Gre158

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Zeitgeist

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n. The intellectual and moral tendencies that characterize any age or epoch.

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snarky

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adj. 1. Informal unpleasant and scornful. 2. Irritable or short-tempered.

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prepotent

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adj. 1. Greater in power, influence, or force than another or others; predominant. 2. Genetics Of, having, or exhibiting _(-1)cy.

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sacerdotal

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adj. Relating to priests or the priesthood; priestly. Relating to a doctrine that ascribes spiritual or supernatural powers to ordained priests.

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winsome

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adj. Attractive, charming, winning, engaging.

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whimsical

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adj. Capricious.

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wean

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tr.v. To transfer(the young) from dependence on mother's milk to another form of nourishment.

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voluble

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adj. 1. marked by a ready flow of speech. 2. Having great fluency in speaking.

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pedantic

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adj. Marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects.

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armada

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n. A large fleet.

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irresolute

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adj. Uncertain how to act or proceed. _ describes someone who feels stuck. A decision must be made, a plan acted on, but the _ person just doesn't know what to do.

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pinion

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n. 1. Wing of a bird 2 A gear with a small number of teeth designed to mesh with a larger wheel or rack.

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marauder

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n. Someone who roams around looking for things to steal. You might hear news reports about a _ breaking into cars in your neighborhood.

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wry

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adj. 1. Humorously sarcastic or mocking. 2 bent to one side.

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propitiate

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v. To appease someone or make them happy by doing a particular thing. Handy strategy for lovers, too. One of the most common uses of _ historically was in the sense of appeasing the Gods, often with a gift in the form of an animal or human sacrifice. Fortunately, for most people today flowers and candy will do the trick. But then again, some Moms can be tough to appease.

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excise

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n. 1. An internal tax imposed on the production, sale, or consumption of a commodity or the use of a service within a country: _ on tobacco, liquor, and long-distance telephone calls. 2. A licensing charge or a fee levied for certain privileges. tr.v. To levy an _ on. b.To remove by cutting.

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volatile

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adj. 1. (Chemistry) (of a substance) capable of readily changing from a solid or liquid form to a vapour; having a high vapour pressure and a low boiling point. 2. (of persons) disposed to caprice or inconstancy; fickle; mercurial. 3. (of circumstances) liable to sudden, unpredictable, or explosive change. 4. lasting only a short time: _ business interests. 5. (Electronics & Computer Science / Computer Science) Computing (of a memory) not retaining stored information when the power supply is cut off. 6. Obsolete flying or capable of flight; volant.

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isometric

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adj. 1. Of or exhibiting equality in dimensions or measurements. 2. Of or being a crystal system of three equal axes lying at right angles to each other. 3. (Physiology) Of or involving muscular contraction against resistance in which the length of the muscle remains the same. n. A line connecting _ points.

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isobaric

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adj. 1. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) Also _(3)piestic having equal atmospheric pressure. 2. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) of or relating to _(6)s.

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anisotropic

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adj. 1. Not isotropic. 2. Physics Having properties that differ according to the direction of measurement.

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isotropic

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adj. Identical in all directions; invariant with respect to direction.

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vociferous

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adj. Making, given to, or marked by noisy and vehement outcry.

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vivify

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v.tr. To imbue with life.

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vituperate

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vb. To berate or rail (against) abusively; revile [from Latin vituperare to blame, from vitium a defect + parare to make]

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vitiate

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tr.v. 1. To reduce the value or impair the quality of. 2. To corrupt morally; debase. 3. To make ineffective; invalidate. (sounds like"vishiate")

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virago

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n. A loud talkative woman, strong statured woman.

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vicissitude

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n. A change, especially a complete change, of condition or circumstances, as of fortune.

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vestige

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n. 1. A visible trace, evidence, or sign of something that once existed but exists or appears no more. 2. Biology A rudimentary or degenerate, usually nonfunctioning, structure that is the remnant of an organ or part that was fully developed or functioning in a preceding generation or an earlier stage of development.

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veracity

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n. 1. truthfulness or honesty, esp when consistent or habitual. 2. precision; accuracy. 3. something true; a truth.

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veracious

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adj. 1. habitually truthful or honest. 2. accurate; precise.

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venial

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adj. 1. Easily excused or forgiven; pardonable: a _ offense. 2. Roman Catholic Church Minor, therefore warranting only temporal punishment.

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veneer

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n. 1. A thin surface layer, as of finely grained wood, glued to a base of inferior material. 2. Any of the thin layers glued together to make plywood. 3. A decorative facing, as of brick. 4. A deceptive, superficial show; a façade: a _ of friendliness. tr.v. 1. To overlay (a surface) with a thin layer of a fine or decorative material. 2. To glue together (layers of wood) to make plywood. 3. To conceal, as something common or crude, with a deceptively attractive outward show.

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venal

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adj. 1. a. Open to bribery; mercenary: a _ police officer. b. Capable of betraying honor, duty, or scruples for a price; corruptible. 2. Marked by corrupt dealings, especially bribery: a _ administration. 3. Obtainable for a price.

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ministration

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n. The act or instance of serving or giving aid.

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misadventure

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n. An instance of misfortune; a mishap.

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misogamy

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n. Hatred of marriage.

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mongrel

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n. The progeny resulting from the crossing of different breeds or varieties.

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monolith

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n. Any structure or sculpture in stone formed of a single piece.

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nebula

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n. A gaseous body of unorganized stellar substance.

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necropolis

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n. A city of the dead.

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nettle

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n. 1. Any of numerous plants of the genus Urtica, having toothed leaves, unisexual apetalous flowers, and stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact. 2. Any of various hairy, stinging, or prickly plants. tr.v. _d,_(-1)ling, _s 1. To sting with or as if with a _. 2. To irritate; vex.

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nihlist

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n. An advocate of the doctrine that nothing either exists or can be known.

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obelisk

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n. A square shaft with pyramidal top, usually monumental or commemorative.

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obstetrician

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n. A practitioner of midwifery.

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vehement

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adj. 1. marked by intensity of feeling or conviction; emphatic. 2. (of actions, gestures, etc.) characterized by great energy, vigour, or force; furious.

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variegated

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adj. 1. Having streaks, marks, or patches of a different color or colors; varicolored: "If they recall the Colosseum . . . it is only as a showcase for cats more _ than any fevered artist's mind could imagine" (Michael Mewshaw). 2. Distinguished or characterized by variety; diversified.

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vapid

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adj. 1. Lacking liveliness, animation, or interest; dull: _ conversation. 2. Lacking taste, zest, or flavor; flat: _ beer.

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valorous

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adj. Courageous.

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disabuse

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tr.v. To free from a falsehood or misconception: I must _ you of your feelings of grandeur.

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vainglory

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n. 1. boastfulness or vanity. 2. ostentation.

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vagary

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n. 1. An erratic or outlandish notion or action; whim. 2. an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.) Half fainting from pain and exhaustion, D'Arnot watched from beneath half-closed lids what seemed but the _ of delirium, or some horrid nightmare from which he must soon awake. Tarzan of the Apes by Burroughs, Edgar Rice

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upbraid

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tr.v. To reprove sharply; reproach.

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lagniappe

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n. US 1. a small gift, esp one given to a customer who makes a purchase. 2. something given or obtained as a gratuity or bonus. [Louisiana French, from American Spanish la ñapa, from Quechua yápa addition]

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untoward

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adj. 1. Causing annoyance or hinderance. 2. Not favorable. 3. Troublesome. 4. Unruly.

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unctuous

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adj. 1. Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness: "the _, complacent court composer who is consumed with envy and self-loathing" (Rhoda Koenig). 2. Having the quality or characteristics of oil or ointment; slippery. 3. Containing or composed of oil or fat. 4. Abundant in organic materials; soft and rich: _ soil.

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umbrage

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n. 1. Offense; resentment: took _ at their rudeness. 2. a. Something that affords shade. b. Shadow or shade. See Synonyms at shade. 3. A vague or indistinct indication; a hint.

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currant

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(sounds like kûr-runt) n. 1. Any of various deciduous, spineless shrubs of the genus Ribes, native chiefly to the Northern Hemisphere and having flowers in racemes and edible, variously colored berries. 2. The fruits of any of these plants, used for jams, jellies, desserts, or beverages. 3. A small seedless raisin of the Mediterranean region, used chiefly in baking. 4. Any of several other plants or their fruit. [From Middle English (raysons of) coraunte, (raisins of) Corinth, currants, from Anglo-Norman (raisins de) Corauntz, from Latin Corinthus, Corinth, from Greek Korinthos.]

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deciduous

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adj. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) (of trees and shrubs) Shedding all leaves annually at the end of the growing season and then having a dormant period without leaves. 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) (of antlers, wings, teeth, etc.) Being shed at the end of a period of growth. 3. Rare impermanent; transitory. [from Latin deciduus falling off, from decidere to fall down, from cadere to fall]

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cordial

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adj. 1. Warm and sincere; friendly: a _ greeting; _ relations. See Synonyms at gracious. 2. Strongly felt; fervent: a _ abhorrence of waste. 3. Serving to invigorate; stimulating. n. 1. A stimulant; a tonic. 2. A liqueur.

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cassis

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n. 1. A Eurasian currant (Ribes nigrum) bearing black berries. 2. A cordial made from the berries of this plant. [French, from Latin cassia, a kind of plant; see cassia.]

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chiffon

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n. 1. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Textiles) A fine transparent or almost transparent plain-weave fabric of silk, nylon, etc. 2. (often plural) Now rare feminine finery. adj. 1. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Textiles) made of such fabric 2. (Cookery) (of soufflés, pies, cakes, etc.) having a very light fluffy texture [from French, from chiffe rag; probably related to chip]

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blanch

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v.tr. To take the color from.

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bilk

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v.tr. To swindle; cheat.

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bate

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tr.v. 1. To lessen the force or intensity of; moderate: "To his dying day he _d his breath a little when he told the story" (George Eliot). 2. To take away; subtract.

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finery

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n. Elaborate or showy decoration, esp clothing and jewellery.

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tureen

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n. A broad, deep, usually covered dish used for serving foods such as soups or stews. [French terrine, from Old French, from feminine of terrin, earthen, from Vulgar Latin *terrnus, from Latin terra, earth; see ters- in Indo-European roots.]

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lambent

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adj. 1. (esp of a flame) Flickering softly over a surface. 2. Glowing with soft radiance. 3. (of wit or humour) Light or brilliant. [from the present participle of Latin lambere to lick]

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mauve

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n. A moderate grayish violet to moderate reddish purple. [French, from Old French mallow, from Latin malva; see mallow.]

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autodidact

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n. A self-taught person. [From Greek autodidaktos, self-taught : auto-, auto- + didaktos, taught; see didactic.]

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portmanteau

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n. 1. (formerly) a large travelling case made of stiff leather, esp one hinged at the back so as to open out into two compartments 2. (modifier) embodying several uses or qualities: the heroine is a _ figure of all the virtues. [from French: cloak carrier, from porter to carry + manteau cloak, mantle]

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ubiquitous

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adj. Omnipresent.

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vigorish

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n. _, or simply the _(-5), also known as juice or the take, is the amount charged by a bookmaker, or bookie, for his services. In the United States it also means the interest on a shark's loan. The term is Yiddish slang originating from the Russian word for winnings, ??????? vyigrysh.

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tyro

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n. A beginner in learning something. (sounds like pyro)

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turpitude

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n. 1. Depravity; baseness. 2. A base act.

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turbid

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adj. 1. Having sediment or foreign particles stirred up or suspended; muddy: _ water. 2. Heavy, dark, or dense, as smoke or fog. 3. In a state of turmoil; muddled: _ feelings.

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truculent

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adj. 1. Disposed to fight; pugnacious. 2. Expressing bitter opposition; scathing: a _ speech against the new government. 3. Disposed to or exhibiting violence or destructiveness; fierce.

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truculence

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n. Ferocity.

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rumpus

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n. A noisy clamor.

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misandry

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n. Hatred of men.

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adipose tissue

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_ or body fat or fat depot or just fat is loose connective tissue composed of _(-2)cytes. It is technically composed of roughly only 80% fat; fat in its solitary state exists in the liver and muscles.

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vis a vis

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prep 1. in relation to; regarding 2. face to face with; opposite adv & adj face to face; opposite 1. a person or thing that is situated opposite to another 2. a person who corresponds to another in office, capacity, etc.; counterpart 3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Furniture) an upholstered sofa; tête-à-tête 4. a type of horse-drawn carriage in which the passengers sit opposite one another 5. a coin having an obverse upon which two portraits appear facing each other.

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trenchant

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adj. 1. Forceful, effective, and vigorous: a _ argument. 2. Caustic; cutting: _criticism. 3. Distinct; clear-cut.

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travesty

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n. A grotesque imitation.

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travail

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n. Hard or agonizing labor. intr.v. To work strenuously; toil.

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tractable

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adj. 1. Easily led or controlled; governable. 2. Malleable.

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tortuous

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adj. Marked by repeated bends or turns; circuitous; complex. (sounds like tort-u-ous)

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torrid

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adj. 1. Excessively hot. 2. Passionate; ardent. 3. Hurried; rapid.

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torpid

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adj. Dull; sluggish; inactive.

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embolism

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n. 1. Obstruction or occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus. 2. An embolus. embolus: n. pl. em·bo·li (-l) A mass, such as an air bubble, a detached blood clot, or a foreign body, that travels through the bloodstream and lodges so as to obstruct or occlude a blood vessel.

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occlude

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1. v.tr. to block or stop up (a passage or opening); obstruct 2. v.tr. to prevent the passage of 3. (Chemistry) (of a solid) to incorporate (a substance) by absorption or adsorption 4. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) Meteorol to form or cause to form an _d front 5. (Medicine / Dentistry) to produce or cause to produce _sion, as in chewing.

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out-and-out

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adv. Genuinely.

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outrigger

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n. A part built or arranged to project beyond a natural outline for support.

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pagan

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n. 1. A worshiper of false gods.

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paleontology

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n. The branch of biology that treats of ancient life and fossil organisms.

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palsy

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n. Paralysis.

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pantheism

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n. 1. A doctrine identifying the Deity with the universe and its phenomena. 2. Belief in and worship of all gods.

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papyrus

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n. The writing-paper of the ancient Egyptians, and later of the Romans.

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paramount

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n. Of the greatest importance or significance; pre-eminent. n. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) Rare A supreme ruler.

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patter

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v. To mumble something over and over.

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perambulate

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v. To walk about.

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perjure

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v. To swear falsely to.

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piccolo

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n. A small flute.

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piecemeal

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adv. Gradually.

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plaudit

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n. Enthusiastic expression of praise or approval: a new play that opened to the _s of the critics.

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plurality

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n. 1. The state of being plural or numerous. 2. (Mathematics) A number greater than one. 3. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the US and Canadian term for relative majority. 4. A large number. 5. The greater number; majority.

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poise

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v.tr. To carry or hold in equilibrium; balance. v.intr. To be balanced or held in suspension; hover. n. 1. A state of balance or equilibrium; stability. 2. Freedom from affectation or embarrassment; composure. 3. The bearing or deportment of the head or body; mien. 4. A state or condition of hovering or being suspended.

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precursor

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n. A forerunner or herald.

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prerogative

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n. 1. An exclusive right or privelage held by a person or group, especially a hereditary or official right. 2. The exclusive right and power to command, decide, rule, or judge: the principal's _ to suspend a student. 3. A special quality that confers superiority.

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priggish

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adj. 1.conceited. 2. person who demonstrates an exaggerated conformity or propriety, especially in an irritatingly arrogant or smug manner.

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prolific

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adj. 1. Producing offspring or fruit in great abundance; fertile. 2. Producing abundant works or results: a _ artist. See Synonyms at fertile.

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proviso

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n. A clause in a contract, will, etc., by which its operation is rendered conditional.

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prurient

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adj. Inclined to lascivious thoughts and desires.

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pulmonary

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adj. Pertaining to the lungs.

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purloin

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v.tr. To steal, often in violation of trust. v.intr. To commit theft.

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racy

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adj. Exciting or exhilarating to the mind. 2. Slightly risque.

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rapine

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n. The act of seizing and carrying off property by superior force, as in war. 

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rapt

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adj. Enraptured.

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raptor

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n. 1. A bird of prey, such as a hawk, eagle, or owl.

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recidivate

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intr.v.  To return to a previous pattern of behavior, especially to return to criminal habits.

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recreant

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n. A cowardly or faithless person. 

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redound

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vb 1. (intr; foll by to) to have an advantageous or disadvantageous effect (on) brave deeds redound to your credit 2. (intr; foll by on or upon) to recoil or rebound 3. (intr) Archaic to arise; accrue wealth _ing from wise investment

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regalia

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n.pl. The emblems of royalty.

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regnant

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adj. 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (postpositive) reigning 2. prevalent; current 

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reliquary

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n. A casket, coffer, or repository in which relics are kept.

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repertory

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n. A place where things are stored or gathered together. 

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requiem

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n. A solemn mass sung for the repose of the souls of the dead.

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retch

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v.intr. 1. To try to vomit. 2. v.tr.  To vomit.

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retrograde

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adj. 1. moving or bending backwards 2. (esp of order) reverse or inverse 3. tending towards an earlier worse condition; declining or deteriorating

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rife

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adj. Abundant.

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salvo

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n. A salute given by firing all the guns, as at the funeral of an officer. 

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sapid

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adj. 1. having a pleasant taste 2. agreeable or engaging.

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sapient

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adj. Having great wisdom and discernment.

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skiff

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n. Usually, a small light boat propelled by oars.

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solecism

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n. 1. a.  (Linguistics / Grammar) The nonstandard use of a grammatical construction. b. Any mistake, incongruity, or absurdity. 2. A violation of good manners.

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sonata

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n. An instrumental composition.

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stanchion

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n. 1. An upright pole, post, or support. 2. Two upright poles with a thick rope between as in movie theatres or wherever there are lines. 3. A framework consisting of two or more vertical bars, used to secure cattle in a stall or at a feed. tr.v. 1. To equip with _s. 2. To confine (cattle) by means of _s.

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steppe

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n. One of the extensive plains in Russia and Siberia.

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stultify

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v.tr. Deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless “Their behavior _(-1)ed the boss's hard work” 2. To cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous. 3. Law To allege or prove insane and so not legally responsible.

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stupendous

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adj. Of prodigious size, bulk, or degree. 

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subvert

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1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) to bring about the complete downfall or ruin of (something existing or established by a system of law, etc.). 2. To undermine the moral principles of (a person, etc.); corrupt

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suffuse

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(v.tr. usually passive) To spread or flood through or over (something) the evening sky was _d with red.

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syllabus

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n. Outline of a subject, course, lecture, or treatise.

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sylph

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n. A slender, graceful young woman or girl. 

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syndicate

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n. 1. An association of people or firms authorized to undertake a duty or transact specific business. 2. An association of people or firms formed to engage in an enterprise or promote a common interest. 3. A loose affiliation of gangsters in control of organized criminal activities. 4. An agency that sells articles, features, or photographs for publication in a number of newspapers or periodicals simultaneously. 5. A company consisting of a number of separate newspapers; a newspaper chain. 6. The office, position, or jurisdiction of a _(-3) or body of _(-3).

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tableau

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n. 1. A vivid or graphic description: The movie was a _ of a soldier's life. 2. A striking incidental scene, as of a picturesque group of people: "New public figures suddenly abound in the hitherto faceless totalitarian _" (John McLaughlin). 3. An interlude during a scene when all the performers on stage freeze in position and then resume action as before. 4. A _ vivant (a representation of a scene, painting, sculpture, etc., by a person or group posed silent and motionless).

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tenacious

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adj. Unyielding.

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tincture

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n. A solution, usually alcoholic, of some principle used in medicine.

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transfigure

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v. 1. To change or cause to change in appearance. 2. To become or cause to become more exalted.

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trestle

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ib 1. A horizontal beam or bar held up by two pairs of divergent legs and used as a support.  2. A framework consisting of vertical, slanted supports and horizontal crosspieces supporting a bridge.

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undue

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adj. 1. Excessive or unwarranted. 2. Unjust, improper, or illegal.

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vernal

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adj. Belonging to or suggestive of the spring.

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viceroy

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n. A ruler acting with royal authority in place of the sovereign in a colony or province.

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volant

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adj. Flying or able to fly.

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votive

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adj. Dedicated by a vow.

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waif

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n. 1. a. A homeless person, especially a forsaken or orphaned child. b. An abandoned young animal. 2. Something found and unclaimed, as an object cast up by the sea.

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wampum

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n. Beads strung on threads, formerly used among the American Indians as currency.

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weal

Back 157

n. Well-being.

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wile

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n. 1. A stratagem or trick intended to deceive or ensnare. 2. A disarming or seductive manner, device, or procedure: the _s of a skilled negotiator. 3. Trickery; cunning.

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wizen

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v. To become or cause to become withered or dry.

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wrangle

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v. To maintain by noisy argument or dispute.

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putrescent

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adj. Undergoing decomposition of animal or vegetable matter accompanied by fetid odors.

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timorous

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adj. Lacking courage; timid.

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terse

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adj. Pithy; concise; to the point.

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temerity

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n. Foolhardy disregard of danger; recklessness.

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taciturn

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adj. Habitually untalkative.

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sybarite

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n. A luxurious person. A person devoted to pleasure and luxury.

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susceptibility

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n. Sensitivity. Capacity to be affected by deep emotions.

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surfeit

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n. 1. (usually foll by of) an excessive or immoderate amount 2. overindulgence, esp in eating or drinking 3. disgust, nausea, etc., caused by such overindulgence vb. 1.(tr) to supply or feed excessively; satiate 2. (intr) Archaic to eat, drink, or be supplied to excess [from French sourfait, from sourfaire to overdo, from sur-1 + faire, from Latin facere to do]

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supplicate

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v. 1. To beg. 2. To entreat humbly.

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prepossess

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vb(tr) 1. to preoccupy or engross mentally 2. to influence in advance for or against a person or thing; prejudice; bias 3. to make a favourable impression on beforehand

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pillory

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n. A wooden framework on a post, with holes for the head and hands, in which offenders were formerly locked to be exposed to public scorn as punishment. tr.v. 1. To expose to ridicule and abuse. 2. To put in a _ as punishment.

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supercede.

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v. To displace.

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supercilious

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adj. Exhibiting hauty and careless disdain / contempt.

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sumptuous

Back 174

adj. Suggesting great expense; lavish; costly.

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subterfuge

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n. Deceptive stratagem. Evasion.

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stolid

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adj. Being or appearing unemotional; impassive.

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Huguenot

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n. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the name of _s came to apply to members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France. Above all, _s became known for their fiery criticisms of worship as performed in the Roman Catholic Church, in particular the focus on ritual and what seemed an obsession with death and the dead.

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hyacinth

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n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any liliaceous plant of the Mediterranean genus Hyacinthus, esp any cultivated variety of H. orientalis, having a thick flower stalk bearing white, blue, or pink fragrant flowers5. (Myth & Legend / Classical Myth & Legend) Greek myth a flower which sprang from the blood of the dead _(-2)us

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impunity

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n. Exemption from punishment, penalty, or harm.

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poltroon

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n. Abject or contemptible coward.

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jocose

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adj. 1. Given to joking; merry. 2. Characterized by joking; humorous.

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reproach

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tr.v. 1. To express disapproval of, criticism of, or disappointment in (someone). 2. To bring shame upon; disgrace. n. 1. Blame; rebuke. 2. One that causes rebuke or blame. 3. Disgrace; shame.

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a priori

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adj. 1. Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect; deductive. 2. a. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning without reference to particular facts or experience. b. Knowable without appeal to particular experience. 3. Made before or without examination; not supported by factual study.

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archipelago

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n. 1. A large group of islands: the Philippine _.

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ardor

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n. 1. Fiery intensity of feeling. See Synonyms at passion. 2. Strong enthusiasm or devotion; zeal: "The dazzling conquest of Mexico gave a new impulse to the _ of discovery" (William Hickling Prescott). 3. Intense heat or glow, as of fire.

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bagatelle

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n. 1. An unimportant or insignificant thing; a trifle. 2. A short, light piece of verse or music. 3. A game played on an oblong table with a cue and balls.

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bauble

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n. 1. A small, showy ornament of little value; a trinket.

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besot

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v.tr. To muddle or stupefy, as with alcoholic liquor or infatuation.

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bon ton

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n. Literary The fashionable elite. [literally: good tone]

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carpetbagger

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n. 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a politician who seeks public office in a locality where he has no real connections 2. (Business / Insurance) (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) Brit a person who makes a short-term investment in a mutual savings or life-assurance organization in order to benefit from free shares issued following the organization's conversion to a public limited company 3. (Historical Terms) US a Northern White who went to the South after the Civil War to profit from Reconstruction

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catalepsy

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n. (Psychiatry) a state of prolonged rigid posture, occurring for example in schizophrenia or in hypnotic trances.

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chrysalis

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n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) the obtect pupa of a moth or butterfly 2. anything in the process of developing.

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cupola

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n. 1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) a roof or ceiling in the form of a dome 2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) a small structure, usually domed, on the top of a roof or dome.

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doff

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v. 1. To take off; remove: _ one's clothes. 2. To tip or remove (one's hat) in salutation. 3. To put aside; discard.

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fandango

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n. a. An animated Spanish or Spanish-American dance in triple time. b. A piece of music for this dance. 2. Informal Nonsense; tomfoolery.

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fathom

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v. As a unit of measurement, six feet. Also means to understand.

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freemason

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_ry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and Grand Lodge of Ireland, over a quarter of a million under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England[1] and just under two million in the United States.[2]

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morass

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n. 1. An area of low-lying, soggy ground. 2. Something that hinders, engulfs, or overwhelms: a _ of details.

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rubicund

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adj. Inclined to a healthy rosiness; ruddy.

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proffer

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vb.tr. To offer for acceptance; tender n. the act of _ing

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nonplus

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v.tr. To put at a loss as to what to think, say, or do; bewilder. n. _ed A state of perplexity, confusion, or bewilderment.

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stanch

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tr.v. To stop the flowing of (usually blood or tears); check.

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squalid

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adj. Having a dirty, mean, poverty-stricken appearance.

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aquiline

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adj. 1. Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an eagle. 2. Curved or hooked like an eagle's beak: an _ nose.

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annuity

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n. 1. a. The annual payment of an allowance or income. b. The right to receive this payment or the obligation to make this payment. 2. A contract or agreement by which one receives fixed payments on an investment for a lifetime or for a specified number of years.

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specious

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adj. 1. Plausable but actually fallacious. 2. Deceptively attractive.

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sordid

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adj. Filthy; morally degraded.

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soporific

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adj. 1. Inducing sleep. 2. Drowsy.

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sophistry

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n. 1. (Philosophy) a. a method of argument that is seemingly plausible though actually invalid and misleading b. the art of using such arguments 2. subtle but unsound or fallacious reasoning. a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone

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sonorous

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adj. 1. Full and loud and deep. 2. producing or capable of producing sound 3. (of language, sound, etc.) deep or resonant 4. (esp of speech) high-flown; grandiloquent [from Latin sonorus loud, from sonor a noise]

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somnolent

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adj. Sleepy.

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somniferous

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adj. Inducing sleep; soporific.

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solvent

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adj. Having sufficient funds to pay all debts.

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sinuous

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adj. 1. Curving in and out. 2. Not direct; devious.

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sinecure

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n. Any position having emoluments with few or no duties. (sounds like sign-a-cure)

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emolument

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n. Payment for an office or employment; compensation. (sounds syllabically like e-monument)

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sedulous

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adj. Persevering in effort or endeavour; assiduous.

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scintilla

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n. The faintest ray.

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satyr

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n. A very lascivious person.

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lascivious

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adj. Given to or expressing lust; lecherous.

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sardonic

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adj. Scornfully or bitterly sarcastic.

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sanguine

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adj. Cheerfully confident; optimistic.

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malinger

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vb.(intr) To pretend or exaggerate illness, esp to avoid work. [from French malingre sickly, perhaps from mal badly + Old French haingre feeble]

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mote

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n. A tiny spec.

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obsidian

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n. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) a dark volcanic glass formed by very rapid solidification of lava Also called Iceland agate.

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occident

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n. A literary or formal word for west Compare orient. [via Old French from Latin occidere to fall, go down (with reference to the setting sun); see occasion]

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pachyderm

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n. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Any very large thick-skinned mammal, such as an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus [from French pachyderme, from Greek pakhudermos thick-skinned, from pakhus thick + derma skin]

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pastiche

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n. 1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a work of art that mixes styles, materials, etc; a hogpodge 2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a work of art that imitates the style of another artist or period, often with satirical intent. [French pastiche, Italian pasticcio, literally: piecrust (hence, something blended), from Late Latin pasta paste1]

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patois

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n. 1. (Linguistics) an unwritten regional dialect of a language without a literary tradition, esp of French, usually considered substandard 2. (Linguistics) the jargon of a particular group.

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pell-mell

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adv. 1. in a confused headlong rush the hounds ran pell-mell into the yard 2. in a disorderly manner the things were piled pell-mell in the room adj. disordered; tumultuous a pell-mell rush for the exit n. disorder; confusion.

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Philistine

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n. 1. a person who is unreceptive to or hostile towards culture, the arts, etc.; a smug boorish person 2. (Social Science / Peoples) a member of the non-Semitic people who inhabited ancient Philistia adj 1. (sometimes not capital) boorishly uncultured 2. (Social Science / Peoples) of or relating to the ancient Philistines

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poultice

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n. 1. (Medicine) Also called cataplasm a local moist and often heated application for the skin consisting of substances such as kaolin, linseed, or mustard, used to improve the circulation, treat inflamed areas, etc. 2. Australian slang a large sum of money, esp a debt [from earlier pultes, from Latin puls a thick porridge]

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prehensile

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adj. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) 1. adapted for grasping, esp by wrapping around a support; a _ tail. 2. Having keen intellect; insightful. [from French préhensile, from Latin prehendere to grasp]

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gazette

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n. 1. (Communication Arts / Journalism & Publishing) a. a newspaper or official journal b. (capital when part of the name of a newspaper) the Thame Gazette 2. (Communication Arts / Journalism & Publishing) Brit an official document containing public notices, appointments, etc.

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gentry

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n. 1. persons of high birth or social standing; aristocracy 2. Brit persons just below the nobility in social rank 3. Informal, often derogatory people, esp of a particular group or kind; another commuter from the suburban gentry. [from Old French genterie, from gentil gentle]

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hackles

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pl n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) the hairs on the back of the neck and the back of a dog, cat, etc., which rise when the animal is angry or afraid 2. anger or resentment (esp in the phrases get one's hackles up, make one's hackles rise)

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harry

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vb.tr. 1. To harass; worry 2. (Military) to ravage (a town, etc.), esp in war

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herpetology

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n. The branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians.

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igneous

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adj. 1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of fire. 2. Geology a. Formed by solidification from a molten state. Used of rocks. b. Of or relating to rock so formed; pyrogenic.

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immolate

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v.tr. 1. To kill as a sacrifice. 2. To kill (oneself) by fire. 3. To destroy.

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interregnum

Back 241

n. 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) an interval between two reigns, governments, incumbencies, etc. 2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) any period in which a state lacks a ruler, government, etc. 3. a period of absence of some control, authority, etc. 4. a gap in a continuity [from Latin, from inter- + regnum reign]

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jaundice

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n. 1. Yellowish discoloration of the whites of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes caused by deposition of bile salts in these tissues. It occurs as a symptom of various diseases, such as hepatitis, that affect the processing of bile. Also called icterus. 2. A state or feeling of negativity or bitterness arising especially from envy or world-weariness. tr.v.jaun·diced, jaun·dic·ing, jaun·dic·es 1. To affect with the discoloration of jaundice. 2. To affect with the negativity or bitterness of jaundice. See Synonyms at bias.

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ligneous

Back 243

adj. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Of or resembling wood. [from Latin ligneus, from lignum wood]

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mealymouthed

Back 244

adj. Hesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly as from e.g. timidity or hypocrisy; a mealymouthed politician.

Front 245

motile

Back 245

adj. 1. Biology Moving or having the power to move spontaneously: _ spores. 2. Psychology Of or relating to mental imagery that arises primarily from sensations of bodily movement and position rather than from visual or auditory sensations.

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niggle

Back 246

intr.v. 1. To be preoccupied with trifles or petty details. 2. To find fault constantly and trivially; carp. See Synonyms at quibble.

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predilection

Back 247

n. a predisposition, preference, or bias.

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progenitor

Back 248

n. 1. A direct ancestor. See Synonyms at ancestor. 2. An originator of a line of descent; a precursor. 3. An originator; a founder: _s of the new music.

Front 249

provender

Back 249

n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) any dry feed or fodder for domestic livestock 2. (Cookery) food in general

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puerile

Back 250

adj. 1. Belonging to childhood; juvenile. 2. Immature; childish. See Synonyms at young.

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pulchritude

Back 251

n. Physical beauty.

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purgatory

Back 252

n. 1. (Christian Religious Writings / Theology) Chiefly RC Church a state or place in which the souls of those who have died in a state of grace are believed to undergo a limited amount of suffering to expiate their venial sins and become purified of the remaining effects of mortal sin 2. a place or condition of suffering or torment, esp one that is temporary.

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quell

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vb(tr) 1. to suppress or beat down (rebellion, disorder, etc.); subdue 2. to overcome or allay; to _ pain; to _ grief

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ramshackle

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adj. (esp of buildings) badly constructed or maintained so that disintegration is likely; rickety, shaky, or derelict

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ravine

Back 255

n. A deep narrow valley or gorge in the earth's surface worn by running water.

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raze

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vb(tr) 1. to demolish (a town, buildings, etc.) completely; level (esp in the phrase _ to the ground) 2. to delete; erase 3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) Archaic to graze

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recriminate

Back 257

v.tr. To accuse in return. v.intr. To counter one accusation with another.

Front 258

relegate

Back 258

tr.v. 1. To assign to an obscure place, position, or condition. 2. To assign to a particular class or category; classify. See Synonyms at commit. 3. To refer or assign (a matter or task, for example) for decision or action. 4. To send to a place of exile; banish.

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salutary

Back 259

adj. Beneficial; wholesome.

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salubrious

Back 260

adj. Healthful.

Front 261

salacious

Back 261

adj. 1. Appealing to or stimulating sexual desire. 2. Lustful.

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sagacious

Back 262

adj. Showing keen discernment, sound judgement, and farsightedness.

