
|
|
RECIDIVISM
|
habitual return to crime
|
|
|
RECONDITE
|
abstruse; profound; secret
|
|
|
RECONAISSANCE
|
survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering
|
|
|
RECRIMINATION
|
countercharges
|
|
|
*RECUMBENT
|
reclining; lying down completely or in part
|
|
|
REDOLENT
|
fragrant; odorous; suggestive of an odor
|
|
|
REDOUBTABLE
|
formidable; causing fear
|
|
|
*REEK
|
emit (odor)
|
|
|
REFECTORY
|
dining hall
|
|
|
*REFRACTION
|
bending of a ray of light
|
|
|
REFRACTORY
|
stubborn; unmanageable
|
|
|
REFULGENT
|
brightly shining; gleaming
|
|
|
REGALE
|
entertain
|
|
|
REGATTA
|
boat or yacht race
|
|
|
REJOINDER
|
retort; comeback; reply
|
|
|
REMISSION
|
temporary moderation of disease symptoms; cancellation of a debt; forgiveness or pardon
|
|
|
RENDEZVOUS
|
meeting place
|
|
|
RENEGADE
|
deserter; traitor
|
|
|
REPARTEE
|
clever reply
|
|
|
REPAST
|
meal; feast; banquet
|
|
|
REPINE
|
fret; complain
|
|
|
REPRISE
|
musical repetition; repeat performance; recurrent action
|
|
|
REPROBATE
|
person hardened in sin
|
|
|
*REPROBATION
|
severe disapproval
|
|
|
REQUIEM
|
mass for the dead; dirge
|
|
|
RESTITUTION
|
reparation; indemnification
|
|
|
RESTIVE
|
restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control
|
|
|
RETIRING
|
modest; shy
|
|
|
RETRENCH
|
cut down; economize
|
|
|
RETROGRADE
|
go backwards; degenerate
|
|
|
*RETROSPECTIVE
|
looking back on the past
|
|
|
RHAPSODIZE
|
to speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner
|
|
|
RIBALD
|
wanton; profane
|
|
|
RIDER
|
amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
|
|
|
RILE
|
vex; irritate; muddy
|
|
|
*RIVULET
|
small stream
|
|
|
*ROCOCO
|
ornate; highly decorated
|
|
|
ROSTRUM
|
platform for speech-making; pulpit
|
|
|
ROTE
|
repetition
|
|
|
ROTUNDA
|
circular building or hall covered with a dome
|
|
|
RUBRIC
|
title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol
|
|
|
RUE
|
regret; lament; mourn
|
|
|
RUNIC
|
mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet
|
|
|
RUSE
|
trick; stratagem
|
|
|
RUSTICATE
|
banish to the country; dwell in the country
|
|
|
SABOTEUR
|
one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property
|
|
|
SAGA
|
Scandinavian myth; any legend
|
|
|
SALACIOUS
|
lascivious; lustful
|
|
|
SALLOW
|
yellowish; sickly in color
|
|
|
SALUBRIOUS
|
healthful
|
|
|
SALUTARY
|
tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome
|
|
|
SANGUINARY
|
bloody
|
|
|
SARTORIAL
|
pertaining to tailors
|
|
|
SATURNINE
|
gloomy
|
|
|
SATYR
|
half-human
|
|
|
SAVANT
|
scholar
|
|
|
SCABBARD
|
case for a sword blade; sheath
|
|
|
SCAD
|
a great quantity
|
|
|
*SCAFFOLD
|
temporary platform for workers; bracing framework; platform for execution
|
|
|
SCENARIO
|
plot outline; screenplay; opera libretto
|
|
|
SCHEMATIC
|
relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols
|
|
|
SCINTILLA
|
shred; least bit
|
|
|
SCINTILLATE
|
sparkle; flash
|
|
|
SCOTCH
|
stamp out; thwart; hinder
|
|
|
SCOURGE
|
lash; whip; severe punishment
|
|
|
SCRUPLE
|
fret about; hesitate
|
|
|
SCURRILOUS
|
obscene; indecent
|
|
|
SCURVY
|
despicable; contemptible
|
|
|
SCUTTLE
|
sink
|
|
|
SEAMY
|
sordid; unwholesome
|
