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394 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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sequester
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retire from public life, segregate, seclude
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sere
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parched, dry
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serendipity
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gift for finding valuabel or desirable things by accident, accidental good fortune or luck
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serpentine
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winding, twisted
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serrated
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having a sawtoothed edge
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sevile
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slavish, cringing
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servitude
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slavery, compulsory labor
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severity
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harshness, intensity, sterness, austerity
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shackle
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chain, fetter
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shard
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fragment, generally of pottery
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sheaf
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bundle of stalks of grain
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sheathe
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place into a case
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shimmer
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glitter intermittently
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shirk
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avoid responsibility or work, malinger
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shoddy
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sham, not genuine, inferior
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shrew
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scolding woman
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shrewd
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clever, astute
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shun
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keep away from
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shunt
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turn aside, divert, sidetrack
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shyster
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lawyer using questionable methods
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sibylline
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prophetic, oracular
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sidereal
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relating to the stars
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silt
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sediment deposited by running water
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simian
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monkeylike
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simper
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smirk, smile affectedly
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sinecure
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well-paid position with little responsibility
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sinewy
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tough, strong and firm
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singular
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unique, extraordinary, odd
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sinuous
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winding, bending in and out, not morally honest
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skiff
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small, light sailboat or rowboat
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skimp
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provide scantily, live very economically
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skinflint
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stingy person, miser
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skittish
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lively, frisky
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skulduggery
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dishonest behaviour
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skulk
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move furtively and secretly
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slag
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residue from smelting metal, dross, waste material
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slake
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quench, sate
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slapdash
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haphazard, careless, sloppy
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sleazy
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flimsy, unsubstantial
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sleeper
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something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable
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sleight
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dexterity
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slew
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large quantity or number
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slight
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insult to one's dignity, snub
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slopshod
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untidy or slovenly, shabby
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slither
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slip or slide
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slothful
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lazy
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slough
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cast off
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slovenly
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untidy, careless in work habits
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sluggard
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lazy person
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sluggish
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slow, lazy, lethargic
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sluice
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artifical channel for directing the flow of water
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slur(n)
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insult to one's character or repuation, slander
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smattering
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slight knowledge
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smelt
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melt or blend ores, changing their chemical composition
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smirk
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conceited smile
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smolder
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burn without flame, be liable to break out at any moment
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snicker
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half-stifled laugh
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snivel
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run at the nose, snuffle, whine
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sodden
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soaked, dull, as if from drink
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sojourn
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temporary stay
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solace
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comfort in trouble
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solecism
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construction that is flagrantly incorrect gramatically
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solemnity
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seriousness, gravity
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solicit
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request earnestly, seek
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solicitous
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worried, concerned
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solsitce
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point when the sun is farthest from the equator
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solvent
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able to pay all debts
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somatic
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pertaining to the body, physical
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somber
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gloomy, depressing
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somnambulist
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sleepwalker
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somnolent
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half-asleep
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sonorous
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resonant
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sophist
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teacher of philosophy, quibbler, employer of fallacious reasoning
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sophistry
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seeming plausible but fallacious reasoning
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sophomoric
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immature, half-baked
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soporific
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sleep-causing, marked by sleepiness
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sordid
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filthy, base, vile
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spangle
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small metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
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spasmodic
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fitful, periodic
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spate
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sudden flood
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spawn
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lay eggs
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specious
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seemingly reasonable but incorrect, misleading (often intentionally)
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spectral
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ghostly
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sphinx-like
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enigmatic, mysterious
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splice
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fasten together, unite
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spoonerism
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accidental transposition of sounds in successive words
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sporadic
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occuring irregularly
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sportive
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playful
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spruce
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neat and trim
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spry
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vigorously active, nimble
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spurious
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false, counterfeit, forged, illogical
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spurn
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reject, scorn
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squat(adj)
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stocky, short and thick
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stagnant
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motionless, stale, dull
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staid
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sober, sedate
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stalwart
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strong, brawny, steadfast
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stanch
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check the flow of blood
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static
