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2332 Cards in this Set

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pachyderm
thick-skinned animal
pacifist
one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes
pacify
soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to
padre
chaplain (in the armed forces)
paean
song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
painstaking
taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through
palatable
agreeable; pleasing to the taste
palate
roof of the mouth; sense of the taste
palatial
of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
paleontology
study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents
palette
board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)
palimpsest
parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
pall
become boring; grow tiresome
pallet
small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
palliate
ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
pallid
pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
palm
conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off; Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the painting as a real Renoir
palpable
tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
palpitate
throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
paltry
insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash
pan
criticize harshly
panacea
cure-all; remedy for all diseases
panache
flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache;
pandemic
widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people
Pandemonium
wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost
pander
cater to (the low desires of others)
panegyric
formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.
pang
sudden sharp feeling of pain
panoramic
denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area
pantomime
acting without dialogue; V.
papyrus
ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant
parable
short simple story teaching a moral
paradigm
model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word
paradox
something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct
paragon
model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
parallel
similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unp
parallelism
state of being parallel; similarity; analogy
parameter
limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget
paramount
foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal
paramour
illicit lover
paranoia
psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac
paraphernalia
equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry
paraphrase
restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words
parasite
animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside
parched
extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)
parchment
writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat
pare
cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a knife); trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses
pariah
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
parish
area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church
parity
equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
parlance
language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
parley
conference (between opponents); CF. speak
parochial
narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
parody
humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.
paroxysm
fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst
parquet
floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
parry
ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N.
parsimony
stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious
partial
incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something
partiality
state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
partisan
one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla
partition
divide into parts
parvenu
upstart; newly rich person
pass\'e
old-fashioned; past the prime
pass_off
present falsely; represent falsely to be
passive
not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance
paste
smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: cause to adhere by applying paste
pastiche
imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
pastoral
rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor
pastry
paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)
patent
obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
pathetic
causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching
pathological
pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease
pathos
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
patina
green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
patois
local or provincial dialect
patriarch
father and ruler of a family or tribe
patrician
noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian
patrimony
property inherited from a father
patronize
support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott
paucity
scarcity; dearth
pauper
very poor person
peccadillo
slight offense or fault; CF. sin
pecuniary
pertaining to money
pedagogue
teacher; CF. child leader
pedagogy
teaching; art of education
pedant
scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities
pedantic
bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry
peddle
travel about selling (wares); CF. foot
pedestal
support or base as for a pillar or statue
pedestrian
ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
pediatrician
physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics
pedigree
ancestry; lineage
peer
one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
peerless
having no equal; incomparable
peevish
bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry
pejorative
(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression, because it patronized them.
pell-mell
in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
pellucid
transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
pen
fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose
penance
self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent
penchant
strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars
pendant(pendent)
hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)
pending
not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
pendulous
hanging; suspended
penetrate
enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand
penitent
repentant; N.
penology
study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
pensive
dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over
penumbra
partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
penury
extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
peon
landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage
perceptive
insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
percussion
striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion
perdition
damnation; complete ruin; hell
peregrination
journey; V. peregrinate
peremptory
demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
perennial
something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring
perfidious
treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
perforate
pierce; put a hole through
perfunctory
done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss
perigee
point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee
perimeter
outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
peripatetic
walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy
peripheral
of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest
periphery
outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town
perjury
false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath
permeable
that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge
permissive
allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society
pernicious
very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia
peroration
conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
perpetrate
commit an offense; do (something wrong)
perpetual
everlasting
perpetuate
make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity
perquisite(perk)
any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car
persevere
continue steadily in spite of difficulties
persist
continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent
personable
attractive (in personality or appearance)
personify
represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification
perspicacious
(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute
perspicuity
clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
perspicuous
(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
pert
(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
pertinacious
holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
pertinent
suitable; to the point; relevant
perturb
disturb greatly
peruse
read through with care; N. perusal
pervasive
spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
perverse
purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity
perversion
corruption; turning from right to wrong
pervert
corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural
pessimism
belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic
pestilential(pestilent)
causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)
pestle
tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
petrify
turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze
petty
trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
petulant
touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
phalanx
formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
pharisaical
pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
pharisee
Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
phenomena
observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength
philanderer
faithless lover; flirt
philanthropist
lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy
philatelist
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
Philistine
narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete
philology
study of language or words
phlegmatic
calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
phobia
morbid fear
phoenix
symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes
phylum
major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division
physiognomy
face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
physiological
pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology
piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
piecemeal
one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal
pied
piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
piety
devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious
pigment
coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)
pilfer
steal things of small value; filch; snitch
pillage
plunder
pillory
punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.
pinch
squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger
pine
long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline
pinion
restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing
pinnace
small boat
pinnacle
peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame
pious
devout; religious; N. piety
piquant
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
pique
irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
piscatorial
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
pitfall
hidden danger; concealed trap
pith
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
pithy
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
pittance
small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
pivotal
of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
placate
pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
placebo
harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
placid
peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
plagiarize
steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap
plaintive
expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
plait
braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail
plane
carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat
plaster
paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls; V.
plasticity
ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay
platitude
trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous
platonic
purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
plaudit
praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
plausible
conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious
plebeian
common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician
plebiscite
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
plenary
(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
plenitude
abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty
plethora
excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses
pliable
flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable
pliant
flexible; easily influenced
plight
difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament
ploy
strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy
pluck
courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave
plumage
feathers of a bird;
plumb
exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of
plumber
one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
plume
feather, esp. large or showy one; something that rises into the air (like the shape of a feather); Ex. plume of smoke: 滚几 备抚
plummet
fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.
plump
pleasantly fat; nicely rounded
plutocracy
society ruled by the wealthy
podiatrist
doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics
podium
pedestal; raised platform
poignancy
quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick
poise
good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position
polar
of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites
polarity
state of having two opposite qualities
polarize
split into opposite extremes or camps
polemic
attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy
polemical(polemic)
aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)
politic
prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
polity
(particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity
polygamist
one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry
polyglot
speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.
pomposity
self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important
ponderous
having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
pontifical
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
pore
study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
porous
full of pores; like a sieve
porridge
soft food made by boiling oatmeal
portend
foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
portly
stout; corpulent
pose
assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.
poseur
person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose
posterity
descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior
posthumous
after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death); coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel
postmortem
autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem
postulate
self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
posture
assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude
potable
suitable for drinking; drinkable
potent
powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential
potentate
monarch; sovereign
potential
expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth
potion
dose (of liquids); liquid dose
potpourri
heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)
poultice
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
pr\'ecis
abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text
practicable
feasible
practical
based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man
pragmatic
practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill
pragmatist
practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things
prance
move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
prank
mischievous trick
prate
talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
prattle
talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
preamble
introductory statement
precarious
unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living
precedent
preceding (in time, rank, etc.)
precept
practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept
precinct
division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college
precipice
cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice
precipitant
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; OP. solvent
precipitate
hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden
precipitous
steep; overhasty; precipitate
precise
exact
preclude
make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate
precocious
advanced in development; N. precocity
precursor
forerunner; predecessor
predator
predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation
predecessor
former occupant of a post
predetermine
determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly
predicament
difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma
predilection
preference; partiality
predispose
give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition
preeminent
outstanding; superior
preempt
prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive
preen
make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune
prefatory
introductory; of a preface
prefigure
be a sign of; foreshadow
prehensile
capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
prelate
church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
prelude
introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner
premeditate
plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder
premise
assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based
premonition
forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
premonitory
serving to warn
preponderance
superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant
prepossessing
attractive; CF. preoccupying ?
preposterous
absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
prerogative
privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before
presage
foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
prescience
ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient
presentiment
premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear
prestige
respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige
presume
take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption
presumptuous
going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties
pretend
feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense
pretension
pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
pretentious
ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art
preternatural
beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
pretext
excuse
prevail
be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something
prevalent
widespread; generally accepted
prevaricate
lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
prey
target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.
prim
proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
primal
first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence
primary
first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first
primate
group of mammals including humans
prime
period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; prepare
primogeniture
seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
primordial
existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary
primp
groom oneself with care; adorn oneself
pristine
unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition
privation
lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive
privy
secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private
prize
pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)
probe
explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe
probity
uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility
problematic
causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic.