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risible

Back 263

adj. Capable of exciting laughter or relating to laughter.

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ribald

Back 264

adj. Indulging in or manifesting coarse indecency or obscenity.

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reverent

Back 265

adj. Humble. Showing profound awe or respect.

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bemuse

Back 266

If you're _, you're muddled or preoccupied. It happens when you're lost in thought, dazed, or overwhelmed (say, on the first day of high school).

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picayune

Back 267

adj. 1. Of little value or importance; paltry. See Synonyms at trivial. 2. Petty; mean. n. 1. A Spanish-American half-real piece formerly used in parts of the southern United States. 2. A five-cent piece. 3. Something of very little value; a trifle: not worth a _.

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retinue

Back 268

n. A group of people who accompany an important person during travels.

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restive

Back 269

adj. 1. Uneasily impatient under restriction. 2. Resisting control.

Front 270

respite

Back 270

n. Interval of rest.

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rescind

Back 271

v.tr. To make void; repeal; annul.

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requite

Back 272

v.tr. 1. To repay either good or evil, as to a person. 2. To avenge.

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scad

Back 273

n. Informal A large number or amount. Often used in the plural: Scads of people are in the hall.

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seine

Back 274

n. (Capitalized) A river of northern France flowing about 772 km (480 mi) generally northwest to the Bay of the _, an inlet of the English Channel. n. A large fishing net made to hang vertically in the water by weights at the lower edge and floats at the top. v. seined, sein·ing, seines v.intr. To fish with such a net. v.tr. To fish for or catch with such a net.

Front 275

shyster

Back 275

n. Informal chiefly US a person, esp a lawyer or politician, who uses discreditable or unethical methods.

Front 276

skinflint

Back 276

n. a selfish miserly person who will not give or spend.

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skulduggery

Back 277

n. Informal underhand dealing; trickery.

Front 278

skulk

Back 278

vb(intr) 1. to move stealthily so as to avoid notice 2. to lie in hiding; lurk 3. to shirk duty or evade responsibilities; malinger.

Front 279

slag

Back 279

n. 1. The vitreous mass left as a residue by the smelting of metallic ore.

Front 280

slapdash

Back 280

adj. Hasty and careless, as in execution: slapdash work. adv. In a reckless haphazard manner.

Front 281

slipshod

Back 281

adj. 1. Marked by carelessness(of an action); sloppy or slovenly. See Synonyms at sloppy. 2. Slovenly in appearance; shabby or seedy.

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legato

Back 282

adv.&adj. 1. (Music) Smooth and continuous without breaks between the notes. Used chiefly as a direction.

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stalwart

Back 283

adj. 1. strong and sturdy; robust 2. solid, dependable, and courageous _ citizens 3. resolute and firm n. a _ person, esp a supporter

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stodgy

Back 284

adj. 1. a. Dull, unimaginative, and commonplace. b. Prim or pompous; stuffy: "Why is the middle-class so _, so utterly without a sense of humor!" (Katherine Mansfield). See Synonyms at dull. 2. Indigestible and starchy; heavy: _ food.

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strident

Back 285

adj. 1. (of a shout, voice, etc.) having or making a loud or harsh sound 2. urgent,clamorous, or vociferous; strident demands.

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stygian

Back 286

adj. 1. a. Gloomy and dark. b. Infernal; hellish. 2. Of or relating to the river Styx. 3. Completely inviolable, as a vow sworn by the river Styx.

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subsume

Back 287

vb(tr) 1. to incorporate (an idea, proposition, case, etc.) under a comprehensive or inclusive classification or heading 2. to consider (an instance of something) as part of a general rule or principle.

Front 288

ligature

Back 288

n. 1. The act of tying or binding. 2. a. A cord, wire, or bandage used for tying or binding. b. A thread, wire, or cord used in surgery to close vessels or tie off ducts. c. Something that unites; a bond. 3. A character, letter, or type, such as æ, combining two or more letters. 4. (Music) a. A group of notes intended to be played or sung as one phrase. b. A curved line indicating such a phrase; a slur. c. A passage of notes sung by repeating the same syllable. d. A metal band that attaches the reed to the mouthpiece of the clarinet and related instruments.

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symbiosis

Back 289

n. 1. Biology A close, prolonged association between two or more different organisms of different species that may, but does not necessarily, benefit each member. 2. A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

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threadbare

Back 290

adj. 1. (of cloth, clothing, etc.) having the nap worn off so that the threads are exposed 2. meagre or poor a threadbare existence 3. hackneyed a threadbare argument 4. wearing threadbare clothes; shabby.

Front 291

tensile

Back 291

adj. 1. Of or relating to tension. 2. Capable of being stretched or extended; ductile.

Front 292

titter

Back 292

intr.v. To laugh in a restrained, nervous way; giggle. n. A nervous giggle.

Front 293

totter

Back 293

v.intr. 1. a. To sway as if about to fall. b. To appear about to collapse: an empire that had begun to totter. 2. To walk unsteadily or feebly; stagger.

Front 294

tribune

Back 294

n. 1. An officer of ancient Rome elected by the plebeians to protect their rights from arbitrary acts of the patrician magistrates. 2. A protector or champion of the people. 3. A senior military officer. n. 1. A raised platform or dais from which a speaker addresses an assembly. 2. The usually domed or vaulted apse of a basilica.

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basilica

Back 295

n. 1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) a Roman building, used for public administration, having a large rectangular central nave(center of church) with an aisle on each side and an apse(domed or vaulted recess usually with an altar) at the end 2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) a rectangular early Christian or medieval church, usually having a nave with clerestories, two or four aisles, one or more vaulted apses, and a timber roof 3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) a Roman Catholic church having special ceremonial rights. [from Latin, from Greek basilike hall, from basilike oikia the king's house, from basileus king; see basil]

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bewail

Back 296

vb. to express great sorrow over (a person or thing); lament

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bona fide

Back 297

adj. 1. real or genuine a bona fide manuscript 2. undertaken in good faith a bonafide agreement

Front 298

clinch

Back 298

v.tr. 1. a. To fix or secure (a nail or bolt, for example) by bending down or flattening the pointed end that protrudes. b. To fasten together in this way. 2. To settle definitely and conclusively; make final 3. Sports To secure (a divisional championship, for instance) before the end of regular season play by having an insurmountable lead. 4. Nautical To fasten with a clinch. v.intr 1. To be held together securely. 2. Sports To hold a boxing opponent's body with one or both arms to prevent or hinder punches. 3. Slang To embrace amorously. n. 1. Something, such as a clamp, that _es. 2. The _ed part of a nail, bolt, or rivet. 3. Sports An act or instance of _ing in boxing. 4. Nautical A knot in a rope made by a halfhitch with the end of the rope fastened back by seizing.

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codify

Back 299

v.tr. 1. To reduce to a code: _ laws. 2. To arrange or systematize.

Front 300

caftan, kaftan

Back 300

n. 1. A full-length garment with elbow-length or long sleeves, worn chiefly ineastern Mediterranean countries.2. A westernized version of this garmentconsisting of a loose, usually brightly colored waist-length or ankle-lngth tunic.

Front 301

nave

Back 301

n. The central part of a church, extending from the narthex to the chancel and flanked by aisles. [Medieval Latin nvis, from Latin, ship (from its shape); see nu- in Indo-European roots.]

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tumid

Back 302

adj. 1. Swollen; bulging. 2. Pompous.

Front 303

tundra

Back 303

n. A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation such as lichens, mosses, and stunted shrubs.

Front 304

vanguard

Back 304

n. 1. (Military) the leading division or units of a military force 2. the leading position in any movement or field, or the people who occupy such a position the vanguard of modern literature. [from Old French avant-garde, from avant- fore- + garde guard]

Front 305

vivisection

Back 305

n. The act or practice of cutting into or otherwise injuring living animals, especially for the purpose of scientific research.

Front 306

vixen

Back 306

n. 1. A female fox. 2. A woman regarded as quarrelsome, shrewish, or malicious.

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vulpine

Back 307

adj. 1. Of, resembling, or characteristic of a fox. 2. Cunning; clever.

Front 308

wanton

Back 308

adj. 1. Immoral or unchaste; lewd. 2. a. Gratuitously cruel; merciless. b. Marked by unprovoked, gratuitous maliciousness; capricious and unjust: _ destruction. 3. Unrestrainedly excessive: _ extravagance; _ depletion of oil reserves. 4. Luxuriant; overabundant: _ tresses. 5. Frolicsome; playful. 6. Undisciplined; spoiled. 7. Obsolete Rebellious; refractory.

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wastrel

Back 309

n. 1. One who wastes, especially one who wastes money; a profligate. 2. An idler or a loafer.

Front 310

whit

Back 310

n. The least bit; an iota: doesn't give a _ what was said; not a _ afraid.

Front 311

yeoman

Back 311

n. 1. a. An attendant, servant, or lesser official in a royal or noble household. b. A yeoman of the guard. 2. A petty officer performing chiefly clerical duties in the U.S. Navy. 3. An assistant or other subordinate, as of a sheriff. 4. A diligent, dependable worker. 5. A farmer who cultivates his own land, especially a member of a former class of small freeholders in England.

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sidle

Back 312

v.intr. 1. To move sideways: sidled through the narrow doorway. 2. To advance in an unobtrusive, furtive, or coy way: swindlers who sidle up to tourists. v.tr. To cause to move sideways: We sidled the canoe to the riverbank.

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apse

Back 313

n. 1. Architecture A usually semicircular or polygonal, often vaulted recess, especially the termination of the sanctuary end(usually east) of a church.

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reprobate

Back 314

n. One abandoned to depravity and sin.

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repine

Back 315

v.intr. To be discontent and indulge in fretfulness. To yearn after something.

Front 316

repast

Back 316

n. A meal or the food provided at a meal. Figuratively, any refreshment.

Front 317

remonstrate

Back 317

v.tr. 1. To say in plead or protest, objection, or reproof. 2. To present a verbal or written protest to those who have power to right or prevent a wrong..

Front 318

connubial

Back 318

adj. Relating to marriage.

Front 319

wily

Back 319

adj. Sly or crafty.

Front 320

brusque

Back 320

adj. Abrupt and curt in manner or speech; discourteously blunt. See Synonyms at gruff.

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Bacchanalia

Back 321

n. pl. (with upper-case 1st letter) 1. The ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus. 2. (with lower-case 1st letter) A riotous, boisterous, or drunken festivity; a revel. (sounds like back-a-nail-ya)

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ewe

Back 322

n. Female sheep.

Front 323

regale

Back 323

v.tr. To provide with great enjoyment; entertain.

Front 324

redoubtable

Back 324

adj. Formidable; worthy of respect or honour.

Front 325

recant

Back 325

v.intr. To withdraw formally one's belief (in something previously believed or maintained). To make a formal retraction.

Front 326

recalcitrant

Back 326

adj. Marked by stubborn resistance.

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semblance

Back 327

n. 1. outward appearance, esp without any inner substance or reality. 2. a resemblance or copy

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rebuff

Back 328

n. A blunt or abrupt repulse or refusal, as to an offer. v.tr. 1. To reject bluntly, often disdainfully; snub. 2. To repel or drive back.

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raucous

Back 329

adj. 1. Harsh. 2. Boisterous and disorderly.

Front 330

rapacious

Back 330

adj. 1. Taking by force; plundering.

Front 331

ramify

Back 331

v. To divide or subdivide into branches or subdivisions (e.g. 'the problem merely (5)_ied after the unsucessful meeting').

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raconteur

Back 332

n. A skilled storyteller.

Front 333

quotidian

Back 333

adj. Of an everyday character; ordinary; commonplace.

Front 334

quixotic

Back 334

adj. 1. Idealistic but impractical. 2. Chivalrous or romantic to a ridiculous or extravagant degree. 3. Capricious; impulsive.

Front 335

qualm

Back 335

n. 1. An uneasy feeling about the rightness of something. 1. A sudden feeling of faintness, nausea, misgiving, or unease.

Front 336

pyre

Back 336

n. A heap of comubstibles arranged for burning a dead body.

Front 337

pusillanimous

Back 337

adj. Cowardly.

Front 338

punctilious

Back 338

adj. 1. Strictly attentive to minute details of form in action or conduct. 2. Precise; scrupulous.

Front 339

prudence

Back 339

n. Caution. Exercising cautious judgement.

Front 340

provident

Back 340

adj. 1. Anticipating and making ready for future needs. 2. Frugal; economical.

Front 341

protuberent

Back 341

adj. Bulging.

Front 342

prosaic

Back 342

adj. Unimaginative.

Front 343

propitious

Back 343

adj. 1. Presenting favorable circumstances. 2. Kindly; gracious.

Front 344

propinquity

Back 344

n. 1. Nearness. 2. Kinship. 3. Similarity in nature.

Front 345

prolix

Back 345

(accent on 2nd syllable) adj. Tediously prolonged; tending to speak or write at excessive length.

Front 346

ontology

Back 346

n. The branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of being.

Front 347

consortium

Back 347

n. 1. a. An association or a combination, as of businesses, financial institutions, or investors, for the purpose of engaging in a joint venture. b. A cooperative arrangement among groups or institutions: a library _. 2. An association or society. 3. Law The right of a spouse to the company of, help of, affection of, and sexual relations with his or her mate. [Latin, fellowship, from cnsors, cnsort-, partner; see consort.]

Front 348

cadge

Back 348

vb. To get (food, money, etc.) by sponging or begging. n. 1. Brit A person who _s. on the _ Brit informal engaged in _ing [of unknown origin]

Front 349

magnum opus

Back 349

n. 1. A great work, especially a literary or artistic masterpiece. 2. The greatest single work of an artist, writer, or composer. [Latin : magnum, neuter of magnus, great + opus, work.]

Front 350

superlative

Back 350

adj. 1. Of the highest order, quality, or degree; surpassing or superior to all others. 2. Excessive or exaggerated. 3. Grammar Of, relating to, or being the extreme degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb, as in best or brightest. n. 1. Something of the highest possible excellence. 2. The highest degree; the acme. 3. Grammar a. The _ degree. b. An adjective or adverb expressing the _ degree, as in brightest, the _ of the adjective bright, or most brightly, the _ of the adverb brightly. [Middle English superlatif, from Old French, from Late Latin superltvus, from Latin superltus, past participle of superferre, to carry over a person or thing, exaggerate : super-, super- + ltus, past participle of ferre, to carry; see tel- in Indo-European roots.]

Front 351

parricide

Back 351

n. 1. The murdering of one's father, mother, or other near relative. 2. One who commits such a murder. [Latin parricda and parricdium : pri-, parri-, kin + -cda, -cdium, -cide.]

Front 352

congenial

Back 352

adj. 1. Having the same tastes, habits, or temperament; sympathetic. 2. Of a pleasant disposition; friendly and sociable: a _ host. 3. Suited to one's needs or nature; agreeable: _ surroundings. [Probably from con- + Latin genius, the personification of one's natural inclinations; see genius.

Front 353

epigraph

Back 353

n. 1. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a quotation at the beginning of a book, chapter, etc., suggesting its theme. 2. An inscription on a monument or building.

Front 354

caliph

Back 354

n. A leader of an Islamic polity, regarded as a successor of Muhammad and by tradition always male. [Middle English calife, from Old French, from Arabic alfa, successor (to Muhammad), caliph, from alafa, to succeed; see lp in Semitic roots.]

Front 355

imam

Back 355

n. Islam 1. (Non-Christian Religions / Islam) a leader of congregational prayer in a mosque. 2. (Non-Christian Religions / Islam) a caliph, as leader of a Muslim community. 3. (Non-Christian Religions / Islam) an honorific title applied to eminent doctors of Islam, such as the founders of the orthodox schools. 4. (Non-Christian Religions / Islam) any of a succession of either seven or twelve religious leaders of the Shiites, regarded by their followers as divinely inspired. [from Arabic: leader, from amma he guided]

Front 356

hornswaggle

Back 356

v.tr. To bamboozle; deceive.

Front 357

prodigious

Back 357

adj. 1. Immense. 2. Extraordinary

Front 358

prodigal

Back 358

adj. Wasteful or extravagant.

Front 359

fledgeling

Back 359

adj. (of a young bird) having acquired its flight feathers.

Front 360

probity

Back 360

n. Virtue or intergrity tested and confirmed. Are there systems in place to ensure financial probity? All these initiative are having a major effect on the way directors view business probity. Are there systems in place to ensure financial probity? Probity issues. Probity in the conduct of our business. Are our officers ' negotiations with operators about concessions well documented and sufficiently transparent for us to demonstrate probity? The only resource the tibetan government has is its image of moral probity which is indivisible from the perception of the dalai lama. Probity checks or the main database. Probity in the management of council affairs, the standards board needs radical reform. Question 1: are these criteria sufficient to guarantee the probity of those who wish to work within the high court enforcement industry? For hofland, commercial probity and religious piety are united, not separate, virtues. Probity requirements were particularly acute. The operators of the cameras will operate with the utmost probity at all times. Fiscal probity is nonexistent when the budget deficit hovers in the double-digits. Mr brown, whose credentials as heir apparent rest on his reputation for economic competence and personal probity, would find it much harder.

Front 361

pristine

Back 361

adj. 1. Pure; uncorrupted. 2. Primitive or original.

Front 362

prevaricate

Back 362

v.intr. To evade the truth; equivocate.

Front 363

preternatural

Back 363

adj. 1. Out of or beyond nature. Existing outside of or not in accordance with nature. Differing from the natural. 2. Surpassing the normal; extraordinary.

Front 364

presage

Back 364

v. 1. To portend. 2. To fortell.

Front 365

precocious

Back 365

adj. Having prematurely developed mental faculties.

Front 366

polyglot

Back 366

adj. Speaking, writing, or written in several languages. n. A person who speaks several tongues.

Front 367

poignant

Back 367

adj. 1.a. Profoundly moving. 1.b. Physically painful. 1.c Keenly distressing to the spirit 2. Piercing, incisive.

Front 368

plenary

Back 368

adj. 1. Entire. Complete in all respects. 2. Fully attended by all qualified members.

Front 369

platitude

Back 369

n. A trite or banal remark or statement.

Front 370

pique

Back 370

v. 1. To arouse resentment or indignation. 2. To provoke; arouse.

Front 371

pious

Back 371

adj. Religious; devout.

Front 372

physiognomy

Back 372

n. 1.a. The art of judging human character from facial features. 1.b. Divination based on facial features.

Front 373

phlegmatic

Back 373

adj. Not easily roused to feeling or action.

Front 374

petulant

Back 374

adj. Impatient, irritable, or ill-tempered.

Front 375

persiflage

Back 375

n. Banter.

Front 376

cistern

Back 376

n. 1. (Miscellaneous Technologies / Building) a tank for the storage of water, esp on or within the roof of a house or connected to a WC. 2. (Miscellaneous Technologies / Building) an underground reservoir for the storage of a liquid, esp rainwater.

Front 377

pernicious

Back 377

adj. Causing great harm; destructive.

Front 378

peripatetic

Back 378

adj. Walking about from place to place.

Front 379

perfunctory

Back 379

adj. Half-hearted. Done routinely with little interest.

Front 380

perfidy

Back 380

n. Treachery. Deliberate breach of faith.

Front 381

peremptory

Back 381

adj. 1. Putting an end to all debate or action: a _ decree. 2. Not allowing contradiction or refusal; imperative: The officer issued _ commands. 3. Having the nature of or expressing a command; urgent: The teacher spoke in a _ tone. 4. Offensively self-assured; dictatorial: a swaggering, _ manner.

Front 382

peregrinate

Back 382

v.intr. To journey or travel from place to place, especially on foot. v.tr. To travel through or over; traverse.

Front 383

penury

Back 383

n. Extreme want or poverty; destitution. (sounds like pen-your-ey)

Front 384

penurious

Back 384

adj. 1. Stingy. 2. Barren. 3. Destitute.

Front 385

pellucid

Back 385

adj. 1. Transparent or translucent. 2. Transparently clear in style or meaning.

Front 386

peccadillo

Back 386

n. A small sin or fault.

Front 387

corset

Back 387

n. 1. A close-fitting undergarment, often reinforced by stays, worn to support and shape the waistline, hips, and breasts. 2. A medieval outer garment, especially a laced jacket or bodice.

Front 388

bustier

Back 388

n. A formfitting sleeveless and usually strapless woman's top, worn as lingerie and often as evening attire. (sounds like 'boost-yay') [French, from buste, bust; see bust1.]

Front 389

paucity

Back 389

n. 1. Smallness in number. 2. Scarcity.

Front 390

pathos

Back 390

n. A quality that arouses feelings of pity or sorrow, or the feeling so aroused.

Front 391

parsimonious

Back 391

adj. Excessively sparing or frugal.

Front 392

paroxysm

Back 392

n. A sudden outburst of any emotion or action.

Front 393

panoply

Back 393

n. 1. A striking array. 2. Full ceremonial attire. 3. The complete armor & arms or a warrior.

Front 394

lechery

Back 394

n. gross lewdness; lustfulness;

Front 395

laconic

Back 395

adj. Brief and to the point; terse.

Front 396

labile

Back 396

adj. 1. Open to change; adaptable: an emotionally _ person. 2. Chemistry Constantly undergoing or likely to undergo change; unstable: a _compound. [Middle English labil, forgetful, wandering, from Old French labile, from Late Latin lbilis, apt to slip, from lb, to slip.

Front 397

knave

Back 397

n. untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack;

Front 398

palatial

Back 398

n. Magnificant.

Front 399

palate

Back 399

n. The roof of the mouth.

Front 400

ostentation

Back 400

n. A display dictated by vanity and intended to invite applause or flattery.

Front 401

ossify

Back 401

v. To convert into bone.

Front 402

opprobrium

Back 402

n. The state of being scronfully reproached or accused of evil.

Front 403

determinism

Back 403

n. The philosophical doctrine that every state of affairs, including every human event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedent states of affairs.

Front 404

bigamy

Back 404

n. The criminal offense of marrying one person while still legally married to another.

Front 405

officious

Back 405

adj. 1. Unnecessarily or obtrusively ready to offer advice or services. Intermeddling with what is not one's concern.

Front 406

odium

Back 406

n. A feeling of extreme repugnance, or of dislike and disgust.

Front 407

odious

Back 407

adj. Arousing or meriting strong dislike, aversion, or intense displeasure.

Front 408

obtrusive

Back 408

adj. Tending to be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence.

Front 409

oblique

Back 409

adj. Slanting.

Front 410

obfuscate

Back 410

v. To darken; obsure.

Front 411

obdurate

Back 411

adj. Impassive to feelings of humanity or pity.

Front 412

nugatory

Back 412

adj. 1. Of no importance. 2. Having no power or force.

Front 413

fungible

Back 413

adj. Interchangeable.

Front 414

frangible

Back 414

adj. Breakable.

Front 415

noxious

Back 415

adj. 1. Hurtful to living things; injurious to health. 2. Harmful to the mind or morals; corrupting.

Front 416

nostrum

Back 416

n. 1. Any scheme or recipe of a charlatan character. 2. A quack remedy.

Front 417

noisome

Back 417

adj. 1. (esp of smells) Offensive the point of arousing disgust; foul. 2. Harmful or noxious.

Front 418

nefarious

Back 418

adj. Wicked in the extreme.

Front 419

nadir

Back 419

n. The lowest point.

Front 420

myriad

Back 420

adj. 1. Constituting a very large, indefinite number; innumerable: the _ fish in the ocean. 2. Composed of numerous diverse elements or facets: the _life of the metropolis. n. 1. A vast number: the _s of bees in the hive. 2. Archaic Ten thousand.

Front 421

munificent

Back 421

adj. Extraordinarily generous.

Front 422

multifarious

Back 422

adj. Having great variety; diverse.

Front 423

moribund

Back 423

adj. On the point of dying.

Front 424

mordant

Back 424

adj. 1. a. Bitingly sarcastic. b. incisive and trenchant. 2. Bitingly painful. 3. Harshly or ironically sinister.

Front 425

morbid

Back 425

adj. 1. Characterized by preoccupation with unwholesome thoughts or feelings. 2. Gruesome; grisly.

Front 426

monomania

Back 426

n. The unreasonable pursuit of or passion for one idea.

Front 427

molt

Back 427

v. To cast off, as hair, feathers, etc.

Front 428

mollify

Back 428

v. To soothe.

Front 429

modicum

Back 429

(sounds like maude'-income) n. A small or token amount.

Front 430

misnomer

Back 430

n. Application of a wrong name.

Front 431

miscreant

Back 431

n. 1. A villain; evildoer. 2. Infidel; heretic.

Front 432

infidel

Back 432

n. 1. An unbeliever with respect to a particular religion, esp. Christian or Islam. 2. One with no religious beliefs. 3. An unbeliever.

Front 433

mettle

Back 433

n. Courage. Fortitude. Spirit.

Front 434

mein

Back 434

n. 1. The external appearance or manner of a person, especially as it reveals an inner state of mind. 2. How you present yourself, the impression you make

Front 435

meticulous

Back 435

adj. Extreemly careful and precise.

Front 436

polemic

Back 436

n. 1. A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine. 2. A person engaged in or inclined to controversy, argument, or refutation. adj. also _al Of or relating to a controversy, argument, or refutation.

Front 437

phylactery

Back 437

n. 1. Judaism Either of two small leather boxes, each containing strips of parchment inscribed with quotations from the Hebrew Scriptures, one of which is strapped to the forehead and the other to the left arm; traditionally worn by Jewish men during morning worship, except on the Sabbath and holidays. 2. a. An amulet. b. A reminder.

Front 438

meretricious

Back 438

adj. 1. Superficially or garishly attractive. 2. Plausable but flase or insincere; specious. 3. Archaic relating to a prostitute.

Front 439

garish

Back 439

adj. Marked by strident color or excessive ornamentation; gaudy.

Front 440

diurnal

Back 440

adj. 1. Relating to or occurring in a 24-hour period; daily. 2. Occurring or active during the daytime rather than at night: _ animals.

Front 441

mendicant

Back 441

(sounds like men-de-kint) n. A beggar.

Front 442

mendacious

Back 442

adj. Lying; Untrue.

Front 443

mawkish

Back 443

adj. 1. Overly sentimental. 2. Sickening or insipid.

Front 444

turgid

Back 444

adj. 1. swollen and distended; congested. 2. (of style or language) pompous and high-flown; bombastic. [from Latin turgidus, from turgere to swell]

Front 445

insipid

Back 445

adj. 1. Lacking flavor or taste. 2. Dull

Front 446

maudlin

Back 446

adj. Foolishly or tearfully sentimental or affectionate.

Front 447

massacre

Back 447

n. The unnecessary and indiscriminate killing of human beings.

Front 448

malign

Back 448

v. To speak evil of, especially falsely and severly.

Front 449

malaise

Back 449

n. A condition of discomfort, unease, or ill-being.

Front 450

lustrous

Back 450

adj. Shining or glowing.

Front 451

luminary

Back 451

n. 1. An object, such as a celestial body, that gives light. 2. A person who has achieved eminance in a specific field.

Front 452

lugubrious

Back 452

adj. 1. Indicating sorrow, often riduculously. 2. Mournful, gloomy, or dismal, esp. to an exaggerated degree.

Front 453

loquacious

Back 453

adj. Talkative; chatty; garrulous.

Front 454

lithe

Back 454

adj. 1. Readily bent; supple. 2. Marked by effortless grace.

Front 455

listless

Back 455

adj. 1. Lethargic. 2. Unattentive.

Front 456

docket

Back 456

n. 1. Law a. A calendar of the cases awaiting action in a court. b. A brief entry of the court proceedings in a legal case. c. The book containing such entries. 2. A summary or other brief statement of the contents of a document; an abstract. 3. A list of things to be done; an agenda.

Front 457

lode

Back 457

n. metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)

Front 458

lien

Back 458

n. A legal claim or hold on a property, as scecurity for a debt or charge.

Front 459

licentious

Back 459

adj. 1. Lacking moral discipline, especially in sexual conduct. 2. Having no regard for accepted rules or standards.

Front 460

libel

Back 460

n. Defamation in print.

Front 461

lexicon

Back 461

n. A dictionary.

Front 462

levity

Back 462

n. Lightness in manner or speach, especially when inappropriate; frivolity.

Front 463

laudatory

Back 463

adj. Expressing or confering praise.

Front 464

laudable

Back 464

adj. Praiseworthy.

Front 465

lassitude

Back 465

n. Lack of vitality or energy.

Front 466

languid

Back 466

adj. Lacking energy, vigor, or spirit. Relaxed.

Front 467

lachrymose.

Back 467

adj. 1. Inclined to weep; tearful. 2. Causing or tending to cause tears.

Front 468

junta

Back 468

n. 1. A group of military officers ruling a country after siezing a country. 2. A council in government, especially in South America.

Front 469

judicious

Back 469

adj. Prudent.

Front 470

jovial

Back 470

adj. Merry.

Front 471

jocular

Back 471

adj. Inclined to joke.

Front 472

itinerate

Back 472

v. To wander from place to place.

Front 473

itinerant

Back 473

adj. Wandering.

Front 474

niggardly

Back 474

adj. 1. stingy or ungenerous 2. meagre a niggardly salary

Front 475

irksome

Back 475

adj. Causing annoyance, weariness, or vexation, in a tiring way.

Front 476

depredation

Back 476

n. 1. an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding. 2. Damage; loss.

Front 477

amalgamate

Back 477

v. 1. to bring or combine together or with something else.

Front 478

reactionary

Back 478

adj. Opposed to change, progress, or reform; extremely conservative. n. An opponent of change, progress, or reform.

Front 479

pert

Back 479

adj. 1. saucy, impudent, or forward 2. jaunty: a _ little hat.

Front 480

jaunty

Back 480

adj. _ combines ideas such as cheerful, spiffy, upbeat, and natty into one delightfully economical adjective that means all of those things at once!

Front 481

aria

Back 481

n. An elaborate song for solo voice.

Front 482

rejoinder

Back 482

n. 1. a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one); retort. 2. (Law)(in pleading) the answer made by a defendant to the claimant's reply.

Front 483

spangle

Back 483

n. Adornment consisting of a small piece of shiny material used to decorate clothing.

Front 484

vestment

Back 484

n. Gown (especially ceremonial garments) worn by the clergy.

Front 485

defray

Back 485

v. Bear the expenses of.

Front 486

dictum

Back 486

n. 1. a formal or authoritative statement or assertion; pronouncement 2. A popular saying or maxim.

Front 487

dissimilate

Back 487

v. 1. to make or become dissimilar 2. (Linguistics / Phonetics & Phonology) (usually foll by to) Phonetics to change or displace (a consonant) or (of a consonant) to be changed to or displaced by (another consonant) so that its manner of articulation becomes less similar to a speech sound in the same word. Thus (r) in the final syllable of French marbre is _d to (l) in its English form marble

Front 488

irascible

Back 488

adj. Prone to anger.

Front 489

iota

Back 489

n. A small or insignificant mark or part.

Front 490

invidious

Back 490

adj. 1. Tending to arouse ill will. 2. Implying a slight. 3. Causing envy.

Front 491

inverterate

Back 491

adj. 1. Deep-rooted; Ingrained. 2. Habitual.

Front 492

inveigh

Back 492

v. To rail against; utter invective.

Front 493

invective

Back 493

n. Vehement accusation or denuciation, especially of a bitterly abusive or sarcastic kind.

Front 494

intransigent

Back 494

adj. Not capable of being swayed.

Front 495

interdict

Back 495

tr.v. 1. To prohibit or place under an ecclesiastical or legal sanction. 2. To forbid or debar, especially authoritatively. See Synonyms at forbid. 3. a. To cut or destroy (a line of communication) by firepower so as to halt an enemy's advance. b. To confront and halt the activities, advance, or entry of: the role of the FBI in _ing spies attempting to pass US secrets to the Soviet Union" (Christian Science Monitor). n. (ntr-dkt) 1. Law A prohibition by court order. 2. Roman Catholic Church An ecclesiastical censure that excludes a person or district from participation in most sacraments and from Christian burial. [Alteration of Middle English enterditen, to place under a church ban, from Old French entredit, past participle of entredire, to forbid, from Latin interdcere, interdict- : inter-, inter- + dcere, to say; see deik- in Indo-European roots.] (dict sounds as in dictionary)

Front 496

injunction

Back 496

n. A directive prohibiting a party from a specific course of action.

Front 497

insurrection

Back 497

n. The act or an instance of rebelling against a government in power or the civil authorities; insurgency.

Front 498

insouciant

Back 498

adj. Nonchalant.

Front 499

innocuous

Back 499

adj. Harmless.

Front 500

ingenuous

Back 500

adj. 1. Candid, frank, or open in character or quality. 2. Lacking in cunning, guile, or worldliness; artless.

Front 501

babushka

Back 501

n. In Russian, “old woman”; in English, a type of scarf commonly worn by _s.

Front 502

Bolshevik

Back 502

n. A revolutionary or radical, from name of the majority Communist faction in Tsarist Russia, ultimately from the Russian word for “majority”

Front 503

glasnost

Back 503

n. A policy of political openness and transparency, from the Russian word for “publicity”

Front 504

gulag

Back 504

n. Originally an acronym for a Soviet-era system of forced-labor camps; it now can refer to any repressive or coercive environment or situation.

Front 505

Perestroika

Back 505

n. The Soviet-era system of reform, from the Russian word for “restructuring”

Front 506

keelhaul

Back 506

v. 1. (Transport / Nautical Terms) to drag (a person) by a rope from one side of a vessel to the other through the water under the keel. 2. to rebuke harshly

Front 507

ombudsman

Back 507

n. 1. A man who investigates complaints and mediates fair settlements, especially between aggrieved parties such as consumers or students and an institution or organization. 2. A government official, especially in Scandinavian countries, who investigates citizens' complaints against the government or its functionaries.

Front 508

inexorable

Back 508

adj. Unrelenting.

Front 509

ineluctable

Back 509

adj. Impossible to avoid.

Front 510

ineffable

Back 510

adj. 1. Undescribable. 2. Not to be uttered; Taboo.

Front 511

indomitable

Back 511

adj. Unconquerable.

Front 512

indistinct

Back 512

adj. Vague.

Front 513

indigence.

Back 513

n. Poverty; neediness.

Front 514

incongruous

Back 514

adj. Unsuitable for the occasion.

Front 515

incipient

Back 515

adj. 1. Beginning to exist or appear. 2. Just starting; beginning.

Front 516

inane

Back 516

adj. Silly. Lacking sense or substance.