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unchanging, lacking development
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statute
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law enacted by the legislature
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statutory
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created by statute or legislative action
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steep
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soak, saturate
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stellar
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pertaining to the stars
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stem
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check the flow
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stentorian
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extremely loud
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stickler
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perfectionist
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stifle
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suppress, extinguish, inhibit
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stigma
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token of disgrace, brand
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stilted
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bombastic, stiffly pompous
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stint(v)
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be thrifty, set limits
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stint(n)
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supply, alloted amount, assigned portion of work
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stipple
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paint or draw with dots
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stipulate
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make express conditions, specify
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stock
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typical, standard, kept regularly in supply
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stockade
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wooden enclosure or pen, fixed line of posts used as a defensive barrier
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stodgy
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stuffy, boringly conservative
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stoke
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stir up a fire, feed plentifully
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stolid
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dull, impassive
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stratagem
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clever trick, deceptive scheme
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stratum
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layer of the earth's surface, layer of society
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strew
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spread randomly, sprinkle, scatter
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striated
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marked with parallel bands, grooved
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stricture
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critical comments, severe and adverse criticism
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strident
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loud and harsh, insistent
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stringent
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binding, rigid
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strut
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pompous walk - supporting bar
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studied
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unspontaneous, deliberate, thoughtful
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stultify
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cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent, frustrate or hinder
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stupefy
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make numb, stun, amaze
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supor
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state of apathy, daze, lack of awareness
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stygian
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gloomy, hellish, deathly
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stymie
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present an obstacle, stump
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suavity
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urbanity, polish
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subaltern
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subordinate
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sublimate
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refine, purify
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sublime
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exalted, noble and uplifting, utter
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subliminal
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below the threshold
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suborn
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persuade to act unlawfully, esp. to commit perjury
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subsidiary
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subordinate, secondary
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subsistence
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existence, means of support, livelihood
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substantiate
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establish by evidence, verify, support
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substantive
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essential, pertaining to the substance
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subsume
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include, encompass
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subterfuge
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pretense, evasion
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subtlety
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perceptiveness, ingenuity, delicacy
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succor
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aid, assist, comfort
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succulent
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juicy, full of richness
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suffragist
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advocate of voting rights for women
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suffuse
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spread over
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sully
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tarnish, soil
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sultry
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sweltering
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sumtuous
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lavish, rich
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sundry
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various, several
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superannuated
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retired or disqualified because of age
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supercilious
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arrogant, condescending, patronizing
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supererogatory
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superfluous, more than needed or demanded
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superimpose
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place over something else
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supernumerary
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person or thing in excess of what is necessary, extra
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supersede
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cause to be set aside, replace, make obsolete
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supine
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lying on back
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suppliant
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entreating, beseeching
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supplicate
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petition humbly, pray to grant a favor
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supposition
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hypothesis, surmise
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surfeit
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satiate, stuff, indulge to excess in anything
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surly
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rude, cross
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surmount
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overcome
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surreptitious
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secret, furtive, sneaky, hidden
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surrogate
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substitute
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susceptible
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impressionable, easily influenced, having little resistance to
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sustain
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experience, nourish, support
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sustenance
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means of support, food, nourishment
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suture
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stitches
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swarthy
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dark, dusky
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swathe
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wrap around, bandage
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swelter
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be oppressed by heat
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swill
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drink greedily
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sybarite
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lover of luxury
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sycophant
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servile flatterer, bootlicker, yes man
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sylvan
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pertaining to the woods, rustic
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synoptic
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providing a general overview, summary
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tacit
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understood, not put into words
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taciturn
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habitually silent, talking little
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tactile
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pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
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tangential
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peripheral, only slightly connected
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tantalize
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tease
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tantamount
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equivalent in effect or value
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tantrum
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fit of petulance, caprice
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taper
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candle
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tarry
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delay, dawdle
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tatty
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worn and shabby, bedraggled
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taut
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tight, ready
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tautological
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needlessly repetitious
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tawdry
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cheap and gawdy
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tedium
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boredom, weariness
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teetotalism
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practice of abstaining from alcohol
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temerity
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boldness, rashness