proclivity
inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)
procrastinate
postpone; delay or put off
procurement
obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another
prod
poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding
prodigal
wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality
prodigious
enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory
prodigy
highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder
profane
violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things
profligate
wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy
profound
deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity
profusion
great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant
progenitor
ancestor
progeny
children; offspring; descendants
prognosis
forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic
prognosticate
predict (according to present indications)
prohibitive
so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax
projectile
missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)
proletarian
member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages)
proliferate
grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation
prolific
producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer
prolixity
tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
prologue
introduction (to a poem or play)
prolong
lengthen; extend; draw out
prominent
protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent
promiscuous
mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity
promontory
headland
promote
advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote a new product
prompt
cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an actor); ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue
promulgate
announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
prone
inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone
prong
pointed projecting part
pronounced
distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp
prop
support placed under or against something; V.
propagate
increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas
propellant(propellent)
substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)
propensity
natural inclination
prophetic
of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet
prophylactic
used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease
propinquity
nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
propitiate
appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
propitious
favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign
proponent
supporter; backer; opposite of opponent
propound
put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory
propriety
fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary
propulsive
driving forward; N. propulsion
prosaic
lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose
proscenium
part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
proscribe
prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
proselytize
(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
prosody
art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
prosper
become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care
prosperity
good fortune and financial success; physical well-being
prosperous
successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off
prostrate
stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength
prot\'eg\'e
person receiving protection and support from a patron
protagonist
leader or noticeable supporter of an idea; chief character in a play or story
protean
able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will
protocol
diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport.
prototype
original work used as a model by others
protract
prolong; lengthen in time; draw out
protrude
stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth
protuberance
protrusion; swelling; bulge
provenance
place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come
provender
dry food for livestock; fodder
proverb
adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially
providence
quality of being provident; divine care; god's care; Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like providence that the doctor happened to be there; ADJ. providential: of divine providence; fortunate
provident
providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident
provincial
pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated
provision
act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions of the agreement
provisional
tentative; temporary
proviso
stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
provocative
arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation
prowess
extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle
proximity
nearness; ADJ. proximate
proxy
authorized agent; authority to act for another
prude
excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature); N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety
prudent
cautious; careful; prudential
prune
cut away; trim
prurient
having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
pry
inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying
pseudonym
pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous
psyche
soul; mind
psychiatrist
doctor who treats mental diseases
psychic
of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers
psychopathic
pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder
psychosis
mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic
psychosomatic
of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease)
pterodactyl
extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger
pucker
gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold
pudding
hot sweet dish
puerile
childish; immature; CF. puer: boy
pugilist
boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing
pugnacity
combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature
puissant
powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power
pulchritude
beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous
pulmonary
pertaining to the lungs
pulpit
raised platform used in preaching (in a church)
pulsate
throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly
pulse
rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate
pulverize
crush or grind into very small particles
pummel
pommel; beat or pound with fists
punctilious
minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail
pundit
authority on a subject; expert; learned person
pungent
stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency
punitive
punishing; Ex. punitive measures
puny
tiny; weak; insignificant
purchase
secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing
purgatory
place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins
purge
remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or purify (esp. of sin, guilt, or defilement); N.
purport
intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general
purported
alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists
purse
pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet
purveyor
furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide
pushy
disagreeably aggressive
pusillanimous
cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted
putative
supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child
putrefy
make or become putrid; N. putrefaction
putrescent
becoming putrid; putrefying
putrid
decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity
puzzle
baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by reasoning; Ex. puzzle out the answer; N.
pyromaniac
person with an insane desire to set things on fire
oaf
stupid awkward person; CF. elf
oath
solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. ``For Christ's sake''
oatmeal
crushed oats used for making porridge
obdurate
stubborn; refusing to change one's belief
obeisance
bow (to show respect and obedience)
obelisk
tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid
obese
excessively fat; N. obesity
obfuscate
confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand
obituary
death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ.
objective
not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim
obligatory
binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate
oblique
indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line); Ex. oblique reference
obliterate
destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village
oblivion
obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness
oblivious
inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting)
obloquy
slander; disgrace; infamy
obnoxious
offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell
obscure
dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning
obsequious
slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic
obsequy
funeral ceremony
obsessive
related to thinking about something constantly; of an obsession; preoccupying; N. obsession: compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea; compulsive idea; V. obsess: preoccupy the mind of excessively
obsidian
black volcanic rock
obsolete
outmoded; no longer used
obstetrician
physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife
obstinate
stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy
obstreperous
boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable
obtrude
push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive
obtuse
blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding
obviate
make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need
Occident
the West
occlude
shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery.
occult
mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare
oculist
physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes
odds
chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with
odious
arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile
odium
detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)
odoriferous
giving off an odor
odorous
having an odor
odyssey
long, eventful, adventurous journey
offensive
attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense
offhand
casual; done without prior thought or preparation
officious
meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy
ogle
look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men ogling young girls
olfactory
concerning the sense of smell
oligarchy
government by a privileged few
ominous
threatening; of an evil omen
omnipotent
all-powerful; having unlimited power
omnipresent
universally present; ubiquitous
omniscient
all-knowing
omnivorous
eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything
onerous
burdensome
onomatopoeia
words formed in imitation of natural sounds
onslaught
vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy
onus
burden; responsibility
ooze
(of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or thick liquid as at the bottom of a river
opalescent
iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence
opaque
dark; not transparent; N. opacity
opiate
medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium
opportune
timely; well-chosen
opportunist
individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism
opprobrium
infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous
optician
maker and seller of eyeglasses
optimist
person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism
optimum
most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition
optional
not compulsory; left to one's choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options
optometrist
one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects
opulence
extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant
opus
work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera
oracular
of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle
orator
public speaker
oratorio
dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata
ordain
decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination
ordeal
severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction
ordinance
decree; authoritative order
ordination
ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest
orgy
wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping
orient
get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate
orientation
act of finding oneself in society; orienting
orifice
mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth
ornate
excessively or elaborately decorated
ornithologist
scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds
orthodox
traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine
orthography
correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics
oscillate
vibrate pendulumlike; waver
osseous
made of bone; bony
ossify
change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas
ostensible
apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition
ostentatious
showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display
ostracize
banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism
oust
expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting
outcast
one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
outfit
clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit
outgoing
sociable; eager to mix socially with others
outlandish
bizzare; peculiar; unconventional
outlaw
fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.
outlook
point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook
outmoded
no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned
outrage
act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive
outskirts
fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston
outspoken
candid; blunt
outstrip
outrun; surpass; outdo
outwit
outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly
ovation
enthusiastic applause
overbearing
bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate
overblown
inflated; exaggerated
oversee
watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision
overt
open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert
overthrow
topple; N.
overture
musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
overturn
turn over; capsize; topple
overweening
arrogant; presumptuous
overwhelm
(of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief
overwrought
nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
ovoid
egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate
jab
poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows
jabber
chatter rapidly or unintelligibly
jaded
tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite
jargon
language used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk
jaundice
medical condition in which the skin, the white part of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; affect with prejudice, envy, or hostility; bias
jaundiced
yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful) from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye
jaunt
trip; short journey
jaunty
cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat
jeopardize
endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger
jest
playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully
jetsam
things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship)
jettison
throw overboard (from a ship or plane)
jibe
agree; be in harmony with; gibe
jingoist
extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism
jocose
given to(having a tendency of) joking
jocular
said or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking
jocund
merry
jollity
gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay
jostle
shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds
jovial
good-natured; merry; cheerful
jubilation
rejoicing; great joy
judiciary
judicial branch of government
judicious
sound on judgment; wise
jug
pitcher; container for holding liquids
juggernaut
irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path
jumble
mix in a confused way
juncture
crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining
junket
trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense
junta
group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force)
juridical
of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary
jurisdiction
right and power to apply the law; authority
jurisprudence
science of law
juxtapose
place side by side; CF. next
kaleidoscope
tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical effects; series of changing events; Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful
ken
range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken
kernel
central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)
killjoy
grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others
kindle
start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse
kindred
related; belonging to the same group; similar in nature or character; Ex. kindred languages; N: relative; kin; kinship
kinetic
producing motion; of motion
kismet
fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.
kleptomaniac
person who has a compulsive desire to steal
knack
special talent; art
knave
untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery
knead
mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with the hands); Ex. knead dough
kneel
go down on one's knee(s)
knell
tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.
knit
contract into wrinkles; grow together; join together closely; make (a fabric or garment) by interwining yarn or thread; Ex. knit the brow; Ex. The bones should knit together in a few weeks.
knoll
little round hill; hillock
knotty
intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot
kudos
honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement
labile
likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability
laborious
demanding much work or care; tedious
labyrinth
maze
lace
cord used to draw and tie together two opposite edges (as of a shoe); delicate fabric made of fine threads; V: draw together by tying a lace
laceration
torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin as with broken glass); wound
lachrymose
producing tears; tearful
lackadaisical
lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid
lackluster
lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull
laconic
brief and to the point; using few words; terse
lag
move or develop more slowly; straggle; Ex. lag behind the rest; N.
