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1079 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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abate
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subside, decrease, lessen
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aberrant
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abnormal or deviant
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abhor
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detest, hate
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abject
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wretched, lacking pride
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abjure
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renounce upon oath
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abnegation
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repudiation
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abortive
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unsuccessful, fruitless
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abscond
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depart secretly and hide
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absolve
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pardon
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abstruse
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difficult to understand
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abut
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border upon; adjoin
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abysmal
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bottomles
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accede
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agree
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acclimate
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adjust to climate
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accolade
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award of merit
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accost
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approach and speak to a person first
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accoutre
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equip
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acquiesce
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assent; agree without protesting
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acrimonious
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bitter in words or manner
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acrophobia
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fear of heights
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actuarial
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calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
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adjunct
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something added on or attached
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adulation
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flattery, admiration
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advent
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arrival
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adverse
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unfavorable
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affected
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artificial
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affidavit
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written statement made under oath
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affliction
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state of distress; cause of suffering
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affluence
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abundace; wealth
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affront
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insult; offense
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agnostic
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one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality
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alacrity
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cheerful promptness
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alienate
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make hostile; separate
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alimentary
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supplying nourishment
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alimony
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payments made to an ex-spouse after divorce
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allay
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calm; pacify
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allege
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state without proof
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aloof
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apart; reserved
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altercation
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noisy quarrel; heated dispute
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altruistic
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unselfishly generous
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amalgamate
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combine
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ambulatory
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able to walk
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amenities
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convenient features; courtesies
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amnesty
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pardon
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amorphous
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formless; lacking shape or definition
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anachronistic
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having an error involving time in a story
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anarchist
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person who seeks to overturn th eestablished gov't
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anathema
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solemn curse
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anecdote
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short account of an amusing or interesting event
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animus
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hostile feeling or intent
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annals
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records; history
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annul
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make void
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anoint
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consecrate
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anomalous
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abnormal; irregular
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antagonism
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hostility; active resistance
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anthropocentric
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regarding human beings as the center of the universe
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anticlimax
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letdown in thought or emotion
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antipathy
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dislike
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antithesis
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contrast; direct opposite of or to
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ape
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imitate or mimic
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aphorism
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pithy maxim
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aplomb
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poise; assurance
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apocalyptic
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prophetic; pertaining to revelations
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apocryphal
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prophetic; pertaining to revelations
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apologist
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one who writes in the defense of a cause or institution
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apostate
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one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs
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apotheosis
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elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something
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apparatus
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equipment
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appellation
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name; title
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application
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diligent attention
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apposite
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appropriate; fitting
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appraise
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estimate value of
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apprehend
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arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive
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apprise
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inform
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approbation
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approval
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appropriate
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acquire; take possession of for one's use
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apropos
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with reference to; regarding
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aquiline
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curved, hooked
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arable
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fit for growing crops
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arbiter
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a person with power to decide a dispute
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arbitrator
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judge
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arcade
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a covered pasageway
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arcane
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secret; mysterious
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archetype
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prototype; primitive pattern
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ardent
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intense; passionate; zealous
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aristocracy
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hereditary nobility
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arraign
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charge in court; indict
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array
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clothe; adorn
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arrears
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being in debt
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arsenal
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storage place for military equipment
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artifact
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object made by human beings
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artifice
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deception; trickery
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artless
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without guile; open an dhonest
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ascendancy
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controlling influence; domination
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ascetic
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practicing self-denial; austere
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askance
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with a sideways or indirect look
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asperity
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sharpess (of temper)
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aspersion
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slander; slur; derogatory remark
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aspirant
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seeker after position or status
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assimilate
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absorb; cause to become homogeneous
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assuage