|
|
SEAR
|
char or burn; brand
|
|
|
SECRETE
|
hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism
|
|
|
SEDITION
|
resistance to authority; insubordination
|
|
|
SEDULOUS
|
diligent
|
|
|
*SEEMLY
|
proper; appropriate
|
|
|
SEINE
|
net for catching fish
|
|
|
SEMINARY
|
school for training future ministers; secondary school
|
|
|
SENTENTIOUS
|
aphoristic; pithy; self-righteous
|
|
|
SENTINEL
|
sentry; lookout
|
|
|
SEPTIC
|
putrid; producing putrefaction
|
|
|
SEPULCHER
|
tomb
|
|
|
SERE
|
parched; dry
|
|
|
SERENDIPITY
|
gift for finding valuable or desirable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck
|
|
|
SEXTANT
|
navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude
|
|
|
SHODDY
|
sham; not genuine; inferior
|
|
|
SHREW
|
scolding woman
|
|
|
SHUNT
|
turn aside; divert; sidetrack
|
|
|
SHYSTER
|
lawyer using questionable methods
|
|
|
SIBYLLINE
|
prophetic; oracular
|
|
|
SIDEREAL
|
relating to the stars
|
|
|
SILT
|
sediment deposited by running water
|
|
|
SIMIAN
|
monkeylike
|
|
|
SIMPER
|
smirk; smile affectedly
|
|
|
SINECURE
|
well-paid position with little responsibility
|
|
|
SINEWY
|
tough; strong and firm
|
|
|
SINUOUS
|
winding; bending in and out; not morally honest
|
|
|
SKIFF
|
small, light sailboat or rowboat
|
|
|
SKINFLINT
|
stingy person; miser
|
|
|
SKITTISH
|
lively; frisky
|
|
|
SKULDUGGERY
|
dishonest behavior
|
|
|
SKULK
|
move furtively and secretly
|
|
|
SLAG
|
residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter
|
|
|
SLAKE
|
quench; sate
|
|
|
SLAPDASH
|
haphazard; careless; sloppy
|
|
|
SLEEPER
|
something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable
|
|
|
SLEIGHT
|
dexterity
|
|
|
*SLEW
|
large quantity or number
|
|
|
*SLUGGARD
|
lazy person
|
|
|
SLUICE
|
artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water
|
|
|
SLUR
|
insult to one's character or reputation; slander
|
|
|
SMATTERING
|
slight knowledge
|
|
|
SMELT
|
melt or blend ores
|
|
|
SMOLDER
|
burn without flame; be liable to break out at any moment
|
|
|
SOBRIETY
|
moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness
|
|
|
SOJOURN
|
temporary stay
|
|
|
SOLDER
|
repair or make whole by using a metal alloy
|
|
|
SOLECISM
|
construction that is flagrantly incorrect gramatically
|
|
|
*SOLICITOUS
|
worried; concerned
|
|
|
SOLSTICE
|
point at which the sun is farthest from the equator
|
|
|
SOLUBLE
|
able to be dissolved; able to be worked out
|
|
|
SOLVENT
|
able to pay all debts
|
|
|
SOMNAMBULIST
|
sleepwalker
|
|
|
SOMNOLENT
|
half asleep
|
|
|
SOPHIST
|
teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning
|
|
|
SOPHISTRY
|
seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning
|
|
|
*SOPHOMORIC
|
immature; half-baked
|
|
|
SPANGLE
|
small metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
|
|
|
SPAT
|
squabble; minor dispute
|
|
|
SPATE
|
sudden flood
|
|
|
SPAWN
|
lay eggs
|
|
|
SPECTRAL
|
ghostly
|
|
|
SPENDTHRIFT
|
someone who wastes money
|
|
|
*SPLICE
|
fasten together; unite
|
|
|
*SPOONERISM
|
accidental transposition of sounds in successive words
|
|
|
SQUAT
|
stocky; short and thick
|
|
|
STAID
|
sober; sedate
|
|
|
*STALWART
|
strong; brawny; steadfast
|