laggard
slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler
lagoon
shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs
laity
laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy
lament
grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation
lampoon
ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution
lance
pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon
lancet
small surgical tool for making incisions
languid
lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless
languish
lose animation or strength
languor
lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression
lank
long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln
lap
take in food or drink with one's tongue; splash gently; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person
larceny
theft; Ex. petit larceny
larder
pantry; place where food is kept
largess
generous gift (given to people who do not have enough)
lascivious
lustful
lassitude
languor; weariness; listlessness
latch
fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch; V: close with a latch
latent
present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential
lateral
of or coming from the side
latitude
freedom from narrow limitations
laud
praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise
lavish
liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; V. give in abundance
lax
careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. lax service
layman
man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional
leash
restraining rope fastened to the collar of an animal (to control it); Ex. a dog on a leash
leaven
add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise (by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens
leave-taking
farewell or departure
lechery
gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man
lectern
reading desk or stand for a public speaker
leery
(of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious
leeway
room to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for the deadline
legacy
gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor
legato
(of music) played smoothly
legend
explanatory list of symbols on a map
legerdemain
sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand
legislature
legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make laws
leniency
mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment
leonine
like a lion
lethal
deadly
lethargic
drowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggishness and inactivity
levee
earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise
levitate
rise and float in the air (especially by magical means); CF. light
levity
lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner
levy
impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco
lewd
lustful
lexicographer
compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of compiling a dictionary
lexicon
dictionary
liability
drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible (for paying)
liaison
contact that keeps parties in communication; communication between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection
libel
defamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a person's character; V. ADJ. libelous
libertine
debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\'e; CF. free
libidinous
lustful
libido
psychic and emotional energy or urges behind human activity; sexual desire
libretto
text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book
license
official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V.
licentious
amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained
lien
legal claim or right on a property
ligneous
like wood
lilliputian
extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels
limber
flexible; supple; pliable; V.
limbo
region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo
limn
draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?
limp
walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak
limpid
crystal clear
lineage
descent; ancestry
lineaments
features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line
linger
loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell lingered for days.
linguistic
pertaining to language
lionize
treat (a person) as a celebrity
liquidate
settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish
list
tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)
listless
lacking in spirit or energy; languid
litany
supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words
lithe
flexible; supple; CF. limber
litigation
lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V. litigate
litotes
understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty good)''
litter
waste material thrown away (as bits of paper scattered untidily); V: cover untidily with scattered litter
livid
lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry
loath
reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go.
loathe
detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; Ex. loathsome smell
lode
metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)
loft
room or space under the roof; attic
lofty
very high
log
record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V.
loiter
hang about/around; stand idly about; linger
loll
lounge about
longevity
long life; long duration
lookout
act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide view; person who keeps watch
loom
appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged, indistinct, or distorted form); Ex. The shadow of the gallows loomed threateningly. N: apparatus for making thread into cloth
lope
gallop slowly
lopsided
heavier or larger on one side than the other; Ex. lopsided way of walking
loquacious
talkative; N. loquacity
lot
object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land
lottery
contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots
lounge
stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way
lout
clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides ?
low
moo; make the sound of a cow
lubricate
apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance that reduces friction
lucid
easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity
lucrative
profitable; producing wealth
lucre
money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre
ludicrous
laughable; ridiculous; trifling
lugubrious
mournful; sorrowful
lull
moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of security; CF. lullaby
lumber
move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through the woods; N: timber
lumen
unit of light energy (one candle's worth)
luminary
celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object that gives light (as a celestial body)
luminous
shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs
lunar
pertaining to the moon
lunatic
insane; Ex. lunatic asylum
lurid
wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder
lurk
stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived
luscious
pleasing to taste or smell; delicious
lush
(of a plant or grass) growing very well
lust
intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.
luster
shine; gloss (of a polished surface)
lustrous
shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair
luxuriant
abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate
luxuriate
take pleasure in great comfort
macabre
gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death
mace
ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike medieval weapon
macerate
soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper
Machiavellian
crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power
machinations
evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve an evil end; V. machinate
maculated
spotted; stained; CF. immaculate
madrigal
pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments
maelstrom
violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. stream
magisterial
authoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex. magisterial manner
magistrate
official with power to administer the law
magnanimity
generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous
magnate
person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate
magniloquent
boastful; pompous
magnitude
greatness (in size or extent); extent
maim
mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed for life
makeshift
temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter
maladroit
clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling
malady
illness
malaise
uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any particular pain or appearance of disease)
malapropism
comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop
malapropos
inappropriate; ADV.
malcontent
person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented
malediction
curse
malefactor
evildoer; criminal
maleficient
doing evil; N. maleficience
malevolent
wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence
malfeasance
wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official)
malicious
hateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. malice: desire to harm others; spite
malign
speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence
malignant
tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor
malingerer
one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work
malleable
(of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable
malodorous
foul-smelling
mammal
vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young
mammoth
gigantic; enormous
manacle
restrain; handcuff; N.
mandate
order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory
mandatory
obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate
maneuver(manoeuver)
strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end
mange
skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair
mangle
tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex. badly mangled bodies
mangy
shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance
maniacal
raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm
manifest
evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly
manifestation
outward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced musical bent
manifesto
public declaration of principles; statement of policy
manifold
many in number or kind; numerous; varied
manipulate
operate with one's hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative
mannered
affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech
mannerism
distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in art (according to a set of styles)
mantle
loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core
manumit
emancipate; free from slavery or bondage
mar
spoil the appearance of
maraud
move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army
margin
border; room; allowance beyond what is needed; Ex. margin of safety
marginal
of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex. marginal effect/writing ability
marital
pertaining to marriage
maritime
bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces
marked
noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man
maroon
leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown
marred
damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure
marrow
soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells
marshal
put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military officer; official
marsupial
one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat
martial
warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law
martinet
strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet
martyr
one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism
mash
crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl
masochist
person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism
mason
one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork
masquerade
wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise
mass
Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony of the Eucharist
masticate
chew
mat
not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece of material used as a floor covering; V.
materialism
preoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather than spiritual matters)
maternal
motherly; N. maternity: motherhood
matin\'ee(matinee)
dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon
matriarch
woman who rules a family or larger social group
matriculate
enroll (in college or graduate school); CF. matrix
matrimony
state of being married
matrix
point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization
maudlin
effusively sentimental
maul
handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer
mausoleum
monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos
mauve
pale purple
maverick
rebel; nonconformist (in a group)
mawkish
mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental
maxim
proverb; truth pithily stated
mayhem
injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. maim
meager
scanty; inadequate
mealymouthed
indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive
meander
wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly
meddlesome
interfering; V. meddle: interfere
mediate
settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire
mediocre
ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad
meditation
reflection; thought; V. meditate
medium
element that is a creature's natural environment; nutrient setting in which microorganisms are cultivated; appropriate occupation or means of expression; channel of communication; compromise; middle position between extremes; intervening substan
medley
mixture
meek
submissive; patient and long-suffering
megalomania
mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance
melancholy
gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia
melee
fight
mellifluous
(of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune
memento
token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit
memoir
memoirs; autobiography; biography
memorial
something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to honor the memory of a person or event; ADJ: commemorative
memorialize
commemorate
menace
threat; V: threaten
menagerie
collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo
mendacious
lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity
mendicant
beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar
menial
suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)
mentor
counselor; teacher
mercantile
concerning trade or merchants
mercenary
motivated solely by money or gain; N.
mercurial
capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood
meretricious
flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute
merger
combination (of two business corporations); act of merging
merit
deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise
mesmerize
hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer
metallurgical
pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores
metamorphosis
change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis
metaphor
implied comparison; CF. simile
metaphysical
pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality
mete
measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment
meteoric
like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex. meteoric rise to fame; N. meteor
meter
arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by accentual rhythm)
methodical
systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure
meticulous
excessively careful (with great attention to detail); painstaking; scrupulous
metrical
metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. metrical translation of Homer
metropolis
large city
mettle
courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome
miasma
swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence
microcosm
small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society
migrant
changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; N: one that migrates
migratory
wandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle in another; move periodically from one region to another
milieu
social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor.
militant
combative; bellicose; N.
militate
work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier
militia
army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers
millennium
thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity
mime
pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime
mimicry
imitation
minatory
menacing; threatening
mincing
affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp. meat) into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated primness; walk in an unnatural way, taking little short steps; Ex. The actor minced across the stage; CF. mincemeat; CF. mincer
mingle
mix together in close association
miniature
small model; small painting; ADJ: small
minion
servile dependent; obsequious follower
minuscule(miniscule)
extremely small
minute
extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting
minutiae
petty or trivial details; CF. minutia
mirage
unreal reflection; optical illusion
mire
entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire
mirth
merriment; laughter
misadventure
mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure
misanthrope
one who hates mankind; misanthropist
misapprehension
error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend
miscellaneous
made up of a variety of parts
miscellany
mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items
mischance
ill luck
mischief
behavior (of children) causing trouble with no serious harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops; ADJ. mischievous: causing mischief; playfully troublesome
misconduct
immoral behavior; bad management; V.