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ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
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asunder (adv)
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into parts; apart
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atavism
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reversion to an earlier type
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atrophy
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waste away
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attenuate
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make thin; weaken
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attest
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testify
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attribute
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essential quality
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attribute
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ascribe; explain
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attrition
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gradual decrease in numbers
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audit
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examination of accounts
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august
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impressive; majestic
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auspicious
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favoring success
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austere
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forbiddingly stern
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autocratic
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having absolute, unchecked power
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automaton
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robot
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autonomous
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self-governing
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aver
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assent confidently
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averse
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reluctant; disinclined
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aversion
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firm dislike
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avow
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declare openly
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axiom
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self evident truth requiring no proof
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badinage
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teasing conversation
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bait
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harass; tease
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baleful
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deadly; having a malign influence
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balk
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foil or thwart
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ballast
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heavy substance used to add stability or weight
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banal
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hackneyed; commonplace
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bandy
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discuss lightly or glibly
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bane
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cause of ruin; curse
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bantering
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good-natured ridiculing
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baroque
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highly ornate
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bastion
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fortress; defense
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bate
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let down; restrain
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bawdy
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indecent; obscene
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beatific
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giving bliss; blissful
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beatitude
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blessedness; state of bliss
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bedraggle
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wet thoroughly
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befuddle
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confuse thoroughly
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beget
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father; produce; give rise to
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begrudge
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resent
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beguile
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mislead or delude
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behemoth
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huge creature
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belabor
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explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree
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belated
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delayed
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beleaguer
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besiege or attack
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belie
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contradict
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bemused
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confused
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benediction
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blessing
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bereavement
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state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved
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bereft
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deprived of; lacking
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beset
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harass or trouble
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besiege
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surround with armed forces
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besmirch
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soil; defil
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bestial
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beastlike; brutal
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bevy
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large group
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bicameral
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two-chambered, as a legislative body
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bigotry
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stubborn intolerance
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bilious
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suffering from indigestion
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bilk
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swindle; cheat
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bland
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soothing or mild
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blandishment
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flattery
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blase'
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bored with pleasure or dissipation
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blighted
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suffering from a disease
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bluff
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rough but good-natured
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blunder
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error
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bluster
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blow in heavy gusts
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bohemian
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unconventional
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boisterous
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violent; rough; noisy
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boon
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lessing; benefit
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boorish
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rude; insensitive
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bourgeois
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middle class; selfishly materialistic
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bowdlerize
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expurgate, remove good parts from bad.
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brandish
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wave around
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bravado
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swagger
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brawn
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muscular strength
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brazen
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insolent
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broach
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introduce
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browbeat
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bully; intimidate
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brunt
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main impact or shock
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bucaneer
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pirate
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bucolic
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rustic; pastoral
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buffet
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slap; batter; knock about
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bulwark
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earthwork or other strong defense
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bumptious
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self-assertive
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bungle
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mismanage; blunder
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burgeon
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grow forth; send out buds
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burlesque
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give an imitation that ridicules
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buttress
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support; prop up
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buxom
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plump; full-blossomed
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cabal
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small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
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cache
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hiding place
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cadence
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rhythmic rise and fall
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calamity
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disaster; misery
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calculated
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deliberately planned
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caliber
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ability; quality
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callow
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youthful
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calorific
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heat-producing
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calumny
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malicious misrepresentation
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cameo
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shell or jewel carved in relief
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candor
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frankness; open honesty
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canny
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shrewd; thrifty
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cant
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insincere expressions of piety
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cantakerous
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ill humored
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canter
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slow gallop
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canto
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division of a long poem
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canvass
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determine votes, etc.