|
|
STANCH
|
check flow of blood
|
|
|
STEEP
|
soak; saturate
|
|
|
STENTORIAN
|
extremely loud
|
|
|
*STILTED
|
bombastic; stiffly pompous
|
|
|
STINT
|
be thrifty; set limits; supply; allotted amount; assigned portion of work
|
|
|
STIPPLE
|
paint or draw with dots
|
|
|
STOCKADE
|
wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier
|
|
|
*STODGY
|
stuffy; boringly conservative
|
|
|
STOLID
|
dull; impassive
|
|
|
STRIATED
|
marked with parallel bands; grooved
|
|
|
STRICTURE
|
critical comments; severe and adverse criticism
|
|
|
STRUT
|
supporting bar
|
|
|
STUDIED
|
unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful
|
|
|
STULTIFY
|
cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; frustrate or hinder
|
|
|
STYGIAN
|
gloomy; hellish; deathly
|
|
|
SUBALTERN
|
subordinate
|
|
|
SUBLIMATE
|
modify the natural expression of (a primitive, instinctual impulse) in a socially acceptable manner
|
|
|
SUBLIME
|
exalted; noble and uplifting; utter
|
|
|
SUBLIMINAL
|
below the threshold
|
|
|
SUBORN
|
to persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury)
|
|
|
SUBPOENA
|
writ summoning a witness to appear
|
|
|
SUBSIDY
|
direct financial aid by government
|
|
|
SUBTERFUGE
|
pretense; evasion
|
|
|
SUCCOR
|
aid; assist; comfort
|
|
|
SULTRY
|
sweltering
|
|
|
SUPERANNUATED
|
retired or disqualified because of age
|
|
|
SUPEREROGATORY
|
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
|
|
|
SUPERNUMERARY
|
person or thing in excess of what is necessary; extra
|
|
|
SUPINE
|
lying on back
|
|
|
SUPPLIANT
|
entreating; beseeching
|
|
|
SUPPLICATE
|
petition humbly; pray to grant a favor
|
|
|
SUPPOSITIOUS
|
assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
|
|
|
SURROGATE
|
substitute
|
|
|
SUTURE
|
stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing
|
|
|
*SWARTHY
|
dark; dusky
|
|
|
SWELTER
|
be oppressed by heat
|
|
|
SWILL
|
drink greedily
|
|
|
SYBARITE
|
lover of luxury
|
|
|
SYLLOGISM
|
logical formula consisting of a major premise
|
|
|
SYLVAN
|
pertaining to the woods; rustic
|
|
|
SYNOPTIC
|
providing a general overview; summary
|
|
|
TALISMAN
|
charm
|
|
|
TANNER
|
person who turns animal hides into leather
|
|
|
TAPER
|
candle
|
|
|
TARRY
|
delay; dawdle
|
|
|
TATTY
|
worn and shabby; bedraggled
|
|
|
TAWDRY
|
cheap and gaudy
|
|
|
*TEETOTALISM
|
practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks
|
|
|
TEMPER
|
moderate; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel)
|
|
|
TEMPORAL
|
not lasting forever; limited by time; secular
|
|
|
TEMPORIZE
|
act evasively to gain time; avoid committing oneself
|
|
|
TENDENTIOUS
|
having an aim; biased; designed to further a cause
|
|
|
*TENDER
|
offer; extend
|
|
|
TENSILE
|
capable of being stretched
|
|
|
TENUOUS
|
thin; rare; slim
|
|
|
*TERMINUS
|
last stop of railroad
|
|
|
TESSELATED
|
inlaid; mosaic
|
|
|
TESTATOR
|
maker of a will
|
|
|
THERMAL
|
pertaining to heat
|
|
|
THESPIAN
|
pertaining to drama
|
|
|
*THRALL
|
slave; bondage
|
|
|
THREADBARE
|
worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor
|
|
|
*TIGHTWAD
|
excessively frugal person; miser
|
|
|
TILLER
|
handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)