Front 517

impute

Back 517

v. To attribute the fault or responsibility of.

Front 518

impugn

Back 518

v.tr. To attack as false or questionable; assail in argument. _ a political opponent's record.

Front 519

improvident

Back 519

adj. Lacking foresight or thrift.

Front 520

scrum

Back 520

n. 1. Sports a. A play in Rugby in which the two sets of forwards mass together around the ball and, with their heads down, struggle to gain possession of the ball. b. The mass or formation of players during such a play. 2. Chiefly British A disordered or confused situation involving a number of people. intr.v. _ed, _ing, _s To engage in a _.

Front 521

importune

Back 521

v. To beset with insistent or repeated requests; entreat pressingly.

Front 522

implacable

Back 522

adj. Unplacateable.

Front 523

impiety

Back 523

adj. 1. Irreverence torward God. 2. Undutifulness.

Front 524

impetuous

Back 524

adj. 1. Impulsive and passionate; quick to act without thinking. 2. Having or marked by violent force.

Front 525

eristic

Back 525

adj. Given to disputation for its own sake and often employing specious arguments.

Front 526

imperious

Back 526

adj. 1. Domineering or overbearing. 2. Insisting on obedience.

Front 527

impecunious

Back 527

adj. Having no money.

Front 528

imminent

Back 528

adj. Dangerous and close at hand.

Front 529

imbue

Back 529

v. To dye; To instill profoundly.

Front 530

meme

Back 530

n. A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. [Shortening (modeled on gene) of mimeme, from Greek mimma, something imitated, from mimeisthai, to imitate; see mimesis.]

Front 531

imbroglio

Back 531

n. 1. A difficult or intricate situation; entanglement. 2. A confused or complicated disagreement.

Front 532

ignominious

Back 532

adj. Shameful. Marked by disgrace.

Front 533

iconoclast

Back 533

n. An image breaker.

Front 534

hirsute

Back 534

(her-suit) adj. Having a hairy covering.

Front 535

heresy

Back 535

n. A subversive opinion or doctrine with respect to settled beliefs or principals.

Front 536

heinous

Back 536

adj. Grossly wicked or reprehensible, abominable.

Front 537

harbinger

Back 537

n. One who or that which foreruns, foreshadows or announces the coming of any person or thing.

Front 538

bowdlerize

Back 538

vb.(tr) (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) To remove passages or words regarded as indecent from (a play, novel, etc.); expurgate.

Front 539

arraign

Back 539

v. Charge in court; indict.

Front 540

harangue

Back 540

vb to address (a person or crowd) in an angry, vehement, or forcefully persuasive way n a loud, forceful, or angry speech [from Old French, from Old Italian aringa public speech, probably of Germanic origin; related to Medieval Latin harenga; see harry, ring1]

Front 541

halcyon

Back 541

adj. 1. Calm; tranquil. 2. Prosperous; golden. The word halcyon comes from a story in Greek mythology about the halcyon bird, which had the power to calm the rough ocean waves every December so she could nest. Like those calm waters, halcyon has come to mean a sense of peace or tranquility. People often use the phrase halcyon days to refer idyllically to a calmer, more peaceful time in their past.

Front 542

atavism

Back 542

n. A reappearance of an earlier characteristic

Front 543

reprise

Back 543

n. Repeat an earlier theme of a composition

Front 544

antithesis

Back 544

n. 1. the exact opposite 2. in contrast or opposition.

Front 545

cachet

Back 545

n. Having the respectability of certian high-end brands. People just know they are the finest of their kind. The word _ comes from the French _ meaning "seal affixed to a letter or document," and if something has _, it's as if it has a seal of approval from society. If you start a design company selling cachets for people to seal their letters with fancy wax, try getting some celebrities to endorse it. Then your _s will have cachet — and that's fancy.

Front 546

frippery

Back 546

n. 1. ornate or showy clothing or adornment 2. showiness; ostentation 3. unimportant considerations; trifles; trivia.

Front 547

heuristic

Back 547

n. A commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem.

Front 548

juxtapose

Back 548

v. To place side by side.

Front 549

kvetch

Back 549

v. Express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness.

Front 550

patina

Back 550

n. 1. A thin greenish layer, usually basic copper sulfate, that forms on copper or copper alloys, such as bronze, as a result of corrosion. 2. A fine coating of oxide on the surface of a metal 3. Any fine layer on a surface; a _ of frost 4. The sheen on a surface that is caused by much handling.

Front 551

quintessential

Back 551

adj. most typically representative of a quality, state, etc.; perfect

Front 552

sibilant

Back 552

adj. 1. (Linguistics / Phonetics & Phonology) Phonetics relating to or denoting the consonants (s, z, ?, ?), all pronounced with a characteristic hissing sound 2. having a hissing sound: the _ sound of wind among the leaves

Front 553

sobriquet

Back 553

n. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a humorous epithet, assumed name, or nickname.

Front 554

sublime

Back 554

adj. Of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style.

Front 555

frond

Back 555

n. A compound leaf — that is, a leaf with many fine and deep divisions — is a _, such as on ferns and palm trees. In parts of the United States and Canada, you may eat the _s of fiddlehead ferns, which are cooked and served as a vegetable.

Front 556

talon

Back 556

n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) a sharply hooked claw, esp of a bird of prey. 2. anything resembling a bird's claw.

Front 557

deft

Back 557

adj. Quick and neat in movement; nimble; dexterous.

Front 558

plaintive

Back 558

adj. Expressing sorrow.

Front 559

distill

Back 559

v. Undergo condensation; change from a gaseous to a liquid state and fall in drops.

Front 560

tumult

Back 560

n. A state of commotion and noise and confusion

Front 561

asinine

Back 561

adj. Devoid of intelligence

Front 562

bylaw

Back 562

n. A rule adopted by an organization in order to regulate its own affairs and the behavior of its members

Front 563

rhetorical device

Back 563

n. A use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)

Front 564

rhetorical question

Back 564

n. A statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered.

Front 565

palomino

Back 565

n. A horse with a golden or tan coat and a white or cream-colored mane and tail, thought to have been developed from Arabian stock.

Front 566

cowlick

Back 566

n. A tuft of hair that grows in a different direction from the rest of the hair and usually will not lie flat.

Front 567

shanghai

Back 567

v. To take (someone) against their will for compulsory service, especially on board a ship.

Front 568

grievous

Back 568

adj. Causing grief, pain, or anguish.

Front 569

gourmand

Back 569

n. A connoisseur in the delicacies of the table.

Front 570

gossamer

Back 570

n. A soft, sheer, gauzy fabric.

Front 571

fulminate

Back 571

v. 1. To issue a thunderous attack or detonation. 2. To explode with noise and violence.

Front 572

forswear

Back 572

v.t. 1. To renounce upon oath. 2. To disavow under oath; deny. It was made a great favour of; and altogether it was more than I could bear; and so I never would finish it, to have it apologised over as an unfavourable likeness, to every morning visitor in Brunswick Square;and, as I said, I did then _ ever drawing any body again. Emma by Austen, Jane

Front 573

forbear

Back 573

v.t. 1. To refrain from; resist. 2. To desist from; cease. v.intr. 1. To hold back; refrain. 2. To be tolerant or patient in the face of provocation. Some _it, not upon negligence alone, but doubting to bring themselves into melancholy, in respect they shall find it broken.

Front 574

foppish

Back 574

adj. Characteristic of one who is unduly devoted to dress and the niceties of manners.

Front 575

foment

Back 575

v. To nurse to life or activity. To encourage.

Front 576

florid

Back 576

adj. Flushed with red.

Front 577

flippant

Back 577

adj. Marked by disrespectful levity or casualness.

Front 578

fervid

Back 578

adj. Intense.

Front 579

feint

Back 579

n. Any sham, pretense, or deceptive movement.

Front 580

fawn

Back 580

n. A young deer.

Front 581

fatuous

Back 581

adj. Foolish or silly, esp in a smug or self-satisified way.

Front 582

gild

Back 582

v. Cover with a thin layer of gold.

Front 583

histrionics

Back 583

adj. 1. excessively dramatic, insincere, or artificial _ gestures. 2. Now rare dramatic n. 1. (plural) melodramatic displays of temperament 2. (Performing Arts / Theatre) Rare (plural, functioning as singular) dramatics [from Late Latin histrionicus of a player, from histrio actor]

Front 584

hinterland

Back 584

n. 1. The land directly adjacent to and inland from a coast. 2.a. A region remote from urban areas; backcountry. b. A region situated beyond metropolitan centers of culture.

Front 585

hapless

Back 585

adj. Luckless; unfortunate.

Front 586

flute

Back 586

n. 1. Music a. A high-pitched woodwind instrument consisting of a slender tube closed at one end with keys and finger holes on the side and an opening near the closed end across which the breath is blown. Also called transverse _. b. Any of various similar reedless woodwind instruments, such as the recorder. c. An organ stop whose _(-3) pipe produces a _like tone. 2. a. Architecture A long, usually rounded groove incised as a decorative motif on the shaft of a column, for example. b. A similar groove or furrow, as in a pleated ruffle of cloth or on a piece of furniture. 3. A tall narrow wineglass, often used for champagne.

Front 587

filigree

Back 587

n. 1. Delicate and intricate ornamental work made from gold, silver, or other fine twisted wire. 2.a. An intricate, delicate, or fanciful ornamentation. b. A design resembling such ornamentation: _s of frosting on a cake.

Front 588

fiat

Back 588

n. 1. An arbitrary order or decree. 2. Authorization or sanction: government _.

Front 589

factious

Back 589

adj. Involving internal dissention.

Front 590

facile

Back 590

adj. Easy to do.

Front 591

exuberant

Back 591

adj. 1. Full of unrestrained joy. 2. Extravagent. 3. Plentiful.

Front 592

extort

Back 592

v. To secure (money, favors, etc.) by intimidation, violence, or misuse of influence or authority.

Front 593

remand

Back 593

tr.v. 1. To send or order back. 2. Law a. To send back to custody. b. To send back (a case) to a lower court with instructions about further proceedings.

Front 594

estuary

Back 594

n. 1. The part of the wide lower course of a river where its current is met by the tides. 2. An arm of the sea that extends inland to meet the mouth of a river.

Front 595

extirpate

Back 595

v. To root out; eradicate.

Front 596

extenuate

Back 596

v. To lessen the seriousness of.

Front 597

extempore

Back 597

adj. Done without preparation.

Front 598

extant

Back 598

adj. Still existing and known.

Front 599

expropriate

Back 599

v.tr. To deprive of possession; also to transfer (another's property) to oneself.

Front 600

expostulate

Back 600

v. To reason earnestly with.

Front 601

explicate

Back 601

v. To make clear the meaning of; explain.

Front 602

expiate

Back 602

v.tr.&intr. To make amends or reparations for; atone.

Front 603

expedient

Back 603

adj. Serving to promote one's interest.

Front 604

expatiate

Back 604

v. 1. To speak or write at length. 2. To wander freely. The verb _ means "to add details to in order to clear up." If your story is confusing to everyone who hears it, certain key parts must be missing. Better expatiate so that people can understand it. From vocabulary.com.

Front 605

expository

Back 605

adj. of, involving, or assisting in exposition; explanatory

Front 606

exorbitant

Back 606

adj. Exceeding usual or proper limits.

Front 607

exigency

Back 607

n. 1. The state or quality of requiring much effort or immediate action. 2. A pressing or urgent situation.

Front 608

vig

Back 608

n. US slang the interest on a loan that is paid to a moneylender.

Front 609

sere

Back 609

adj. Withered; dry: _ vegetation at the edge of the desert. n. The entire sequence of ecological communities successively occupying an area from the initial stage to the climax. (sounds like 'sear')

Front 610

malefactor

Back 610

n. Evildoer; criminal.

Front 611

treatise

Back 611

n. 1. A systematic, usually extensive written discourse on a subject. 2. Obsolete A tale or narrative. (sounds like treat-hiss)

Front 612

vitner

Back 612

n. 1. A wine merchant. 2. One who makes wine.

Front 613

motif

Back 613

n. Theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure.

Front 614

infirmity

Back 614

n. 1. The state or quality of being infirm. 2. Physical weakness or debility; frailty. 3. A moral flaw or failing.

Front 615

badinage

Back 615

(sounds like bat-in-ozj) n. Light, playful banter.

Front 616

perigee

Back 616

n. Point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth.

Front 617

valediction

Back 617

n. 1. An act of bidding farewell; a leave-taking. 2. A speech or statement made as a farewell. 3. A word or phrase of farewell used to end a letter or message.

Front 618

conscript

Back 618

n. (Military) a. A person who is enrolled for compulsory military service. b. (as modifier) A _ army. vb. (Military) (tr) To enroll (youths, civilians, etc.) for compulsory military service.

Front 619

memento

Back 619

n. Souvenir; keepsake.

Front 620

factotum

Back 620

n. An employee or assistant who serves in a wide range of capacities.

Front 621

conjugal

Back 621

adj. Relating to marriage.

Front 622

rivulet

Back 622

n. A small brook or stream; a streamlet.

Front 623

motley

Back 623

adj. 1. Having elements of great variety or incongruity; heterogeneous: "Most Ivy League freshman classes are chosen from a _ collection of constituencies . . . and a bare majority of entering students can honestly be called scholars" (New York Times). 2. Having many colors; variegated; parti-colored: a _ tunic. n. 1. The parti-colored attire of a court jester. 2. A heterogeneous, often incongruous mixture of elements.

Front 624

taxonomy

Back 624

n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) a. the branch of biology concerned with the classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of structure, origin, etc. b. the practice of arranging organisms in this way 2. the science or practice of classification

Front 625

comity

Back 625

n. 1. An atmosphere of social harmony. 2. See _ of nations. 3. The principle by which the courts of one jurisdiction may accede or give effect to the laws or decisions of another.

Front 626

clamber

Back 626

v. Climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble. n. A difficult, awkward climb.

Front 627

plebiscite

Back 627

n. 1. A direct vote in which the entire electorate is invited to accept or refuse a proposal: The new constitution was ratified in a _. 2. A vote in which a population exercises the right of national self-determination.

Front 628

malodorous

Back 628

adj. Foul smelling. (sounds like mal-odor-us)

Front 629

evince

Back 629

v. 1. To make manifest or evident. 2. To show or indicate.

Front 630

manifest

Back 630

adj. Clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious.

Front 631

evanescent

Back 631

adj. Fleeting.

Front 632

euphonous, euphonious

Back 632

adj. Pleasing to the ear.

Front 633

errant

Back 633

adj. Roving, esp. in search of adventure.

Front 634

eugenic

Back 634

adj. 1. Of or relating to _s. 2. Relating or adapted to the production of good or improved offspring.

Front 635

equivocate

Back 635

v. To use words of double meaning. To avoid making an explicit statement.

Front 636

equivocal

Back 636

adj. Ambiguous. Of uncertain significance or nature.

Front 637

equable

Back 637

adj. 1. Unvarying. 2. Free from extremes; even-tempered.

Front 638

epithet

Back 638

n. 1. A term used to characterize a person or thing i.e. "The Great" in "Catherine The Great". 2. A term used as a descriptive substitute for the name or title of a person, such as The Great Emancipator for Abraham Lincoln

Front 639

assay

Back 639

n. 1. a. Qualitative or quantitative analysis of a metal or ore to determine its components. b. A substance to be so analyzed. c. The result of such an analysis. 2. An analysis or examination. 3. A bioassay. 4. Archaic An attempt; an essay.

Front 640

neologism

Back 640

n. 1. A new word, expression, or usage. 2. The creation or use of new words or senses. 3. Psychology a. The invention of new words regarded as a symptom of certain psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. b. A word so invented. 4. Theology A new doctrine or a new interpretation of scripture.

Front 641

epicurean

Back 641

adj. Devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially to the enjoyment of good food and comfort.

Front 642

entreat

Back 642

v.tr&intr. To ask for or request earnestly.

Front 643

enmity

Back 643

n. Deep seated, often mutual hatred.

Front 644

engender

Back 644

v. 1. Give rise to. 2. Bring or come into being.

Front 645

endemic

Back 645

adj. Peculiar to some specified locality or people.

Front 646

encomium

Back 646

n. 1. Warm, glowing praise. 2. A formal expression of praise.

Front 647

emblazon

Back 647

v.tr. To adorn with prominent markings.

Front 648

embezzle

Back 648

v.tr. To misappropriate secretly.

Front 649

elegy

Back 649

n. 1. A lyric poem lamenting the dead or a dead person. 2. A lamentful poem or song.

Front 650

egress

Back 650

n. Any place of exit.

Front 651

egregious

Back 651

adj. Conspiciously bad or offensive.

Front 652

effulgence

Back 652

n. 1. Splendor. 2. A brilliant radiance.

Front 653

effrontery

Back 653

n. Brazen boldness; presumptiousness.

Front 654

efficacy

Back 654

n. Power or capacity to produce a desired effect; effectiveness.

Front 655

effete

Back 655

n. 1. Exhausted. 2. Overrefined; effeminate. 3. No longer productive. _ is a disapproving term meaning decadent and self-indulgent, even useless. The stereotype of the rugged Westerner is just as false as the one of the _ East Coast liberal. The origin of the word effete is a little unexpected. Coming from the Latin effetus "out of, past childbearing," _ meant "exhausted, spent" long before it acquired the sense of morally exhausted and overly refined. This is the main use of the word today. Do you ever wonder why some _ party girls are considered celebrities? Star athletes run the risk of losing their edge and becoming _ posterboys for their sports. - from vocabulary.com

Front 656

educe

Back 656

v.tr. 1. To draw out; elicit. 2. To construe; deduce.

Front 657

ebullient

Back 657

adj. Showing enthusiasm and or exhilaration of feeling.

Front 658

duplicity

Back 658

n. Double-dealing.

Front 659

dogmatic

Back 659

adj. 1. Making statements without arguments or evidence. 2. n. A statement of religious faith or duty formulated by a body claiming authority.

Front 660

dissolution

Back 660

n. 1. Decomposition into fragments. 2. Debauchery. 3. Annulment; termination; death.

Front 661

disseminate

Back 661

v. To sow or scatter abroad, as seed is sown.

Front 662

dissemble

Back 662

v. 1. To conceal (one's real motives, emotions, etc.) by pretence. 2. Make believe with the intent to deceive 3. Hide under a false appearance: He _d happiness at the news his ex was getting married; _ innocence; The politician tended to _ rather than to answer questions truthfully.

Front 663

flotilla

Back 663

n. A fleet of small craft.

Front 664

despoil

Back 664

v. 1. Steal goods; take as spoils. 2. Destroy and strip of its possession.

Front 665

discomfit

Back 665

v.tr. 1. To put into confusion; make uneasy or perplexed. 2. To thwart; frustrate.

Front 666

dilatory

Back 666

adj. Intended or tending to delay.

Front 667

diffident

Back 667

adj. Shy, distrustful, reserved.

Front 668

diaphanous

Back 668

adj. Of such fine texture as to be transparent.

Front 669

desultory

Back 669

adj. 1. Haphazard or random. 2. Moving from one thing to another; disconnected. _ fashion, went on. The book is not always dynamic or funny, and sometimes garcía márquez just narrates the rather _ days he just lived. After some time his output of talk became more _ as he continued to fail to make progress. _ conversations. This is definitely a modernist product: fragmentary, somewhat _, aware of its belatedness. _ way. I'd been to frontier land in morecombe, it was fairly _ but at the back was an optimistically named house of fun. _ attempt to clean off the worst of the unspeakable something left over from the party. _ fighting. _ discussion in 1994, a committee of 14 mps nodded through the units of measurement regulations.

Front 670

descry

Back 670

v. To discern something difficult to see; detect.

Front 671

remit

Back 671

v. 1. (Business / Commerce) (also intr) to send (money, payment, etc.), as for goods or service, esp by post 2. (Law) (esp of an appeal court) to send back (a case or proceeding) to an inferior court for further consideration or action 3. (Law) to cancel or refrain from exacting (a penalty or punishment) 4. (also intr) to relax (pace, intensity, etc.) or (of pace or the like) to slacken or abate 5. to postpone; defer 6. Archaic to pardon or forgive (crime, sins, etc.)

Front 672

deprecate

Back 672

v. 1. To express disapproval or regret for. 2. To belittle.

Front 673

deprave

Back 673

v.tr. To render bad, esp. morally bad.

Front 674

deposition

Back 674

n. Testimony legally taken & converted to writing for use in court.

Front 675

denouement

Back 675

n. The part of a play or story in which the mystery is cleared up; resolution; end result.

Front 676

demagogue

Back 676

n. A leader who obtains power through appealing to the prejudices and passions of the mob.

Front 677

delineate

Back 677

v. To sketch out; depict.

Front 678

deign

Back 678

v.tr. To deem worth of notice or account; condescend.

Front 679

cupidity

Back 679

n. Avarice; covetousness.

Front 680

archaic

Back 680

adj. 1. also _ Of, relating to, or characteristic of a much earlier, often more primitive period, especially one that develops into a classical stage of civilization: an _ bronze statuette; _ Greece. 2. No longer current or applicable; antiquated: _ laws.

Front 681

arcane

Back 681

adj. Requiring secret knowledge to be understood; mysterious; esoteric.

Front 682

credulous

Back 682

adj. Easily deceived; gullible.

Front 683

crass

Back 683

adj. Crude and unrefined; stupid.

Front 684

countervail

Back 684

v. To counteract; offset.

Front 685

contumacious

Back 685

adj. Rebellious; insubordinate.

Front 686

convivial

Back 686

adj. 1. Fond of feasting, drinking, and good company; sociable. 2. Merry; festive: a _ atmosphere at the reunion.

Front 687

contrite

Back 687

adj. Broken in spirit because of a sense of sin; pentinent.

Front 688

consummate

Back 688

v.tr. To bring to completion.

Front 689

consternation

Back 689

n. Anxiety, dismay, panic.

Front 690

conjoin

Back 690

v.tr&intr. To become joined.

Front 691

concord

Back 691

n. Harmony; peaceful relations.

Front 692

compunction

Back 692

n. Remorseful feeling; pangs of conscience.

Front 693

complaisance

Back 693

n. Politeness; amiability; inclination to comply with others.

Front 694

connive

Back 694

intr.v. 1. To cooperate secretly in an illegal or wrongful action; collude: The dealers _d with customs officials to bring in narcotics. 2. To scheme; plot. 3. To feign ignorance of or fail to take measures against a wrong, thus implying tacit encouragement or consent: The guards were suspected of _ing at the prisoner's escape.

Front 695

effluvium

Back 695

n. 1. A usually invisible emanation or exhalation, as of vapor or gas. 2.a. A byproduct or residue; waste. b. The odorous fumes given off by waste or decaying matter. 3. An impalpable emanation; an aura.

Front 696

draconian

Back 696

adj. Exceedingly harsh; very severe: a _ legal code; _ budget cuts.

Front 697

comport

Back 697

v.tr. To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular manner: _ yourself with dignity. v.intr. To agree, correspond, or harmonize: a foreign policy that _s with the principles of democracy.

Front 698

comestible

Back 698

adj. Fit to be eaten.

Front 699

conclave

Back 699

n. 1. A secret or confidential meeting. 2. Roman Catholic Church a. The private rooms in which the cardinals meet to elect a new pope. b. The meeting held to elect a new pope. 3. A meeting of family members or associates.

Front 700

consanguinity

Back 700

n. 1. Relationship by blood or by a common ancestor. 2. A close affinity or connection.

Front 701

continence

Back 701

n. 1. Self-restraint; moderation. 2. Voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge. 3. Partial or complete abstention from sexual activity. See Synonyms at abstinence.

Front 702

frock

Back 702

n. 1. A woman's dress. 2. A long loose outer garment, as that worn by artists and craftspeople; a smock. 3. A woolen garment formerly worn by sailors; a jersey. 4. A robe worn by monks, friars, and other clerics; a habit.

Front 703

diadem

Back 703

n. 1. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Jewellery) a royal crown, esp a light jewelled circlet 2. royal dignity or power

Front 704

discursive

Back 704

adj. 1. Covering a wide field of subjects; rambling. 2. Proceeding to a conclusion through reason rather than intuition.

Front 705

disport

Back 705

vb 1. (tr) to indulge (oneself) in pleasure 2. (intr) to frolic or gambol

Front 706

indoctrinate

Back 706

vb(tr) 1. to teach (a person or group of people) systematically to accept doctrines, esp uncritically 2. Rare to impart learning to; instruct.

Front 707

doldrums

Back 707

n the 1. a depressed or bored state of mind 2. a state of inactivity or stagnation 3. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a. a belt of light winds or calms along the equator b. the weather conditions experienced in this belt, formerly a hazard to sailing vessels

Front 708

dowdy

Back 708

adj (Clothing & Fashion) (esp of a woman's dress) drab, unflattering, and old-fashioned n (Clothing & Fashion) a _ woman.

Front 709

emissary

Back 709

n 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a. an agent or messenger sent on a mission, esp one who represents a government or head of state b. (as modifier) an emissary delegation 2. an agent sent on a secret mission, as a spy

Front 710

enfranchise

Back 710

vb(tr) 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) to grant the power of voting to, esp as a right of citizenship 2. to liberate, as from servitude 3. (Law) (in England) to invest (a town, city, etc.) with the right to be represented in Parliament 4. (Law) English law to convert (leasehold) to freehold

Front 711

epoch

Back 711

n. 1. a. A particular period of history, especially one considered remarkable or noteworthy. b. A notable event that marks the beginning of such a period. See Synonyms at period. 2. A unit of geologic time that is a division of a period. 3. Astronomy An instant in time that is arbitrarily selected as a point of reference.

Front 712

eulogy

Back 712

n. a written or spoken passage conveying approval, praise, and laudation, often of someone who has just died.

Front 713

faze

Back 713

vb(tr) To disconcert; worry; disturb

Front 714

collusion

Back 714

n. A secret agreement for a deceitful purpose.

Front 715

colloquial

Back 715

adj. Pertaining to common speech as distinguished from literary.

Front 716

cogitate

Back 716

v.tr&intr. Ponder.

Front 717

commodious

Back 717

adj. 1. Spacious; roomy. See Synonyms at spacious. 2. Archaic Suitable; handy.

Front 718

cog

Back 718

n. A tooth projecting from a wheel.

Front 719

cogent

Back 719

adj. Appealing strongly to reason or conscience.

Front 720

coddle

Back 720

v. To treat indulgently; baby.

Front 721

circumlocution

Back 721

n. The use of evasive, indirect, roundabout language. 2. The overuse of language to explain something.

Front 722

Occam's razor

Back 722

n. (the law of parsimony, economy or succinctness), is a principle that generally recommends that, from among competing hypotheses, selecting the one that makes the fewest new assumptions usually provides the correct one, and that the simplest explanation will be the most plausible until evidence is presented to prove it false.

Front 723

chicanery

Back 723

n. The use of trickery to deceive.

Front 724

chagrin

Back 724

n. Keen vexation, annoyance, or mortification, as at one's failures or errors.

Front 725

centurion

Back 725

n. The captain of a company of 100 from the ancient Roman army.

Front 726

censure

Back 726

n. 1. An expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism. 2. An official rebuke, as by a legislature of one of its members. tr.v. 1. To criticize severely; blame. 2. To express official disapproval of: "whether the Senate will _ one of its members for conflict of interest" (Washington Post).

Front 727

castigate

Back 727

v.tr. 1. To punish. 2. To criticize severly.

Front 728

limpid

Back 728

adj. 1. Characterized by transparent clearness; pellucid. See Synonyms at clear. 2. Easily intelligible; clear: writes in a _ style. 3. Calm and untroubled; serene.

Front 729

libretto

Back 729

n. 1. The text of a dramatic musical work, such as an opera. 2. A book containing such a text.

Front 730

captious

Back 730

adj. 1. Hypercritical. 2. Intending to entrap or confuse, as in an argument.

Front 731

calumny

Back 731

n. Slander.

Front 732

callow

Back 732

adj. Without worldly experience; immature.

Front 733

beleaguer

Back 733

vb (tr) 1. To trouble persistently; harass. 2. (Military) To lay siege to.

Front 734

burlesque

Back 734

n. 1. A literary or dramatic work that ridicules a subject either by presenting a solemn subject in an undignified style or an inconsequential subject in a dignified style. 2. A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty: The antics of the defense attorneys turned the trial into a _ of justice. 3. A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease.

Front 735

debutante

Back 735

n. A young woman making a formal debut into society.

Front 736

cajole

Back 736

v.tr. To impose on or persuade by flattering speech.

Front 737

waiver

Back 737

n. 1. (Law) The voluntary relinquishment, expressly or by implication, of some claim or right. 2. (Law) The act or an instance of relinquishing a claim or right. 3. (Law) A formal statement in writing of such relinquishment.

Front 738

graven

Back 738

adj. 1.

Front 739

burnish

Back 739

v. To polish. n. A glossy appearance; luster.

Front 740

bumptious

Back 740

adj. Offensively self-assertive and conceited.

Front 741

broach

Back 741

v.tr. 1. To mention for the first time. 2. To pierce in order to draw liquid.

Front 742

boorish

Back 742

adj. Rude, clumsy in behavior.

Front 743

trellis

Back 743

n. Latticework used to support climbing plants. v. 1. Train on a trellis, as of a vine. 2. Cause to grow in a certain way by tying and pruning it.

Front 744

acolyte

Back 744

n. 1. One who assists the celebrant in the performance of liturgical rites. 2. A devoted follower or attendant.

Front 745

Olmec

Back 745

n. (Social Science / Peoples) a member of an ancient Central American Indian people who inhabited the southern Gulf Coast of Mexico and flourished between about 1200 and 400 bc. adj. (Social Science / Peoples) of or relating to these people or their civilization or culture.

Front 746

levy

Back 746

v.tr. 1. To impose or collect (a tax, for example). 2. To draft into military service. 3. To declare and wage (a war). v.intr. To confiscate property, especially in accordance with a legal judgment.

Front 747

dragoon

Back 747

n. 1. (Military) (originally) a mounted infantryman armed with a carbine 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) (sometimes capital) a domestic fancy pigeon 3. (Military) a. a type of cavalryman vb(tr) 1. to coerce; force he was _ed into admitting it 2. (Military) to persecute by military force [from French dragon (special use of dragon), soldier armed with a carbine, perhaps suggesting that a carbine, like a dragon, breathed forth fire]

Front 748

elan

Back 748

n. 1. Ardor 2. elegance 3. enthusiastic vigor.

Front 749

interstice

Back 749

n. 1. a small structural space between tissues or parts of an organ. 2. small opening between things.

Front 750

languor

Back 750

n. 1. Weariness 2. Feeling of dreaminess and relaxation. 3. Oppressive silence or stillnes.

Front 751

lilt

Back 751

n. 1. (Music, other) a jaunty rhythm 2. a buoyant motion vb(intr) 1. (Music, other) (of a melody) to have a _ 2. to move in a buoyant manner.

Front 752

Lothario

Back 752

n. A man who is a rake, libertine, or seducer.

Front 753

misgiving

Back 753

n. Feeling of uncertainty, apprehension, or doubt.

Front 754

moxie

Back 754

n. (Slang) Courage, nerve, or vigour.

Front 755

nascent

Back 755

adj. Emerging; coming into existence.

Front 756

panache

Back 756

n. 1. Dash; verve. 2. A bunch of feathers or plume, esp. on a helmet.

Front 757

perdition

Back 757

n. 1. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) a. final and irrevocable spiritual ruin b. this state as one that the wicked are said to be destined to endure for ever 2. (Christian Religious Writings / Theology) another word for hell 3. Archaic utter disaster, ruin, or destruction.

Front 758

russet

Back 758

n. 1. A moderate to strong brown. 2. A coarse reddish-brown to brown homespun cloth. 3. A winter apple with a rough reddish-brown skin. adj. Moderate to strong brown.

Front 759

mantle

Back 759

n. 1. A loose wrap or cloak. 2. Such a garmet regarded as a symbol of someone's power or authority. 3. Anything that covers or envelopes.

Front 760

Calliope

Back 760

n. 1. (Capitalized, Greek Mythology) The Muse of epic poetry. 2. Non-capitalized A musical instrument fitted with steam whistles, played from a keyboard.

Front 761

treacle

Back 761

n. 1. Cloying speech or sentiment. 2. Chiefly British Molasses. 3. A medicinal compound formerly used as an antidote for poison.

Front 762

limn

Back 762

vb(tr) 1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) to represent in drawing or painting 2. Archaic to describe in words 3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) an obsolete word for illuminate.

Front 763

expatriate

Back 763

n. A person who is voluntarily absent from home or country. v. 1. Expel from a country. 2. To leave one's country of residence for a new one.

Front 764

episodic

Back 764

adj. 1. Resembling or relating to an episode. 2. divided into episodes. 3. irregular, occasional, or sporadic.

Front 765

distrait

Back 765

adj. Having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety.

Front 766

declaim

Back 766

vt 1. (Literature/Rhetoric) To make a speech or statement loudly and in a rhetorical manner. 2. To recite with eloquence. vit 1. To protest (against) loudly and publicly.

Front 767

schizoid

Back 767

adj. 1. (Psychology) Denoting a personality disorder characterized by extreme shyness and oversensitivity to others. 2. (Informal) charachterized by or showing conflicting or contradictory attitudes, ideas, etc.

Front 768

baize

Back 768

n. A bright green fabric napped to resemble felt; used to cover gaming tables.

Front 769

oneiric

Back 769

adj. Of or relating to or suggestive of dreams.

Front 770

slattern

Back 770

n. A slovenly woman or girl; slut.

Front 771

precatory

Back 771

adj. Expressing entreaty or supplication.

Front 772

phrenetic

Back 772

adj. Excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion.

Front 773

corvine

Back 773

adj. Crow-like.

Front 774

benignant

Back 774

adj. 1. Pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence. 2. Characterized by kindness and warmth, especialy of a king to his subjects.

Front 775

anodyne

Back 775

adj. 1. Capable of soothing or eliminating pain. 2. Relaxing: _ novels about country life. n. 1. A medicine, such as aspirin, that relieves pain. 2. A source of soothing comfort.

Front 776

warren

Back 776

n. 1. a. An area where rabbits live in burrows. b. A colony of rabbits. See Synonyms at flock.

Front 777

analgesic

Back 777

n. A medication that causes insensitivity to pain.