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capitulate
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surrender
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caricature
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exaggerated picture or description; distortion
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carnage
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destruction of life
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carping
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finding fault
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cataclysm
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violent upheaval
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catechism
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book for religious instruction
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categorical
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without exceptions
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catharsis
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purging or cleansing of any passage of the body
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catholic
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broadly sympathetic; liberal
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caucus
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private meeting of members of a party to select officers or determine policy
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caustic
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burning; sarcastically biting
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cavalcade
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procession; parade
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cavalier
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offhand or casual
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cavil
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make frivolous objections
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celerity
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speed; rapidity
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celibate
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unmarried
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censure
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blame; criticize
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cerebration
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thought
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cession
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yielding to another; ceding
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chafe
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warm by rubbing; make sore
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chaff
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worthless products of an endeavor
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chaffing
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bantering; joking
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champion
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support militantly
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charlatan
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quack; pretender to knowledge
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chary
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cautious
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chaste
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pure;virginal
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chasten
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discipline
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chauvinist
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blindly devoted patriot
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check
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stop motion; curb or restrain
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checkered
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marked by changes in fortune
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cherubic
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angelic; innocent-looking
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chicanery
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trickery; deception
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chide
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scold
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chimerical
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fantastically improbable
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choleric
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hot-tempered
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cipher
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nonentity; worthless person or thing
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circumlocution
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indirect or roundabout expression
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circumscribe
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limit; confine
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circumspect
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prudent; cautious
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circumvent
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outwit; baffle
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clairvoyant
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having foresight; fortunetller
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clandestine
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secret
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clangor
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loud, resounding noise
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cleft
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split
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clemency
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disposition to be lenient
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climactic