misconstrue
interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge
miscreant
wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe
misdemeanor
minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing
miserly
stingy; mean
misgivings
doubts
mishap
unfortunate accident
misnomer
wrong or improper name; incorrect designation
misogamy
hatred of marriage
misogynist
hater of woman; CF. misogyny
missile
object to be thrown or projected
missive
letter; written statement; CF. sent
mite
very small object or insect-like creature; small coin
mitigate
appease; moderate; make or become less in force or intensity
mnemonic
pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid
mobile
movable; not fixed; N. mobility
mock
ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision
mode
prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple mode of life
modicum
limited quantity; small amount; Ex. He does not have a modicum of sense; CF. moderate
modish
fashionable; conforming to the current fashion
modulate
tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Ex. modulate from E to G
mogul
powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian
molecule
the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance
mollify
soothe an angry person
mollycoddle
pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively
molt(moult)
periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)
molten
melted; Ex. molten lava
momentous
very important; N. moment; CF. momentary
momentum
quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force
monarchy
government under a single ruler
monastic
related to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly concerns
monetary
pertaining to money
mongrel
plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ.
monochromatic
having only one color
monochrome
painting in only one color; ADJ.
monogram
design composed of one or more initials of a name; V.
monograph
scholarly article
monolithic
solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone
monotheism
belief in one God
monotony
sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone
monumental
massive; impressively large; built as a monument
moodiness
fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: | state of mind or emotion
moratorium
legal delay of payment or action; Ex. declare moratorium on the building of new houses
morbid
given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease
mordant
biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit
mores
conventions; moral standards; moral customs
morgue
mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation
moribund
dying; at the point of death; CF. death
morose
ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy
mortar
vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle
mortician
undertaker; CF. death
mortify
humiliate by embarassing excessively; shame; punish the flesh; discipline (one's body) by self-denial; Ex. mortified by her blunder; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. cause to die
mosaic
picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.
mote
small speck (esp. of dust)
motif
theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure
motility
ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously
motley
multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a paid fool at medieval courts)
mottled
blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors
motto
brief statement used to express a principle
mountebank
charlatan; boastful pretender
muddle
confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion
muggy
(of weather) warm and damp
mulct
defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the boy of his legacy
multifarious
varied; greatly diversified; Ex. multifarious activities
multiform
having many forms
multilingual
having many languages; fluent in several languages
multiplicity
state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element
mundane
worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world
munificent
very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience
mural
wall painting
murky
dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom
murmur
low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble
muse
ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of a poet)
musky
having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer
muster
gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N.
musty
stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist
mutablility
ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant
mute
silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of
muted
silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise
mutilate
maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part
mutinous
unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer
mutter
utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low tones
myopic
nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia
myriad
very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand
mystic
of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism
nadir
lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith
naivet\'e(naivety)
quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous
narcissist
conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus
narrative
related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration
nascent
incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music
natal
connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal
natation
swimming
natty
neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser
nausea
feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness
nauseate
cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea
nauseous
causing nausea; feeling nausea
nautical
pertaining to ships or navigation
navigable
(of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to be steered
nebula
diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy
nebulous
vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal
necromancy
black magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer; CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis
nectar
drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees
nefarious
very wicked
negate
cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation
negligence
neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care
negligible
so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded
nemesis
someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis
neologism
new or newly coined word or phrase
neophyte
recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant
nepotism
favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew
nether
lower; Ex. nether garments/regions
nettle
irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome
nexus
connection
nib
beak(bill); pen point
nicety
precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties
niggardly
meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person
niggle
spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling
nihilist
one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutio
nimble
quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. nimble climber/mind
nip
snip off; stop something's growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill
nirvana
in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude
nocturnal
done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne
noisome
foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome
nomadic
wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place
nomenclature
terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things
nominal
in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint
nonchalance
indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts
noncommittal
neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided
nondescript
undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd
nonentity
person of no importance; nonexistence
nonplus
put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more
nonsense
speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail
noose
loop formed in a rope
nostalgia
homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic
nostrum
questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy)
notable
conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted
notch
V-shaped cut in a surface; V.
notoriety
disrepute; ill fame
nourish
provide with food necessary for life and growth
nourishment
something that nourishes; food
nova
star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness
novelty
something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original
novice
beginner
noxious
harmful; CF. obnoxious
nuance
shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction
nubile
marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial
nugatory
worthless; futile
nullify
make invalid; make null; invalidate
numismatist
person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals
nuptial
related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony
nurse
suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; Ex. nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against someone
nurture
nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing
nutrient
nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment
nutrition
process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition
nutritious
providing nourishment
quack
charlatan; impostor
quadruped
four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped
quaff
drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); CF. sip
quagmire
bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself
quail
cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart
quaint
odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque
qualified
limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify
qualify
reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated
qualms
uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen.
quandary
dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go.
quarantine
isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine
quarry
dig into (to get stone); N: mine;
quash
crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court
quay
dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)
queasy
experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy
queer
strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal
quell
suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion'' in newspaper; CF. kill
quench
assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress
querulous
given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining
query
inquiry; question; V.
queue
line (of waiting people or vehicles)
quibble
minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil
quicksilver
mercury
quiescent
dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence
quietude
tranquillity; calmness
quintessence
purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence
quip
taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.
quirk
sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate
quisling
traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
quiver
tremble; shake; N.
quixotic
idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote
quizzical
curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance
quorum
minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
quotidian
daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine
rabble
mob; noisy crowd
rabid
of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia
rabies
disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal (causing madness and death)
raconteur
story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill
raffle
lottery; V: award as a prize in a raffle; Ex. raffle off a new car
rag
scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance
ragamuffin
dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes
rail
complain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing against injustices
raiment
clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear.
rake
immoral or dissolute person
rakish
jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.
rally
come or bring together; call up or summon (forces, vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate (after illness or difficulty); N: act of rallying; mass gathering
ram
male sheep; V. strike or drive against with a heavy impact
ramble
wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress
ramification
branching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; one of the results following from an action or decision; Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision
ramify
branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions
ramp
slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)
rampant
growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed
rampart
defensive mound of earth
ramshackle
(of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart
rancid
having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank
rancor
long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous
random
without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random
rank
offensive in odor or flavor
rankle
irritate; fester; annoy
ransack
search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.
rant
speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil.
rapacious
voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds
rapport
close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony
rapt
engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener
rapture
great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous
rare
(of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains
rarefied
made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less dense; N. rarefaction
rasp
(of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something rough; Ex. The cat's tongue rasped my hand.
raspy
making a harsh noise; grating; harsh
ratify
approve formally; confirm; verify
ratiocination
reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically
ration
fixed portion; V: distribute as rations
rational
(of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical
rationale
fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action
rationalize
make rational; devise false reasons for (one's behavior); offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action in place of a true, less admirable ones; N. rationalization
raucous
(of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts
ravage
devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms
rave
overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic
ravel
fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist
ravenous
extremely hungry; voracious
ravine
narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon
raze
destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground
reactionary
strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical
realm
kingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the realms of possibility
reaper
one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop
rebate
return of part of a payment; discount; V.
rebuff
reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N.
rebuke
scold harshly; criticize severely
rebus
representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. ``R U 18'' is a rebus for ``Are you 18''.
rebuttal
refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: refute; disprove
recalcitrant
disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child
recant
disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement
recapitulate
summarize
recast
reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again
receptive
quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal
recess
pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive
recession
withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity
recidivism
habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist
recipient
receiver
reciprocal
mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement
reciprocate
do or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move
recital
act of reciting publicly; detailed account; performance of music or dance (by a solo performer)
recite
repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite his complaints; N. recitation
reckon
count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose
recline
lie down
recluse
hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive
reconcile
make friendly again (after quarrel); make consistent (two ideas in opposition); correct inconsistencies; Ex. reconcile one's political principles with one's religious beliefs
recondite
abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret
reconnaissance
survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information)
recount
narrate or tell (a story); count over again
recourse
resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to
recreant
disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person
recrimination
countercharges; V. recriminate
rectify
set right; correct; CF. rect-: right
rectitude
moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment
recumbent
reclining; lying down completely or in part
recuperate
recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses
recurrent
occurring again and again
redolent
odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery
redoubtable
formidable; causing fear
redress
remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for
reduce
diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into components by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce the house to rubble; N. reduction
redundant
superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious
reek
emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench
refectory
dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school)
referendum
direct vote by all the people
refraction
bending of a ray of light
refractory
unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse
refrain
abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus
refulgent
effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. refulgent moon
refurbish
renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish
refuse
anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash
refute
disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation
regal
royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner
regale
entertain
regatta
boat or yacht race
regeneration
spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually
regent
a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
regicide
murder of a king or queen
regime
method of system or government
regimen
prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer
regiment
military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society
rehabilitate
restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of
reimburse
repay; pay back
reinstate
restore to a previous condition or position
reiterate
repeat
rejoinder
reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply
rejuvenate
make young again
relapse
return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N.