Front 778

stilted

Back 778

adj. 1. (of speech, writing, etc.) formal, pompous, or bombastic. 2. Not flowing continuously or naturally: _ conversation. 3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) having vertical piers between the impost and the springing.

Front 779

clipper

Back 779

n. A fast sailing vessel.

Front 780

contravene

Back 780

tr.v. 1. To act or be counter to; violate: _ a direct order. 2. To oppose in argument; gainsay: _ the proposal. See Synonyms at deny.

Front 781

clangor

Back 781

n. 1. A clang or repeated clanging. 2. A loud racket; a din.

Front 782

clarion

Back 782

adj. Loud and clear: a clarion call to resistance. n. Music 1. A medieval trumpet with a shrill clear tone. 2. The sound of this instrument or a sound resembling it.

Front 783

bromide

Back 783

n. 1. (Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) any salt of hydrobromic acid, containing the monovalent ion Br- (bromide ion) 2. (Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) any compound containing a bromine atom, such as methyl bromide 3. (Medicine) a dose of sodium or potassium bromide given as a sedative 4. a. a trite saying; platitude b. a dull or boring person.

Front 784

codicil

Back 784

n. 1. (Law) Law a supplement modifying a will or revoking some provision of it 2. an additional provision; appendix.

Front 785

coeval

Back 785

adj. Originating or existing during the same period; lasting through the same era. n. One of the same era or period; a contemporary.

Front 786

chortle

Back 786

vb (intr) to chuckle gleefully. n. a gleeful chuckle

Front 787

malapropism

Back 787

n. The comic misuse of a word.

Front 788

blithe

Back 788

adj. 1. Carefree and casual. 2. Joyous.

Front 789

blandishment

Back 789

adj. Flattery intented to pursuade.

Front 790

berate

Back 790

v.tr. To scold severly and at length.

Front 791

benefactor

Back 791

n. One that does charitable acts or gives aid, esp. financial aid.

Front 792

bedaub

Back 792

v.tr. 1. To smear over, as with something oily. 2.To ornament in a showy, vulgar fashion.

Front 793

banal

Back 793

adj. Commonplace.

Front 794

avow

Back 794

v. To declare openly.

Front 795

aver

Back 795

v. To affirm positively; assert.

Front 796

austere

Back 796

adj. 1. Stern or severe in disposition. 2. Grave; sober; serious. 3. Severly simple; unadorned.

Front 797

auspicious

Back 797

adj. Attended by favorable circumstances; marked by success.

Front 798

augury

Back 798

n. 1. The art or practice of divination 2. An omen; a sign of portent.

Front 799

audacious

Back 799

adj. Recklessly bold or daring.

Front 800

assuage

Back 800

v. 1. To cause to be less harsh or severe. 2. To satisfy or appease. 3. To pacify or calm.

Front 801

ascetic

Back 801

adj. Leading a life of self-denial for spiritual improvement. n. Such a person.

Front 802

arrant

Back 802

adj. Utter; out-and-out (often pejorative).

Front 803

approbation

Back 803

n. 1. Commendation; official recognition. 2. Sanction.

Front 804

apposite

Back 804

adj. Strikingly approriate and relevant. Something _ is fitting or relevant. It is _ that radio stations play Christmas carols on Christmas Eve, and that your tax accountant takes vacation after April 15th. It all makes sense.

Front 805

appease

Back 805

v.tr. To soothe by quieting anger.

Front 806

apotheosis

Back 806

n. Diefication. If your teacher says the term paper you handed in last week is a work of genius that sets a new gold standard for the school, he's telling you your work is the _ of term papers. The epitome. Perfection. Hidden in the middle of _ you'll find the Greek theos, meaning god. (Theology, the study of religion, has the same root.) Combine theos with apo "from" and you get a person, place, or thing that is so out-of-this-world amazing that it seems as if it's "from God." It's divine. You could make the assertion that Leonardo da Vinci was the _ of genius and that the Mona Lisa is the _ of all his paintings.

Front 807

apostate

Back 807

n. One who has abandoned one's faith or cause.

Front 808

apocryphal

Back 808

adj. Of doubtful authority or questionable authenticity.

Front 809

natter

Back 809

intr. v. To chatter;talk idly.

Front 810

aplomb

Back 810

n. Self-confidence; poise.

Front 811

apercu

Back 811

n. (pl _s) 1. A discerning perception; an insight: "Her schmoozy but magisterial _s inspired widespread emulation among the young" (Roy Blount, Jr.) 2. A short outline or summary; a synopsis. sounds like 'ahh-pair-sue'

Front 812

vitreous

Back 812

adj. 1. Of, relating to, resembling, or having the nature of glass; glassy. 2. Obtained or made from glass.

Front 813

diaspora

Back 813

n. 1. The dispersion of Jews outside of Israel from the sixth century b.c.,when they were exiled to Babylonia, until the present time. 2. often _ The body of Jews or Jewish communities outside Palestine or modern Israel. 3. _ a. A dispersion of a people from their original homeland. b. The community formed by such a people: "the glutinous dish known throughout the [West African] _ as ... fufu" (Jonell Nash). 4. _ A dispersion of an originally homogeneous entity, such as a language or culture: "the _ of English into several mutually incomprehensible languages" (Randolph Quirk). [Greek diaspor, dispersion, from diaspeirein, to spread about : dia-, apart; see dia- + speirein, to sow, scatter; see sper- in Indo-European roots.]

Front 814

antediluvian

Back 814

adj. Of the times before the great flood in the days of Noah.

Front 815

anathema

Back 815

n. 1. A detested person or thing. 2. A formal ecclesiastical curse or a person so cursed.

Front 816

aloof

Back 816

adj. Distant; not desiring to associate with others. Comes from sailing, in which ships keep clear of coastal rocks by holding the vessel "luff"—"to the windward"; so, to hold "a-luff" means to "keep clear."

Front 817

alacrity

Back 817

n. 1. Cheerful willingness. 2. Speed or quickness.

Front 818

agog

Back 818

adj. Eager, highly impatient.

Front 819

aggrandize

Back 819

v. 1. To make greater in power, influence, stature, or reputation. 2. To cause to seem greater; exaggerate.

Front 820

affable

Back 820

adj. Likeable; easily approachable; gentle and gracious.

Front 821

adumbrate

Back 821

v. 1. To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem. 2. To foreshadow. 2. To overshadow or obscure.

Front 822

admonition

Back 822

n. 1. Mild, kind, yet earnest reproof. 2. Cautionary advice or warning.

Front 823

acrid

Back 823

adj. 1. Harshly pungent or bitter to the smell or taste. 2. Caustic in language or tone.

Front 824

acquiesce

Back 824

v.tr. To comply; submit.

Front 825

accede

Back 825

v.intr. (usually foll by to) 1. to assent or give one's consent; agree 2. to enter upon or attain (to an office, right, etc.): the prince _d to the throne 3. (Law, International Law) to become a party (to an agreement between nations, etc.), as by signing a treaty. If you _, it means you agree with someone or give in to his or her wish. The word is often used in a political context — the Queen _d to the Prince's demands for more territory, a larger army, and funnier jesters. _ can also be used for everyday situations. If you _ to your mother's request that you come home before ten, it means you'll be missing that midnight movie with your friends. _ comes from the Latin accedere, meaning to "approach or enter upon." It differs slightly from concede, which also means consent, but a more reluctant kind. If you were to concede to your mom's 10 PM curfew rather than accede to it, you'd be doing so against your will. From www.vocabulary.com.

Front 826

abut

Back 826

v.tr. To touch at the end or boundary line.

Front 827

abstemious

Back 827

adj. Characterized by abstinence or moderation, esp. in drink or food.

Front 828

abscond

Back 828

v.intr. To leave quickly and hide oneself to avoid prosecution, arrest, or punishment.

Front 829

abrogate

Back 829

v. To abolish, do away with, annul.

Front 830

abjure

Back 830

v. 1. To recant solemnly; renouce or repudiate. 2. To renounce under oath; forswear. 3. To formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure.

Front 831

abeyance

Back 831

n. The condition of being temporary suspended or inactive.

Front 832

abet

Back 832

v. To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense).

Front 833

abberant

Back 833

adj. Markedly different from an accepted norm.

Front 834

semiotics

Back 834

n. 1. (Linguistics) the study of signs and symbols, esp the relations between written or spoken signs and their referents in the physical world or the world of ideas See also semantics, syntactics, pragmatics. 2. (Medicine) the scientific study of the symptoms of disease; symptomatology. Also called semiology semeiology

Front 835

Chimera

Back 835

n. 1. Greek Mythology A fire-breathing she-monster usually represented as a composite of a lion, goat, and serpent. 2. An imaginary monster made up of grotesquely disparate parts. (sounds like kai-mera)

Front 836

imprecate

Back 836

v. To invoke evil upon; curse.

Front 837

parochial

Back 837

adj. 1. Of, relating to, supported by, or located in a parish. 2. Of or relating to schools of this type. 3. Narrowly restricted in scope or outlook; provincial: _ attitudes.

Front 838

foible

Back 838

n. 1. A minor weakness or failing of character. 2. The weaker section of a sword blade, from the middle to the tip.

Front 839

palliate

Back 839

v. 1. To make (an offense or crime) seem less serious; extenuate. 2. To make less severe or intense; mitigate: tried unsuccessfully to _ the widespread discontent. 3. To relieve the symptoms of a disease or disorder.

Front 840

firmament

Back 840

n. The vault or expanse of the heavens; the sky.

Front 841

trammel

Back 841

n. 1. A shackle used to teach a horse to amble. 2. Something that restricts activity, expression, or progress; a restraint. 3. A vertically set fishing net of three layers, consisting of a finely meshed net between two nets of coarse mesh. 4. An instrument for describing ellipses. 5. An instrument for gauging and adjusting parts of a machine; a tram. 6. An arrangement of links and a hook in a fireplace for raising and lowering a kettle. tr.v. 1. To enmesh in or as if in a fishing net. See Synonyms at hamper 2. To hinder the activity or free movement of. [Middle English tramale, a kind of net, from Old French tramail, from Late Latin trmaculum : Latin trs, three; see trei- in Indo-European roots + Latin macula, mesh.]

Front 842

jetty

Back 842

n. 1. A structure, such as a pier, that projects into a body of water to influence the current or tide or to protect a harbor or shoreline from storms or erosion. 2. A wharf. [Middle English getti, jettie, from Old French jetee, from feminine past participle of jeter, to project, throw; see jet2.]

Front 843

lyceum

Back 843

n. 1. A hall in which public lectures, concerts, and similar programs are presented. 2. An organization sponsoring public programs and entertainment. 3. A lycée.

Front 844

pirouette

Back 844

n. A full turn of the body on the point of the toe or the ball of the foot in ballet. intr.v. To execute a such an action.

Front 845

provost

Back 845

n. Abbr. Prov. 1. A university administrator of high rank. 2. The highest official in certain cathedrals or collegiate churches. 3. The keeper of a prison. 4. The chief magistrate of certain Scottish cities.

Front 846

impertinent

Back 846

adj. 1. Exceeding the limits of propriety or good manners; improperly forward or bold: _ of a child to lecture a grownup. 2. Not (-2)_; irrelevant. See Synonyms at irrelevant.

Front 847

dyspeptic

Back 847

adj. 1. Relating to or having dyspepsia(indigestion) 2. Of or displaying a morose disposition.

Front 848

garland

Back 848

n. 1. a wreath or festoon of flowers, leaves, etc., worn round the head or neck or hung up 2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) A representation of such a wreath, as in painting, sculpture, etc. 3. (Literature / Poetry) a collection of short literary pieces, such as ballads or poems; miscellany or anthology 4. (Transport / Nautical Terms) Nautical a ring or grommet of rope. vb(tr) To deck or adorn with a _ or _s

Front 849

opprobrious

Back 849

adj. 1. Expressing contemptuous reproach; scornful or abusive: _ epithets. 2. Bringing disgrace; shameful or infamous: _ conduct.

Front 850

reprove

Back 850

v. To scold, reprimand; to dress down.

Front 851

coruscate

Back 851

v. To sparkle or give off reflected flashes of light. Although coruscate means to glitter with light, you can also use the word, in a less literal way, to refer to someone with such great style or ability that they seem to sparkle. Your best friend's performance in the school play might coruscate with such brilliance that the audience gives her a standing ovation during her curtain call. - from vocabulary.com

Front 852

coquette

Back 852

n. 1. a woman who flirts. 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any hummingbird of the genus Lophornis, esp the crested Brazilian species L. magnifica. [from French, feminine of COQUET].

Front 853

collocate

Back 853

vb.(tr) To group or place together in some system or order. [from Latin collocare, from com- together + locare to place, from locus place]

Front 854

smarmy

Back 854

adj. Brit informal obsequiously flattering or unpleasantly suave.

Front 855

invigilate

Back 855

v. Watch over (students taking an exam, to prevent cheating)

Front 856

viand

Back 856

n. 1. (Cookery) a type of food, esp a delicacy 2. (Cookery) (plural) provisions [from Old French viande, ultimately from Latin vivenda things to be lived on,from vivere to live.

Front 857

solicitous

Back 857

adj. 1. showing consideration, concern, attention, etc. 2. keenly anxious or willing; eager from Latin sollicitus anxious; see solicit]

Front 858

ineffectual

Back 858

adj. 1. Too weak to produce an intended effect, or to function usefully. 2. Lacking power or ability.

Front 859

feckless

Back 859

adj. 1.a. Generally incompetent and ineffectual: _ attempts to repair the plumbing. 1.b. Not qualified or suited for a purpose. 2. Not fit to assume responsibility. The “feck” in feckless began as a short form of effect used in the Scots dialect. So feckless essentially means "ineffective," but is also used to describe someone who is irresponsible, incompetent, inept, or without purpose in life.

Front 860

excoriate

Back 860

vb (tr) 1. to strip (the skin) from (a person or animal); flay 2. (Medicine) Med to lose (a superficial area of skin), as by scratching, the application of chemicals, etc. 3. to denounce vehemently; censure severely [from Late Latin excoriare to strip, flay, from Latin corium skin, hide]

Front 861

proselyte

Back 861

n. A new convert to a doctrine or religion.

Front 862

maladroit

Back 862

adj. Marked by a lack of adroitness; inept. n. An inept person.

Front 863

grandiloquent

Back 863

adj. Pompous or bombastic in speech or expression.

Front 864

magniloquent

Back 864

adj. Lofty and extravagant in speech; grandiloquent.

Front 865

Machiavellian

Back 865

adj. Crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power.

Front 866

maculate

Back 866

tr.v. To spot, blemish, or pollute. adj. 1. Spotted or blotched. 2. Stained; impure. (sounds like mac-you-late)

Front 867

inchoate

Back 867

adj. 1. In an initial or early stage; incipient. 2. Imperfectly formed or developed: a vague, _ idea.

Front 868

crepuscular

Back 868

adj. 1. Of or like twilight; dim: "the period's _ charm and a waning of the intense francophilia that used to shape the art market" (Wall Street Journal). 2. Zoology Becoming active at twilight or before sunrise, as do bats and certain insects and birds.

Front 869

acedia

Back 869

n. Spiritual torpor and apathy; ennui. (personified as one of the deadly sins). (sounds like a-media)

Front 870

ecumenical

Back 870

adj. 1. Of worldwide scope or applicability; universal. 2. a. Of or relating to the worldwide Christian church. b. Concerned with establishing or promoting unity among churches or religions.

Front 871

winnow

Back 871

v.tr. 1. a. To separate the chaff from (grain) by means of a current of air. b. To rid of undesirable parts. 2. To blow (chaff) off or away. 3. To blow away; scatter. 4. To blow on; fan: a breeze _ing the tall grass. 5. To examine closely in order to separate the good from the bad; sift. 6.a. To separate or get rid of (an undesirable part); eliminate: _ing out the errors in logic. b. To sort or select (a desirable part); extract. v.intr. 1. To separate grain from chaff. 2. To separate the good from the bad. n. 1. A device for _ing grain. 2. An act of _ing.

Front 872

facetious

Back 872

adj. Playfully jocular; humorous.

Front 873

wend

Back 873

v.tr. To proceed on or along; go: _ one's way home. v.intr. To go one's way; proceed.

Front 874

arrogate

Back 874

tr.v. 1. To take or claim for oneself without right; appropriate: Presidents who have _d the power of Congress to declare war. 2. To ascribe on behalf of another in an unwarranted manner.

Front 875

begrudge

Back 875

r.v. 1. To envy the possession or enjoyment of: She _d him his youth. See Synonyms at envy. 2. To give or expend with reluctance: _d every penny spent.

Front 876

lurid

Back 876

adj. 1. Causing shock or horror; gruesome. 2. Marked by sensationalism: a _ account of the crime. See Synonyms at ghastly. 3. Glowing or shining with the glare of fire through a haze: _ flames. 4. Sallow or pallid in color.

Front 877

brackish

Back 877

adj. 1. Having a somewhat salty taste, especially from containing a mixture of seawater and fresh water: "You could cut the _ winds with a knife/Here in Nantucket" (Robert Lowell). 2. Distasteful; unpalatable: a thin, _ gruel.

Front 878

dulcet

Back 878

adj. 1.a. Pleasing to the ear; melodious. b. Having a soothing, agreeable quality. 2. Archaic Sweet to the taste.

Front 879

expurgate

Back 879

tr.v. (Communication Arts / Journalism & Publishing) (tr) to amend (a book, text, etc.) by removing (obscene or offensive sections) [from Latin expurgare to clean out, from purgare to purify; see purge].

Front 880

bailiwick

Back 880

n. A person's specific area of interest, skill, or authority. See Synonyms at field. 2. The office or district of a bailiff. (sounds like baily-wick)

Front 881

bugbear

Back 881

n. 1. A thing that causes obsessive fear or anxiety. 2. (Myth & Legend / European Myth & Legend) (in English folklore) A goblin said to eat naughty children and thought to be in the form of a bear. [from bug2 + bear2; compare bugaboo]

Front 882

bete noir

Back 882

n. 1. Something especially hated or dreaded; a bugbear. (sounds like bet-new-are)

Front 883

donnybrook

Back 883

n. An uproar; a free-for-all. See brawl.

Front 884

moiety

Back 884

n. Archaic 1. a half 2. one of two parts or divisions of something. (sounds like 'hoity' in hoity-toity) [from Old French moitié, from Latin medietas middle, from medius].

Front 885

artifice

Back 885

n. 1. a clever expedient; ingenious stratagem 2. crafty or subtle deception 3. skill; cleverness 4. a skilfully contrived device 5. Obsolete craftsmanship [from Old French, from Latin artificium skill, from artifex one possessed of a specific skill, from ars skill + -fex, from facere to make]

Front 886

craven

Back 886

adj. cowardly; mean-spirited n. a coward

Front 887

chide

Back 887

v.tr. a.To scold mildly so as to correct or improve; reprimand: _d the boy for his sloppiness. b.To goad into action. v.intr. To express disapproval.

Front 888

fallow

Back 888

def 1 adj. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) (of land) left unseeded after being ploughed and harrowed to regain fertility for a crop 2. (of an idea, state of mind, etc.) undeveloped or inactive, but potentially useful n. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) land treated in this way vb. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) (tr) to leave (land) unseeded after ploughing and harrowing it. [Old English fealga; related to Greek polos ploughed field] def 2 adj. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Colours) of a light yellowish-brown colour [Old English fealu; related to Old Norse fölr, Old Saxon, Old High German falo, Latin pallidus Greek polios grey] Something that is fallow is left unused. If you’re smart but lazy, someone might say you have a fallow mind. From www.vocabulary.com.

Front 889

urbane

Back 889

adj. Polite, refined, and often elegant in manner.

Front 890

putative

Back 890

adj. 1. Commonly regarded as so. 2. (prenominal) considered to exist or have existed; inferred 3. To be known as something by reputation, or assumed to be something, or generally accepted. else [from Late Latin putativus supposed, from Latin putare to consider]

Front 891

malapropos

Back 891

adj. Out of place; inappropriate. adv. In an inappropriate or inopportune manner. (sounds like mal'-a-pro-po')

Front 892

sojourn

Back 892

n. a temporary stay vb. (intr) to stay or reside temporarily [from Old French sojorner, from Vulgar Latin subdiurnare (unattested) to spend a day, from Latin sub- during + Late Latin diurnum day]

Front 893

redress

Back 893

vb. (tr) 1. to put right (a wrong), esp by compensation; make reparation for to _ a grievance 2. to correct or adjust (esp in the phrase _ the balance) 3. to make compensation to (a person) for a wrong n. 1. the act or an instance of setting right a wrong; remedy or cure to seek _ of grievances 2. compensation, amends, or reparation for a wrong, injury, etc. 3. relief from poverty or want [from Old French redrecier to set up again, from re- + drecier to straighten; see dress]

Front 894

Pelican Case

Back 894

n. grey reinforced shell case used for transporting electronics and other hardware. (_s have gery or brown plumage).

Front 895

didactic

Back 895

adj. 1. Intended to instruct. 2. Morally instructive. 3. Inclined to teach or moralize excessively.

Front 896

proscribe

Back 896

tr.v. 1. To denounce or condemn. 2. To prohibit; forbid. See Synonyms at forbid. 3. a. To banish or outlaw (a person). b. To publish the name of (a person) as outlawed.

Front 897

peignoir

Back 897

n. A woman's loose-fitting dressing gown. (sounds like pain-wah)

Front 898

verisimilitude

Back 898

n. 1. the appearance or semblance of truth or reality; quality of seeming true 2. something that merely seems to be true or real, such as a doubtful statement [from Latin verisimilitudo, from verus true + similitudo similitude]

Front 899

cloying

Back 899

adj. initially pleasurable or sweet but wearying in excess

Front 900

disingenuous

Back 900

adj. Not sincere; lacking candour.

Front 901

impute

Back 901

vb. (tr) 1. to attribute or ascribe (something dishonest or dishonourable, esp a criminal offence) to a person 2. to attribute to a source or cause I _ your success to nepotism 3. (Business / Commerce) To give (a notional value) to goods or services when the real value is unknown [from Latin imputare, from im- + putare to think, calculate]

Front 902

hale

Back 902

adj. Strong and in good health.

Front 903

dregs

Back 903

n. 1. Sediment at the bottom of a liquid. 2. The small amount left.

Front 904

ascendancy

Back 904

n. Superiority or decisive advantage; domination.

Front 905

bullion

Back 905

n. Gold or silver bars in ingots.

Front 906

askance

Back 906

adv. 1. with an oblique glance 2. with doubt or mistrust

Front 907

lancet

Back 907

n. 1. Medicine A surgical knife with a short, wide, pointed double-edged blade, used especially for making punctures and small incisions. Also called lance. 2. Architecture a. A _ arch. b. A _ window.

Front 908

hubris

Back 908

n. 1. pride or arrogance. 2. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (in Greek tragedy) an excess of ambition, pride, etc., ultimately causing the transgressor's ruin [from Greek]

Front 909

chutzpa

Back 909

n. (Yiddish) unbelievable gall; insolence; audacity.

Front 910

dispassionate

Back 910

adv. Devoid of passion, emotion, or bias.

Front 911

rankle

Back 911

v. To eat away at or aggravate to the point of causing anger

Front 912

polity

Back 912

n. A political group of any size or shape — it can be a government, a state, a country, or even a social group.

Front 913

ingratiate

Back 913

v. Make obvious efforts to gain someone's favor, in other words — to kiss up to someone.

Front 914

declivity

Back 914

n. A downward slope or bend.

Front 915

revelry

Back 915

n. Merrymaking.

Front 916

incorrigible

Back 916

adj. Impervious to correction by punishment.

Front 917

purvey

Back 917

v. Supply with provisions.

Front 918

baleful

Back 918

adj. 1. threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments 2. sinister or deadly.

Front 919

overbearing

Back 919

adj. 1. having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy 2. expecting unquestioning obedience

Front 920

wheedle

Back 920

v. 1. to persuade or try to persuade (someone) by coaxing words, flattery, etc. 2. (tr) to obtain by coaxing and flattery: she _d some money out of her father.

Front 921

ungainly

Back 921

adj. 1. lacking grace when moving 2. difficult to move or use; unwieldy

Front 922

homily

Back 922

n. A sermon on a moral or religious topic.

Front 923

circumvent

Back 923

tr.v. 1. To evade or go around 2. to outwit 3. (Military) to encircle (an enemy) so as to intercept or capture. tr.v. 1. to evade or go around 2. to outwit 3.(Military) to encircle (an enemy) so as to intercept or capture.

Front 924

circumnavigate

Back 924

v. To travel around.

Front 925

syllogism

Back 925

n. Deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises

Front 926

collate

Back 926

tr.v. 1. To examine and compare carefully in order to note points of disagreement. 2. To assemble in proper numerical or logical sequence. 3. Printing a. To examine (gathered sheets) in order to arrange them in proper sequence before binding. b. To verify the order and completeness of (the pages of a volume). 4. Ecclesiastical To admit (a cleric) to a benefice.

Front 927

unction

Back 927

n. 1. The act of anointing as part of a religious, ceremonial, or healing ritual. 2. An ointment or oil; a salve.

Front 928

enjoin

Back 928

v. 1. give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority. 2. strongly suggest. 3. issue an injunction.

Front 929

disaffected

Back 929

adj. Resentful and rebellious, especially against authority.

Front 930

puissant

Back 930

adj. powerful; mighty.

Front 931

embroil

Back 931

vb.tr. 1. to involve (a person, oneself, etc.) in trouble, conflict, or argument 2. to throw (affairs) into a state of confusion or disorder; complicate; entangle.

Front 932

flail

Back 932

n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) an implement used for threshing grain, consisting of a wooden handle with a free-swinging metal or wooden bar attached to it 2. (Military / Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) a weapon so shaped used in the Middle Ages v.tr. 1. To beat or thrash with or as if with a _ 2. to move or be moved like a _; thresh about with arms _ing

Front 933

bandy

Back 933

v. Discuss lightly; kick around.

Front 934

benighted

Back 934

adj. 1. lacking cultural, moral, or intellectual enlightenment; ignorant 2. (Archaic) Overtaken by night

Front 935

libertine

Back 935

n. Someone who lives life unencumbered by morals. Although it can be use neutrally, often if someone calls you _, they disapprove of your lack of morality.

Front 936

trite

Back 936

adj. Worn out to the point of being meaningless.

Front 937

etymology

Back 937

n. 1. (Linguistics) the study of the sources and development of words and morphemes.

Front 938

sluice

Back 938

n. Anything that resembles a water slide with a gate — a narrow channel that controls water flow. The word originally comes from an old English word meaning a narrow channel that controlled a flow of water, usually to a watermill, and it still has that meaning. A _ can also mean a splash — often with cold water and usually done with some vigor. A rude, watery slap in the face. Torture victims in movies inevitably have their faces _d to bring them round for further questioning.

Front 939

dapper

Back 939

adj. 1. a. Neatly dressed; trim. b. Very stylish in dress. 2. Lively and alert.

Front 940

gruel

Back 940

n. A thin porridge or soup (usually oatmeal and water flavored with meat)

Front 941

disapprobation

Back 941

n. The state of total disapproval and condemnation. It is often used in conjunction with a moral or social offense

Front 942

cameo

Back 942

If your friend gives you a piece of jewelry that has a raised carving of a face in profile showing all the curves and shapes, that’s called a _. Often used to show a person’s head in profile, a _ typically has two layers of color: one color for the subject and another one for the background. The detail is depicted not by color or shades but instead by the raised design, which is called a relief. A _ is typically used for a piece of jewelry, such as a ring or a brooch, and it has an ornate, old-fashioned quality. You may have seen this type of jewelry depicted in Victorian paintings or possibly worn by your great grandmother.

Front 943

inclement

Back 943

adj. 1. _ usually referring to severe or harsh weather that is cold and wet; When packing for a trip to the Caribbean bring tank tops and shorts, but don't forget a raincoat in case of _ weather. 2. This adjective can also refer to a person or action that is harsh and unmerciful. _ is from a Latin root formed from the prefix in- "not" plus clemens "clement." This English adjective clement can mean either mild or merciful; the more commonly used noun clemency can mean mildness or mercy.

Front 944

stricture

Back 944

n. 1. Severe criticism 2. Abnormal narrowing of a bodily canal or passageway.

Front 945

congeal

Back 945

v. Become gelatinous

Front 946

sublimate

Back 946

v. Change or cause to change directly from a solid into a vapor without first melting

Front 947

firebrand

Back 947

n. A piece of wood that has been burned or is burning.

Front 948

fiasco

Back 948

n. Sudden and violent collapse

Front 949

concomitant

Back 949

adj. Following or accompanying as a consequence

Front 950

apologist

Back 950

n. A person who defends, in speech or writing, a faith, doctrine, idea, or action (usually an unpopular one).

Front 951

buxom

Back 951

adj. Healthily plump and vigorous

Front 952

simper

Back 952

v. To smile in an artificial, coy or self-conscious way.

Front 953

lout

Back 953

n. An awkward stupid person.

Front 954

erstwhile

Back 954

adj. Former.

Front 955

careen

Back 955

v. Pitch dangerously to one side

Front 956

fawning

Back 956

v. To seek favor or attention by flattery and obsequious behavior.

Front 957

ambrosia

Back 957

n. (Greek & Roman Mythology) The food of the gods, thought to confer immortality.

Front 958

disgorge

Back 958

v. Vomit.

Front 959

filch

Back 959

v. Pilfer.

Front 960

pertinacious

Back 960

adv. 1. Unyielding or perversely persistent. 2. doggedly resolute in purpose or belief; unyielding

Front 961

peon

Back 961

n. A laborer who is obliged to do menial work. Peon was a Mexican word originally, meaning an agricultural worker in servitude to his landlord. Today, peon has a more comic ring to it and is usually used in fun — though if you are a personal assistant to a tyrannical Hollywood star, for example, it's probably no laughing matter.

Front 962

fanfare

Back 962

n. A loud, proud burst of something to get attention. If you open up a carpet store with one of those sky-sweeping lights, lots of balloons, and a brass band, you’re doing it with great _. Originally fanfare meant a short burst of music played by trumpeters, usually when someone important entered a room. But these days we describe anything as fanfare that has the same feeling as a burst of trumpets. If you’re a TV executive with a new show you think is going to be a big hit, roll it out with _–—ad campaigns, billboards, celebrity parties!

Front 963

proclivity

Back 963

n. A natural tendency to like something. _ comes from the Latin word _is, which literally means "sloping forward." You slide toward a _ — no effort is needed. You just give in to it, since you're headed in that direction naturally.

Front 964

perspicuous

Back 964

adj. (of language) transparently clear; easily understandable.

Front 965

nonplussed

Back 965

adj. To be _ by something is to be left confused, unsure, or baffled by it: the performance was so bizarre and meandering that it left me _.

Front 966

spate

Back 966

n. 1. A large number. 2. A sudden forceful flow.

Front 967

madrigal

Back 967

n. An unaccompanied (a capella) partsong for 2 or 3 voices; follows a strict poetic form

Front 968

zephyr

Back 968

n. A gentle breeze.

Front 969

countermand

Back 969

v. Issue an opposing command.

Front 970

cognate

Back 970

adj. 1. akin; related; _ languages 2. (Law) related by blood or descended from a common maternal ancestor. Compare agnate.

Front 971

agnate

Back 971

adj. 1. Related on or descended from the father's or male side. 2. Coming from a common source; akin. n. A relative on the father's side only.

Front 972

largesse

Back 972

n. Extreme generosity.

Front 973

beatific

Back 973

adj. Showing or producing exalted joy or blessedness: a _ smile.

Front 974

factitious

Back 974

adj. Fake; not produced by natural forces.

Front 975

gestate

Back 975

v. To develop in the womb.

Front 976

traduce

Back 976

v. To speak badly of; to cause humiliation or disgrace to by making malicious and false statements.

Front 977

rococo

Back 977

n. (often capital) 1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) a style of architecture and decoration that originated in France in the early 18th century, characterized by elaborate but graceful, light, ornamentation, often containing asymmetrical motifs 2. (Music / Classical Music) an 18th-century style of music characterized by petite prettiness, a decline in the use of counterpoint, and extreme use of ornamentation 3. any florid or excessively ornamental style adj 1. (Music / Classical Music) (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) denoting, being in, or relating to the _ 2. florid or excessively elaborate

Front 978

psoriasis

Back 978

n. (Medicine / Pathology) A skin disease characterized by the formation of reddish spots and patches covered with silvery scales: tends to run in families. [via New Latin from Greek: itching disease, from psora itch]

Front 979

fructify

Back 979

v. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) to bear or cause to bear fruit 2. to make or become productive or fruitful

Front 980

nihilist

Back 980

n. Someone who rejects all theories of morality or religious belief.

Front 981

roil

Back 981

v. To make turbid by stirring up the sediments of.

Front 982

effervescence

Back 982

n. The process of bubbling as gas escapes.

Front 983

pendulous

Back 983

adj. Having branches or flower heads that bend downward

Front 984

viscious

Back 984

adj. Having a high resistance to flow

Front 985

pedagogue

Back 985

n. Another name for "teacher," (usually of children) but one who is strict, stiff or old-fashioned, as in a _ who stands in the front of the room and lectures for the entire class period, boring the students to tears.

Front 986

unimpeachable

Back 986

adj. Describes someone or something that is totally, completely, without any doubt, innocent and good: an _ role model who avoids bad influences and sketchy situations.

Front 987

immure

Back 987

v. Lock or confine, as in a jail. You may recognize the -mur- in _ as the root for "wall," as in mural, which is a painting on a wall, or intramural, literally "inside the walls," as, for instance, the walls of a school — intramural sports are played among teams from the same school. You don't need a jail to _ someone. Rapunzel was _ in her tower. At the end of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the lovers are _ in the tomb.

Front 988

triumvirate

Back 988

n. A group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority.

Front 989

jibe

Back 989

n. An insulting remark or "dis." v. 1. “be compatible with or similar to.” 2 (Nautical) a particular manner of changing the course of a ship.

Front 990

magistrate

Back 990

n. A person who lays down the law — a judge or other civil authority who conducts a court. Minor offenses are often brought before a _.

Front 991

obloquy

Back 991

n. If you are on the receiving end of _, then society has turned against you and you are in a state of disgrace.

Front 992

striation

Back 992

n. Any of a number of tiny parallel grooves such as: the scratches left by a glacier on rocks or the streaks or ridges in muscle tissue

Front 993

rarefied

Back 993

adj. 1. Describes things that are so stylish, smart, or moral that they seem elevated above the ordinary: the _ conversation of brilliant scholars. 2. Current within a small group; esoteric or exclusive.