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relating to the highest point
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clime
|
region; climate
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clip
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section of filmed material
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cloister
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monastery or convent
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clout
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great influence
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cloying
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distasteful
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coddle
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to treat gently
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codify
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arrange as a code
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coercion
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use of force to get someone to obey
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cogent
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convincing
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cogitate
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think over
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cognizance
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knowledge
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cohere
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stick together
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coiffure
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hairstyle
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collate
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examine in order to verify authenticity
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collateral
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security given for loan
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colloquial
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pertaining to conversational or common speech
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collusion
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conspiring in a fraudulent scheme
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comatose
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in a coma; extremely sleepy
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comeuppance
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rebuke; deserts
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commensurate
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equal in nextent
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commiserate
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feel or express pity or sympathy for
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commodious
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spacious and comfortable
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compelling
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overpowering
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complacency
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self-satisfaction; smugness
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complaisant
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tring to please
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complement
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complete; consummate; make perfect
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complementary
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serving to complete something
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compliance
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readiness to yield
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compliant
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yielding
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complicity
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participation
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compunction
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remorse
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concede
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admit; yield
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conceit
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vanity or self-love
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concession
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an act of yielding
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concomitant
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that which accompanies
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concord
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harmony; agreement between people or htings
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condescend
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act conscious of descending to a lower levle
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condiments
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seasonings; spices
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condone
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overlook; forgive give tacit
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conducive
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contributive; tending to
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confluence
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flowing together; crowd
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confound
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confuse; puzzle
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congeal
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freeze; coagulate
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congenial
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pleasant; friendly
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congenital
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existing at birth
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conjugal