relegate
put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children's room; Ex. relegated to the second division
relent
become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. relentless: unyielding; continuously severe
relevant
having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy
relic
surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X.
religious
of religion; (of a person) pious; having reverence for a deity
relinquish
give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm
relish
enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest
remediable
reparable
reminiscence
recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past
reminiscent
suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence
remiss
negligent; careless about a duty
remission
temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins.
remit
transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment
remittance
remitting of money; amount of money remitted
remnant
remainder
remonstrate
protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest
remorse
deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach
remunerative
(of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble
rend
split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow
render
give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully
rendezvous
meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V.
rendition
rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc
renegade
deserter; traitor; ADJ.
renege
break a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege on the contract/paying off the debt
renounce
abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's religion; N. renunciation
renovate
restore to good condition; renew
renown
fame; ADJ. renowned
rent
tear made by rending; rip; split
reparable
capable of being repaired
reparation
compensation (for loss or wrong); amends; Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair
repartee
quick clever reply
repast
meal; feast; banquet
repeal
revoke; annul
repel
drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion
repellent
driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N.
repercussion
rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion
repertoire
list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present; CF. repertory
repine
fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work
replenish
fill up again
replete
fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors
replica
copy
replicate
reproduce; duplicate
repose
resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single man
repository
storehouse
reprehensible
deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame
representational
(of a style of art) showing things as they actually appear in real life
repress
hold back (the natural expression of); restrain; crush; oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion
reprieve
postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of
reprimand
reprove severely; rebuke; N.
reprisal
retaliation
reprise
musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the finale; Ex. constant reprises
reproach
blame (not angrily but sadly); express disapproval or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful
reprobate
morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ?
reprobation
severe disapproval; CF. approbation
reprove
censure; rebuke; N. reproof
repudiate
disown; disavow; deny
repugnance
disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive
repulse
reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $\neq$ cause repulsion
repulsion
distaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. repulsive: causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel (not `repulse')
reputable
respectable; having a good reputation
reputed
supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem
requiem
mass for the dead; dirge
requisite
necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary
requisition
formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V.
requite
make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal
rescind
repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)
resentment
indignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. resent: feel anger about
reserve
self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative
residual
remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue
residue
remainder; balance
resign
give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively
resignation
patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent
resilient
elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune)
resolution
determination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute: firm or determined in purpose
resolve
decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision; N. resolution
resonant
(of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance
resort
turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.
resound
(of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter
resourceful
clever and imaginative (in dealing with difficult situations); N. resource, resourcefulness
respiration
breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory
respite
time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve
resplendent
brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious
responsiveness
state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment
restitution
returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury
restive
impatiently restless (induced by external coercion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not a general synonym for `restless'
restraint
moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction
resumption
taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats.
resurge
rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again
resurrect
revive
resuscitate
revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child
retain
keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor
retaliate
repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate
retard
delay (in development); ADJ. retarded: (as of a child) slower in development
retentive
holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the mind); having a good memory
reticent
inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence
retinue
following; attendants
retiring
shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality
retort
quick sharp reply; V.
retract
withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile
retrench
cut down; cut down expenses; economize
retribution
deserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF. pay back
retrieve
recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation
retroactive
taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future
retrograde
go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.
retrospective
looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect
revelry
boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration
reverberate
echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated across the valley.
reverend
deserving reverence; N: priest
reverent
respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect
reverie
daydream; abstracted musing
revert
relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion
revile
attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)
revoke
cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable
revulsion
sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture
rhapsodize
speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery
rhapsody
excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it)
rhetoric
art of effective communication; art of using language effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric; ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is expected as
ribald
marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke
rickety
(of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D
riddle
pierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout; Ex. The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex. The whole report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve (separating earth from stone)
rider
amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
rife
(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current
rift
narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation
rig
arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails
righteous
morally upright; just
rightful
legally correct; Ex. rightful owner
rigid
hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule
rigor
severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter
rile
irritate; vex; muddy
rip
tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail ripped under the force of the wind; N.
rivet
metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; V: fasten with a rivet; engross
riveting
holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing
rivulet
small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river
robust
strong; vigorous
rococo
ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century
roil
make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb
rolling
(of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution of power to local governments
romp
play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.
rooster
cock; adult male chicken
roseate
rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views
roster
list (of names)
rostrum
raised platform for speech-making; pulpit
rote
repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote
rotund
(of a person) fat and round
rotunda
circular building or hall covered with a dome
rotundity
roundness; sonorousness of speech
rou\'e
lecherous man
rousing
lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up
rout
put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat
rubble
fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)
rubric
title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol
ruddy
reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking
rudimentary
elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language
rue
regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful
ruffian
violent scoundrel; bully
rumble
make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder or stomach)
ruminant
animal that ruminates; ADJ.
ruminate
chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); mull over(ponder)
rummage
ransack; thoroughly search
run-down
(of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted
runic
mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N. rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm
ruse
trick to deceive; stratagem
rustic
pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person
rusticate
banish to the country; dwell in the country
rustle
make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together
ruthless
pitiless; merciless; cruel
saboteur
one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly)
saccharine
cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin
sacrilegious
desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred
sacrosanct
invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable
sadistic
inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty
saga
Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative
sagacious
wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity
sage
person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise
salacious
lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk
salient
prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features
saline
salty
sallow
(of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice
salubrious
healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health
salutary
tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health
salvage
rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved
sanctimonious
displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety
sanction
approve; ratify; N: permission; penalty intended to enforce compliance
sanctuary
place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.
sanguinary
bloody; with much bloodshed
sanguine
optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red
sap
diminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of (a fortification); Ex. The element kryptonite sapped his strength.
sarcasm
cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic
sardonic
scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile
sartorial
pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor
sate
satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy
satellite
small body revolving around a larger one
satiate
satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated
satire
form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly
satirical
using satire; mocking
saturate
soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity
saturnine
morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance.
satyr
half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man
saunter
stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.
savant
scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know
savor
enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality
savory
pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable; Ex. savory reputation
scabbard
case for a sword blade; sheath
scad
a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes
scaffold
temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution
scale
climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of musical tones
scanty
meager; insufficient
scapegoat
someone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy; CF. escape+goat
scavenge
hunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion
scenario
plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); opera libretto; outline of possible future events
schematic
of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline
scheme
systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance scheme; Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color scheme; Ex. a story with no scheme; V: contrive a scheme
schism
division into factions (esp. within a religious body); split
scholarly
full of learning; erudite; like a scholar; Ex. scholarly journal
scintilla
trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark
scintillate
sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation
scion
detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant
scoff
laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats
scorch
sear; N.
score
number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal score; Ex. Don't worry on that score; V: mark with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold
scotch
stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. 劝悼阑 临捞绰 狼固
scourge
lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict
scowl
frown angrily; N: angry frown
scrap
small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight; Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for disposal; discard as worthless; fight; quarrel
scrappy
quarrelsome
scraps
leftover food
screech
unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V.
scrimmage
disorderly fight between two or more people
scruple
hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience
scrupulous
conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker
scrutinize
examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny
scuffle
struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ?
scurrilous
abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark
scurry
move hastily; hurry; move briskly
scurvy
contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C
scuttle
sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull
seamy
sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life
sear
burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither
season
enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning
seasonable
occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute
seasonal
of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment
seasoned
experienced
secession
withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership
seclusion
isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate
secrete
conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism; CF. secretive
sect
separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group
sectarian
of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person
secular
worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal
sedate
composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative
sedentary
requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population
sedition
conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious
seduce
lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive
sedulous
diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity
seedy
run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel
seemly
(of behavior) proper; appropriate
seep
pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage
seethe
be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.
seine
seine net; net for catching fish
seismic
pertaining to earthquakes
selective
careful in choosing; having an effect only on certain things; not general; Ex. eclectic weed killer
self-indulgence
excessive indulgence of one's own desire
self-righteous
sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic
semblance
outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.
seminal
related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development; influencing future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new field
seminary
school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women
senility
old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia
sensitization
process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive
sensual
devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips
sensuous
giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin
sententious
pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic
sentient
capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience
sentimental
swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments
sentinel
sentry; lookout
septic
of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)
sepulcher
tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral
sequester
isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life
sere
sear; parched; dry
serendipity
gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip
serenity
calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene
serpentine
winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake
serrated
having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf
servile
slavish; cringing; N. servility
servitude
slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment
sever
separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra pay given an employee upon leaving a position
severity
harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense
sextant
navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)
shack
crude cabin
shackle
chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.
shade
slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey
sham
pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; impostor; pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham.
shambles
(place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles.