|
|
|
TIMBRE
|
quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument
|
|
|
TIPPLE
|
drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently
|
|
|
TITANIC
|
gigantic
|
|
|
TITHE
|
tax of one-tenth
|
|
|
TITTER
|
nervous laugh
|
|
|
TITULAR
|
having the title of an office without the obligations
|
|
|
TOADY
|
servile flatterer; yes man
|
|
|
*TOME
|
large volume
|
|
|
TONSURE
|
shaving of the head
|
|
|
*TORQUE
|
twisting force; force producing rotation
|
|
|
TOUCHSTONE
|
stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion
|
|
|
TOUT
|
publicize; praise excessively
|
|
|
TRACT
|
pamphlet; a region of indefinite size
|
|
|
TRADUCE
|
expose to slander
|
|
|
TRANSMUTE
|
change; convert into something different
|
|
|
TRANSPORT
|
strong emotion
|
|
|
TRAVAIL
|
painful physical or mental labor; drudgery; torment
|
|
|
TRAVESTY
|
harshly distorted imitation; parody; debased likeness
|
|
|
TRENCHANT
|
forceful and vigorous; cutting
|
|
|
TREPIDATION
|
fear; nervous apprehension
|
|
|
TRIBULATION
|
distress; suffering
|
|
|
TROTH
|
pledge of good faith especially in betrothal
|
|
|
TROUGH
|
container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave
|
|
|
TRUCULENCE
|
aggressiveness; ferocity
|
|
|
TRUISM
|
self-evident truth
|
|
|
TRYST
|
meeting
|
|
|
TUMID
|
swollen; pompous; bombastic
|
|
|
TUNDRA
|
rolling, treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America
|
|
|
*TURBID
|
muddy; having the sediment disturbed
|
|
|
TUREEN
|
deep dish for serving soup
|
|
|
TURGID
|
swollen; distended
|
|
|
TURNCOAT
|
traitor
|
|
|
*TURPITUDE
|
depravity
|
|
|
*TUTELAGE
|
guardianship; training
|
|
|
TYCOON
|
wealthy leader
|
|
|
TYPHOON
|
tropical hurricane or cyclone
|
|
|
TYRO
|
beginner; novice
|
|
|
UMBRAGE
|
resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult
|
|
|
UNASSUAGED
|
unsatisfied; not soothed
|
|
|
UNASSUMING
|
modest
|
|
|
*UNBRIDLED
|
unrestrained
|
|
|
UNCONSCIONABLE
|
unscrupulous; excessive
|
|
|
UNCTION
|
the act of annointing with oil
|
|
|
UNCTUOUS
|
oily; bland; insincerely suave
|
|
|
UNEXCEPTIONABLE
|
not offering any basis for criticism; entirely acceptable
|
|
|
UNFALTERING
|
steadfast
|
|
|
UNFLEDGED
|
immature
|
|
|
UNFROCK
|
to strip a priest or minister of church authority
|
|
|
UNGAINLY
|
awkward; clumsy; unwieldy
|
|
|
UNGUENT
|
ointment
|
|
|
UNIMPEACHABLE
|
blameless and exemplary
|
|
|
UNPREPOSSESSING
|
unattractive
|
|
|
*UNSAVORY
|
distasteful; morally offensive
|
|
|
UNSEEMLY
|
unbecoming; indecent; in poor taste
|
|
|
UNSIGHTLY
|
ugly
|
|
|
UNTENABLE
|
indefensible; not able to be maintained
|
|
|
*UNTRAMMELED
|
without limits or restrictions; unrestrained
|
|
|
UNWITTING
|
unintentional; not knowing
|
|
|
UNWONTED
|
unaccustomed
|
|
|
UPSHOT
|
outcome; gist
|
|
|
URBANE
|
suave; refined; elegant
|
|
|
URCHIN
|
mischievous child (usually a boy)
|
|
|
URSINE
|
bearlike; pertaining to a bear
|
|
|
USURY
|
lending money at illegal rates of interest
|
|
|
UXORIOUS
|
excessively devoted to one's wife
|
|
|
VAGABOND
|
wanderer; tramp
|
|
|
VAGARY
|
caprice; whim
|
|
|
*VAGRANT
|
stray; random; homeless wanderer
|
|
|
VAINGLORIOUS
|
boastful; excessively conceited
|
|
|
VALEDICTORY