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pertaining to marriage
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connivance
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assistance; pretense of ignorance of something wrong
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connubial
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pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
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consecrate
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dedicate; sanctify
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consign
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deliver officially
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consort
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associate with
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consort
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husband or wife
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conspicuous
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easily seen; noticeable; striking
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consummate
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complete
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contend
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struggle
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contention
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claim; thesis
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contentious
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quarrelsome
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contest
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dispute
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contiguous
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adjacent to
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continence
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self-restraint
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contingent
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dependent on; conditional
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contingent
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group that makes up part of a gathering
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contortions
|
twistings; distortions
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contraband
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illegal trade; smuggling
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contravene
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contradict; oppose
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contrite
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penitent
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contrived
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forced
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controvert
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oppose with arguments; attempt to refute
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conundrum
|
riddle
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convene
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assemble
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converge
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approach, tend to meet
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conversant
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familiar with
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convex
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curving outward
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conveyance
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vehicle
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convivial
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festive; gay
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convoke
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call together
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copious
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plentiful
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coquette
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flirt
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cordon
|
extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or eegress
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cornucopia
|
horn overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance
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corollary
|
consequence; accompaniment
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coronation
|
ceremony of crowning a queen or king
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corpulent
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very fat
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corroborate
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confirm; support
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corrugated
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wrinkled; ridged
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coterie
|
group that meets socially; select circle
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countenance
|
approve; tolerate
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countenance
|
face (noun)
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countermand
|
cancel; revoke
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coup
|
highly successful action or sudden attack
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covenant
|
agreement
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covert
|
secret
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covetous
|
avaricious; eagerly desirous
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cow
|
terrorize; intimidate
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cozen
|
cheat; hoodwink; swindle
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crabbed
|
sour; peevish
|
|
|
crass
|
very unrefined; grossly insensible
|
|
|
craven
|
cowardly
|
|
|
credence
|
belief
|
|
|
credo
|
creed
|
|
|
credulity
|
belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivette
|
|
|
crest
|