Front 994

sleight

Back 994

n. Refers to being able to use your hands with ease, especially when doing a trick. Often used in the phrase "_ of hand." 2. Refering to cunning or cleverness, especially when used to trick or deceitfully. The word sleight with its meaning as being sneaky has a long history and comes from the Middle English word, sleghth, which also meant cunning. Back then people would have pronounced the "gh" even though today we don't.

Front 995

rubric

Back 995

n. 1. A heading or a category in a chart, or a rule of conduct. A teacher's grading _s may include participation, homework completion, tests, quizzes, and papers. 2. A rule or a procedure. 3. an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text.

Front 996

plenitude

Back 996

n. an abundance; a fulll supply.

Front 997

whorled

Back 997

adj. in the shape of a coil.

Front 998

indigent

Back 998

adj. 1. so poor as to lack even necessities; very needy 2. (usually foll by of) Archaic lacking (in) or destitute (of) n. an impoverished person [from Latin indigere to need, from egere to lack]

Front 999

inordinate

Back 999

adj. 1. exceeding normal limits; immoderate 2. unrestrained, as in behaviour or emotion; intemperate 3. irregular or disordered [from Latin inordinatus disordered, from in-1 + ordinare to put in order]

Front 1000

malfeasance

Back 1000

n. Misconduct or wrongdoing, especially by a public official.

Front 1001

capacious

Back 1001

adj. Capable of holding much; roomy; spacious.

Front 1002

baroque

Back 1002

adj. 1. also capitalized Of, relating to, or characteristic of a style in art and architecture developed in Europe from the early 17th to mid-18th century, emphasizing dramatic, often strained effect and typified by bold, curving forms, elaborate ornamentation, and overall balance of disparate parts. 2. also _(capitalized) Music Of, relating to, or characteristic of a style of composition that flourished in Europe from about 1600 to 1750, marked by expressive dissonance and elaborate ornamentation. 3. Extravagant, complex, or bizarre, especially in ornamentation: "the _, encoded language of post-structural legal and literary theory" (Wendy Kaminer). 4. Irregular in shape: _ pearls. n. also capitalized The _ style or period in art, architecture, or music. [French, from Italian barocco, imperfect pearl, and from Portuguese barroco.]

Front 1003

cataclysm

Back 1003

n. 1. a violent upheaval, esp of a political, military, or social nature. 2. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a disastrous flood; deluge 3. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) another name for catastrophe.

Front 1004

carrion

Back 1004

n. Dead and decaying flesh. adj. 1. Of or similar to dead and decaying flesh. 2. Feeding on such flesh.

Front 1005

categorical

Back 1005

adj. 1. Being without exception or qualification; absolute. 2.a. Of or relating to a category or categories. b. According to or using categories: a _arrangement of specimens

Front 1006

catechism

Back 1006

n. 1. A book giving a brief summary of the basic principles of Christianity in question-and-answer form. 2. A manual giving basic instruction in a subject, usually by rote or repetition.

Front 1007

capitulate

Back 1007

intr.v. 1. To surrender under specified conditions; come to terms. 2. To give up all resistance; acquiesce.

Front 1008

brooch

Back 1008

n. Ornamental clasp; pin.

Front 1009

alluvion

Back 1009

n. 1. See _ium. 2. The flow of water against a shore or bank. 3. Inundation by water; flood. 4. Law The increasing of land area along a shore by deposited _ium or by the recession of water. [Latin alluvi, alluvin-, from alluere, to wash against : ad-, ad- + -luere, to wash; see leu()- in Indo-European roots.]

Front 1010

arcadian

Back 1010

adj. 1. (Literature / Poetry) (Placename) (Social Science / Peoples) of or relating to the ancient Greek region of _(-1) or its inhabitants, esp the idealized _(-1) of pastoral poetry 2. rustic or bucolic a life of _ simplicity

Front 1011

astringent

Back 1011

adj. 1. severe; harsh 2. sharp or invigorating 3. (Medicine) causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids; styptic

Front 1012

contretemps

Back 1012

n. pl. 1. A minor short-term fight. 2. An awkward mishap. 3. An unforeseen event that disrupts the normal course of things; an inopportune occurrence. [French : contre-, against (from Latin contr-; see contra-) + temps, time (from Latin tempus).

Front 1013

diacritic

Back 1013

n. (Linguistics / Phonetics & Phonology) Also called _al mark a sign placed above or below a character or letter to indicate that it has a different phonetic value, is stressed, or for some other reason adj. (Linguistics / Phonetics & Phonology) another word for diacritical [from Greek diakritikos serving to distinguish, from diakrinein, from dia- + krinein to separate]

Front 1014

aphasia

Back 1014

n. Partial or total loss of the ability to articulate ideas or comprehend spoken or written language, resulting from damage to the brain caused by injury or disease.

Front 1015

affidavit

Back 1015

n. A written declaration made under oath before a notary public or other authorized officer.

Front 1016

acuity

Back 1016

n. Acuteness of vision or perception; keenness.

Front 1017

acme

Back 1017

n. The culminating point, as of achievement or excellence; summit; peak.

Front 1018

effuse

Back 1018

v.b. 1. To pour or flow out. 2. To spread out; diffuse. 3. (intr) To talk profusely, esp in an excited manner. 4. (Physics / General Physics) To cause (a gas) to flow or (of a gas) to flow under pressure. adj. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Botany (esp of an inflorescence) Spreading out loosely.

Front 1019

foist

Back 1019

vb. (tr) 1. (often foll by off or on) to sell or pass off (something, esp an inferior article) as genuine, valuable, etc. 2. (Law) (usually foll by in or into) to insert surreptitiously or wrongfully

Front 1020

fulsome

Back 1020

adj. 1. Offensively flattering or insincere. See Synonyms at unctuous. 2. Offensive to the taste or sensibilities. 3. Usage Problem: Copious or abundant.[Middle English fulsom, abundant, well-fed, arousing disgust : ful, full; see full1 + -som, adj. suff.; see -some1.]

Front 1021

gainsay

Back 1021

tr.v. 1. To declare false; deny. 2. To oppose, especially by contradiction. 3. Take exception to.

Front 1022

emetic

Back 1022

adj. Causing vomiting. n. An agent that causes vomiting.

Front 1023

hieratic

Back 1023

adj. also hieratical 1. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) of or relating to priests 2. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) of or relating to a cursive form of hieroglyphics used by priests in ancient Egypt 3. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) of or relating to styles in art that adhere to certain fixed types or methods, as in ancient Egypt

Front 1024

ex parte

Back 1024

A Latin legal term meaning "from (by or for) one party" An _ decision is one decided by a judge without requiring all of the parties to the controversy to be present. In Australian, Canadian, U.K., Indian and U.S. legal doctrines, _ means a legal proceeding brought by one person in the absence of and without representation or notification of other parties. It is also used more loosely to refer to improper unilateral contacts with a court, arbitrator or represented party without notice to the other party or counsel for that party.

Front 1025

inimical

Back 1025

adj. 1. Injurious or harmful in effect; adverse: habits _ to good health. 2. Unfriendly; hostile: a cold, _ voice.

Front 1026

bon mot

Back 1026

n. A clever saying; a witticism. [French : bon, good + mot, word.]

Front 1027

obstreperous

Back 1027

adj. 1. Noisily and stubbornly defiant. 2. Aggressively boisterous. [From Latin obstreperus, noisy, from obstrepere, to make a noise against : ob-, against; see ob- + strepere, to make a noise (of imitative origin).]

Front 1028

Sisyphean

Back 1028

adj. 1. both extremely effortful and futile. 2. of or relating to _(-3)us.

Front 1029

interlocutor

Back 1029

n. Someone who participates in a discussion or conversation, sometimes as a go-between. If you and your friend are in an argument and aren't speaking, a third friend could act as an _, delivering messages back and forth. _ traces back to the Latin word interloqui, meaning “to speak between.” We use _ either for "a conversation partner," or for "a third party in a conversation," like a middleman who speaks on behalf of an organization. It's also an old term for the guy in a minstrel show who questions all the other performers as a way of moving the act forward. "What's that you say? A funky dance? Go on and show us then." - from vocabulary.com.

Front 1030

parlous

Back 1030

adj. Fraught with danger: a _ journey on stormy seas. Note - 1st syllable is accented.

Front 1031

Atreus

Back 1031

n. (Greek mythology) the king of Mycenae and father of Agamemnon and of Menelaus. Atreus and his twin brother Thyestes were exiled by their father for murdering their half-brother Chrysippus in their desire for the throne of Olympia. They took refuge in Mycenae, where they ascended to the throne in the absence of King Eurystheus, who was fighting the Heracleidae. Eurystheus had meant for their stewardship to be temporary, but it became permanent after his death in battle. - From wikipedia.org

Front 1032

brinkmanship

Back 1032

n. The practice, especially in international politics, of seeking advantage by creating the impression that one is willing and able to push a highly dangerous situation to the limit rather than concede.

Front 1033

internecine

Back 1033

adj. 1. mutually destructive or ruinous; maiming both or all sides: _ war 2. of or relating to slaughter or carnage; bloody 3. of or involving conflict within a group or organization

Front 1034

demarche

Back 1034

n. A move or step or maneuver in political or diplomatic affairs. (sounds like 'day-marsh')

Front 1035

schlerotic

Back 1035

adj. Relating to or having sclerosis; hardened.

Front 1036

renminbi

Back 1036

n. 1. Another name for the chinese currency, yuan.

Front 1037

cynosure

Back 1037

n. 1. a person or thing that attracts notice, esp because of its brilliance or beauty 2. something that provides guidance. (rhymes with 'sign of sure')

Front 1038

Manichaean

Back 1038

adj. of or relating to _(-2)ism, which is a religion founded by Manes in the third century; a synthesis of Zoroastrian dualism between light and dark and Babylonian folklore and Buddhist ethics and superficial elements of Christianity; spread widely in the Roman Empire but had largely died out by 1000.

Front 1039

miscible

Back 1039

adj. (chemistry, physics) That can be mixed in all proportions. Used of liquids. Opposite is im_.

Front 1040

antebellum

Back 1040

adj. Before the Civil War.

Front 1041

adenoidal

Back 1041

adj. 1. Of or pertaining to the adenoids, which are a collection of lymphatic tissue in the throat behind the uvula (on the posterior wall and roof of the nasopharynx) 2. sounding as if the nose were pinched.

Front 1042

meta

Back 1042

n. Referring to a higher-order recursive abstraction.

Front 1043

litigious

Back 1043

adj. 1. (Law) excessively ready to go to law 2. (Law) of or relating to litigation 3. inclined to dispute or disagree.

Front 1044

solipsism

Back 1044

n. Comes from the Latin words for alone (sol) and self (ipse), and means that only the self is real. In metaphysical _, your mind is the only thing that's real, and everything else is just a representation.

Front 1045

phlogiston

Back 1045

n. A hypothetical substance once believed to be present in all combustible materials and to be released during burning. (sounds like 'flow just on')

Front 1046

sumptuary

Back 1046

adj. Regulating or controlling expenditure or personal behavior “_ laws discouraging construction of large houses on small plots” “_ laws forbidding gambling”

Front 1047

sui generis

Back 1047

adj. constituting a class of its own; unique. “a history book _” “_ works like Mary Chestnut's Civil War diary” (sounds like 'Sue eye generous')

Front 1048

peroration

Back 1048

n. 1.(rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration “he summarized his main points in his _” 1. A flowery and highly rhetorical oration. (rhymes with 'terror nation', 3rd syllable is accented)

Front 1049

jejune

Back 1049

adj. 1. lacking interest or significance or impact. 2. Displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity. 3. lacking in nutritive value.

Front 1050

mirabile dictu

Back 1050

adj. Wonderful to relate; amazing to say. sounds like (my robbery picked you)

Front 1051

creches

Back 1051

n. 1. a representation of the Nativity scene 2: day nursery 3: a foundling hospital 4: a group of young animals (as penguins or bats) gathered in one place for care and protection usually by one or more adults. (rymes with fresh)

Front 1052

abase

Back 1052

vb (tr) 1. to humble or belittle (oneself, etc.) 2. to lower or reduce, as in rank or estimation. [C15 abessen, from Old French abaissier to make low. See base2]

Front 1053

abdicate

Back 1053

v.tr. To relinquish (power or responsibility) formally. v.intr. To relinquish formally a high office or responsibility. [Latin abdicre, abdict-, to disclaim : ab-, away; see ab-1 + dicre, to proclaim; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]

Front 1054

altiloquent

Back 1054

adj. 1.

Front 1055

anagram

Back 1055

n. 1. A word or phrase formed by reordering the letters of another word or phrase, such as satin to stain.

Front 1056

ratiometric

Back 1056

adj. In electronic or electromechanical systems, it refers to the output voltage as a ratio of the supply voltage. For example, if the input voltage is doubled, the output voltage is doubled.

Front 1057

shillelagh

Back 1057

n. A cudgel of oak, blackthorn, or other hardwood. [After _, a village of east-central Ireland.] (ordinance) _ - A United States weapon system including a gun launcher and a fire-control system mounted on the main battle tank and assault reconnaissance vehicle for employment against enemy armor, troops, and field fortifications; it is guided by an infrared command link. (sounds like ukulele)

Front 1058

aboriginal

Back 1058

adj. 1. Having existed in a region from the beginning: _ forests. See Synonyms at native. 2.a. Of or relating to _(-2)es. b. often _ Of or relating to the indigenous peoples of Australia.

Front 1059

affront

Back 1059

tr.v. 1. To insult intentionally, especially openly. See Synonyms at offend. 2. a. To meet defiantly; confront. b. Obsolete To meet or encounter face to face. n. 1. An open or intentional offense, slight, or insult: Such behavior is an _ to society. 2. Obsolete A hostile encounter or meeting. [Middle English afrounten, from Old French afronter : Latin ad-, ad- + Latin frns, front-, face; see front.]

Front 1060

aggrieve

Back 1060

vb (tr) 1. (often impersonal or passive) to grieve; distress; afflict it _d her much that she could not go 2. (Law) to injure unjustly, esp by infringing a person's legal rights [C14 agreven, via Old French from Latin aggravare to aggravate]

Front 1061

ancilliary

Back 1061

adj. 1. subsidiary 2. auxiliary; supplementary _ services n. a subsidiary or auxiliary thing or person the company has an _ abroad [from Latin ancillaris concerning maidservants, from ancilla, diminutive of ancula female servant]

Front 1062

artless

Back 1062

adj. 1. free from deceit, guile, or artfulness; ingenuous: an _ remark 2. natural, without artifice; unpretentious: _ elegance 3. without art or skill; crude

Front 1063

antipode

Back 1063

n. A direct or diametrical opposite. (sounds like 'ant-apode')

Front 1064

styptic

Back 1064

adj. (Medicine) contracting the blood vessels or tissues n. (Medicine / Pharmacology) a _ drug [via Late Latin, from Greek stuptikos capable of contracting; see stypsis]

Front 1065

equanimity

Back 1065

n. calmness of mind or temper; composure [from Latin aequanimitas, from aequus even, equal + animus mind, spirit]

Front 1066

bequest

Back 1066

n. 1.a. the act of bequeathing b. something that is bequeathed 2. (Law) Law a gift of property by will, esp personal property Compare devise [be- + Old English -cwiss degree; see bequeath]

Front 1067

accretion

Back 1067

n. 1.a. Growth or increase in size by gradual external addition, fusion, or inclusion. b. Something contributing to such growth or increase: "the _s of paint that had buried the door's details like snow" (Christopher Andreae). 2. Biology The growing together or adherence of parts that are normally separate. 3. Geology a. Slow addition to land by deposition of water-borne sediment. b. An increase of land along the shores of a body of water, as by alluvial deposit. 4. Astronomy An increase in the mass of a celestial object by the collection of surrounding interstellar gases and objects by gravity.

Front 1068

a la carte

Back 1068

adv. & adj. With a separate price for each item on the menu. [French : à, by + la, the + carte, menu.]

Front 1069

abnegate

Back 1069

v.tr. to deny to oneself; renounce (privileges, pleasure, etc.) [from Latin abnegare to deny]

Front 1070

acculturation

Back 1070

n. 1. The modification of the culture of a group or individual as a result of contact with a different culture. 2. The process by which the culture of a particular society is instilled in a human from infancy onward.

Front 1071

adduce

Back 1071

vb.(tr) To cite (reasons, examples, etc.) as evidence or proof. [from Latin adducere to lead or bring to]

Front 1072

admonish

Back 1072

vb (tr). 1. to reprove firmly but not harshly 2. to advise to do or against doing something; warn; caution. [via Old French from Vulgar Latin admonestare (unattested), from Latin admonere to put one in mind of, from monere to advise]

Front 1073

adulterate

Back 1073

v.tr. to debase by adding inferior material: to _ milk with water. adj. 1. _d; debased or impure 2. a less common word for _erous. [from Latin adulterare to corrupt, commit adultery, probably from alter another, hence to approach another, commit adultery]

Front 1074

anamorphosis

Back 1074

n. 1. a. An image that appears distorted unless it is viewed from a special angle or with a special instrument. b. The production of such an image. 2. Evolutionary increase in complexity of form and function. [New Latin anamorphsis, from Late Greek anamorphoun, to transform : Greek ana-, ana- + Greek morph, shape.]

Front 1075

varlet

Back 1075

n. A deceitful and unreliable scoundrel.

Front 1076

apostasy

Back 1076

n pl -sies Abandonment of one's religious faith, party, a cause, etc. [from Church Latin apostasia, from Greek apostasis desertion, from apostanai to stand apart from, desert]

Front 1077

apportion

Back 1077

vb(tr) To divide, distribute, or assign appropriate shares of; allot proportionally to _ the blame.

Front 1078

appurtenance

Back 1078

n. 1. a secondary or less significant thing or part. 2. (plural) accessories or equipment. 3. (Law) Property law a minor right, interest, or privilege which passes when the title to the principal property is transferred. [from Anglo-French apurtenance, from Old French apartenance, from apartenir to appertain]

Front 1079

apropos

Back 1079

adj. appropriate; pertinent adv. 1. appropriately or pertinently 2. by the way; incidentally _ of (preposition) with regard to; in respect of

Front 1080

armistice

Back 1080

n. (Military) an agreement between opposing armies to suspend hostilities in order to discuss peace terms; truce. [from New Latin armistitium, from Latin arma arms + sistere to stop, stand still]

Front 1081

atomistic

Back 1081

adj. 1. Of or having to do with _s or _ism. 2. Consisting of many separate, often disparate elements: an _ culture.

Front 1082

autocrat

Back 1082

n. 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a ruler who possesses absolute and unrestricted authority. 2. a domineering or dictatorial person

Front 1083

balmy

Back 1083

adj. 1. Having the quality or fragrance of _(-1); soothing. 2. Mild and pleasant: a _ breeze.

Front 1084

balk

Back 1084

v.intr. 1. To stop short and refuse to go on: The horse _ed at the jump. 2. To refuse obstinately or abruptly: She _ed at the very idea of compromise.

Front 1085

kowtow

Back 1085

vb(intr) 1. to touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deference: a former Chinese custom 2. (often foll by to) to be servile or obsequious (towards)

Front 1086

bane

Back 1086

n. 1. a person or thing that causes misery or distress (esp in the phrase _ of one's life) 2. something that causes death or destruction 3. a. A fatal poison. b. (in combination) rats_. 4. Archaic ruin or distress.

Front 1087

bastion

Back 1087

n. 1. (Military / Fortifications) a projecting work in a fortification designed to permit fire to the flanks along the face of the wall. 2. any fortified place 3. a thing or person regarded as upholding or defending an attitude, principle, etc. the last _ of opposition. [from French, from earlier bastillon bastion, from bastille Bastille]

Front 1088

beatify

Back 1088

v.tr. 1. (Christianity / Roman Catholic Church), RC Church (of the pope) to declare formally that (a deceased person) showed a heroic degree of holiness in his or her life and therefore is worthy of public veneration: the first step towards canonization 2. to make extremely happy [from Old French beatifier, from Late Latin beatificare to make blessed; see beatific]

Front 1089

bereft

Back 1089

adj. (usually foll by of) deprived; parted (from) _ of hope

Front 1090

bootless

Back 1090

adj. Of little or no use; vain; fruitless: a _ search.

Front 1091

brazen

Back 1091

adj. 1. shameless and bold 2. made of or resembling brass 3. having a ringing metallic sound like that of a brass trumpet vb (tr) 1. (usually foll by out or through) to face and overcome boldly or shamelessly the witness _ed out the prosecutor's questions 2. to make (oneself, etc.) bold or brash [Old English bræsen, from bræs brass]

Front 1092

cabal

Back 1092

n. 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a small group of intriguers, esp one formed for political purposes 2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a secret plot, esp a political one; conspiracy; intrigue 3. a secret or exclusive set of people; clique (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) to form a _; conspire; plot [from French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala; see cabbala]

Front 1093

cagey

Back 1093

adj. Informal not open or frank; cautious; wary.

Front 1094

canard

Back 1094

n. 1. (Communication Arts / Journalism & Publishing) A false report; rumour or hoax. A deliberately misleading story. 2. (Engineering / Aeronautics) an aircraft in which the tailplane is mounted in front of the wing.

Front 1095

capote

Back 1095

n. 1. A long, usually hooded cloak or coat. 2. also (kä-pt) A large, usually purple and yellow cape used in maneuvering the bull especially during the initial stage of a bullfight. [French, from Old French capote, capette, diminutive of cape, cloak, from Medieval Latin cpa; see cape1.]

Front 1096

chary

Back 1096

adj. 1. wary; careful 2. choosy; finicky 3. shy 4. sparing; mean [Old English cearig; related to caru care, Old High German charag sorrowful] (sounds like cherry)

Front 1097

choleric

Back 1097

adj. 1. bad-tempered 2. (Medicine / Pathology) bilious or causing biliousness

Front 1098

gambit

Back 1098

n. 1. An opening in chess in which a minor piece, or pieces, usually a pawn, is offered in exchange for a favorable position. 2. A maneuver, stratagem, or ploy, especially one used at an initial stage. 3. A remark intended to open a conversation.

Front 1099

precept

Back 1099

n. 1. A rule or principle prescribing a particular course of action or conduct. 2. Law An authorized direction or order; a writ.

Front 1100

writ

Back 1100

n. 1. Now Rare something written; writing; document 2. A formal legal document ordering or prohibiting some action.

Front 1101

penitent

Back 1101

adj. Feeling or expressing remorse for one's misdeeds or sins. n. 1. One who is as described. 2. A person performing penance under the direction of a confessor.

Front 1102

circumspect

Back 1102

adj. Cautious, prudent, or discreet. [from Latin circumspectus, from circum- + specere to look]

Front 1103

clemency

Back 1103

n. 1. mercy or leniency 2. mildness, esp of the weather from Latin clementia, from clemens gentle]

Front 1104

cloister

Back 1104

n. 1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) a covered or enclosed walk, usually around a quadrangle in a religious institution, having an open arcade or colonnade on the inside and a wall on the outside 2. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) (sometimes plural) a place of religious seclusion, such as a monastery 3.(Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) life in a monastery or convent vb (tr) to confine or seclude in or as if in a monastery [from Old French cloistre, from Medieval Latin claustrum monastic cell, from Latin: bolt, barrier, from claudere to close; influenced in form by Old French cloison partition]

Front 1105

arcade

Back 1105

n. 1. a. A series of arches supported by columns, piers, or pillars, either freestanding or attached to a wall to form a gallery. b. A series of arches employed for decorative purposes. 2. A roofed passageway or lane, especially one with shops on one or both sides. 3. A commercial establishment featuring rows of coin-operated games.

Front 1106

providence

Back 1106

n. 1. (Christian Religious Writings / Theology) a. Christianity God's foreseeing protection and care of his creatures b. such protection and care as manifest by some other force 2. (Christian Religious Writings / Theology) a supposed manifestation of such care and guidance. 3. the foresight or care exercised by a person in the management of his affairs or resources

Front 1107

repudiate

Back 1107

vb (tr) 1. to reject the authority or validity of; refuse to accept or ratify: Congress _ the treaty that the President had negotiated 2. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) to refuse to acknowledge or pay (a debt) 3. to cast off or disown (a son, lover, etc.) [from Latin repudiare to put away, from repudium a separation, divorce, from re- + pudere to be ashamed]

Front 1108

conservatory

Back 1108

n. A _ is a place to grow. It could be one of those glass greenhouses where rare and delicate plants can thrive. Or it could be a place to grow your artistic talent — like a music _. A _ can conserve more than just plants; it can conserve culture, too. And so we have the _ as a school for the fine arts, in particular ballet and classical music — [often known by their fancy French title, conservatoire. The word comes from the Latin word conservare, meaning "to preserve."]

Front 1109

devolve

Back 1109

v. To get worse instead of better.

Front 1110

bluster

Back 1110

n. False confidence and bravado. Can also mean a strong wind. On a _y day, you'll see trees blowing and people holding onto their hats. When someone full of _ is talking about how they can do something that you think they can't, they're blowing a lot of hot air in your direction. And coincidently, another name for that type of person is a blowhard.

Front 1111

august

Back 1111

adv. 1. Profoundly honored. 2. Esteemed or regal. (second syllable is accented). The month August was named for Augustus Caesar who was an important and regal person.

Front 1112

seemly

Back 1112

adj. You don't want to seem anything less than _, especially in the presence of the Queen. Only _ behavior is allowed when she's around. _ behavior is polite, decent, upright, and appropriate.

Front 1113

unseemly

Back 1113

Not in keeping with accepted standads of what is right or proper in polite society.

Front 1114

betrothed

Back 1114

adj. Formally engaged.

Front 1115

reverie

Back 1115

n. Pleasant daydream. There's nothing wrong with _, but if you follow its path into English, you'll see how closely it is connected to madness. The noun is from French rêverie, from a Middle French word meaning "wild speech, delirium," from rever "to roam, speak wildly." Middle French rever is also the source of English rave, as in raving mad.

Front 1116

raiment

Back 1116

n. especially fine or decorative clothing. v. put on clothes.

Front 1117

veritable

Back 1117

n. _ comes from the Latin veritas which means true. But unlike true, it does not describe things like statements. It is often used to enhance the word that follows it. "A _ cornucopia of food" is a lot of food of different varieties.

Front 1118

stymie

Back 1118

v. To obstruct or hinder. Constantly texting with your friends will _ your effort to finish your homework. Stymie was first used on the golf course in Scotland, where it referred to an opponent's ball blocking your own ball’s path to the cup.

Front 1119

harrow

Back 1119

n. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) any of various implements used to level the ground, stir the soil, break up clods, destroy weeds, etc., in soil. vb 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) (tr) to draw a _ over (land) 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) (intr) (of soil) to become broken up through _ing 3. (tr) to distress; vex [of Scandinavian origin; compare Danish harv, Swedish harf; related to Middle Dutch harke rake] vb (tr) Archaic 1. to plunder or ravish 2. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) (of Christ) to descend into (hell) to rescue righteous souls [variant of Old English hergian to harry] harrowment n

Front 1120

sententious

Back 1120

adj. 1. Abounding in aphorisms. 2. Given to pompous moralizing.

Front 1121

pathogenic

Back 1121

adj. Causing disease.

Front 1122

miscegenate

Back 1122

v. To marry or cohabit with a person of another race.

Front 1123

pandemic

Back 1123

adj. 1. Widespread; general. 2. Medicine Epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population: _ influenza.

Front 1124

decant

Back 1124

tr.v. 1. To pour off (wine, for example) without disturbing the sediment. 2. To pour (a liquid) from one container into another.

Front 1125

inamorata

Back 1125

n. pl. A woman with whom one is in love or has an intimate relationship.

Front 1126

condign

Back 1126

adj. Deserved; adequate: "On sober reflection, such worries over a man's _ punishment seemed senseless" (Henry Louis Gates, Jr.)

Front 1127

doleful

Back 1127

adj. Dreary; mournful.

Front 1128

dolor

Back 1128

n. (poetry) painful grief.

Front 1129

schlock

Back 1129

n. Something, such as merchandise or literature, that is inferior or shoddy. adj. Of inferior quality; cheap or shoddy.

Front 1130

cadre

Back 1130

n. 1. (Military) the nucleus of trained professional servicemen forming the basis for the training of new units or other military expansion 2. a basic unit or structure, esp of specialists or experts; nucleus; core 3. (Military) a group of revolutionaries or other political activists, esp when taking part in military or terrorist activities 4. a member of a cadre (sounds like cad-ra) [from French, from Italian quadro, from Latin quadrum square]

Front 1131

dossier

Back 1131

n. A collection of papers giving detailed information about a particular person or subject. [French, from Old French, bundle of papers labeled on the back, from dos, back, from Latin dorsum.]

Front 1132

vox populi

Back 1132

n. Popular opinion or sentiment.

Front 1133

vicar

Back 1133

n. 1. a. The priest of a parish in the Church of England who receives a stipend or salary but does not receive the tithes of a parish. b. A cleric in charge of a chapel in the Episcopal Church of the United States. c. A cleric acting in the place of a rector or bishop in the Anglican Communion generally. 2. Roman Catholic Church A priest who acts for or represents another, often higher-ranking member of the clergy. [Middle English, from Old French vicaire, from Latin vicrius, vicarious, a substitute, from vicis, genitive of *vix, change; see weik-2 in Indo-European roots.] Abbr. Vic.

Front 1134

provenance

Back 1134

n. 1. Where something originated or was nurtured in its early existence. 2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) (Social Science / Archaeology) a place of origin, esp that of a work of art or archaeological specimen: The _ of the ancient manuscript has never been determined. [from French, from provenir, from Latin provenire to originate, from venire to come]

Front 1135

potentate

Back 1135

n. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a person who possesses great power or authority, esp a ruler or monarch. [from Late Latin potentatus ruler, from Latin: rule, command, from potens powerful, from posse to be able]

Front 1136

contusion

Back 1136

n. (Medicine / Pathology) an injury in which the skin is not broken; bruise.

Front 1137

incubus

Back 1137

n. 1. An evil spirit supposed to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with women as they sleep. 2. A nightmare. 3. An oppressive or nightmarish burden.

Front 1138

physiology

Back 1138

n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / _) the branch of science concerned with the functioning of organisms 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / _) the processes and functions of all or part of an organism [from Latin physiologia, from Greek]

Front 1139

husbandry

Back 1139

n. 1.a. The act or practice of cultivating crops and breeding and raising livestock; agriculture. b. The application of scientific principles to agriculture, especially to animal breeding. 2. Careful management or conservation of resources; economy.

Front 1140

interminable

Back 1140

adj. Endless or seemingly endless because of monotony or tiresome length.

Front 1141

Phrase: 'Gild The Lily'

Back 1141

Fig. To add ornament or decoration to something that is pleasing in its original state; to attempt to improve something that is already fine the way it is. (Often refers to flattery or exaggeration.) Your house has lovely brickwork. Don't paint it. That would be _. Oh, Sally. You're beautiful the way you are. You don't need makeup. You would be _.

Front 1142

felicitous

Back 1142

adj. 1. Admirably suited; apt: a _ comparison. 2. Exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style: a _ writer. 3. Marked by happiness or good fortune: a _ life.

Front 1143

scuttle

Back 1143

n. 1. A small opening or hatch with a movable lid in the deck or hull of a ship or in the roof, wall, or floor of a building. 2. The lid or hatch of such an opening. tr.v. 1. Nautical a. To cut or open a hole or holes in (a ship's hull). b. To sink (a ship) by this means. 2. Informal To scrap; discard: "a program [the] President . . . sought to _" (Christian Science Monitor).

Front 1144

nicety

Back 1144

n. pl -ties 1. a subtle point of delicacy or distinction a _ of etiquette 2. (usually plural) a refinement or delicacy the _s of first-class travel 3. subtlety, delicacy, or precision 4. excessive refinement; fastidiousness to a _with precision

Front 1145

fastidious

Back 1145

adj. 1. very critical; hard to please. 2. excessively particular about details 3. exceedingly delicate; easily disgusted

Front 1146

quay

Back 1146

n. A wharf or reinforced bank where ships are loaded or unloaded. [Middle English keye, from Old North French cai, of Celtic origin.]

Front 1147

verve

Back 1147

n. 1. great vitality, enthusiasm, and liveliness; sparkle 2. a rare word for talent [from Old French: garrulity, from Latin verba words, chatter]

Front 1148

ventral

Back 1148

adj. Abdominal.

Front 1149

dotage

Back 1149

n. 1. feebleness of mind, esp as a result of old age 2. foolish infatuation [from dote + -age]

Front 1150

demure

Back 1150

adj. 1. sedate; decorous; reserved. 2. affectedly modest or prim; coy [perhaps from Old French demorer to delay, linger; perhaps influenced by meur ripe, mature]

Front 1151

sanctimonious

Back 1151

adj. Affecting piety or making a display of holiness [from Latin sanctimonia sanctity, from sanctus holy]

Front 1152

colloquy

Back 1152

n. 1. A conversation, especially a formal one. 2. A written dialogue. (rymes with call-a-queen)

Front 1153

consign

Back 1153

vb(mainly tr) 1. To hand over or give into the care or charge of another; entrust. 2. To commit irrevocably he _ed the papers to the flames. 3. To commit for admittance to _ someone to jail. 4. (Business / Commerce) to address or deliver (goods) for sale, disposal, etc. it was _ed to his London address. 5. (intr) Obsolete to assent; agree

Front 1154

prognosticate

Back 1154

tr.v. 1. To foretell (future events) according to present signs or indications; prophesy. 2. (tr) to foreshadow or portend. [from Medieval Latin prognosticare to predict]

Front 1155

avant garde

Back 1155

n. Group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods.

Front 1156

jurisprudence

Back 1156

n. 1. The philosophy or science of law. 2. A division or department of law: medical _. [Late Latin irisprdentia : Latin iris, genitive of is, law; see yewes- in Indo-European roots + Latin prdentia, knowledge (from prdns, prdent-, knowing; see prudent).]

Front 1157

martinet

Back 1157

n. A person who maintains strict discipline, esp in a military force. [from French, from the name of General Martinet, drillmaster under Louis XIV]

Front 1158

brocade

Back 1158

n. A heavy fabric interwoven with a rich, raised design. [Spanish or Portuguese brocado, from Italian brocato, from brocco, twisted thread, from Vulgar Latin *brocca, spike, from Latin brocchus, projecting, of Celtic origin.]