Shangri-la
imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon
shard
fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay bowl, or cup)
shaving
very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade)
sheaf
bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together
shear
remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears; pair of scissors
sheathe
place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade
shed
small roofed structure for storage and shelter; V: pour forth; lose by natural process; repel without allowing penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed tears/light/water/skin/leaves
sheer
pure; thin and transparent; very steep
sherbet
flavored dessert ice
shift
change position or place; exchange (one thing) for another; change in direction or position; Ex. shift the stolen goods; N. group of workers which takes turns with other groups; working period of such a group
shimmer
shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N.
shirk
avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger
shoddy
made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick
shoot
new growth from a plant
shove
push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and shoving to get on the bus; N.
shrew
scolding woman; very small mouselike animal
shrewd
clever; astute
shrivel
make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often by drying)
shudder
shake uncontrollably; tremble; V.
shuffle
mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N.
shun
keep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has been shunned by her neighbors.
shunt
move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N.
shyster
lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner
sibling
brother or sister
sibylline
prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)
sidereal
relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day
sidetrack
switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track
sift
put through a sieve to separate fine from coarse particles; sort or examine carefully
significant
expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant
silt
sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)
simian
monkeylike; N: ape or monkey
simile
comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as
simper
smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly
simplistic
oversimplified
simulate
feign; imitate
sinecure
well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif
sinewy
(of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone
singular
being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior
sinister
evil; ominous
sinuous
twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest
siren
apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature
skeptic
sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism
skiff
small light sailboat or rowboat
skim
read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid
skimp
provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly
skinflint
miser; stingy person
skirmish
minor fight; minor battle in war; V.
skittish
inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit
skulduggery(skullduggery)
dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election
skulk
move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city.
slack
moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one's work; N. V.
slacken
slow up; loosen; make or become slack
slag
glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter
slake
satisfy (thirst); quench; sate
slander
defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; V. ADJ. slanderous
slap
hit quickly with the flat part of the hand; N. CF. smack
slapdash
hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)
slaughter
killing of animals for food; massacre; V: butcher (animals) for food; kill in large numbers
slavish
of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the original
sleazy
shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric
sledge
large sled drawn by work animals
sleek
smooth and shining (as from good health); V.
sleeper
one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable
sleigh
large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice
sleight
dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks
slew
large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left
slick
make smooth or glossy; N: smooth surface; Ex. oil slick; ADJ: smooth; glossy; deftly executed; adroit; glib
slight
insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance
slink
move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky (as in ambush)
slipshod
slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work
slither
slip or slide
sloth
slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent
slough
(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed
slovenly
untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless
sluggard
lazy person
sluggish
lazy; slow; inactive; lethargic; CF. slug: nail with no shell
sluice
artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)
slur
pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble
sly
clever in deceiving; secretive; not telling one's intentions
smart
intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N: smarting pain
smattering
slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German
smear
spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing
smelt
melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition
smirk
conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile (often at someone else's misfortune); V.
smolder
smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger
smother
kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly; Ex. smothered in little stickers
smudge
dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.
smug
self-satisfied; complacent
sneak
move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N: one who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky
snicker
half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.
snip
short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors
snivel
complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me.
snub
ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion but she snubbed me; N.
snuffle
sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)
soar
rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared into the sky.
sober
serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober
sobriety
moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness
sodden
thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink
sojourn
temporary stay; V: stay for a time
solace
comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble
solder
repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts
solecism
nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette
solemnity
seriousness; gravity
solicit
entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer
solicitor
lawyer in the lower court of law
solicitous
anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude
soliloquy
talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation)
solitude
state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof
solstice
point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator
soluble
able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved
solvent
substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance
somatic
pertaining to the body; bodily; physical
somber
dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow
somnambulist
sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism
somnolent
half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence
sonic
of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic
sonnet
14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern
sonorous
resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound
soothsayer
one who foretells the future
sophist
teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument
sophisticated
worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate
sophistry
seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism
sophomoric
immature; half-baked; like a sophomore
soporific
sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy
sordid
filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story
sound
in good condition; showing good judgment or good sense; thorough; complete; Ex. sound mind/investment/training
sour
having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered; V.
sovereign
ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent
sovereignty
complete independence and self-government (of a country); supremacy of authority; power to govern
sow
plant or scatter seed
spangle
small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
spare
give; use; refrain from harming; save from experiencing; exempt; Ex. spare me 5 minutes; Ex. Take this money and spare my life; Ex. The emperor was spared the onus; ADJ: kept in reserve; free for other use; unoccupied; Ex. spare time
sparse
not thick; thinly scattered; scanty
Spartan
without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life
spasmodic
fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion
spat
squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel
spate
sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents
spatial
relating to space
spatula
broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing
spawn
lay eggs (in large numbers); produce offspring (in large numbers); N: eggs of aquatic animals
specious
seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)
speck
small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye
spectral
ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom
spectrum
colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism; broad and continuous range; Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts
speechless
unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger
spendthrift
someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth
sphinx-like
enigmatic; mysterious
spin
rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, wool, etc.); N.
splice
join together end to end to make one continuous length; fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of tape; N.
spoilsport
one who spoils the pleasure of others
spontaneity
lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint; ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated; unpremeditated; happening without being planned
spoof
parody
spoonerism
accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; Ex. ``Let me sew you to your sheet'' for ``Let me show you to your seat''; CF. William Spooner
sporadic
occurring irregularly; intermittent
sportive
playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike
sprout
begin to grow; give off shoots or buds; N: new growth on a plant; shoot
spruce
neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for your job interview; V.
spry
(esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble
spurious
false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments
spurn
reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help.
squabble
minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children
squalor
condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story
squander
waste; spend foolishly
squash
crush; quash; suppress
squat
short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.
squeamish
easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant things; fastidious; Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish.
squelch
produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); crush; squash;
staccato
played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause
stagnant
(of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial output
staid
serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony
stalemate
deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked
stalwart
physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower
stamina
power of endurance; strength; staying power
stammer
speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions
stamp
step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; N. stamping; implement us
stampede
sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede before the price rises
stanch
stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound
standstill
condition of no movement or activity; stop
stanza
division of a poem (composed of two or more lines)
start
move suddenly or involuntarily; Ex. start at the sight of a snake
stately
formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic
static
having no motion; unchanging; lacking development; N. stasis: stable state
statute
law enacted by the legislature
statutory
created by statute or legislative action; regulated by statute; Ex. statutory age limit
steadfast
steadily loyal; unswerving; steady
stealth
action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy
steep
soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous
stellar
pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance
stem
stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk
stem_from
arise from; originate from
stench
strong foul odor; reek; stink
stentorian
(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad
stereotype
one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to ster
sterile
incapable of producing young; free from microorganism; V. sterilize
stickler
perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right
stifle
suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate
stigma
token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful
stilted
bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal
stink
stench; V: emit a strong foul odor
stint
supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint
stipend
pay for services
stipple
paint or draw with dots or short strokes
stipulate
state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance
stock
standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique
stockade
wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier
stodgy
dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book
stoic
stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism
stoke
stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully
stolid
dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected
stoop
bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something; condescend; Ex. stoop to lying
stout
rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter
straggle
stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. straggling branch
strangle
kill by choking or suffocating; suppress
stratagem
deceptive scheme; clever trick
stratified
divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify
stratum
layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata
strew
spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals
striated
marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved; Ex. striated rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line
stricture
severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction
strident
loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency
stringent
(of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions
strut
supporting bar; CF. airplane wing building support
studied
carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark
studious
given to diligent study
stultify
make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression
stumble
trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.
stump
base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle
stun
make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; astound
stupefy
stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze
stupor
state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness
sturdy
strong and firm (in the body)
stygian
unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead
stymie
thwart; present an obstacle; stump
suavity
urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous
subaltern
subordinate
subdue
less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue one's anger
subjective
influenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal; Ex. subjective sensation of the ghostly presence
subjugate
conquer; bring under control
sublimate
refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state
sublime
causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter
subliminal
below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement
submerge
place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work
submissive
willing to obey orders; yielding; timid
subordinate
occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class
suborn
persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation
subpoena
writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena
subsequent
following in time or order; later
subservient
behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate; N. subservience
subside
sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate
subsidiary
serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N.