highest point of a hill; foamy top of a wave
|
|
|
crotchety
|
eccentric; whimsical
|
|
|
crux
|
crucial point
|
|
|
cull
|
pick out; reject
|
|
|
culminate
|
attain the highest point; climax
|
|
|
cupidity
|
greed
|
|
|
curmudgeon
|
churlish; miserly individual
|
|
|
cursive
|
flowing; running
|
|
|
cursory
|
causal; hastily done
|
|
|
cynosure
|
the object of general attention
|
|
|
dabble
|
work in a non-serious fashion
|
|
|
dais
|
raised platform for guests of honor
|
|
|
dapper
|
neat and trim
|
|
|
daub
|
smear as with paint
|
|
|
daunt
|
intimidate
|
|
|
dauntless
|
bold
|
|
|
dearth
|
scarcity
|
|
|
debacle
|
sudden downfall
|
|
|
debase
|
reduce in quality or value
|
|
|
debauch
|
corrupt; seduce from virtue
|
|
|
debonair
|
friendly; aiming to please
|
|
|
debunk
|
expose as false; exaggerated; worthless etc.
|
|
|
debutante
|
young woman making formal entrace into society
|
|
|
decadence
|
decay
|
|
|
deciduous
|
falling off as of leaves
|
|
|
decimate
|
kill, usually one out of ten
|
|
|
decollete
|
having a low-necked dress
|
|
|
decoy
|
lure or bait
|
|
|
decrepit
|
worn out by age
|
|
|
decry
|
express strong disapproval of; disparage
|
|
|
default
|
failure to act
|
|
|
defection
|
desertion
|
|
|
defer
|
delay till later; exempt temporarily
|
|
|
defer
|
give in respectfully; submit
|
|
|
deference
|
courteous regard for another's wish
|
|
|
defile
|
pollute; profane
|
|
|
defray
|
pay the costs of
|
|
|
deft
|
neat; skillful
|
|
|
defuse
|
remove the fuse of a bomb; reduce or eliminate a threat
|
|
|
deify
|
turn into a god; idolize
|
|
|
deign
|
condescend; stoop
|
|
|
delineate
|
portray; depict; sketch
|
|
|
delude
|
deceive
|
|
|
deluge
|
flood; rush
|
|
|
demagogue
|
person who appeals to people's prejudice
|
|
|
demean
|
degrade; humiliate
|
|
|
demise
|
death
|
|
|
demur
|
object; hesitate
|
|
|
demure
|
grave; serious; coy
|
|
|
denigrate
|
blacken
|
|
|
denizen
|
inhabitant or resident; regular visitor
|
|
|
denouement
|
outcome; final development of the plot of a play
|
|
|
denounce
|
criticize; condemn
|
|
|
deplete
|
reduce; exhaust
|
|
|
deplore
|
regret; disapprove of
|
|
|
derange
|
make insane; disarrange
|
|
|
derivative
|
unoriginal; derived from another source
|
|
|
descant
|
discuss fully
|
|
|
descry
|
catch sight of
|
|
|
desiccate
|
dry up
|
|
|
despot
|
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler
|
|
|
desultory
|
aimless; haphazard
|
|
|
deterrent
|
something that discourages; hindrance
|
|
|
detraction
|
slandering; aspersion
|
|
|
devoid
|
lacking
|
|
|
dialectical
|
relating to teh art of debate; mutual or reciprocal
|
|
|
diaphanous
|
sheer; transparent
|
|
|
diatribe
|
bitter scolding; invective
|
|
|
dichotomy
|
split; branching into two parts
|
|
|
dictum
|
authoritative and weighty statement; saying; maxim
|
|
|
didactic
|
teaching; instructional
|
|
|
dilatory
|
delaying
|
|
|
dilettante
|
aimless follower of the arts; amateur
|
|
|
dingy
|
dull; not fresh; cheerless
|
|
|
dint
|
means; effort
|
|
|
dire
|
disastrous
|
|
|
dirge
|
lament with music
|
|
|
disabuse
|
correct a false impression
|
|
|
disaffected
|
disloyal
|
|
|
disapprobation
|
disapproval; condemnation
|
|
|
disburse
|
pay out
|
|
|
discernible
|
distinguishable; perceivable
|
|
|
discerning
|
mentally quick and observant
|
|
|
discomfit
|
put to rout; defeat; disconcert
|
|
|
disconsolate
|
sad
|
|
|
discount
|
disregard; dismiss
|
|
|
discrete
|
separate; unconnected
|
|
|
discretion
|
prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances
|
|
|
discursive
|
digressing; rambling
|
|
|
disembark
|
go ashore; unload cargo from a ship
|
|
|
disenfranchise
|
deprive of a civil right
|
|
|
disgorge
|
surrender something; eject; vomit
|
|
|
disingenuous
|
lacking genuine candor; insincere
|
|
|
disinter
|
dig up; unearth
|
|
|
dismember
|
cut into small parts
|
|
|
disparage
|
belittle
|
|
|
disparate
|
basically different; unrelated
|
|
|
disparity
|
difference; condition of inequality
|
|
|
dispassionate
|
calm, impartial
|
|
|
dispatch
|
speediness; prompt execution
|
|
|
disputatious
|
argumentative; fond of arguing
|
|
|
dissertation
|
formal essay
|
|
|
dissident
|
dissenting; rebellious
|
|
|
dissimulate
|
pretend; conceal by feigning
|
|
|
dissolute
|
loose in morals
|
|
|
dissolution
|
breaking of a union; decay; termination
|
|
|
distend
|
expand; swell out
|
|
|
diverse
|
differing in some characteristics; various
|
|
|
divest
|
strip; deprive
|
|
|
divulge
|
reveal
|
|
|
doctrinaire
|
unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding
|
|
|
dispatch
|
speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed
|
|
|
disputatious
|
argumentative
|
|
|
dissertation
|
formal essay
|
|
|
dissident
|
dissenting; rebellious
|
|
|
dissimulate
|
pretend; conceal by feigning
|
|
|
dissolute
|
loose in morals
|
|
|
dissolution
|
breaking of a union; decay; termination
|
|
|
distend
|
expand; swell out
|
|
|
divest
|
strip; deprive
|
|
|
divulge
|
reveal
|
|
|
doctrinaire
|
unable to compromise about points of a doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding
|
|
|
dogged
|
determined; stubborn
|
|
|
doggerel
|
poor verse
|
|
|
doleful
|
sorrowful
|
|
|
domicile
|
home
|
|
|
dossier
|
file of documents on a subject
|
|
|
dowdy
|
slovenly; untidy
|
|
|
draconian
|
extremely severe
|
|
|
dregs
|
sediment; worthless residue
|
|
|
drivel
|
nonsense; foolishness
|
|
|
droll
|
queer and amusing
|
|
|
dross
|
waste matter; worthless impurities
|
|
|
drudgery
|
menial work
|
|
|
duress
|
forcible restraint, especially unlawfully
|
|
|
ebullient
|
showing excitement
|
|
|
eclectic
|
composed of elements drawn from disparate sources
|
|
|
edict
|
decree; official command
|
|
|
edify
|
instruct; correct morally
|
|
|
efface
|
rub out
|
|
|
effervescence
|
inner excitement or exuberance
|
|
|
effete
|
lacking vigor; worn out; sterile
|
|
|
efficacy
|
power to produce desired effect
|
|
|
effrontery
|
shameless boldness
|
|
|
egress
|
exit
|
|
|
elated
|
overjoyed; in high spirits
|
|
|
elegy
|
poem or song expressing lamentation
|
|
|
elicit
|
draw out by discussion
|
|
|
ellipsis
|
ommision of words from a text
|
|
|
eloquence
|
expressiveness; persuasive speech
|
|
|
elucidate
|
explain; enlighten
|
|
|
emaciated
|
thin and wasted
|
|
|
embargo