|
pertaining to farewell
|
|
|
*VANGUARD
|
forerunners; advance forces
|
|
|
VAPID
|
dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless
|
|
|
VASSAL
|
in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord
|
|
|
VAUNTED
|
boasted; bragged; highly publicized
|
|
|
VENAL
|
capable of being bribed
|
|
|
VENDETTA
|
blood feud
|
|
|
VENEER
|
thin layer; cover
|
|
|
VENIAL
|
forgivable; trivial
|
|
|
VENISON
|
the meat of a deer
|
|
|
VENTRAL
|
abdominal
|
|
|
*VERBIAGE
|
pompous array of words
|
|
|
VERDANT
|
green; lush in vegetation
|
|
|
VERDIGRIS
|
green coating on copper that has been exposed to the weather
|
|
|
VERISIMILAR
|
probable or likely; having the appearance of truth
|
|
|
*VERITABLE
|
actual; being truly so; not false or imaginary
|
|
|
VERNACULAR
|
living language; natural style
|
|
|
VERNAL
|
pertaining to spring
|
|
|
VERTEX
|
summit
|
|
|
VERTIGO
|
severe dizziness
|
|
|
VERVE
|
enthusiasm; liveliness
|
|
|
VIAND
|
food
|
|
|
VICTUALS
|
food
|
|
|
VIGNETTE
|
picture; short literary sketch
|
|
|
VINTNER
|
wine maker; seller of wine
|
|
|
VIRTUOSO
|
highly skilled artist
|
|
|
VIRULENT
|
extremely poisonous; hostile; bitter
|
|
|
VISAGE
|
face; appearance
|
|
|
VISCID
|
adhesive; gluey
|
|
|
VISCOUS
|
sticky
|
|
|
VISE
|
tool for holding work in place
|
|
|
VITIATE
|
spoil the effect of; make inoperative
|
|
|
VITREOUS
|
pertaining to or resembling glass
|
|
|
VITRIOLIC
|
corrosive; sarcastic
|
|
|
VITUPERATIVE
|
abusive; scolding
|
|
|
VIVISECTION
|
act of dissecting living animals
|
|
|
VIXEN
|
female fox; ill-tempered woman
|
|
|
VOLUBLE
|
fluent; glib; talkative
|
|
|
VOUCHSAFE
|
grant condescendingly; guarantee
|
|
|
VULPINE
|
like a fox; crafty
|
|
|
*WAFFLE
|
speak equivocally about an issue
|
|
|
WAGGISH
|
mischievous; humorous; tricky
|
|
|
WAIF
|
homeless child or animal
|
|
|
WAN
|
having a pale or sickly color; pallid
|
|
|
WANDERLUST
|
strong longing to travel
|
|
|
WANGLE
|
wiggle out; fake
|
|
|
WANTON
|
unrestrained; willfully malicious; unchaste
|
|
|
WARBLE
|
sing; babble
|
|
|
WARRANTY
|
guarantee; assurance by seller
|
|
|
*WARREN
|
tunnels in which rabbits live; crowded conditions in which people live
|
|
|
WASTREL
|
profligate
|
|
|
WAYLAY
|
ambush; lie in wait
|
|
|
*WEAN
|
accustom a baby not to nurse; give up a cherished activity
|
|
|
WELTER
|
turmoil; bewildering jumble; wallow
|
|
|
WHEEDLE
|
cajole; coax; deceive by flattery
|
|
|
WHELP
|
young wolf
|
|
|
WHET
|
sharpen; stimulate
|
|
|
WHINNY
|
neigh like a horse
|
|
|
WHIT
|
smallest speck; shred; tiny bit
|
|
|
WHORL
|
ring of leaves around stem; ring
|
|
|
WILY
|
cunning; artful
|
|
|
WINDFALL
|
fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event
|
|
|
WINNOW
|
sift; separate good parts from bad
|
|
|
*WINSOME
|
agreeable; gracious; engaging
|
|
|
WITLESS
|
foolish; idiotic
|
|
|
WONT
|
custom; habitual procedure
|
|
|
WRANGLE
|
quarrel; obtain through arguing; herd cattle
|
|
|
WRIT
|
written command issued by a court
|
|
|
YEN
|
longing; urge
|
|
|
YEOMAN
|
man owning small estate; middle-class farmer
|
|
|
YOKEL
|
country bumpkin
|
|
|
YORE
|
time past
|
|
|
ZANY
|
crazy; comic
|
|
|
ZEPHYR
|
gentle breeze; west wind
|