Front 1159

fresco

Back 1159

n. 1. The art of painting on fresh, moist plaster with pigments dissolved in water. 2. A painting executed in this way. tr.v. _ed, _·ing, _es To paint in _. [Italian, fresh (plaster), of Germanic origin.]

Front 1160

rostrum

Back 1160

n. 1. any platform, stage, or dais on which public speakers stand to address an audience 2. (Music / Classical Music) a platform or dais in front of an orchestra on which the conductor stands 3. (Transport / Nautical Terms) (Historical Terms) another word for ram [5] 4. (Historical Terms) (Transport / Nautical Terms) the prow or beak of an ancient Roman ship 5. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology Zoology a beak or beaklike part [from Latin rostrum beak, ship's prow, from rodere to nibble, gnaw; in plural, rostra, orator's platform, because this platform in the Roman forum was adorned with the prows of captured ships]

Front 1161

pall

Back 1161

n. 1. A cover for a coffin, bier, or tomb, often made of black, purple, or white velvet. 2. A coffin, especially one being carried to a grave or tomb. 3. a. A covering that darkens or obscures: a _ of smoke over the city. b. A gloomy effect or atmosphere: "A _ of depressed indifference hung over Petrograd during February and March 1916" (W. Bruce Lincoln). 4. Ecclesiastical a. A linen cloth or a square of cardbard faced with cloth used to cover the chalice. b. See pallium.

Front 1162

anthropomorphism

Back 1162

n. The attribution of human form or behaviour to a deity, animal, etc.

Front 1163

larder

Back 1163

n. A room or cupboard, used as a store for food. 2. a small storeroom for storing foods or wines. [from Old French lardier, from lard]

Front 1164

tremulous

Back 1164

adj. 1. vibrating slightly; quavering; trembling: a _ voice. 2. Showing or characterized by fear, anxiety, excitement, etc. [from Latin tremulus quivering, from tremere to shake]

Front 1165

Pollyanna

Back 1165

n. Someone who is blindly optimistic about every situation, sometimes to the point of foolishness. The term is typically used in a negative way, to describe someone who cannot think about the more serious ramifications of various situations. Someone who behaves like a _ might be said to be _ish, which is why you might hear statements like “so-and-so can be so _ish about sales numbers.

Front 1166

gall

Back 1166

n. 1. See bile. 2. a. Bitterness of feeling; rancor. b. Something bitter to endure: the _ of defeat. 3. Outrageous insolence; effrontery. [Middle English, from Old English gealla, galla; see ghel-2 in Indo-European roots.

Front 1167

rancor

Back 1167

n. Malevolent anger. Deep-seated ill will.

Front 1168

eponym

Back 1168

n. 1. the name of a real or legendary person that has been applied to a thing, institution, etc, as atlas. 2. the name of a person that is used to describe a time or period, as the Augustan Age.

Front 1169

nubile

Back 1169

adj. 1. Ready for marriage; of a marriageable age or condition. Used of young women. 2. Sexually mature and attractive. Used of young women. [Latin nbilis, from nbere, to take a husband.]

Front 1170

cerulean

Back 1170

adj. Azure; sky-blue.

Front 1171

consecrate

Back 1171

vb (tr) 1. to make or declare sacred or holy; sanctify 2. to dedicate (one's life, time, etc.) to a specific purpose 3. (Christianity / Roman Catholic Church) to ordain (a bishop) 4. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) to sanctify (bread and wine) for the Eucharist to be received as the body and blood of Christ 5. to cause to be respected or revered; venerate time has consecrated this custom. adj. Archaic consecrated [from Latin consecrare, from com- (intensive) + sacrare to devote, from sacer sacred]

Front 1172

asunder

Back 1172

adv. & adj. (postpositive) In or into parts or pieces; apart : to tear _. [Old English on sundran apart; see sunder]

Front 1173

perturb

Back 1173

vb (tr; often passive) 1. to disturb the composure of; trouble 2. to throw into disorder 3. (Astronomy) Physics Astronomy to cause (a planet, electron, etc.) to undergo a _ation [from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbare to confuse, from per- (intensive) + turbare to agitate, from turba confusion]

Front 1174

refractory

Back 1174

adj. 1. unmanageable or obstinate 2. (Medicine) Med not responding to treatment 3. (Physics / General Physics) (of a material) able to withstand high temperatures without fusion or decomposition n. pl -ries (Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) a material, such as fireclay or alumina, that is able to withstand high temperatures: used to line furnaces, kilns, etc. [variant of obsolete refractary; see refract]

Front 1175

galleon

Back 1175

n. A large three-masted sailing ship with a square rig and usually two or more decks, used from the 15th to the 17th century especially by Spain as a merchant ship or warship. [Spanish galeon, from Old Spanish, augmentative of galea, galley, from Old French galie; see galley.

Front 1176

galley

Back 1176

n. 1. (Transport / Nautical Terms) any of various kinds of ship propelled by oars or sails used in ancient or medieval times as a warship or as a trader 2. (Transport / Nautical Terms) the kitchen of a ship, boat, or aircraft 3. (Transport / Nautical Terms) any of various long rowing boats 4. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) Printing a. (in hot-metal composition) a tray open at one end for holding composed type b. short for galley proof [from Old French galie, from Medieval Latin galea, from Greek galaia, of unknown origin; the sense development apparently is due to the association of a galley or slave ship with a ship's kitchen and hence with a hot furnace, trough, printer's tray, etc.]

Front 1177

ingot

Back 1177

n. 1. A mass of metal, such as a bar or block, that is cast in a standard shape for convenient storage or shipment. 2. A casting mold for metal.

Front 1178

uxorious

Back 1178

adj. excessively attached to or dependent on one's wife [from Latin uxorius concerning a wife, from uxor wife]

Front 1179

impalpable

Back 1179

adj. 1. imperceptible, esp to the touch _ shadows 2. difficult to understand; abstruse

Front 1180

wrest

Back 1180

vb (tr) 1. to take or force away by violent pulling or twisting 2. to seize forcibly by violent or unlawful means 3. to obtain by laborious effort 4. to distort in meaning, purpose, etc. n. 1. the act or an instance of this being done. 2. (Music / Instruments) Archaic a small key used to tune a piano or harp [Old English wræ¯stan; related to Old Norse reista. See writhe] wrester

Front 1181

laity

Back 1181

n. 1. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) laymen, as distinguished from clergymen. 2. all people not of a specific occupation.

Front 1182

myopic

Back 1182

n. 1. A visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it; nearsightedness. Also called short sight. 2. Lack of discernment or long-range perspective in thinking or planning: "For Lorca, New York is a symbol of spiritual _" (Edwin Honig). [Greek mupi, from mups, mup-, nearsighted : mein, to close the eyes + ps, eye; see okw- in Indo-European roots.]

Front 1183

adventitious

Back 1183

adj. 1. added or appearing accidentally or unexpectedly 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) (of a plant or animal part) developing in an abnormal position, as a root that grows from a stem [from Latin adventicius coming from outside, from adventus a coming]

Front 1184

tautology

Back 1184

n. pl. 1.a. Needless repetition of the same sense in different words; redundancy. b. An instance of such repetition. 2. Logic An empty or vacuous statement composed of simpler statements in a fashion that makes it logically true whether the simpler statements are factually true or false; for example, the statement "Either it will rain tomorrow or it will not rain tomorrow."

Front 1185

encroach

Back 1185

intr.v. 1. To take another's possessions or rights gradually or stealthily: _ on a neighbor's land. 2. To advance beyond proper or former limits: desert _upon grassland. 3. Football To commit _ment. [Middle English encrochen, to seize illegally, from Old French encrochier, to seize : en-, in; see en-1 + croc, hook (of Germanic origin).]

Front 1186

coiffure

Back 1186

n. (kwä-fyr) 1. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Hairdressing & Grooming) a hairstyle 2. (Clothing & Fashion) An obsolete word for headdress vb. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Hairdressing & Grooming) (tr) to dress or arrange (the hair).

Front 1187

cozen

Back 1187

vb. to cheat or trick (someone) [cant term perhaps related to cousin]

Front 1188

corpulent

Back 1188

adj. Very fat.

Front 1189

sectarian

Back 1189

adj. 1. of, belonging or relating to, or characteristic of sects or sectaries 2. adhering to a particular sect, faction, or doctrine 3. narrow-minded, esp as a result of rigid adherence to a particular sect n. a member of a sect or faction, esp one who is bigoted in his adherence to its doctrines or in his intolerance towards other sects, etc. (sounds like 'sect-aryan')

Front 1190

piquant

Back 1190

adj. 1. having an agreeably pungent or tart taste 2. lively or stimulating to the mind (sounds like peek-int) [from French (literally: prickling), from piquer to prick, goad; see pique1]

Front 1191

alms

Back 1191

pl n. charitable donations of money or goods to the poor or needy. [Old English ælmysse, from Late Latin eleemosyna, from Greek eleemosune pity; see eleemosynary]

Front 1192

mincing

Back 1192

adj. Affectedly refined or dainty. _·ly adv.

Front 1193

execrable

Back 1193

adj. 1. Deserving of being cursed or loathed; hateful. 2. Extremely inferior; very bad: an _meal.

Front 1194

pettifoger

Back 1194

n. 1. (Law) a lawyer of inferior status who conducts unimportant cases, esp one who is unscrupulous or resorts to trickery 2. any person who quibbles or fusses over details

Front 1195

leonine

Back 1195

adj. Lion-like.

Front 1196

junket

Back 1196

n. 1. an excursion, esp one made for pleasure at public expense by a public official or committee 2. (Cookery) a sweet dessert made of flavoured milk set to a curd with rennet 3. a feast or festive occasion vb. 1. (intr) (of a public official, committee, etc.) to go on a _ 2. to have or entertain with a feast or festive gathering [C14 (in the sense: rush basket, hence custard served on rushes): from Old French (dialect) jonquette, from jonc rush, from Latin juncus reed]

Front 1197

cull

Back 1197

tr.v. 1. To pick out from others; select. 2. To gather; collect. 3. To remove rejected members or parts from (a herd, for example). n. Something picked out from others, especially something rejected because of inferior quality.

Front 1198

parvenu

Back 1198

n. (Sociology) a person, esp a man, who, having risen socially or economically, is considered to be an upstart or to lack the appropriate refinement for his or her new position adj. (Sociology) of or characteristic of _ [from French, from parvenir to attain, from Latin pervenire, from per through + venire to come]

Front 1199

bedraggle

Back 1199

v.tr. to make (hair, clothing, etc.) limp, untidy, or dirty, as with rain or mud

Front 1200

ingenue

Back 1200

n. 1. A naive, innocent girl or young woman. 2. a. The role of an _ in a dramatic production. b. An actress playing such a role. [French, feminine of ingénu, guileless, from Latin ingenuus, ingenuous; see ingenuous.]

Front 1201

extrude

Back 1201

v.tr. 1. To push or thrust out. 2. To shape (a plastic, for instance) by forcing it through a die. v.intr. To protrude or project. [Latin extrdere : ex-, ex- + trdere, to thrust; see treud- in Indo-European roots.]

Front 1202

eidetic

Back 1202

adj. Of, relating to, or marked by extraordinarily detailed and vivid recall of visual images.

Front 1203

misapprehend

Back 1203

vb. To misunderstand.

Front 1204

elysian

Back 1204

adj. 1. Greek Mythology Of or relating to _(-2)um. 2. Blissful; delightful.

Front 1205

espouse

Back 1205

vb (tr) 1. to adopt or give support to (a cause, ideal, etc.) to _ socialism. 2. Archaic (esp of a man) to take as spouse; marry.

Front 1206

apoplexy

Back 1206

n. 1. Stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain. 2. Fit of rage.

Front 1207

fete

Back 1207

n. A festival or feast. (sounds like 'feet')

Front 1208

fracas

Back 1208

n. A noisy, disorderly fight or quarrel; a brawl. See Synonyms at brawl. [French, from Italian fracasso, from fracassare, to make an uproar.]

Front 1209

anneal

Back 1209

v.tr. 1. To subject (glass or metal) to a process of heating and slow cooling in order to toughen and reduce brittleness. 2. To strengthen or harden. v. intr. To become strengthened or hardened: "the time she needed for opinion to _ around her policy" (Alexander M. Haig, Jr.)

Front 1210

tantamount

Back 1210

adj. Equivalent in effect or value: a request _ to a demand.

Front 1211

promontory

Back 1211

n. 1. A high ridge of land or rock jutting out into a body of water; a headland. 2. Anatomy A projecting part. [Latin prmontorium, alteration (influenced by mns, mont-, mount) of prmunturium, probably from prominre, to jut out; see prominent.]

Front 1212

potable

Back 1212

adj. Fit to drink.

Front 1213

redolent

Back 1213

adj. Suggestive of (used w/ odor).

Front 1214

protean

Back 1214

adj. Able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will

Front 1215

anomie

Back 1215

n. 1. (Sociology) Lack of social or moral standards in an individual or society. 2. personal state of isolation and anxiety resulting from a lack of social control and regulation A person who feels alone and anxious because there doesn't seem to be anyone in charge of keeping order, feels a sense of _.

Front 1216

disquisition

Back 1216

n. (Social Science / Education) a formal written or oral examination of a subject.

Front 1217

samizdat

Back 1217

n. 1. a. The secret publication and distribution of government-banned literature in the former Soviet Union. b. The literature produced by this system. 2. An underground press.

Front 1218

hauteur

Back 1218

n. Haughtiness in bearing and attitude; arrogance. [French, from Old French, from haut, high; see haughty.] (sounds like 'haw-tear')

Front 1219

jabberwocky

Back 1219

n. Nonsensical speech or writing. [After "_," a nonsense poem by Lewis Carroll.]

Front 1220

haughty

Back 1220

adj. Scornfully and condescendingly proud.

Front 1221

superannuated

Back 1221

adj. 1. Retired or ineffective because of advanced age: "Nothing is more tiresome than a _ pedagogue" (Henry Adams)." 2. Outmoded; obsolete: _ laws.

Front 1222

omerta

Back 1222

n. A conspiracy of silence. Usually as practiced by the Mafia; a refusal to give evidence to the police about criminal activities.

Front 1223

precipitous

Back 1223

adj. 1. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) 1. resembling a precipice or characterized by precipices 2. very steep 3. hasty or precipitate

Front 1224

quasar

Back 1224

n. 1. (Astronomy & Space / Celestial Objects) any of a class of extragalactic objects that emit an immense amount of energy in the form of light, infrared radiation, etc., from a compact source. They are extremely distant and their energy generation is thought to involve a supermassive black hole located in the centre of a galaxy 2. Quasi-stellar radio source.

Front 1225

legerdemain

Back 1225

n. An illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers. 2. (Figuratively) some other kind of trickery or deceit.

Front 1226

recognizance

Back 1226

n. (law) A security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law; on failure to perform that act a sum is forfeited.

Front 1227

realpolitic

Back 1227

n. politics based on practical considerations of power rather than moral or ideological considerations. A usually expansionist national policy having as its sole principle advancement of the national interest.

Front 1228

dint

Back 1228

n. Means; effort; Ex. by _ of hard work

Front 1229

artisan

Back 1229

n. A skilled manual worker; a craftsperson.

Front 1230

parquet

Back 1230

n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Forestry) (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) a floor covering of pieces of hardwood fitted in a decorative pattern; _ry 2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) Also called _ floor a floor so covered 3. (Performing Arts / Theatre) US the stalls of a theatr 4. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Stock Exchange) the main part of the Paris Bourse, where officially listed securities are traded Compare coulisse [3] 5. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (in France) the department of government responsible for the prosecution of crimes vb (tr) (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) to cover (a floor) with _ [from Old French: small enclosure, from parc enclosure; see park]

Front 1231

succor

Back 1231

n. 1. Assistance in time of distress; relief.

Front 1232

privation

Back 1232

n. 1. loss or lack of the necessities of life, such as food and shelter 2. hardship resulting from this 3. the state of being deprived 4. (Philosophy / Logic) Obsolete the absence from an object of what ordinarily or naturally belongs to such objects [from Latin privatio deprivation]

Front 1233

bulkhead

Back 1233

n. 1. a. One of the upright partitions dividing a ship into compartments and serving to add structural rigidity and to prevent the spread of leakage or fire. b. A partition or wall serving a similar purpose in a vehicle, such as an aircraft or spacecraft. 2. A wall or an embankment, as in a mine or along a waterfront, that acts as a protective barrier. 3. Chiefly New England A horizontal or sloping structure providing access to a cellar stairway.

Front 1234

bulwark

Back 1234

n. 1. A wall or embankment raised as a defensive fortification; a rampart. 2. Something serving as a defense or safeguard: "We have seen the necessity of the Union, as our _ against foreign danger" (James Madison). 3. A breakwater. 4. The part of a ship's side that is above the upper deck. Often used in the plural. tr.v. 1. To fortify with a wall, embankment, or rampart. 2. To provide defense or protection for.

Front 1235

parapet

Back 1235

n. 1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) a low wall or railing along the edge of a balcony, roof, etc. 2. (Military / Fortifications) Also called breastwork a rampart, mound of sandbags, bank, etc., in front of a trench, giving protection from fire from the front.

Front 1236

rampart

Back 1236

n. 1. (Military / Fortifications) the surrounding embankment of a fort, often including any walls, parapets, walks, etc., that are built on the bank 2. anything resembling a rampart in form or function, esp in being a defense or bulwark.

Front 1237

trope

Back 1237

n. 1. A figure of speech using words in nonliteral ways, such as a metaphor. 2. A word or phrase interpolated as an embellishment in the sung parts of certain medieval liturgies. 3. A common figure of speech: "Not that there's anything wrong with that". 4. A trite theme such as the climatic dual in a western movie. [Latin tropus, from Greek tropos, turn, figure of speech; see trep- in Indo-European roots.]

Front 1238

expound

Back 1238

v. (when intr, foll by on or about) to explain or set forth (an argument, theory, etc.) in detail to _ on one's theories; he _ed his reasoning

Front 1239

eke

Back 1239

v. To accomplish with great effort (also used to mean "increase" or "also")

Front 1240

exhort

Back 1240

v. To urge or persuade (someone) earnestly; advise strongly

Front 1241

ballyhoo

Back 1241

n. 1. a noisy, confused, or nonsensical situation or uproar 2. (Business / Marketing) sensational or blatant advertising or publicity.

Front 1242

confabulate

Back 1242

vb (intr) 1. to talk together; converse; chat 2. (Psychiatry) Psychiatry to replace the gaps left by a disorder of the memory with imaginary remembered experiences consistently believed to be true.

Front 1243

chateau

Back 1243

n. A large rural house; also refers to a wine-country estate.

Front 1244

hermitage

Back 1244

n. A residence or vacation home in a secluded place.

Front 1245

gestalt

Back 1245

n. (Psychology) (sometimes not capital) a perceptual pattern or structure possessing qualities as a whole that cannot be described merely as a sum of its parts See also _ psychology.

Front 1246

egalitarian

Back 1246

adj. Affirming, promoting, or characterized by belief in equal political, economic, social, and civil rights for all people.

Front 1247

dross

Back 1247

n. (metallurgy) An impurity, usually an oxide, formed on the surface of a molten metal.

Front 1248

glower

Back 1248

intr.v. To look or stare sullenly or angrily.

Front 1249

credenza

Back 1249

n. 1. A buffet, sideboard, or bookcase, especially one without legs. 2. A piece of office furniture having a long flat top and usually file drawers.

Front 1250

cinema verite

Back 1250

n. A movie that shows ordinary people in actual activities without being controlled by a director.

Front 1251

indemnify

Back 1251

tr.v. 1. To protect against damage, loss, or injury; insure. 2. To make compensation to for damage, loss, or injury suffered.

Front 1252

floe

Back 1252

n. A mass or sheet of floating ice.

Front 1253

ford

Back 1253

n. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a shallow area in a river that can be crossed by car, horseback, etc. vb(tr) to cross (a river, brook, etc.) over a shallow area

Front 1254

forensic

Back 1254

adj. (Law) relating to, used in, or connected with a court of law: _ science

Front 1255

fritter

Back 1255

vb(tr) 1. (usually foll by away) to waste or squander: to _ away time 2. to break or tear into small pieces; shred

Front 1256

gadfly

Back 1256

n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any of various large dipterous flies, esp the horsefly, that annoy livestock by sucking their blood 2. a constantly irritating or harassing person

Front 1257

vacuous

Back 1257

adj. 1. Devoid of matter; empty. 2.a. Lacking intelligence; stupid. b. Devoid of substance or meaning; inane: a _ comment. c. Devoid of expression; vacant: "The narrow, swinelike eyes were open, no more _ in death than they had been in life" (Nicholas Proffitt). 3. Lacking serious purpose or occupation; idle.

Front 1258

wan

Back 1258

adj. 1. Unnaturally pale, as from physical or emotional distress. 2. Suggestive or indicative of weariness, illness, or unhappiness; melancholy: a _expression. intr.v. To become pale.

Front 1259

rakish

Back 1259

1 adj. dissolute; profligate 2 adj. 1. dashing; jaunty: a hat set at a _ angle 2. (Transport / Nautical Terms) Nautical (of a ship or boat) having lines suggestive of speed

Front 1260

profligate

Back 1260

adj. 1. shamelessly immoral or debauched 2. wildly extravagant or wasteful n. a person with these characteristics.

Front 1261

lissome (also lissom)

Back 1261

adj. 1. Easily bent; supple. 2. Having the ability to move with ease; limber. (sounds like rhymes with missing)

Front 1262

stagflation

Back 1262

n. Sluggish economic growth coupled with a high rate of inflation and unemployment.

Front 1263

paean

Back 1263

(sounds like 'pay-in') n. 1. A song of joyful praise or exultation. 2. A fervent expression of joy or praise: "The art . . . was a _ to paganism" (Will Durant). 3. An ancient Greek hymn of thanksgiving or invocation, especially to Apollo.

Front 1264

saturnine

Back 1264

adj. 1. Having the temperament of one born under the supposed astrological influence of _(-3). 2. a. Melancholy or sullen. b. Having or marked by a tendency to be bitter or sardonic: a _ expression on his face. 3. Produced by absorption of lead.

Front 1265

stripling

Back 1265

n. An adolescent youth.

Front 1266

redoubt

Back 1266

n. 1. A small, often temporary defensive fortification. 2. A reinforcing earthwork or breastwork within a permanent rampart. 3. A protected place of refuge or defense.

Front 1267

escarpment

Back 1267

n. 1. A steep slope or long cliff that results from erosion or faulting and separates two relatively level areas of differing elevations. 2. A steep slope in front of a fortification.

Front 1268

quash

Back 1268

v. 1 Declare invalid. 2. Put down by force or intimidation.

Front 1269

reconnoiter

Back 1269

v. Explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody, or inspecting.

Front 1270

compatriot

Back 1270

n. A person from your own country.

Front 1271

cetacean

Back 1271

n. Large aquatic carnivorous mammal with fin-like forelimbs no hind limbs, including: whales; dolphins; porpoises; narwhals. (sounds similar to 'citation')

Front 1272

bouillabaisse

Back 1272

n. highly seasoned Mediterranean soup or stew made of several kinds of fish and shellfish with tomatoes and onions or leeks and seasoned with saffron and garlic and herbs. (sounds like bool-ya-base)

Front 1273

palisade

Back 1273

n. fortification consisting of a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground Type of: fortification, munition defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it. v. Surround with a wall in order to fortify

Front 1274

peppercorn

Back 1274

n. Pungent seasoning from the berry of the common pepper plant of East India; use whole or ground.

Front 1275

cumulous

Back 1275

adj. Thrown together in a pile. Resembling a pile. Heaped up.

Front 1276

ablate

Back 1276

v. 1.a. Wear away through erosion or vaporization. 1.b. Deteriorate through use or stress. 2. Remove an organ or bodily structure

Front 1277

whelp

Back 1277

n. young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf.

Front 1278

slough

Back 1278

n. 1. A hollow filled with mud. 2. a stagnant swamp (especially as part of a bayou) 3. necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass 4. any outer covering that can be shed or cast off (such as the cast-off skin of a snake). v. 1. cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers 2. To shake off. (rhymes with rough)

Front 1279

braggadocio

Back 1279

n. Vain and empty or exaggerated boasting.

Front 1280

scupper

Back 1280

n. Drain that allows water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard Type of: drain, drainpipe, waste pipe. v. 1. put in a dangerous, disadvantageous, or difficult position 2. wait in hiding to attack

Front 1281

bilge

Back 1281

n. 1. Where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom. 2. water accumulated in this part of a ship

Front 1282

sheaf

Back 1282

n. A package of several things tied together for carrying or storing; a tied bundle.

Front 1283

sallow

Back 1283

n. unhealthy in appearance––often yellow in color––and is almost invariably used to describe someone's complexion.

Front 1284

Aeschylus

Back 1284

n. Greek tragedian; the father of Greek tragic drama (525-456 BC)

Front 1285

querulous

Back 1285

adj. Habitually complaining.

Front 1286

quaver

Back 1286

adj. 1. Give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency waver. 2. Utter with vibrating vocal chords v. sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below Synonyms: trill, warble n 1. A tremulous sound Type of: sound the sudden occurrence of an audible event 2. a musical note having the time value of an eighth of a whole note

Front 1287

haunch

Back 1287

n. 1. the loin and leg of a quadruped; the part of an animal that corresponds to the human buttocks. 2. The hip and buttock and upper thigh in human beings.

Front 1288

chattel

Back 1288

n Personal as opposed to real property; any tangible movable property (furniture or domestic animals or a car etc).

Front 1289

steatophygia

Back 1289

n. (Medicine) excessive fatness of the buttocks.

Front 1290

prate

Back 1290

v. speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly; prattle. n. idle or foolish and irrelevant talk

Front 1291

gridiron

Back 1291

n. A cooking utensil of parallel metal bars; used to grill fish or meat. 2.

Front 1292

smelt

Back 1292

To _ metal, you have to heat the rock, which is called ore, until the metal inside it melts or liquefies. That metal is the part that has use and value, but hard work is needed to extract it.

Front 1293

festoon

Back 1293

n. A decorative string of flowers that you drape across a room, dropping in curves between support points. Strictly speaking it does not always have to be flowers. _ probably comes from the Italian word festone, for "feast,

Front 1294

titillate

Back 1294

v. 1. Excite pleasurably or erotically; “A _(-1)ing story appeared in the usually conservative magazine” 2. Touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements

Front 1295

touchstone

Back 1295

n. 1. A criterion or standard by which judgment is made 2. (Earth Sciences / Minerals) a hard dark siliceous stone, such as basalt or jasper, that is used to test the quality of gold and silver from the colour of the streak they produce on it.

Front 1296

buccaneer

Back 1296

n. Pirate

Front 1297

beneficent

Back 1297

adj. Doing or producing good.

Front 1298

brimstone

Back 1298

n. An old name for sulfur.

Front 1299

inveigle

Back 1299

v. influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

Front 1300

cockle

Back 1300

n. Common edible European bivalve 2. v. Stir up (water) so as to form ripples

Front 1301

plucky

Back 1301

adj. 1. Showing courage 2. Displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness adj. marked by courage and determination in the face of difficulties or danger; robust and uninhibited.

Front 1302

tarry

Back 1302

v.(intr) 1. to delay in coming or going; linger 2. to remain temporarily or briefly 3. to wait or stay 4. (tr) Archaic or poetic to await

Front 1303

febrile

Back 1303

adj. Related to fever.

Front 1304

Dionysis

Back 1304

n. (Greek mythology) god of wine and fertility and drama; the Greek name of Bacchus.

Front 1305

acclivity

Back 1305

n. an upward slope or grade (as in a road)

Front 1306

disconsolate

Back 1306

adj. 1. Sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled. 2. Causing dejection.

Front 1307

cicerone

Back 1307

n. A guide who conducts and informs sightseers.

Front 1308

hector

Back 1308

n. A blustering bully. v. To bully or torment.

Front 1309

fugacious

Back 1309

adj. 1. Passing away quickly; evanescent. 2. Botany Withering or dropping off early.

Front 1310

omnibus

Back 1310

n. 1. A long motor vehicle for passengers; a bus. 2. A printed anthology of the works of one author or of writings on related subjects. adj. Including or covering many things or classes: an _ trade bill.

Front 1311

alluvium

Back 1311

n. Sediment deposited by flowing water, as in a riverbed, flood plain, or delta. Also called _on. pl. alluviums or alluvia

Front 1312

maelstrom

Back 1312

n. 1. A violent or turbulent situation: caught in the _ of war. 2. A whirlpool of extraordinary size or violence.

Front 1313

cudgel

Back 1313

n. A short heavy stick; a club

Front 1314

rhapsody

Back 1314

n. 1. Exalted or excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling in speech or writing. 2. A literary work written in an impassioned or exalted style. 3. A state of elated bliss; ecstasy. 4. Music A usually instrumental composition of irregular form that often incorporates improvisation. 5. An ancient Greek epic poem or a portion of one suitable for uninterrupted recitation.

Front 1315

ultramarine

Back 1315

n. 1. a. A blue pigment made from powdered lapis lazuli. b. A similar pigment made synthetically by heating clay, sodium carbonate, and sulfur together. 2. A vivid or strong blue to purplish blue. adj. 1. Of the color _. 2. Of or from a place beyond the sea.

Front 1316

obtrude

Back 1316

v.tr. 1. To impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others with undue insistence or without invitation. 2. To thrust out; push forward. v.intr. To impose oneself on others.

Front 1317

disenchant

Back 1317

tr.v. To free from illusion or false belief; undeceive.

Front 1318

stentorian

Back 1318

adj. Extreemly loud.

Front 1319

reprieve

Back 1319

tr.v. 1. To postpone or cancel the punishment of. 2. To bring relief to. n. 1. a. Postponement or cancellation of a punishment. b. A warrant for such an action. 2. Temporary relief, as from danger or pain.

Front 1320

collateral

Back 1320

adj. 1. Situated or running side by side; parallel. 2. Coinciding in tendency or effect; concomitant or accompanying. 3. Serving to support or corroborate: _ evidence. 4. Of a secondary nature; subordinate: _ target damage from a bombing run. 5. Of, relating to, or guaranteed by a security pledged against the performance of an obligation: a _ loan. 6. Having an ancestor in common but descended from a different line. n. 1. Property acceptable as security for a loan or other obligation. 2. A _ relative.

Front 1321

goad

Back 1321

n. 1. a sharp pointed stick for urging on cattle, etc. 2. anything that acts as a spur or incitement v.tr. to drive with or as if with a _; spur; incite.

Front 1322

wont

Back 1322

adj. (postpositive) accustomed (to doing something) he was _ to come early n. a manner or action habitually employed by or associated with someone (often in the phrases as is my _, as is his _, etc.) vb. (when tr, usually passive) to become or cause to become accustomed

Front 1323

gambol

Back 1323

intr.v. To leap about playfully; frolic. n. A playful skipping or frolicking about. (sounds like gam-bull)

Front 1324

coppice

Back 1324

n. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Forestry) a thicket or dense growth of small trees or bushes, esp one regularly trimmed back to stumps so that a continual supply of small poles and firewood is obtained vb. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Forestry) (tr) to trim back (trees or bushes) to form a _. 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Forestry) (intr) to form a _.

Front 1325

copse

Back 1325

n. A thicket of small trees or shrubs; a coppice.

Front 1326

thicket

Back 1326

n. A dense growth of small trees, shrubs, and similar plants; a copse.

Front 1327

stout

Back 1327

adj. 1. Bold and resolute. 2. Sturdy, solid, substantial. 3. Bulky, thickset, or corpulent. 4. Powerful; forceful.

Front 1328

zoetrope

Back 1328

n. (Group Games / Games, other than specified) a cylinder-shaped toy with a sequence of pictures on its inner surface which, when viewed through the vertical slits spaced regularly around it while the toy is rotated, produce an illusion of animation

Front 1329

peckish

Back 1329

adj. 1. Ill-tempered; irritable. 2. Chiefly British Somewhat hungry

Front 1330

peccant

Back 1330

adj. 1. Sinful; guilty.2. Violating a rule or an accepted practice; erring. [Latin peccns, peccant-, present participle of peccre, to sin; see ped- in Indo-European roots.]

Front 1331

inviolate

Back 1331

adj. 1. free from violation, injury, disturbance, etc. 2. a less common word for inviolable

Front 1332

sacrosanct

Back 1332

adj. Regarded as sacred and inviolable.

Front 1333

refulgent

Back 1333

adj. Shinging radiantly; resplendent.

Front 1334

copacetic

Back 1334

adj. Very satisfactory or acceptable; fine: "You had to be a good judge of what a man was like, and the English was _" (John O'Hara).

Front 1335

gauche

Back 1335

adj. Lacking social polish; tactless.

Front 1336

macerate

Back 1336

v.tr. 1. To make soft by soaking or steeping in a liquid. 2. To separate into constituents by soaking. 3. To cause to become lean, usually by starvation; emaciate.

Front 1337

variegate

Back 1337

tr.v. 1. To change the appearance of, especially by marking with different colors; streak. 2. To give variety to; make varied.

Front 1338

consort

Back 1338

n. 1. A husband or wife, especially the spouse of a monarch. 2. A companion or partner. 3. A ship accompanying another in travel. 4. Partnership; association: governed in _ with her advisers. 5. A group; a company: a _ of fellow diplomats. 6. Music a. An instrumental ensemble. b. An ensemble using instruments of the same family. v. (kn- ôrt) v.intr. 1. To keep company; associate: a politician known to _ with gangsters. 2. To be in accord or agreement. v.tr. 1. To unite in company; associate. 2. Obsolete a. To escort; accompany. b. To espouse.

Front 1339

sortie

Back 1339

n. 1. An armed attack, especially one made from a place surrounded by enemy forces. 2. A flight of a combat aircraft on a mission. intr.v. -ied, _ing, _ies To go on a _.

Front 1340

tendentious

Back 1340

adj. Marked by a strong implicit point of view; partisan: a _ account of the recent elections.

Front 1341

obtuse

Back 1341

adj. 1. a. Lacking quickness of perception or intellect. b. Characterized by a lack of intelligence or sensitivity: an _ remark. c. Not distinctly felt: an _ pain. 2. a. Not sharp, pointed, or acute in form; blunt. b. Having an angle greater than 90 deg: an _ triangle. c. Botany. Having a blunt or rounded tip: an _ leaf.