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temper
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moderate, tone down or restrain, toughen steel
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temperament
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characteristic frame of mind, disposition, emotional excess
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temperate
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restrained, self-controlled, moderate in respect to temperature
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tempestuous
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stormy, impassioned, violent
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temporal
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not lasting forever, limited by time, secular
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temporize
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act evasively to gain time, avoid committing oneself
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tenacious
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holding fast
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tenacity
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firmness, persistence
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tendentious
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having an aim, biased, designed to further a cause
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tender
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offer, extend
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tenet
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doctrine, dogma
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tensile
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capable of being stretched
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tentative
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hesitant, not fully worked out or developed
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tenuous
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thin, rare, slim
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traduce
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expose to slander
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transcendent
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surpassing, exceeding ordinary limits, superior
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transcribe
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copy
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transfigure
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transform outwardly, usually for the better
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transient
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momentary, temporary, staying for a short time
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transitory
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impermanent, fleeting
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translucent
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partly transparent
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transmute
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change, convert to something different
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transpire
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be revealed, happen
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transport
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strong emotion
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trappings
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outward decorations, ornaments
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travail
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painful physical or mental labor, drudgery, torment
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travesty
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harshly distorted imitation, parody, debased likeness
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treatise
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article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
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tremulous
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trembling, wavering
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trenchant
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forceful and vigorous, cutting
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trepidation
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fear, nervous apprehension
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tribulation
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distress, suffering
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tribute
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tax levied by a ruler, mark of respect
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trigger
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set off
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trite
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hackneyed, commonplace
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troth
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pledge of good faith especially in betrothal
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truculence
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aggressiveness, ferocity
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truism
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self-evident truth
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tryst
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meeting
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tumid
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swollen, pompous, bombastic
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tumult
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commotion, riot, noise
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turbid
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muddy, having the sediment disturbed
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tureen
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dish for serving soup
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turgid
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swollen, distended
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turpitude
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depravity
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tutelage
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guardianship, training
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tutelary
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protective, pertaining to a guardianship
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tycoon
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wealthy leader
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tyro
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beginner, novice
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ubiquitous
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being everywhere, omnipresent
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ulterior
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situated beyond, unstated and often questionable
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ultimatum
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last demand, warning
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umbrage
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resentment, anger, sense of injury or insult
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unaccountable
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inexplicable, unreasonable or mysterious
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unassuaged
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unsatisfied, not soothed
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unassuming
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modest
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unbridled
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violent
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unconscionable
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unscrupulous, excessive
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uncouth
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outlandish, clumsy, boorish
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unction
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the act of annointing with oil
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unctuous
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oily, bland, insincerely suave
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underlying
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fundamental, lying below
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underscore
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emphasize
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undulating
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moving with a wavelike motion
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unearthly
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not earthly, weird
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unequivocal
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plain, obvious
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unerring
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infallibly
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unexceptionable
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not offering any basis for criticism, entirely acceptable
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unfeigned
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genuine, real
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unfettered
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liberated, freed from chains
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unfledged
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immature
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ungainly
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awkward, clumsy, unwieldy
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unguent
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ointment
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unimpeachable
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blameless and exemplary
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unkempt
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disheveled, uncared for in appearance
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unmitigated
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unrelieved or immoderate, absolute
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unprepossessing
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unattractive
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unrequited
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not reciprocated
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unseemly
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unbecoming, indecent, in poor taste
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unsullied
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untarnished
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untenable
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indefensible, unable to be maintained
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untoward
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unfortunate or unlucky, adverse, unexpected
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untrammeled
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without limits or restrictions, unrestrained
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unwitting
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unintentional, not knowing
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unwonted
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unaccustomed
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upbraid
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severely scold, reprimand
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uproarious
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marked by commotion, extremely funny, very noisy
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upshot
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outcome
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urbane
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suave, refined, elegant
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ursine
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bearlike, pertaining to a bear
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uxorious
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excessively devoted to one's wife
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vacillate
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waver, fluctuate
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vagary
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caprice, whim
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vagrant(adj)
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stray, random
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vainglorious
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boastful, excessively conceited
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valedictory
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pertaining to farewell
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vantage
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position giving an advantage