subsidy
direct financial aid by government, etc.; V. subsidize: assist with a subsidy
subsistence
existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level)
substantial
of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy
substantiate
support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify
substantive
substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues
subsume
include (as a member of a group); encompass
subterfuge
stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge
subtlety
perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. subtle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle mind/differences in meaning
subversive
tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ?
succor
assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N.
succulent
juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus
succumb
yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness
suckle
give or take milk at the breast or udder
suffocate
die or kill from lack of air; suppress
suffragist
advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); CF. suffrage
suffuse
spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
suitor
man who is courting a woman
sullen
silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy
sully
defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one's hands in menial labor
sultry
(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous
summation
act of finding the total; summing-up; summary (esp. one given by the judge at the end of a trial)
sumptuous
grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast
sunder
separate; part; CF. asunder
sundry
miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items
superannuated
retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete
supercilious
haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium
supererogatory
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
superficial
of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge
superfluous
excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity
superimpose
place over something else
supernumerary
person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number
supersede
replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession
supine
lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision
supplant
take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace
supple
flexible; limber; pliant
suppliant
entreating; beseeching; N.
supplicant
one who supplicates; ADJ.
supplicate
petition humbly; pray to grant a favor
supposition
assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose
supposititious
assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
suppress
put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from being published or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; Ex. suppress the magazine/truth
surfeit
satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food
surge
powerful movement of or like a wave; V.
surly
bad-tempered; rude; cross
surmise
guess; N.
surmount
overcome
surpass
exceed
surreptitious
done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden
surrogate
substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.
surveillance
close observation of a person (esp. one under suspicion); watching; guarding
susceptible
impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. susceptibility
suspend
cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in abeyance; defer; hang from above; exclude for a period from a position; Ex. suspended state; Ex. suspend judgment; Ex. suspended from the team; N. suspension
suspense
state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty
sustain
suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners
sustenance
sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food
suture
stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound
swagger
walk or behave with an over-confident manner
swamp
wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with liquid
swarm
large group of insects moving in a mass; crowd of people or animals; V: move in a crowd or mass
swarthy
(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ?
swathe
swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages
sway
swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one's opinion; N.
swear
vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words
swear-word
word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody''
swell
long wave of water that moves continuously without breaking; V.
swelter
(of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat
swerve
deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course; Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car swerved to the right.
swill
drink greedily
swindler
cheater
swipe
hit with a sweeping motion; N.
sybarite
lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
sycophant
servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic
syllogism
logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument
sylvan
pertaining to the woods or the country
symbiosis
interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life
symmetry
arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity; ADJ. symmetrical
synchronous
similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize
synoptic
providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis
synthesis
combining parts or separate things into a whole; the whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthesize
synthetic
not natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis; Ex. synthetic fiber; N.
tablet
small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall
tacit
understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement
taciturn
habitually silent; talking little
tact
skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence
tactful
careful no to cause offence; OP. tactless
tactile
pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
taint
contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch
takeoff
burlesque; act of leaving the ground
talisman
charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer
talon
claw of bird
tan
convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure to the sun
tangential
only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent
tangible
able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof
tanner
person who turns animal hides into leather
tantalize
tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure
tantamount
equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount
tantrum
fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.
taper
very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end
tarantula
venomous spider
tardy
slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival
tarnish
make or become dull or discolored; N.
tarry
linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle
tart
sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply
tatter
torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes
taunt
deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.
taut
tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack
tautological
needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true
tawdry
cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry
tawny
brownish yellow
taxonomist
specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification
tedium
boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious
teetotalism
practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total
temerity
boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work
temper
moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling
temperament
characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress
temperate
moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance society
tempestuous
stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm
tempo
speed of music
temporal
of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly
temporize
gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself
tenacious
holding fast (as to a belief); persistent
tenacity
firmness; persistence
tenancy
possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy
tenant
one that pays rent to use property owned by another
tend
have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one's attention; attend
tendentious
promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction
tender
offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound
tenet
doctrine; dogma
tensile
capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber
tension
stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people
tentative
not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply
tenuous
thin; slim; rare
tenure
holding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held
tepid
lukewarm; slightly warm; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter
terminal
part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer
termination
end; V. terminate
terminology
terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature
terminus
last stop of railroad; end
terrestrial
on or relating to the earth
terse
concise; abrupt; pithy
tertiary
third in order or rank
tessellated
mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
testator
maker of a will; CF. testatrix
testy
irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness
tether
tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one's endurance; Ex. the end of one's tether
thematic
of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea
theocracy
government run by religious leaders
theoretical
based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical
therapeutic
curative; N. therapy
thermal
pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air
thesis
opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments
thespian
pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress
thrall
slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall
thrash
beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk about thoroughly in order to find the answer; move wildly or violently; Ex. The fishes thrashed about in the net.
threadbare
worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses
threat
sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.
thresh
beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw
thrifty
careful about money; economical; N. thrift
thrive
prosper; flourish
throb
(of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart
throes
violent anguish
throng
crowd (of people or things); V.
throttle
strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?
thwart
block or hinder; baffle; frustrate
tickle
touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please
tightwad
miser; excessively frugal person
tiller
handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)
timbre
quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)
timidity
lack of self-confidence or courage
timorous
fearful; timid; demonstrating fear
tinge
give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy
tint
slight degree of color; V: give a tint to
tipple
drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink
tirade
long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation
titanic
gigantic; N. titan
tithe
tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe
titillate
tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it
title
name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General); right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate
titter
nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
titular
of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
toady
servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
toga
Roman outer robe
token
outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude
toll
sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge
tome
large volume; book
tonsure
shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
topography
physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place
topple
become unsteady and fall down
torpedo
underwater explosive apparatus; V.
torpor
lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating
torque
twisting force; force producing rotation
torrent
rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.
torrid
(of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs
torso
trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
tortuous
winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road
toss
throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
totem
animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole
totter
shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall
touching
causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched
touchstone
stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard
touchy
oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation
tout
promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise
toxic
poisonous; N. toxicity
tract
propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract
tractable
docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability
traduce
expose to slander
trajectory
path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet
tramp
walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking
trample
step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet
trance
hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one's physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition
tranquillity
calmness; peace
transcendent
exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy
transcendental
going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism
transcribe
copy; write a copy of; N. transcription
transgression
violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong
transient
staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient
transition
going from one state of action to another
transitory
transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness
translucent
partly transparent
transmute
transform; change; convert to something different
transparent
permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie
transpire
(of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores
transport
strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture
transpose
reverse the order or position of
trappings
outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)
traumatic
(of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage
travail
strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
traverse
go through or across
travesty
copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon
tread
walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step
treasure
keep as precious; cherish
treatise
article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
trek
travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey
tremor
trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)
tremulous
trembling; wavering
trenchant
cutting; incisive; keen
trepidation
fear; nervous apprehension
tribulation
suffering; ordeal; distress; trial
tribunal
court of justice
tribune
official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
tribute
tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to
trickle
flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.
trickster
person who cheats people
trident
three-pronged spear
trifle
something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt
trifling
trivial; unimportant
trigger
set off; start
trilogy
group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)
trim
make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the edges); Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur; N. ADJ: tidy; in good order
trinket
knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry
trite
hackneyed; commonplace
trivia
trifles; unimportant matters
troth
pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth
trough
long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves
truculence
aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce
truism
self-evident truth
truncate
cut the top off; shorten
trunk
main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant
tryst
meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
tumid
(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous
tumult
commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly
tundra
rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America
turbid
(of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick
turbulence
state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed
tureen
deep dish for serving soup
turgid
swollen; distended (as from liquid)
turmoil
extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil
turncoat
traitor
turpitude
depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude
tutelage
guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction
tutelary
protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities
tycoon
wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon
typhoon
tropical hurricane or cyclone
tyranny
oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress
tyro
beginner; novice
ubiquitous
being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity
ulcer
sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate
ulterior
intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive
ultimate
final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.
ultimatum
last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum.
umbrage
resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness
unaccountable
unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious
unanimity
complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous
unassailable
not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question
unassuaged
unsatisfied; not soothed
unassuming
modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner
unbridled
violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed
uncanny
strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack
unceremonious
not done politely without due formalities
unconscionable
unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand
uncouth
boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish
unction
the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction
unctuous
oily; bland; insincerely suave
underhand(underhanded)
done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)
underlying
lying below; fundamental
undermine
weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath
underscore
underline; emphasize
understate
state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate
undertaker
funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials
undulating
moving with a wavelike motion; V. undulate; CF. und: wave
unearth
dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching; Ex. He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal
unearthly
not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly
unequivocal
plain; clear; obvious
unerringly
infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes
unexceptionable
entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism
unfaltering
steadfast; firm; not changing
unfeigned
genuine; real
unfetter
liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter
unfledged
immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling
unfrock
defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority
ungainly
(of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument
unguent
ointment
uniformity
sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over
unilateral
one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration
unimpeachable
that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary
uninhibited
unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings
unintimating
unfrightening
unique
without an equal; single in kind
unison
unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison.