Front 1342

insidious

Back 1342

adj. 1. Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy manner: _ rumors; an _ disease. 2. Intended to entrap; treacherous: _ misinformation. 3. Beguiling but harmful; alluring: _ pleasures.

Front 1343

elocution

Back 1343

n. 1. The art of public speaking in which gesture, vocal production, and delivery are emphasized. 2. A style or manner of speaking, especially in public.

Front 1344

heterodox

Back 1344

adj. 1. Not in agreement with accepted beliefs, especially in church doctrine or dogma. 2. Holding unorthodox opinions.

Front 1345

apartheid

Back 1345

n. 1. An official policy of racial segregation formerly practiced in the Republic of South Africa, involving political, legal, and economic discrimination against nonwhites. 2. A policy or practice of separating or segregating groups. 3. The condition of being separated from others; segregation.

Front 1346

welter

Back 1346

n. 1. A confused mass; a jumble: a _ of papers and magazines. 2. Confusion; turmoil. intr.v. 1. To wallow, roll, or toss about, as in mud or high seas. 2. To lie soaked in a liquid. 3. To roll and surge, as the sea.

Front 1347

epigram

Back 1347

n. 1. A short, witty poem expressing a single thought or observation. 2. A concise, clever, often paradoxical statement. See Synonyms at saying. 3. _matic discourse or expression.

Front 1348

fusillade

Back 1348

n. 1. A discharge from a number of firearms, fired simultaneously or in rapid succession. 2. A rapid outburst or barrage: a _ of insults. tr.v. To attack with a _.

Front 1349

proselytize

Back 1349

v.intr. 1. To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith. 2. To induce someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine.v.tr. To convert (a person) from one belief, doctrine, cause, or faith to another.

Front 1350

avocation

Back 1350

n. 1. An activity taken up in addition to one's regular work or profession, usually for enjoyment; a hobby. 2. One's regular work or profession. 3. Archaic A distraction or diversion.

Front 1351

burgeon

Back 1351

intr.v. 1.a. To put forth new buds, leaves, or greenery; sprout. b. To begin to grow or blossom. 2. To grow or develop rapidly.

Front 1352

reprisal

Back 1352

n. 1. Retaliation for an injury with the intent of inflicting at least as much injury in return. 2. Forcible seizure of an enemy's goods or subjects in retaliation for injuries inflicted. 3. The practice of using political or military force without actually resorting to war.

Front 1353

adjure

Back 1353

tr.v. 1. To command or enjoin solemnly, as under oath: "_ing her in the name of God to declare the truth" (Increase Mather). 2. To appeal to or entreat earnestly. adjure - The verb _ is a heavy-duty synonym of the word "ask," with more of a demanding tone. For example, you might have to _ someone to tell the truth. From www.vocabulary.com/definition/

Front 1354

disquiet

Back 1354

tr.v. To deprive of peace or rest; trouble. n. Absence of peace or rest; anxiety. adj. Archaic Uneasy; restless.

Front 1355

belie

Back 1355

tr.v. 1. To give a false representation to; misrepresent: "He spoke roughly in order to _ his air of gentility" (James Joyce). 2. To show to be false; contradict: Their laughter _ their outward grief.

Front 1356

insensible

Back 1356

adj. 1. a. Imperceptible; inappreciable: an _ change in temperature. b. Very small or gradual: _ movement. 2. a. Having lost consciousness, especially temporarily; unconscious: lay _ where he had fallen. b. Not invested with sensation; inanimate: _ clay. c. Devoid of physical sensation or the power to react, as to pain or cold; numb. 3.a. Unaware; unmindful: I am not _ of your concern. b. Not emotionally responsive; indifferent: _ to criticism. 4. Lacking meaning; unintelligible.

Front 1357

Kafkaesque

Back 1357

adj. 1. relating to or in the manner of Franz Kafka or his writings 2. characterized by surreal distortion and a sense of impending danger;"the _terror of the endless interrogations"

Front 1358

impassive

Back 1358

adj. 1. not revealing or affected by emotion; reserved. 2. calm; serene; imperturbable. 3. Rare unconscious or insensible.

Front 1359

revile

Back 1359

v.tr. To assail with abusive language; vituperate. See Synonyms at scold. v.intr. To use abusive language.

Front 1360

effigy

Back 1360

n. 1. A crude figure or dummy representing a hated person or group. 2. A likeness or image, especially of a person.

Front 1361

conciliate

Back 1361

v.tr. 1. To overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease. 2. To regain or try to regain (friendship or goodwill) by pleasant behavior. 3. To make or attempt to make compatible; reconcile. v.intr. To gain or try to gain someone's friendship or goodwill. See Synonyms at pacify.

Front 1362

vilify

Back 1362

tr.v. To make vicious and defamatory statements about. Synonyms: malign. [Middle English vilifien, from Late Latin vlificre, to hold cheap : Latin vlis, cheap; see wes-3 in Indo-European roots + Latin -ficre, -fy.]

Front 1363

cavil

Back 1363

v.intr. To find fault unnecessarily; raise trivial objections. Synonyms: quibble. v.tr. To quibble about; detect petty flaws in. n. A carping or trivial objection. (sounds like ravel)

Front 1364

convoke

Back 1364

v. To call together.

Front 1365

tenable

Back 1365

adj. 1. Capable of being maintained in argument; rationally defensible: a _theory. 2. Capable of being held against assault; defensible: a _ outpost.

Front 1366

estimable

Back 1366

adj. 1. Possible to estimate: _ assets; an _ distance. 2. Deserving of esteem; admirable: an _ young professor.

Front 1367

minatory

Back 1367

adj. Of a menacing or threatening nature; minacious. (sounds like bin-uh-torrie)

Front 1368

subjugate

Back 1368

tr.v. 1. To bring under control; conquer. See Synonyms at defeat. 2. To make subservient; enslave.

Front 1369

dour

Back 1369

adj. 1. Sullen; gloomy. 2. Hard or obstinate.

Front 1370

euphemism

Back 1370

n. The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive: "_s such as 'slumber room' . . . abound in the funeral business" (Jessica Mitford).

Front 1371

fractious

Back 1371

adj. 1. Inclined to make trouble; unruly. 2. Having a peevish nature; cranky.

Front 1372

culvert

Back 1372

n. 1. (Engineering / Civil Engineering) a drain or covered channel that crosses under a road, railway, etc. 2. (Electronics) a channel for an electric cable. 3. (Engineering / Civil Engineering) a tunnel through which water is pumped into or out of a dry dock.

Front 1373

decorum

Back 1373

n. 1. Appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety: "In the Ireland of the 1940's ... the stolidity of a long, empty, grave face was thought to be the height of _ and profundity" (John McGahern).

Front 1374

decry

Back 1374

tr.v. 1. To condemn openly. 2. To depreciate (currency, for example) by official proclamation or by rumor.

Front 1375

unconscionable

Back 1375

adj. 1. Not restrained by conscience; unscrupulous: _ behavior. 2. Beyond prudence or reason; excessive: _ spending.

Front 1376

percipient

Back 1376

adj. Having the power of perceiving, especially perceiving keenly and readily. n. One that perceives.

Front 1377

daunt

Back 1377

vb (tr; often passive) 1. to intimidate 2. to dishearten

Front 1378

desuetude

Back 1378

n. A state of disuse or inactivity. (rhymes with destitute)

Front 1379

equipoise

Back 1379

n. 1. Equality in distribution, as of weight, relationship, or emotional forces; equilibrium. 2. A counterpoise; a counterbalance

Front 1380

aseptic

Back 1380

adj. 1.a. Free of pathogenic microorganisms: _ surgical instruments. b. Using methods to protect against infection by pathogenic microorganisms: _ surgical techniques. 2. Lacking animation or emotion: an _ smile.

Front 1381

droll

Back 1381

adj. Amusingly odd or whimsically comical. n. Archaic A buffoon.

Front 1382

fallible

Back 1382

adj. 1. Capable of making an error: Humans are only _. 2. Tending or likely to be erroneous: _ hypotheses.

Front 1383

preen

Back 1383

v.tr. 1.a. To smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak or bill. b. To trim or clean (fur) with the tongue, as cats do. 2. To dress or groom (oneself) with elaborate care; primp. 3. To take pride or satisfaction in (oneself); gloat. v. intr. 1. To dress up; primp. 2. To swell with pride; gloat or exult.

Front 1384

primp

Back 1384

v.tr. To dress or groom (oneself) with meticulous or excessive attention to detail. v.intr. To dress or groom oneself with elaborate care; preen.

Front 1385

exiguous

Back 1385

adj. Extremely scanty; meager.

Front 1386

epistle

Back 1386

n. 1. A letter, especially a formal one. See Synonyms at letter. 2. A literary composition in the form of a letter. 3. (capitalized) Bible a. One of the letters included as a book in the New Testament. b. An excerpt from one of these letters, read as part of a religious service.

Front 1387

louche

Back 1387

adj. shifty or disreputable [from French, literally: squinting]

Front 1388

surreptitious

Back 1388

adj. 1. Obtained, done, or made by clandestine or stealthy means. 2. Acting with or marked by stealth. See Synonyms at secret.

Front 1389

churlish

Back 1389

adj. 1. Boorish or vulgar. 2. Having a bad disposition; surly: "as valiant as the lion, _ as the bear" (Shakespeare). 3. Difficult to work with, such as soil; intractable.

Front 1390

dissolute

Back 1390

adj. Lacking moral restraint; indulging in sensual pleasures or vices. [Middle English, from Latin dissoltus, past participle of dissolvere, to dissolve; see dissolve.]

Front 1391

machination

Back 1391

n. 1. The act of plotting. 2. A crafty scheme or cunning design for the accomplishment of a sinister end.

Front 1392

discountenance

Back 1392

tr.v. 1. To view or treat with disfavor. 2. To put out of countenance; disconcert. n. Disfavor or disapproval.

Front 1393

exemplar

Back 1393

n. 1. a person or thing to be copied or imitated; model 2. a typical specimen or instance; example 3. (Library Science & Bibliography) A copy of a book or text on which further printings have been based.

Front 1394

abbot

Back 1394

n. The superior of an abby of monks in a monestary.

Front 1395

abscess

Back 1395

n. A localized collection of pus formed as the product of inflammation and usually caused by bacteria.

Front 1396

abcission

Back 1396

1. The act of cutting off. 2. The separation of a leaf, flower, or fruit from a plant as a result of natural structural and chemical changes. The _ zone is a layer of weak, thin-walled cells that form across the base of the plant part where the break eventually occurs.

Front 1397

acetic acid

Back 1397

n. The acid in vinegar.

Front 1398

aide-de-camp

Back 1398

n. An officer who receives and transmits the orders of the general.

Front 1399

gypsum

Back 1399

n. A widespread colorless, white, or yellowish mineral, CaSO4•2H2O, used in the manufacture of plaster of Paris, various plaster products, and fertilizers,cement, paint, chalk.

Front 1400

alderman

Back 1400

n. 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (in England and Wales until 1974) One of the senior members of a local council, elected by other councillors. 2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (in the US, Canada, Australia, etc.) a member of the governing body of a municipality

Front 1401

auburn

Back 1401

adj. Reddish-brown, said usually of the hair.

Front 1402

augur

Back 1402

v. To predict.

Front 1403

aural

Back 1403

adj. Of or pertaining to the ear.

Front 1404

azalea

Back 1404

n. A flowering shrub.

Front 1405

bedlam

Back 1405

n. 1. a noisy confused place or situation; state of uproar his speech caused _.

Front 1406

bibulous

Back 1406

adj. Fond of drinking.

Front 1407

blase

Back 1407

adj. 1.

Front 1408

bolero

Back 1408

n. A Spanish dance, illustrative of the passion of love, accompanied by castinets and singing.

Front 1409

brogue

Back 1409

n. Any dialectic pronunciation of English, especially that of the Irish people.

Front 1410

cantata

Back 1410

n. A choral composition.

Front 1411

conjugate

Back 1411

adj. Joined together in pairs

Front 1412

coronet

Back 1412

n. Inferior crown denoting, according to its form, various degrees of noble rank less than sovereign.

Front 1413

corrigible

Back 1413

adj. Capable of reformation.

Front 1414

crag

Back 1414

n. A rugged, rocky projection on a cliff or ledge.

Front 1415

crevasse

Back 1415

n. A deep crack or fissure in the ice of a glacier.

Front 1416

canter

Back 1416

n. A smooth gait, especially of a horse, that is slower than a gallop but faster than a trot.

Front 1417

carp

Back 1417

vb(intr) (oft followed by 'at') To complain or find fault; nag pettily.

Front 1418

catcall

Back 1418

n. a shrill whistle or cry expressing disapproval, as at a public meeting, etc.

Front 1419

cavalcade

Back 1419

n. 1. a procession of people on horseback, in cars, etc. 2. any procession; a _of guests

Front 1420

crockery

Back 1420

n. Earthenware made from baked clay.

Front 1421

malediction

Back 1421

n. 1. The utterance of a curse against someone or something 2. Slanderous accusation or comment.

Front 1422

defraud

Back 1422

v.tr. To take something from by fraud; swindle: _ed the immigrants by selling them worthless land deeds.

Front 1423

deism

Back 1423

n. The belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation.

Front 1424

denizen

Back 1424

n. Inhabitant.

Front 1425

denude

Back 1425

v.tr. To strip the covering from.

Front 1426

derrick

Back 1426

n. An apparatus for hoisting and swinging great weights.

Front 1427

detrude

Back 1427

v. To push down forcibly.

Front 1428

dipthong

Back 1428

n. The sound produced by combining two vowels in to a single syllable or running together the sounds.

Front 1429

gerund

Back 1429

n. 1. In Latin, a noun derived from a verb and having all case forms except the nominative. 2. 2. In other languages, a verbal noun analogous to the Latin _, such as the English form ending in -ing when used as a noun, as in singing in We admired the choir's singing.

Front 1430

disallow

Back 1430

v. 1. To withhold permission or sanction. 2. to reject as untrue or invalid 3. to cancel.

Front 1431

dispossess

Back 1431

v.tr. To take away possession of something, esp property; expel: he was _ed from all his lands.

Front 1432

dowry

Back 1432

n. The property which a wife brings to her husband in marriage.

Front 1433

dyne

Back 1433

n. The force which, applied to a mass of one gram for 1 second, would give it a velocity of 1 cm/s.

Front 1434

emeritus

Back 1434

adj. Retired from active service but retained to an honorary position.

Front 1435

endue

Back 1435

v.tr. 1. (usually foll by with) to invest or provide, as with some quality or trait. 2. Rare (foll by with) to clothe or dress (in)

Front 1436

bangle

Back 1436

n. 1. A rigid bracelet or anklet, especially one with no clasp. 2. An ornament that hangs from a bracelet or necklace.

Front 1437

esquire

Back 1437

n. 1. Chiefly Brit a title of respect, usually abbreviated _., placed after a man's name 2. (Historical Terms) (in medieval times) The attendant and shield bearer of a knight, subsequently often knighted himself.

Front 1438

faun

Back 1438

n. One of a class of deities of the woods and herds represented as half human, with goats feet.

Front 1439

federate

Back 1439

v. To league together.

Front 1440

fiducial

Back 1440

adj. 1. Based on or relating to faith or trust. 2. Relating to or characteristic of a legal trust; fiduciary. 3. Regarded or employed as a standard of reference, as in surveying.

Front 1441

equinox

Back 1441

n. 1. (Astronomy) either of the two occasions, six months apart, when day and night are of equal length See vernal _, autumnal _.

Front 1442

fiduciary

Back 1442

n. (Law) a person bound to act for another's benefit, as a trustee in relation to his beneficiary adj. (Law) a. having the nature of a trust b. of or relating to a trust or trustee

Front 1443

flection

Back 1443

n. The act of bending.

Front 1444

folio

Back 1444

n. 1. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) A sheet of paper folded in half to make two leaves for a book or manuscript. 2. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) a book or manuscript of the largest common size made up of such sheets.

Front 1445

forfend

Back 1445

v.intr. 1. a. To keep or ward off; avert. b. Archaic To forbid. 2. To defend or protect.

Front 1446

garrison

Back 1446

n. The military force stationed in a fort, town, or other place for its defense.

Front 1447

genteel

Back 1447

adj. Well-bred or refined.

Front 1448

gibe

Back 1448

vb. To make jeering or scoffing remarks (at); taunt. n. A derisive or provoking remark.

Front 1449

glutinous

Back 1449

adj. Gluelike; sticky.

Front 1450

gourd

Back 1450

n. A melon, pumpkin, squash, or some similar fruit having a hard rind.

Front 1451

gratuitous

Back 1451

adj. 1. Given or granted without return or recompense; unearned. 2. Given or received without cost or obligation; free. 3. Unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified: gratuitous criticism.

Front 1452

grenadier

Back 1452

n. A member of a regiment composed of men of great stature.

Front 1453

gumption

Back 1453

n. Informal 1. Boldness of enterprise; initiative or aggressiveness. 2. Guts; spunk. 3. Common sense.

Front 1454

happy-go-lucky

Back 1454

adj. Improvident.

Front 1455

hibernal

Back 1455

adj. Pertaining to winter.

Front 1456

huckster

Back 1456

n. 1. One who sells wares or provisions in the street; a peddler or hawker.

Front 1457

impel

Back 1457

v.tr. To drive or urge forward.

Front 1458

impolitic

Back 1458

adj. Not wise or expedient; not politic: an _ approach to a sensitive issue.

Front 1459

incontrovertible

Back 1459

adj. Indisputable.

Front 1460

indict

Back 1460

v. To find and declare chargeable with crime.

Front 1461

indiscreet

Back 1461

adj. Lacking wise judgment.

Front 1462

inestimable

Back 1462

adj. 1. Impossible to estimate or compute: _ damage. 2. Of immeasurable value or worth; invaluable: "shared all the _ advantages of being wealthy, good-looking, confident and intelligent"(Doris Kearns Goodwin).

Front 1463

inglorious

Back 1463

adj. 1. Without courage or glory; dishonourable, shameful, or disgraceful 2. unknown or obscure.

Front 1464

inquisition

Back 1464

n. A court or tribunal for examination and punishment of heretics.

Front 1465

inroad

Back 1465

n. 1. A hostile invasion; a raid. 2. An advance, especially at another's expense; an encroachment. Often used in the plural: Foreign products have made _ into the American economy.

Front 1466

intercede

Back 1466

v. To mediate between persons.

Front 1467

interlocutor

Back 1467

n. 1. a person who takes part in a conversation 2. Also called middleman the man in the centre of a troupe of minstrels who engages the others in talk or acts as announcer.

Front 1468

intramural

Back 1468

adj. 1. Existing or carried on within the bounds of an institution, especially a school: _ athletics. 2. Anatomy Occurring or situated within the wall of a cavity or organ.

Front 1469

itinerary

Back 1469

n. 1. A route or proposed route of a journey. 2. An account or record of a journey. 3. A guidebook for travelers. adj. 1. Of or relating to a journey or route. 2. Traveling from place to place.

Front 1470

knight errant

Back 1470

n. One of the wandering knights who in the middle ages went forth in search of adventure.

Front 1471

ligature

Back 1471

n. Anything that constricts, or serves for binding or tying.

Front 1472

liniment

Back 1472

n. A liquid preparation for rubbing on the skin in cases of bruises, inflammation, etc.

Front 1473

loam

Back 1473

n. A non-coherent mixture of sand and clay, and silt and straw, used for making bricks or foundry molds.

Front 1474

louse

Back 1474

n. A small insect parasitic on and sucking the blood of mammals.

Front 1475

mealy-mouthed

Back 1475

adj. Afraid to express facts or opinions plainly.

Front 1476

menagerie

Back 1476

n. A collection of wild animals, especially when kept for exhibition.

Front 1477

mete

Back 1477

v. Apportion.

Front 1478

countenance

Back 1478

v.t. 1. To support or encourage; sanction. 2. To tolerate; endure.

Front 1479

coy

Back 1479

adj. 1. Tending to avoid people and social situations; reserved. 2. Affectedly and usually flirtatiously shy or modest. 3. Annoyingly unwilling to make a commitment.

Front 1480

savoir-faire

Back 1480

n. The ability to do the right / graceful thing in any situation. (sounds like have whua-aire) [French, literally: a knowing how to do]

Front 1481

doggerel

Back 1481

n. Crudely or irregularly fashioned verse, often of a humorous or burlesque nature.

Front 1482

knell

Back 1482

.intr. 1. To ring slowly and solemnly, especially for a funeral; toll. 2. To give forth a mournful or ominous sound. v.tr. To signal, summon, or proclaim by tolling. n. 1. The sound of a bell making this sound; a toll. 2. A signal of disaster or destruction. [Middle English knellen, from Old English cnyllan.]

Front 1483

sepulcher

Back 1483

n. 1. A burial vault. 2. A receptacle for sacred relics, especially in an altar. tr.v. To place into a _; inter.

Front 1484

loll

Back 1484

v.intr. 1. To move, stand, or recline in an indolent or relaxed manner. 2. To hang or droop laxly: a pennant _ing from the mast. v.tr. To permit to hang or droop laxly: _ed his head on the armrest. n. Archaic An act or attitude of _ing. Something that one absolutely and positively cannot stand is anathema. Garlic is anathema to vampires (ditto for stakes and daylight). So is kryptonite to Superman or a silver bullet to a werewolf. Originally the term anathema comes from the Catholic practice of denouncing a particular individual or idea that was antithetical to the Catholic Church. If done to a person, it excommunicated them, meaning they could no longer partake in the church's sacraments (with presumably pretty poor consequences for the soul.) That's a lot worse than kryptonite. From www.vocabulary.com.

Front 1485

execrate

Back 1485

tr.v. 1. To declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce. 2. To feel loathing for; abhor. 3. Archaic To invoke a curse on.

Front 1486

arable

Back 1486

adj. Fit for cultivation, as by plowing. n. Land fit to be cultivated.

Front 1487

exegesis

Back 1487

n. Critical explanation or analysis, especially of a text, esp. The Bible.

Front 1488

aureole

Back 1488

n. 1. A circle of light or radiance surrounding the head or body of a representation of a deity or holy person; a halo. 2. Astronomy See corona.

Front 1489

impenitent

Back 1489

adj. Not penitent; unrepentant.

Front 1490

dappled

Back 1490

adj. Spotted; mottled.

Front 1491

scion

Back 1491

n. 1. A descendant or heir. 2. also _ A detached shoot or twig containing buds from a woody plant, used in grafting.

Front 1492

plait

Back 1492

n. 1. A braid, especially of hair. 2. A pleat. tr.v. 1. To braid. 2. To pleat. 3. To make by braiding.

Front 1493

ecclesiastic

Back 1493

adj. 1. Of or relating to a church, especially as an organized institution. 2. Appropriate to a church or to use in a church: _al architecture.

Front 1494

etiology

Back 1494

n. The cause or origin of a disease, condition, or constellation of symptoms or signs, as determined by medical diagnosis or research.

Front 1495

muddle

Back 1495

v.tr. 1. To make turbid or muddy. 2. To mix confusedly; jumble. 3. To confuse or befuddle the mind), as with alcohol. See Synonyms at confuse. 4. To mismanage or bungle. 5. To stir or mix (a drink) gently. v.intr. To think, act, or proceed in a confused or aimless manner: muddled along through my high-school years. n. 1. A disordered condition; a mess or jumble. 2. Mental confusion.

Front 1496

psychosis

Back 1496

n. A mental state caused by psychiatric or organic illness, characterized by a loss of contact with reality and an inability to think rationally. A (-3)_ person often behaves inappropriately and is incapable of normal social functioning.

Front 1497

paltry

Back 1497

adj. 1. insignificant; meagre. 2. worthless or petty.

Front 1498

orthography

Back 1498

n. 1. (Linguistics) a writing system. 2. (Linguistics) a. spelling considered to be correct. b. the principles underlying spelling 3. (Linguistics) the study of spelling 4. (Engineering / General Engineering): _ projection.

Front 1499

ornithology

Back 1499

n. The branch of biology that deals with the study of birds.

Front 1500

"dime me out"

Back 1500

v. To tell on. Reference to using a pay phone to rat on someone.

Front 1501

meniscus

Back 1501

n. 1. (Physics / General Physics) the curved upper surface of a liquid standing in a tube, produced by the surface tension. 2. a crescent or half-moon-shaped body or design. 3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) a crescent-shaped fibrous cartilage between the bones at certain joints, esp at the knee. 4. (Physics / General Physics) a crescent-shaped lens; a concavo-convex or convexo-concave lens.

Front 1502

chartreuse

Back 1502

n. A strong to brilliant greenish yellow to moderate or strong yellow green.

Front 1503

hagiography

Back 1503

n. 1. Biography of saints. 2. A worshipful or idealizing biography.

Front 1504

circadian

Back 1504

adj. Biology Relating to or exhibiting approximately 24-hour periodicity. [Latin circ, around; see circa + Latin dis, day; see dyeu- in Indo-European roots.]

Front 1505

auteur

Back 1505

(sounds like oh-turn) n. A filmmaker, usually a director, who exercises creative control over his or her works and has a strong personal style.

Front 1506

flout

Back 1506

v.tr. To show contempt for; scorn: _ a law; behavior that _ed convention. v.intr. To be scornful. n. A contemptuous action or remark; an insult.

Front 1507

filial

Back 1507

adj. 1. of, resembling, or suitable to a son or daughter _ affection. 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Genetics) Genetics designating any of the generations following the parental generation. Abbrev.: F; F1 indicates the first _ generation, F2 the second, etc. [from Late Latin filialis, from Latin filius son]

Front 1508

staid

Back 1508

adj. 1. Of a settled, sedate, and steady character. 2. (Now rare) Permanent.

Front 1509

bellwether

Back 1509

n. One that serves as a leader or as a leading indicator of future trends: "The degree to which the paper is censored is a political _" (Justine De Lacy). Literally: (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Breeds) a sheep that leads the herd, often bearing a bell

Front 1510

watershed

Back 1510

n. 1. A ridge of high land dividing two areas that are drained by different river systems. Also called water parting. 2. The region draining into a river, river system, or other body of water. 3. A critical point that marks a division or a change of course; a turning point: "a _ in modern American history, a time that ... forever changed American social attitudes" (Robert Reinhold).

Front 1511

braggadocio

Back 1511

n. 1. A braggart.

Front 1512

valise

Back 1512

(rhymes with 'police') n. A small piece of luggage that can be carried by hand, used to hold clothing, toilet articles, etc.; suitcase; traveling bag

Front 1513

uncouth

Back 1513

adj. Lacking in good manners, refinement, or grace.

Front 1514

maestro

Back 1514

n. A master in an art, especially a composer, conductor, or music teacher.

Front 1515

nabob, nawab

Back 1515

n. 1. A governor in India under the Mogul Empire. 2. A person of wealth and prominence.

Front 1516

grist

Back 1516

n. 1. Grain or a quantity of grain for grinding. 2. Ground grain. Idiom: _ for one's)/the mill: Something that can be used to advantage.

Front 1517

hutch

Back 1517

n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) a cage, usually of wood and wire mesh, for small animals 2. Informal, derogatory a small house 3. (Mining & Quarrying) a cart for carrying ore 4. (Mining & Quarrying) a trough, esp one used for kneading dough or (in mining) for washing ore

Front 1518

gelid

Back 1518

adj. Very cold; icy: _ ocean waters. See Synonyms at cold.

Front 1519

fait accompli

Back 1519

n. Something already done and beyond alteration.

Front 1520

extrinsic

Back 1520

adj. 1. not contained or included within; extraneous 2. originating or acting from outside; external

Front 1521

efflorescence

Back 1521

n. 1. a bursting forth or flowering 2. the period of greatest prosperity or productivity. 3. (Chemistry) Chem Geology a. the process of _(-4)ing b. the powdery substance formed as a result of this process, esp on the surface of rocks 4. (Medicine / Pathology) any skin rash or eruption.

Front 1522

escrow

Back 1522

n. 1. (Law) money, goods, or a written document, such as a contract bond, delivered to a third party and held by him pending fulfilment of some condition 2. (Law) the state or condition of being an _ (esp in the phrase in _) vb(tr) l(Law) to place (money, a document, etc.) in _.

Front 1523

curio

Back 1523

n. A curious or unusual object of art or piece of bric-a-brac.

Front 1524

calico

Back 1524

n. 1. a. A coarse cloth with a bright print. b. Chiefly British A plain white cotton cloth, heavier than muslin. 2. Artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers. 3. An animal, such as a cat, having a coat that is mottled in tones of white with red and black. 4. Having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly.

Front 1525

benison

Back 1525

n. A blessing; a benediction.

Front 1526

albatross

Back 1526

n. 1. Any of several large web-footed birds constituting the family Diomedeidae, chiefly of the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings. 2. a. A constant, worrisome burden. b. an obstacle to success.

Front 1527

trounce

Back 1527

v.tr. 1. To thrash; beat. 2. To defeat decisively.

Front 1528

viaduct

Back 1528

n. a bridge, esp for carrying a road or railway across a valley, etc., consisting of a set of arches supported by a row of piers or towers. [from Latin via way + ducere to bring, on the model of aqueduct]

Front 1529

tine

Back 1529

n. 1. a slender prong, esp of a fork2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) any of the sharp terminal branches of a deer's antler. [Old English tind; related to Old Norse tindr, Old High German zint]

Front 1530

vale

Back 1530

n. A valley, often coursed by a stream; a dale

Front 1531

dale

Back 1531

n. A valley.

Front 1532

savannah

Back 1532

n. A flat grassland of tropical or subtropical regions. [Obsolete Spanish çavana, from Taino zabana.]

Front 1533

opus

Back 1533

n. 1. an artistic composition, esp a musical work 2. (Music / Classical Music) (often capital) (usually followed by a number) a musical composition by a particular composer, generally catalogued in order of publication Beethoven's _ 61 is his violin concerto Abbreviation op [from Latin: a work; compare Sanskrit apas work]

Front 1534

neocolonialism

Back 1534

n. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (in the modern world) political control by an outside power of a country that is in theory sovereign and independent, esp through the domination of its economy.

Front 1535

voluptuary

Back 1535

n. Someone devoted to sensory pleasure and luxury; a sybaritye.

Front 1536

supplant

Back 1536

tr.v. 1. To usurp the place of, especially through intrigue or underhanded tactics. 2. To displace and substitute for (another): The word processor has largely _ed electric typewriters.

Front 1537

stupefy

Back 1537

v. 1. To dull the senses. 2. Astound.

Front 1538

serendipity

Back 1538

n. 1. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. 2. The fact or occurrence of such discoveries. 3. An instance of making such a discovery.

Front 1539

seminal

Back 1539

adj. 1. Of, relating to, containing, or conveying semen or seed. 2. Of, relating to, or having the power to originate; creative. 3. Highly influential in an original way; constituting or providing a basis for further development: a _idea in the development of a new theory.

Front 1540

scourge

Back 1540

n. 1. Something causing misery or death 2. Someone who inspires fear or dread. 3. a whip used for punishment or torture vb (tr) 1. to whip; flog 2. to punish severely

Front 1541

scurrilous

Back 1541

adj 1. grossly or obscenely abusive or defamatory 2. characterized by gross or obscene humour.

Front 1542

saccharine

Back 1542

adj. Overly sweet.

Front 1543

revel

Back 1543

v. To enjoy.

Front 1544

remiss

Back 1544

adj. Negligent, exhibiting carelessness.

Front 1545

quid pro quo

Back 1545

n. 1. a reciprocal exchange 2. something given in compensation, esp an advantage or object given in exchange for another.

Front 1546

purport

Back 1546

vb.tr. 1. to claim (to be a certain thing, etc.) by manner or appearance, esp falsely 2. (esp of speech or writing) to signify or imply n. 1. meaning; significance; import 2. purpose; object; intention.

Front 1547

presentiment

Back 1547

n. A sense that something is about to occur; a premonition.

Front 1548

preponderance

Back 1548

n. 1. A great amount or frequency. 2. Superiority in weight, force, importance, or influence.

Front 1549

predestination

Back 1549

n. The concept of destiny or fate.

Front 1550

poach

Back 1550

v. To hunt or fish illegally.

Front 1551

iniquity

Back 1551

n. 1. Lack of justice or righteousness; wickedness; injustice. 2. A wicked act; sin.

Front 1552

inextricable

Back 1552

adj. Hopelessly confused or tangled.

Front 1553

impudent

Back 1553

adj. rude, improper.

Front 1554

hiernal

Back 1554

adj. Wintery, relating to winter.

Front 1555

hail

Back 1555

v. To come from.

Front 1556

gape

Back 1556

intr.v. 1. To open the mouth wide; yawn. 2. To stare wonderingly or stupidly, often with the mouth open. See Synonyms at gaze. 3. To open wide: The curtains _d when the wind blew. n. 1. The act or an instance of _ing. 2. A large opening.

Front 1557

forestall

Back 1557

v. To delay, impede.

Front 1558

fey

Back 1558

adj. 1. interested in or believing in the supernatural 2. attuned to the supernatural; clairvoyant; visionary 3. Chiefly Scot fated to die; doomed 4. Chiefly Scot in a state of high spirits or unusual excitement, formerly believed to presage death [Old English fæge marked out for death; related to Old Norse feigr doomed, Old High German feigi].

Front 1559

extol

Back 1559

v. To praise.

Front 1560

daft

Back 1560

adj. Insane; foolish.

Front 1561

brash

Back 1561

adj. Hasty or lacking in sensitivity.

Front 1562

allay

Back 1562

v. 1. To relieve. 2. To passify or set to rest.

Front 1563

akimbo

Back 1563

adv. With hands on hips.

Front 1564

agoraphobia

Back 1564

n. An abnormal fear of open or public places.

Front 1565

accost

Back 1565

v. 1. to approach or confront aggressively as with a demand. 2. To solicit for sex.

Front 1566

dauphin

Back 1566

n. 1. The eldest son of the king of France from 1349 to 1830. 2. Used as a title for such a nobleman. (sounds like dolphin)

Front 1567

synesthesia

Back 1567

n. 1. A condition in which one type of stimulation evokes the sensation of another, as when the hearing of a sound produces the visualization of a color. 2. A sensation felt in one part of the body as a result of stimulus applied to another, as in referred pain. 3. The description of one kind of sense impression by using words that normally describe another.