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vapid
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dull and unimaginitive, insipid and flavorless
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variegated
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many-colored
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vaunted
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boasted, braggard, highly publicized
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vegetate
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live in a monotonous way
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vehement
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forceful, intensely emotional, with marked vigor
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venal
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capable of being bribed
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vendetta
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blood feud
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veneer
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thin layer, cover
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venerable
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deserving high respect
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venerate
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revere
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venial
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trivial, forgivable
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vent(v)
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express, utter
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venturesome
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bold
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veracious
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truthful
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veracity
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truthfulness
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verbiage
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pompous array of words
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verbose
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wordy
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verdant
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green, lush in vegetation
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verdigris
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green coating on copper that has been exposed to the weather
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verge
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border, edge
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verisimilar
|
probable or likely, having the appearance of truth
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versimilitude
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appearance of truth, likelihood
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veritable
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actual, being truly so, not false or imaginary
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verity
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quality of being true, lasting truth or principle
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vernal
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pertaining to spring
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vertex
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summit
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verve
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enthusiasm, liveliness
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vestige
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trace, remains
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vex
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annoy, distress
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viand
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food
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vicarious
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acting as a substitute, done by a deputy
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vicissitude
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change of fortune
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victuals
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food
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vie
|
contend, compete
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vignette
|
picture, short literary sketch
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vilify
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slander
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vindicate
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clear from blame, exonerate, justify or support
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vindictive
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out for revenge, malicious
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vintner
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winemaker, seller of wine
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virile
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manly
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virtual
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in essence, for practical purposes
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virulent
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extremely poisonous, hostile, bitter
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visage
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face, appearance
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visceral
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felt in one's inner organs
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viscid
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adhesive, gluey
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viscous
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stucky, gluey
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visionary
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produced by imagination, fanciful, mystical
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vital
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vibrant and lively, critical, living, breathing
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vitiate
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spoil the effect of, make inoperative
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vitreous
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pertaining to or resembling glass
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vitriolic
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corrosive, sarcastic
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vituperative
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abusive, scolding
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vivacious
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lively or animated, sprightly
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vivisection
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act of dissecting living animals
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vixen
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female fox, ill-tempered woman
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vociferous
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clamorous, noisy
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vogue
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popular fashion
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volatile
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changeable, explosive, evaporating rapidly
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voluble
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fluent, glib, talkative, loggorrhean
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voracious
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ravenous
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vortex
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whirlwind, whirlpool, center of turbulence
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vouchsafe
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grant condescendingly, guarantee
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vulpine
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like a fox, crafty
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waffle
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speak equivocally about an issue
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waft
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moved gently by wind or waves
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waggish
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mischievous, humorous, tricky
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waif
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homeless child or animal
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wake
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path of something that has gone before
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wallow
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roll in, indulge in, become helpful
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wan
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having a pale or sickly color, pallid
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wangle
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wiggle out, fake
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warble
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sing, babble
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warren
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tunnels in which rabbits live, crowded conditions in which people live
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wastrel
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profligate
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wax
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increase, grow
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waylay
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ambush, lie in wait
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welter(n)
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turmoil, bewildering jumble
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welter(v)
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wallow
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wean
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accustom a baby not to nurse, give up a cherished activity
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wheedle
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cajole, coax, deceive by flattery
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whet
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sharpen, stimulate
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whiff
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puff or gust, hint
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whimsical
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capricious, fanciful
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whit
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smallest speck
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whorl
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ring of leaves around stem, ring
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windfall
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fallen fruit, unexpected lucky event
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winnow
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sift, separate good parts from bad
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winsome
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agreeable, gracious, engaging
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wispy
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thin, slight, barely discernible
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wistful
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vaguely longing, sadly pensive
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witticism
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witty saying, wisecrack
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wizened
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withered, shriveled
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wont
|
custom, habitual procedure
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wrangle
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quarrel
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wreak
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inflict
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wrench
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pull, strain, twist
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writhe
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twist in coils, contort in pain
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wry
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twisted, with a humorous twist
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yen
|
longing, urge
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yeoman
|
man owning small estate, middle-class farmer
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yoke
|
join together, unite
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zephyr
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gentle breeze, west wind
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