universal
characterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic; Ex. universal agreement; Ex. a subject of universal interest
unkempt
disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb
unmitigated
(of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster
unobtrusive
inconspicuous; not blatant
unprecedented
having no previous example; novel; unparalleled
unprepossessing
unattractive
unravel
disentangle; solve
unregenerate
making no attempt to change one's bad practices
unrequited
not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love
unruly
disobedient; lawless; difficult to control
unsavory
distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation
unscathed
unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed
unseemly
unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste
unsightly
ugly; unpleasant to look at
unsullied
untarnished; CF. sully
untenable
(of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained
untoward
unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter
unwarranted
unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved
unwieldy
awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable
unwitting
not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know
unwonted
unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.
upbraid
reprimand; severely scold
upright
(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral
uproar
noisy confusion
uproarious
marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny
upshot
outcome; final result
urbane
suave; refined in manner; elegant
urchin
mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin
urge
drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action
urgent
compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands
ursine
bearlike; pertaining to a bear
usage
act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used
usurp
seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use
usury
lending money at illegal high rates of interest
utopia
ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian
uxorious
excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife
vacillate
waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation
vacuous
empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity
vagabond
wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp
vagary
capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander
vagrant
homeless wanderer
vain
full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity
vainglorious
boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity
valediction
saying farewell; expression of leave-taking
valedictory
pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)
valid
logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport
validate
make valid; confirm; ratify
valor
bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave
vampire
ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living
vanguard
forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard
vantage
position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint
vapid
lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
vaporize
turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)
variegate
change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)
variegated
(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored
varnish
paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.
vassal
in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent
vaunted
boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag
veer
change in direction; swerve
vegetate
live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan
vehement
forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence
velocity
speed
venal
capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
vendetta
blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams
vendor
seller
veneer
thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V.
venerable
deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get
venerate
revere; treat with great respect
venial
(of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial
venison
meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb
venom
poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous
vent
release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.
ventilate
admit fresh air into to replace stale air
ventral
abdominal
ventriloquist
someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy
venture
risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.
venturesome
(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky
venue
location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come
veracious
(of a person) truthful
veracity
truthfulness; adherence to the truth
verbalize
put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb
verbatim
word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly
verbiage
pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness
verbose
wordy; N. verbosity
verdant
green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows
verdigris
green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather
verge
border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: very near to; V: border on
verisimilar
having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible
verisimilitude
appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth
veritable
being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary
verity
quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities
vernacular
living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular
vernal
pertaining to spring
versatile
having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility
vertebrate
having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column
vertex
summit; highest point; PL. vertices
vertigo
severe dizziness; giddiness
verve
enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor
vestige
trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion
veto
vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
vex
annoy; distress
viable
capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme
viand
food; CF. live
vibrant
full of vigor or energy; vibrating
vicar
parish priest; representative
vicarious
experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ
vicissitude
change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
victuals
food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
vie
contend; compete
vigil
keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil
vigilant
watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance
vigilante
one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers
vignette
small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
vigor
active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous
vile
despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander
vilify
slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
vindicate
clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate one's claim; CF. vindicator
vindictive
disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak
vintner
wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
violate
break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves
viper
poisonous snake
virile
manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength
virtual
in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space
virtue
goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity
virtuoso
highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso
virulent
(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom
virus
disease communicator
visage
face; appearance
visceral
felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
viscid
adhesive; gluey
viscous
(of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency
vise
vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device
vision
eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural
visionary
produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas
vital
full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize
vitiate
spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
vitreous
of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
vitriolic
causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass
vituperative
abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
vivacious
lively or animated; sprightl sprightly/lively
vivid
(of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description
vivisection
act of dissecting living animals
vixen
female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew
vociferous
clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
vogue
popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.
volatile
changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street
volition
act of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.
volley
simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
voluble
fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility
voluminous
having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large
voluptuous
sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
voodoo
religion practiced chiefly in Haiti
voracious
ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader
vortex
whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged
vouch
give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher
vouchsafe
grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
voyeur
Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others
vulgar
of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout
vulnerable
susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability
vulpine
like a fox; crafty
vulture
carrion-eating birds
vying
contending; CF. vie
wade
walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes movement
waffle
speak equivocally about an issue; N.
waft
move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window
wag
shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit
wage
begin and continue (a war)
waggish
humorous; mischievous; tricky
waif
homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays
waive
give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim
wake
trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war
wallow
roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury
wan
having a pale or sickly color; pallid
wanderlust
strong longing to travel
wane
decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N.
wangle
achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.
wanton
unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause
warble
(of a bird) sing; babble; N.
ward
administrative division of a city; division in a hospital or prison; incompetent person placed under the protection of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert
warp
twist out of shape; N.
warrant
justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; guarantee
warranted
justified; authorized
warranty
guarantee; assurance by seller
warren
tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live
wary
very cautious; watchful
wastrel
waster; profligate
waver
move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting and refusing
wax
increase gradually (as the moon); grow
waylay
ambush; lie in wait for and attack
wean
accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes
weary
tired after long work; V.
weather
pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces
weird
eerie; strange; unnatural
well-bred
of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined
welt
raised mark from a beating or whipping
welter
wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.
wheedle
deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her
whelp
young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family); young wolf, dog, tiger, etc.
whet
sharpen; stimulate; Ex. whet someone's appetite
whiff
puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); short-lasting smell; hint; Ex. whiff of perfume/scandal
whim
sudden capricious idea; fancy
whimsical
capricious; fanciful; amusingly strange
whimsy
whim; tendency to behave amusingly strangely; Ex. story full of whimsy
whine
complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication)
whinny
neigh like a horse; CF. neigh: make the sound which horses make
whit
small amount; smallest speck; Ex. not a whit of
whittle
pare; cut away thin bits (from wood); fashion in this way; reduce gradually; trim
wholesome
conducive to mental or physical health; healthful
whorl
ring of leaves around stem; ring; circular arrangement; Ex. whorls on the fingers
wiggle
wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions
willful
wilful; intentional; headstrong
willowy
flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow
wilt
loose freshness; droop
wily
crafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem
wince
move back suddenly; shrink back; flinch; Ex. She winced as she touched the cold body.
windfall
fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event
winnow
sift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; separate good parts from bad; CF. wind
winsome
charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gracious; engaging
wisp
small bunch (of hair); faint streak (of smoke)
wispy
thin; slight; barely discernible
wistful
sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories); sadly pensive; vaguely longing
withdrawn
introverted; retiring; remote remote/distant in manner; aloof
wither
(of a plant) dry up from loss of moisture; lose freshness; shrivel; decay
withhold
refuse to give; hold back; Ex. withholding tax
withstand
stand up against; resist successfully
witless
lacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic
witticism
witty saying; wisecrack(clever joking remark)
wizardry
sorcery; magic
wizened
shriveled; withered; Ex. wizened apple/old lady
woe
great sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction; suffering; Ex. financial woes
woeful
sad; (of something bad) deplorable; deplorably bad; Ex. woeful housing conditions
wont
(the stated person's) habit or custom; habitual procedure; ADJ. wonted: customary
worldly
engrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual; of the material world
wrangle
quarrel noisily; obtain through arguing; herd cattle; N.
wrath
anger; fury
wreak
inflict; Ex. wreak one's vengeance on
wrench
twist; pull; strain; Ex. He wrenched the gun out of her hands.
wrest
obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp
wretch
miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile
wring
twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)
wrinkle
small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.
writ
written command issued by a court (telling someone to do or not to do something)
writhe
twist in coils; contort in pain
wrongheaded
stubbornly wrong
wry
(esp. of an expression of the face) twisted; with a humorous twist (expressing displeasure)
xenophobia
fear or hatred of foreigners; N. xenophobe
yen
strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel
yeoman
man or farmer owning small estate; middle-class farmer
yield
amount produced; crop; income on investment; profit obtained from an investment; V: produce; give in; surrender
yoke
join together; unite; N: crossbar used to joining two draft animals
yokel
rustic; country bumpkin;
yore
time long past; Ex. in the days of yore
zany
comic; crazy; N: clown; comical person (given to outlandish behavior)
zeal
eager enthusiasm (to a cause or ideal); ADJ. zealous
zealot
one who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal
zenith
point directly overhead in the sky; summit; acme; highest point
zephyr
gentle breeze; west wind
zest
outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life