Front 1568

declamation

Back 1568

n. 1. (Literature / Rhetoric) a rhetorical or emotional speech, made esp in order to protest or condemn; tirade 2. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a speech, verse, etc., that is or can be spoken 3. (Literature / Rhetoric) the act or art of declaiming 4. (Music / Classical Music) Music the artistry or technique involved in singing recitative passages.

Front 1569

adjudicate

Back 1569

v.tr. 1. To hear and settle (a case) by judicial procedure. 2. To study and settle (a dispute or conflict): The principal _ our quarrel. v.intr. To act as a judge.

Front 1570

paddock

Back 1570

n. 1. A fenced area, usually near a stable, used chiefly for grazing horses. 2. Sports a. An enclosure at a racetrack where the horses are assembled, saddled, and paraded before each race. b. An area of an automobile racetrack where cars are prepared before a race. 3. Australian A piece of fenced-in land.

Front 1571

whet

Back 1571

(vb tr) 1. (Engineering / General Engineering) To sharpen, as by grinding or friction. 2. To increase or enhance (the appetite, desire, etc.); stimulate.

Front 1572

rheology

Back 1572

n. The study of the deformation and flow of matter.

Front 1573

Rubicon

Back 1573

n. A limit that when passed or exceeded permits of no return and typically results in irrevocable commitment. [Latin Rubic, Rubicn-, Rubicon, a short river of north-central Italy, the crossing of which by Julius Caesar and his army in 49 b.c. began a civil war.]

Front 1574

ad hominem

Back 1574

adj. Appealing to personal considerations rather than to logic or reason: Debaters should avoid _ arguments that question their opponents' motives.

Front 1575

bloviate

Back 1575

v. To discourse at length in a pompous or boastful manner: "the rural Babbitt who _s about 'progress' and 'groth' " (George Rebeck).

Front 1576

glockenspiel

Back 1576

n. A percussion instrument with a series of metal bars tuned to the chromatic scale and played with two light hammers. Synonyms: orchestral bells Usage: She was always capricious in her tastes, but even her close friends were surprised when she dismissed her piano teacher and took up the _.

Front 1577

pogrom

Back 1577

n. An organized, often officially encouraged massacre or persecution of a minority group, especially one conducted against Jews. (sounds like, puh-'grum, where grum rhymes with strum)

Front 1578

alder

Back 1578

n. Any of various deciduous shrubs or trees of the genus Alnus, native chiefly to northern temperate regions and having alternate simple toothed leaves and tiny fruits in woody, conelike catkins. 2. The wood of these plants, used in carvings and for making furniture and cabinets.

Front 1579

ocular

Back 1579

adj. Relating to the eye.

Front 1580

brig

Back 1580

n. 1. (Transport / Nautical Terms) Nautical a two-masted square-rigger 2. (Military) Chiefly US a prison, esp in a navy ship

Front 1581

agrestic

Back 1581

adj. 1. rural; rustic 2. unpolished; uncouth [from Latin agrestis, from ager field]

Front 1582

browbeat

Back 1582

v.tr to discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate

Front 1583

easement

Back 1583

n. 1. (Law) Property law the right enjoyed by a landowner of making limited use of his neighbour's land, as by crossing it to reach his own property 2. the act of easing or something that brings ease.

Front 1584

perquisite

Back 1584

n. An incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (esp. if it is regarded as a right. 2. A right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (esp. a hereditary or official right).

Front 1585

foreland

Back 1585

n. 1. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a headland, cape, or coastal promontory 2. land lying in front of something, such as water

Front 1586

draper

Back 1586

n. Chiefly British A dealer in cloth or clothing and dry goods.

Front 1587

sartorial

Back 1587

adj. 1. of or relating to a tailor or to tailoring 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Anatomy of or relating to the _(-3)ius. [from Late Latin sartorius from sartor]

Front 1588

sub rosa

Back 1588

adv. In secret; privately or confidentially: held the meeting _.

Front 1589

nib

Back 1589

n. 1. the writing point of a pen, esp an insertable tapered metal part with a split tip 2. a point, tip, or beak

Front 1590

succubus

Back 1590

n. A female evil spirit or demon thought in medieval times to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with sleeping men.

Front 1591

alight

Back 1591

vb (intr) 1. (usually foll by from) to step out (of) or get down (from): to _ from a taxi 2. to come to rest; settle; land: a thrush _ed on the wall adj (postpositive) adv 1. burning; on fire 2. illuminated; lit up. [Old English âlîht lit up, from âlîhtan to light up; see light1]

Front 1592

inter

Back 1592

vb(tr) To place (a body) in the earth; bury, esp with funeral rites. [from Old French enterrer, from Latin in-2 + terra earth]

Front 1593

consanguine

Back 1593

adj. Of the same lineage or origin; having a common ancestor.

Front 1594

Seder

Back 1594

n. The ceremonial night on the first night (or both nights) of Passover.

Front 1595

clavicle

Back 1595

n. 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) either of the two bones connecting the shoulder blades with the upper part of the breastbone Nontechnical name collarbone 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) the corresponding structure in other vertebrates.

Front 1596

bugaboo

Back 1596

n. 1. An object of obsessive, usually exaggerated fear or anxiety: "Boredom, laziness and failure: These _s, magnified by imagination, keep [the workaholic] running (Dun's Review). 2. A recurring or persistent problem: the _s that have plagued vision systems: high price and slow throughput" (Lawrence A. Goshorn). [Perhaps of Celtic origin.]

Front 1597

luthier

Back 1597

n. One that makes or repairs stringed instruments.

Front 1598

buffet

Back 1598

v. 1. v. to strike against forcefully and/or repeatedly; batter: winds that _ed the tent. 3. To drive or force this way: was _ed about from job to job by the vagaries of the economy. 4. To force (one's way) with difficulty. [Middle English, from Old French buffet, diminutive of buffe, blow.]

Front 1599

tawny

Back 1599

adj. A light brown to brownish orange.

Front 1600

brindled

Back 1600

adj. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Colours) brown or grey streaked or patched with a darker colour: a _ dog [changed from C15 brended, literally: branded, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse bröndottr; see brand]

Front 1601

apothegm, apophthegm

Back 1601

n. A terse, witty, instructive saying; a maxim.

Front 1602

aurora

Back 1602

n. 1. A luminous atmospheric phenomenon appearing as streamers or bands of light sometimes visible in the night sky in northern or southern regions of the earth. It is thought to be caused by charged particles from the sun entering the earth's magnetic field and stimulating molecules in the atmosphere. 2. The dawn.

Front 1603

apiculture

Back 1603

n. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) the breeding and care of bees [from Latin apis bee + culture]

Front 1604

anthropoid

Back 1604

adj. 1. resembling man 2. resembling an ape; apelike 3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) of or relating to the suborder _ea n. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any primate of the suborder _ea, including monkeys, apes, and man

Front 1605

animus

Back 1605

n. 1. intense dislike; hatred; animosity 2. motive, intention, or purpose 3. (Psychology) (in Jungian psychology) the masculine principle present in the female unconscious.

Front 1606

anemia

Back 1606

n. A pathological deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, measured in unit volume concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cell volume, or red blood cell number.

Front 1607

adjutant

Back 1607

n. 1. (Military) an officer who acts as administrative assistant to a superior officer adj. 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) short for _ bird.

Front 1608

accord

Back 1608

n. 1. agreement; conformity; accordance (esp in the phrase in _ with) 2. consent or concurrence of opinion with one accord unanimously 4. pleasing relationship between sounds, colours, etc.; harmony 5. a settlement of differences, as between nations; compromise of one's own _ voluntarily vb. 1. to be or cause to be in harmony or agreement 2. (tr) to grant; bestow [via Old French from Latin ad- to + cord-, stem of cor heart]

Front 1609

accouchement

Back 1609

n. (Medicine / Gynaecology & Obstetrics) childbirth or the period of confinement. [from accoucher to put to bed, to give birth. See couch]

Front 1610

strumpet

Back 1610

n. A woman prostitute. [Middle English.]

Front 1611

allotrope

Back 1611

n. (Chemistry) any of two or more physical forms in which an element can exist: diamond and graphite are _s of carbon

Front 1612

selenium

Back 1612

n. a toxic nonmetallic element related to sulfur and tellurium; occurs in several allotropic forms; a stable grey metallike allotrope conducts electricity better in the light than in the dark and is used in photocells; occurs in sulfide ores (as pyrite).

Front 1613

multitudinous

Back 1613

adj. too numerous to be counted.

Front 1614

stoichiometry

Back 1614

n. 1. Calculation of the quantities of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. 2. The quantitative relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction.

Front 1615

exult

Back 1615

vb(intr) 1. to be joyful or jubilant, esp because of triumph or success; rejoice 2. (often foll by over) to triumph (over); show or take delight in the defeat or discomfiture (of) [from Latin exsultare to jump or leap for joy, from saltare to leap]

Front 1616

abscission

Back 1616

n. The separation of a leaf, flower, or fruit from a plant as a result of natural structural and chemical changes. The _ zone is a layer of weak, thin-walled cells that form across the base of the plant part where the break eventually occurs. A corky layer containing suberin forms beneath the _ zone to protect the plant.

Front 1617

accouter, accoutre

Back 1617

v.tr (Military) (usually passive) to provide with equipment or dress, esp military.

Front 1618

adjoin

Back 1618

v.tr. 1. To be next to; be contiguous to: property that _s ours. 2. To attach: "I do _ a copy of the letter that I have received" (John Fowles). v.intr. To be contiguous.

Front 1619

aeon

Back 1619

In many Gnostic systems, the various emanations of God, who is also known by such names as the One, the Monad, _ teleos (a??? t??e?? "The Broadest _"), Bythos ("depth or profundity", Greek ß????), Proarkhe ("before the beginning", Greek p??a???), the Arkhe ("the beginning", Greek ????), are called _s.

Front 1620

aerie

Back 1620

n. The nest of an eagle, hawk, falcon, or other bird of prey. Often built on a cliff or other high place. 2. A house or stronghold perched on a height.

Front 1621

QED

Back 1621

n. abbreviation for 1. (Philosophy / Logic) (Mathematics) quod erat demonstrandum [Latin: which was to be shown or proved] 2. (Physics / Atomic Physics) quantum electrodynamics

Front 1622

pro forma

Back 1622

adj. 1. Done as a formality; perfunctory. 2. Provided in advance so as to prescribe form or describe items: a _ copy of a document. [New Latin pr frm : pr, for the sake of + frm, ablative of frma, form.]

Front 1623

ziggurat

Back 1623

n. (Social Science / Archaeology) a type of rectangular temple tower or tiered mound erected by the Sumerians, Akkadians, and Babylonians in Mesopotamia. The tower of Babel is thought to be one of these [from Assyrian ziqqurati summit, height]

Front 1624

oxidize

Back 1624

vb. 1. (Chemistry) to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction with oxygen, as in formation of an oxide 2. (Chemistry) to form or cause to form a layer of metal oxide, as in rusting 3. (Chemistry) to lose or cause to lose hydrogen atoms 4. (Chemistry) to undergo or cause to undergo a decrease in the number of electrons.

Front 1625

laissez faire

Back 1625

n. 1. An economic doctrine that opposes governmental regulation of or interference in commerce beyond the minimum necessary for a free-enterprise system to operate according to its own economic laws. 2. Noninterference in the affairs of others.

Front 1626

benediction

Back 1626

n. 1. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) an invocation of divine blessing, esp at the end of a Christian religious ceremony 2. (Christianity / Roman Catholic Church) a Roman Catholic service in which the congregation is blessed with the sacrament 3. the state of being blessed [from Latin benedictio, from benedicere to bless; see benedicite]

Front 1627

Erebus

Back 1627

n. Greek myth 1. (Myth & Legend / Classical Myth & Legend) the god of darkness, son of Chaos and brother of Night 2. (Myth & Legend / Classical Myth & Legend) the darkness below the earth, thought to be the abode of the dead or the region they pass through on their way to Hades.

Front 1628

otiose

Back 1628

adj. 1. Serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being. 2. Lazy; indolent. 3. Producing no result or effect. sounds like "oh-she-is"

Front 1629

piffle

Back 1629

intr.v. To talk or act feebly or futilely. n. Foolish or futile talk or ideas; nonsense.

Front 1630

mise en scene

Back 1630

n. Arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted.

Front 1631

anoint

Back 1631

tr.v. 1. To apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance to. 2. To put oil on during a religious ceremony as a sign of sanctification or consecration. 3. To choose by or as if by divine intervention. [Middle English enointen, from Old French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, in nct- : in-, on; see in-2 + unguere, to smear.]

Front 1632

unabashed

Back 1632

adj. 1. Not disconcerted or embarrassed; poised. 2. Not concealed or disguised; obvious: _ disgust.

Front 1633

abhorrent

Back 1633

adj. 1. repugnant; loathsome

Front 1634

coriander

Back 1634

n. 1. a. An aromatic annual Eurasian herb in the parsley family, having parsleylike leaves and umbels of tiny white to pinkish flowers. It is cultivated for its edible fruits, leafy shoots, and roots.US and Canadian name: cilantro

Front 1635

vizier

Back 1635

n. A high officer in a Muslim government, especially in the Ottoman Empire.

Front 1636

irenic

Back 1636

adj. Promoting peace; conciliatory.

Front 1637

Sheherazade

Back 1637

A legendary Persian queen and the storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights. The frame tale goes that every day Shahryar (Persian: ???????, "king") would marry a new virgin, and every day he would send yesterday's wife to be beheaded. This was done in anger, having found out that his first wife was unfaithful to him. He had killed one thousand such women by the time he was introduced to _, the vizier's daughter.

Front 1638

acquisitive

Back 1638

adj. 1. Characterized by a strong desire to gain and possess. 2. Tending to acquire and retain ideas or information: an acquisitive mind.

Front 1639

altruism

Back 1639

n. 1. Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness. 2. Zoology Instinctive behavior that is detrimental to the individual but favors the survival or spread of that individual's genes, as by benefiting its relatives.

Front 1640

affray

Back 1640

n. A noisy brawl.

Front 1641

abulia, aboulia

Back 1641

n. Loss or impairment of the ability to make decisions or act independently.

Front 1642

pathological, pathologic

Back 1642

adj. 1. Of or relating to _(-4)y. 2. Relating to or caused by disease. 3. Of, relating to, or manifesting behavior that is habitual, maladaptive, and compulsive: a pathological liar.

Front 1643

bawdy

Back 1643

adj. 1. Humorously coarse; risqué. 2. Vulgar; lewd.

Front 1644

bedevil

Back 1644

vb 1. to harass or torment 2. to throw into confusion 3. to possess, as with a devil.

Front 1645

beset

Back 1645

v. 1. (esp of dangers, temptations, or difficulties) to trouble or harass constantly 2. to surround or attack from all sides 3. Archaic to cover with, esp with jewels.

Front 1646

bowl over

Back 1646

v. 1. To take by surprise. 2. To make a powerful impression on; overwhelm.

Front 1647

chaste

Back 1647

adj. 1. not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal 2. abstaining from unlawful or immoral sexual intercourse 3. (of conduct, speech, etc.) pure; decent; modest 4. (of style or taste) free from embellishment; simple; restrained

Front 1648

cheeky

Back 1648

adj. Impertinently bold; impudent and saucy.

Front 1649

codependent

Back 1649

adj. 1. Mutually dependent. 2. Of or relating to a relationship in which one person is psychologically dependent in an unhealthy way on someone who is addicted to a drug or self-destructive behavior, such as chronic gambling.

Front 1650

crotchety

Back 1650

adj. 1. Informal cross; irritable; contrary

Front 1651

crotchet

Back 1651

n. 1. (music) A quarternote. 2. A small hook or hooklike device 3. a perverse notion.

Front 1652

debauchery

Back 1652

n. 1. a. Extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures; dissipation. b. _(-3)s Orgies.

Front 1653

dysphoria

Back 1653

n. An emotional state characterized by anxiety, depression, or unease.

Front 1654

efface

Back 1654

v. 1. To rub or wipe out; erase. 2. To make indistinct as if by rubbing: "Five years' absence had done nothing to efface the people's memory of his firmness" (Alan Moorehead). 3. To conduct (oneself) inconspicuously: "When the two women went out together, Anna deliberately _ed herself and played to the dramatic Molly" (Doris Lessing)

Front 1655

etiolate

Back 1655

vb 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) to whiten (a green plant) through lack of sunlight 2. to become or cause to become pale and weak, as from malnutrition.

Front 1656

crestfallen

Back 1656

adj. Dispirited and depressed; dejected.

Front 1657

flimflam

Back 1657

n. 1. Nonsense; humbug. 2. A deception; a swindle. tr.v. To swindle; cheat.

Front 1658

gamy, gamey

Back 1658

adj. 1. a. Having the flavor or odor of _(-1), especially _(-1) that is slightly spoiled. b. Ill-smelling; rank. 2. Showing an unyielding spirit; plucky: a _ little mare that loved to run. 3. a. Corrupt; tainted: "those considerable forces in America that appear to be tired of the old politics (particularly the _ municipal variety)" (Tom Wicker). b. Sordid; seamy. c. Sexually suggestive; racy.

Front 1659

mumpish

Back 1659

adj. Sullen, sulky

Front 1660

mugwump

Back 1660

n. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) US a neutral or independent person, esp in politics.

Front 1661

mollycoddle

Back 1661

vb(tr) to treat with indulgent care; pamper.

Front 1662

lubricious

Back 1662

adj. 1. Having a slippery or smooth quality. 2. Shifty or tricky. 3. a. Lewd; wanton. b. Sexually stimulating; salacious

Front 1663

jaundiced

Back 1663

adj. 1. Affected with _(-1). 2. Yellow or yellowish. 3. Affected by or exhibiting envy, prejudice, or hostility.

Front 1664

lambaste

Back 1664

v. 1. To give a thrashing to; beat. See Synonyms at beat. 2. To scold sharply; berate.

Front 1665

Limerent

Back 1665

n. A cognitive and emotional state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person.

Front 1666

lionhearted

Back 1666

adj. Extraordinarily courageous.

Front 1667

namby pamby

Back 1667

A term for affected, weak, and maudlin speech/verse.

Front 1668

homologous

Back 1668

n. 1. Corresponding or similar in position, value, structure, or function. 2. (Biology) Similar in structure and evolutionary origin, though not necessarily in function, as the flippers of a seal and the hands of a human. adj. Similar in evolutionary origin but not in function.

Front 1669

foie gras

Back 1669

n. A pate made from goose liver (marinated in Cognac) and truffles.

Front 1670

pate

Back 1670

n. liver or meat or fowl finely minced or ground and variously seasoned.

Front 1671

claque

Back 1671

n. 1. (Performing Arts / Theatre) a group of people hired to applaud 2. a group of fawning admirers.

Front 1672

conflate

Back 1672

v. To combine or blend (two things, especially two versions of a text) so as to form a whole.

Front 1673

deus ex machina

Back 1673

n. 1. (Performing Arts / Theatre) (in ancient Greek and Roman drama) a god introduced into a play to resolve the plot 2. (Performing Arts / Theatre) any unlikely or artificial device serving this purpose.

Front 1674

demotic

Back 1674

adj. 1. (Sociology) of or relating to the common people; popular 2. (Linguistics / Languages) of or relating to a simplified form of hieroglyphics used in ancient Egypt by the ordinary literate class outside the priesthood Compare hieratic n. (Linguistics / Languages) the _ script of ancient Egypt

Front 1675

edacity

Back 1675

adj. Characterized by voracity; devouring.

Front 1676

eldrich

Back 1676

adj. Strange or unearthly; eerie.

Front 1677

epigone

Back 1677

n. A second-rate imitator or follower, especially of an artist or a philosopher.

Front 1678

esurient

Back 1678

adj. hungry, greedy.

Front 1679

exfoliate

Back 1679

v.tr. 1. To remove (a layer of bark or skin, for example) in flakes or scales; peel. 2. To cast off in scales, flakes, or splinters. v.intr. To come off or separate into flakes, scales, or layers.

Front 1680

fane

Back 1680

n. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Architecture) Archaic or poetic a temple or shrine.

Front 1681

fata morgana

Back 1681

n. (Physics / General Physics) a mirage, esp one in the Strait of Messina attributed to the sorcery of Morgan le Fay.

Front 1682

frisson

Back 1682

n. a shudder or shiver; thrill (French)

Front 1683

gyre

Back 1683

n. 1. a circular or spiral movement or path 2. a ring, circle, or spiral vb(intr) to whirl.

Front 1684

homunculus

Back 1684

n. 1. a small man or midget. 2. formerly, the microcosmic human form believed to be present in spermatozoon.

Front 1685

hors de combat

Back 1685

adj. out of action, disabled.

Front 1686

ipso facto

Back 1686

adv. By that very fact or act.

Front 1687

jeremiad

Back 1687

n. 1. A literary work or speech expressing a bitter lament or a righteous prophecy of doom. 2. A long mournful lamentation or complaint.

Front 1688

lethe

Back 1688

n. Greek Mythology The river of forgetfulness, one of the five rivers in Hades - the souls of the dead have to drink from it. 2. A condition of forgetfulness; oblivion.

Front 1689

liminal

Back 1689

n. The threshold of a physiological or psychological response.

Front 1690

litotes

Back 1690

n. (Literature / Rhetoric) understatement for rhetorical effect, esp when achieved by using negation with a term in place of using an antonym of that term, as in "She was not a little upset'' for "She was extremely upset.''

Front 1691

manque

Back 1691

adj. Unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition.

Front 1692

tenebrous

Back 1692

adj. Dark, gloomy, shadowy.

Front 1693

synecdoche

Back 1693

n. (Linguistics) a figure of speech in which a part is substituted for a whole or a whole for a part, as in 50 head of cattle for 50 cows, or the army for a soldier.

Front 1694

billet-doux

Back 1694

n. A love letter.

Front 1695

numinous

Back 1695

adj. 1. Of or relating to a _(-5)en; supernatural. 2. Filled with or characterized by a sense of a supernatural presence: a numinous place. 3. Spiritually elevated; sublime.

Front 1696

numen

Back 1696

n. 1. A presiding divinity or spirit of a place. 2. A spirit believed by animists to inhabit certain natural phenomena or objects. 3. Creative energy; genius.

Front 1697

lummox

Back 1697

n. A clumsy or stupid person.

Front 1698

promethean

Back 1698

adj. Boldly creative; defiant; audacious. n. A person who is boldly creative or defiantly original.

Front 1699

Dionysian

Back 1699

adj. Uninhibited; undisciplined; spontaneous; wild; orgiastic. After the god of wine and fertility in Greek mythology.

Front 1700

jubilee

Back 1700

n. 1. A special anniversary of an event, especially a 50th anniversary. 2. Rejoicing or celebration.

Front 1701

shambolic

Back 1701

adj. Chaotic, disorganized, or confused.

Front 1702

groundswell

Back 1702

n. 1. A surge of opinion or feeling about someone or something. 2. A broad deep swell of the ocean, caused by a distant storm or an earthquake.

Front 1703

riposte

Back 1703

n. 1. A quick, clever reply. 2. In fencing, a quick return thrust. v.tr. To make a quick, clever reply.

Front 1704

foursquare

Back 1704

adj. 1. Firm; unyielding. 2. Frank; forthright. 3. Square in shape. adv. In a firm or forthright manner.

Front 1705

brass ring

Back 1705

n. A prize or an opportunity for a prize, especially a prestigious one.

Front 1706

brass-collar

Back 1706

adj. Unwaveringly loyal to a political party; always voting a straight party ticket.

Front 1707

iron curtain

Back 1707

n. An impenetrable barrier to communication, marked by censorship, secrecy, and isolation. Popularized in a speech by Winston Churchill in 1946 referring to the separation between the Soviet Bloc and the West. Earliest documented use: 1794.

Front 1708

suasion

Back 1708

n. The act of urging: per_. (Often used in the phrase 'moral _')

Front 1709

gest

Back 1709

n. A tale, especially of someone's notable adventures or exploits.

Front 1710

dun

Back 1710

v.tr To make persistent demands for payment, especially for a debt. n. 1. Someone who _s. 2. A demand for payment. II: n. 1. A dull grayish brown color. 2. A horse in _ color. adj. Of _ color.

Front 1711

kip

Back 1711

n. 1: Sleep; a place to sleep; a bed. 2: v.i. To sleep or nap. 3: n. The hide of a young or small animal or a bundle of such hides.

Front 1712

betide

Back 1712

v.tr. To happen to. v.intr. To take place, befall.

Front 1713

inosculate

Back 1713

v.tr. 1. To unite (blood vessels, nerve fibers, or ducts) by small openings. 2. To make continuous; blend. v.intr. 1. To open into one another. 2. To unite so as to be continuous; blend.

Front 1714

caitiff

Back 1714

n. A cowardly and despicable person. adj. cowardly, despicable.

Front 1715

corniche

Back 1715

n. A coastal road, especially one cut into the side of a cliff.

Front 1716

beau geste

Back 1716

n. A gracious, but often meaningless in substance, gesture.

Front 1717

soubrette

Back 1717

n. 1. A maidservant or lady's maid in a play or an opera, especially one who displays coquetry and engages in intrigue. 2. A young woman regarded as flirtatious. 3. A soprano who sings supporting roles in comic opera.

Front 1718

pantywaist

Back 1718

n. noun: A weak or effeminate man. adj. Weak; cowardly; effeminate.

Front 1719

jezebel

Back 1719

n. A shameless, wicked, or immoral woman. After the wife of King Ahab in the old testament.

Front 1720

jehu

Back 1720

n. 1. A fast driver. 2. A driver of a cab. After King _ of the Old Testament.

Front 1721

concupiscent

Back 1721

adj. Lustful; libidinous.

Front 1722

hircine

Back 1722

adj. 1. Of or relating to a goat. 2. Having a strong odor. 3. Lustful; lewd.

Front 1723

porcine

Back 1723

adj. 1. Of or related to swine. 2. Piggish: greedy; sloppy; boorish.

Front 1724

anserine

Back 1724

adj. 1. Of or relating to a goose. 2. Stupid; silly.

Front 1725

pavonine

Back 1725

adj. 1. Of or resembling a peacock. 2. Vain; showy.

Front 1726

billet

Back 1726

v. 1. To lodge or to be quartered. noun: n. 2. A civilian place (as a private home) where soldiers are lodged temporarily. 3. An official order directing someone to provide lodging for soldiers. 4. A short letter or a note. 5. A job appointment. 6. A chunk of wood, suitable for fuel. 7. A metal bar or ingot.

Front 1727

quisling

Back 1727

n. (Military) a traitor who aids an occupying enemy force; collaborator

Front 1728

schlemiel

Back 1728

n. An inept, clumsy person: a habitual bungler.

Front 1729

picaresque

Back 1729

adj. 1. Of or relating to humorous or satiric fiction describing, in a series of episodes, the adventures of a roguish hero. 2. Of or relating to rogues or scoundrels. Via french from Spanish _(-5)o.

Front 1730

fool's errand

Back 1730

n. An absurd or futile undertaking.

Front 1731

eremite

Back 1731

n. A recluse or hermit, especially for religious reasons, often in the desert.

Front 1732

vatic

Back 1732

adj. Of or related to a prophet or a prophecy: prophetic. Oraculur.

Front 1733

defalcate

Back 1733

v. To misuse funds, embezzle.

Front 1734

oenophile

Back 1734

n. Someone who enjoys wine, especially as a connoisseur.

Front 1735

surcease

Back 1735

v. To bring or come to an end; stop. n. Cessation.

Front 1736

corolla

Back 1736

n. The petals of a flower as a group.

Front 1737

St. Elmo's Fire

Back 1737

n. An electrical discharge visible at the surface of a conductor, as a ship's mast or an airplane's wing. After a mispronounced saint who is regarded as the patron saint of sailors and an electrical discharge on the mast of a ship is believed to be a sign of his protection

Front 1738

Morton's Fork

Back 1738

n. A situation involving choice between two equally undesirable outcomes.

Front 1739

Occam'srazor

Back 1739

n. The maxim that the simplest of explanations is more likely to be correct than any other.

Front 1740

Hobson's Choice

Back 1740

n. An apparently free choice that offers no real alternative: take it or leave it

Front 1741

Paper Tiger

Back 1741

n. A nation, institution, etc. which is outwardly strong and powerful but is in fact powerless and ineffectual.

Front 1742

God's Acre

Back 1742

n. A cemetary.

Front 1743

Bread and Circuses

Back 1743

n. Things intended to keep people happy and to divert their attention from problems.

Front 1744

Methuselah

Back 1744

n. 1. An extremely old man (biblical reference). 2. An oversized wine bottle holding approx. 6 liters.

Front 1745

persnickety

Back 1745

adj. 1. Fussy about minor details. 2. Snobbish, pretentious.

Front 1746

stenosis

Back 1746

n. A narrowing of a passage, vessel, or an opening in the body.

Front 1747

nebbish

Back 1747

n. A pitifully timid or ineffectual person.

Front 1748

drumlin

Back 1748

n. A long, narrow, whale-shaped hill of gravel, rock, and clay debris, formed by the movement of a glacier.

Front 1749

fjord

Back 1749

n. A long, narrow inlet of the sea, bordered by steep cliffs, and carved by glacial action.

Front 1750

orison

Back 1750

n. A prayer.

Front 1751

enfant terrible

Back 1751

n. A person, especially someone famous or successful, whose unconventional lifestyle, work, or behavior appears shocking.

Front 1752

fatwa

Back 1752

n. A ruling on a point of law given by an Islamic religious leader. 2. A severe denunciation.

Front 1753

sashay

Back 1753

n. 1. A square dance figure; partners circle each other taking sideways steps. 2. (ballet) quick gliding steps with one foot always leading. 3. Journey taken for pleasure. 4. A type of folk dance in which couples are arranged in sets or face one another in a line.

Front 1754

coiffure

Back 1754

n. The arrangement of hair, esp. a woman's hair.

Front 1755

bouffant

Back 1755

n. 1. Of hair, having extra height and width through back-combing; puffed out. 2. Of sleeves or skirts: puffed out.

Front 1756

hospice

Back 1756

n. 1. Lodging for travelers, esp. one kept by a monastic order. 2. A program of medical and emotional care for the terminally ill.

Front 1757

auspice

Back 1757

n. 1. (usually plural) patronage or guidance (esp in the phrase under the _s of) 2. (often plural) a sign or omen, esp one that is favourable.

Front 1758

confer

Back 1758

v. 1. To bestow (an honor, for example): _ed a medal on the hero; _red an honorary degree on her. 2. To invest with (a characteristic, for example): a carefully worded statement that _red an aura of credibility. v.intr. To conference or consult.

Front 1759

telemetry

Back 1759

n. The science and technology of automatic measurement and transmission of data by wire, radio, or other means from remote sources, as from space vehicles, to receiving stations for recording and analysis.

Front 1760

hobnail

Back 1760

n. A short nail with a thick head used to protect the soles of shoes or boots.

Front 1761

transom

Back 1761

n. 1. a horizontal member that separates a door from a window over it 2. the window itself. 3. a. a surface forming the stern of a vessel, either vertical or canted either forwards (reverse transom) or aft at the upper side b. any of several transverse beams used for strengthening the stern of a vessel.

Front 1762

idolatry

Back 1762

n. Self-worship.

Front 1763

bathetic

Back 1763

adj. Effusively or insincerely emotional.

Front 1764

commissary

Back 1764

n. 1. A retail store that sells equipment and provisions (usually to military personnel) 2. A snack bar in a film studio.

Front 1765

cotilion

Back 1765

n. 1. A lively dance originating in France in the 18th century. 2. A ball at which young ladies are presented to society.

Front 1766

check kiting

Back 1766

It is commonly defined as intentionally writing a check for a value greater than the account balance from an account in one bank, then writing a check from another account in another bank, also with non-sufficient funds, with the second check serving to cover the non-existent funds from the first account. 1] The purpose is to falsely inflate the balance of a checking account in order to allow written checks that would otherwise bounce to clear.

Front 1767

righteous

Back 1767

adj. 1. Characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice. 2. Morally justified. 3. Concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles.

Front 1768

rectitude

Back 1768

n. Righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest.

Front 1769

sagamore

Back 1769

n. A subordinate chief among the Algonquians of North America.

Front 1770

coptic

Back 1770

n. 1. The liturgical language of the Coptic Church used in Egypt and Ethiopia; written in the Greek alphabet. 2. The ancient and now extinct language of Egypt under the Pharaohs; written records date back to 3000 BC. adj. Of or relating otthe Copts or their church or language or art.

Front 1771

joist

Back 1771

n. (civil engineering) A steel or wood beam providing direct support for a floor or ceiling, in turn supported by larger beams.

Front 1772

divest

Back 1772

vb. 1. (Clothing & Fashion) to strip (of clothes); to _ oneself of one's coat 2. to deprive or dispossess 3. (Law) Property law to take away an estate or interest in property vested (in a person). 4. To sell off or otherwise dispose of (a subsidiary company or an investment)

Front 1773

barnstorm

Back 1773

v.tr. 1. (Performing Arts / Theatre) to tour rural districts putting on shows, esp theatrical, athletic, or acrobatic shows 2. (Literature / Rhetoric) (Chiefly US and Canadian) to tour rural districts making speeches in a political campaign.

Front 1774

gastronomy

Back 1774

n. 1. The art of good eating. 2. (Cookery) the type of cookery of a particular region; the _ of Proven.

Front 1775

artistry

Back 1775

n. 1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) artistic workmanship, ability, or quality 2. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) artistic pursuits 3. great skill.

Front 1776

burke

Back 1776

v.tr. 1. To suppress or extinguish quietly; stifle. 2. To avoid; disregard. 3. (Law) To murder by suffocation so as to leave the body intact and with no marks.

Front 1777

catachresis

Back 1777

n. 1. The misapplication of a word or phrase, as the use of blatant to mean "flagrant." 2. The use of a strained figure of speech, such as a mixed metaphor.

Front 1778

catechesis

Back 1778

n. A method of oral instruction involving question and answer techniques.

Front 1779

allegory

Back 1779

n. 1. a. The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. b. A story, picture, or play employing such representation. 2. A symbolic representation: The blindfolded figure with scales is an _ of justice.

Front 1780

parable

Back 1780

n. A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson.

Front 1781

"sholem aleykham"

Back 1781

expression (Yiddish) "Hello, peace be with you."

Front 1782

liturgy

Back 1782

n. 1. A prescribed form or set of forms for public religious worship. 2. (Christianity) The sacrament of the Eucharist.