|
ban on commerce or other activity
|
|
|
embroil
|
throw into confusion; involve in strife; entangle
|
|
|
emissary
|
agent; messenger
|
|
|
empirical
|
based on experience
|
|
|
enclave
|
territory enclosed within an alien land
|
|
|
encomium
|
high praise; eulogy
|
|
|
endemic
|
prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country
|
|
|
enervate
|
weaken
|
|
|
enfranchise
|
to admit to the rights of citizenship
|
|
|
engender
|
cause; produce
|
|
|
enigma
|
puzzle; mystery
|
|
|
enmity
|
ill will; hatred
|
|
|
ennui
|
boredom
|
|
|
ensconce
|
settle comfortably
|
|
|
entail
|
require; necessitate
|
|
|
enterprising
|
full of initiative
|
|
|
entourage
|
group of attnedants; retinue
|
|
|
eon
|
long period of time; an age
|
|
|
epicure
|
connoisseur of food and drink
|
|
|
epigram
|
witty though or saying, usually short
|
|
|
episodic
|
loosely connected; divided into incidents
|
|
|
epistolary
|
consisting of letters
|
|
|
epitaph
|
inscription in memory of a dead person
|
|
|
epithet
|
word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing
|
|
|
epitome
|
perfect example or embodiment
|
|
|
equable
|
tranquil; stead; uniform
|
|
|
equanimty
|
calmness of temperament; composure
|
|
|
equivocate
|
lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth
|
|
|
erudite
|
learned; scholarly
|
|
|
escapade
|
prank; flighty conduct
|
|
|
escapism
|
avoiding reality by diverting oneslf with amusements
|
|
|
eschew
|
avoid
|
|
|
espionage
|
spying
|
|
|
espouse
|
adopt; support
|
|
|
estranged
|
separated; alienated
|
|
|
ethereal
|
light; heavenly; unusually refined
|
|
|
eulogy
|
expression of praise, often on teh occasion of someone's death
|
|
|
euphemism
|
mild expression in place of an unpleasant one
|
|
|
euphonious
|
pleasing in sound
|
|
|
euphoria
|
feeling of great happiness and well-being
|
|
|
evanecent
|
fleeting; vanishing
|
|
|
evince
|
show clearly
|
|
|
evocative
|
tending to call up emotions, memories
|
|
|
exceptionable
|
objectionable
|
|
|
excise
|
cut away; cut out
|
|
|
excoriate
|
scold with biting harshness
|
|
|
exculpate
|
clear from blame
|
|
|
execrable
|
very bad
|
|
|
exegesis
|
explanation; interpretation, especially of a biblical text
|
|
|
exertion
|
effort
|
|
|
exhort
|
urge
|
|
|
exhume
|
dig out of the ground
|
|
|
exigency
|
urgent situation
|
|
|
exodus
|
departure
|
|
|
exorbitant
|
excessive
|
|
|
exploit
|
deed or action
|
|
|
explot
|
make use of, sometimes unjustly
|
|
|
expository
|
explanatory; serving to explain
|
|
|
expropriate
|
take possession of
|
|
|
expunge
|
cancel; remove
|
|
|
extant
|
still in existence
|
|
|
extenuate
|
weaken; mitigate
|
|
|
extol
|
praise; glorify
|
|
|
extort
|
wring from; get money by threats, etc
|
|
|
extricate
|
free; disentangle
|
|
|
extrinsic
|
external, not essential; extraneous
|
|
|
facade
|
front (of building); superficial or false appearence
|
|
|
facet
|
small plane surface; a side
|
|
|
facetious
|
joking, often inappropraitely, humorous
|
|
|
facsimile
|
copy
|
|
|
faction
|
party; clique; dissension
|
|
|
fallow
|
plowed but not sowed; uncultivated
|
|
|
farce
|
broad comedy; mockery
|
|
|
fastidious
|
difficult to please; squeamish
|
|
|
fatalism
|
belief that events are determined by forces beyond one's control
|
|
|
fatuous
|
foolish; inane
|
|
|
fauna
|
animals of a period or region
|
|
|
fecundity
|
fertility; fruitfulness
|
|
|
fell
|
cruel; deadly
|
|
|
feral
|
not domestic; wild
|
|
|
ferment
|
agitation; commotion
|
|
|
ferret
|
drive or hunt out of hiding
|
|
|
fervid
|
ardent
|
|
|
fetid
|
malodorous
|
|
|
filial
|
pertaining to a son or daugther
|
|
|
filibuster
|
to block legislation by making long speeches
|
|
|
finesse
|
delicate skill
|
|
|
firebrand
|
hothead; troublemaker
|
|
|
fissure
|
crevice
|
|
|
flaccid
|
flabby
|
|
|
flag
|
droop
|
|
|
flagrant
|
conspicuously wicked; blatant; outrageous
|
|
|
flamboyant
|
ornate
|
|
|
fleece
|
rob; plunder
|
|
|
flippant
|
lacking proper seriousness
|
|
|
flora
|
plants of a region or era
|
|
|
florid
|
ruddy; reddish; flowery
|
|
|
flout
|
reject; mock
|
|
|
fluke
|
unlikely occurence; stroke of fortune
|
|
|
flux
|
flowing, series of changes
|
|
|
fodder
|
coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.
|
|
|
foible
|
weakness; slight fault
|
|
|
foil
|
contrast
|
|
|
foment
|
stir up; instigate
|
|
|
foolhardy
|
rash
|
|
|
fop
|
dandy; man excessively concerned with his clothes
|
|
|
forebears
|
ancestors
|
|
|
forensic
|
related to the arts of debate
|
|
|
foster
|
rear, encourage
|
|
|
founder
|
fail completely, sink
|
|
|
fracas
|
brawl; melee (n)
|
|
|
fraternize
|
associate in a friendly way
|
|
|
fraudulent
|
cheating; decietful
|
|
|
frenetic
|
frenzied; frantic
|
|
|
frugality
|
thrift; economy
|
|
|
fruition
|
beraing of fruit; fulfillment; realization
|
|
|
fulsome
|
disgustingly excessive
|
|
|
furlough
|
leave of absense
|
|
|
furtive
|
stealthy; sneaky
|
|
|
futile
|
useless; hopeless; ineffectual
|
|
|
gadfly
|
animal-biting fly; an irritating person
|
|
|
gaffe
|
social blunder
|
|
|
gainsay
|
deny
|
|
|
gall
|
bitterness; nerve
|
|
|
gall
|
annoy; chafe
|
|
|
gambit
|
opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed
|
|
|
gambol
|
skip; leap playfully
|
|
|
gamely
|
bravely; with spirit
|
|
|
gamut
|
entire range
|
|
|
garish
|
over-bright in color; gaudy
|
|
|
garner
|
gather; store up
|
|
|
gauche
|
clmsy; coarse and uncouth
|
|
|
gaunt
|
lean and angular; barren
|
|
|
gavel
|
hammerlike tool; mallet
|
|
|
genteel
|
well-bred; elegant
|
|
|
gentility
|
those of gentle birth; refinement
|
|
|
germane
|
pertinenet; bearing upon teh case at hand
|
|
|
gesticulation
|
motion; gesture
|
|
|
gibe
|
mock; taunt; scoff at
|
|
|
gloat
|
express evil satisfaction; view malevolently
|
|
|
goad
|
urge on; spur; incite
|
|
|
gorge
|
small, steep-walled cannon
|
|
|
gourmet
|
connoisseur of food and drink
|
|
|
graft
|
piece of transplanted tissue; portion of plant inserted in another plant
|
|
|
grandiloquent
|
pompous; bombastic
|
|
|
grandiose
|
pretentious; high-flown
|
|
|
grapple
|
wrestle; come to grips with
|
|
|
gratis
|
free
|
|
|
gratuitous
|
given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for
|
|
|
gregarious
|
sociable
|
|
|
grill
|
question severly
|
|
|
grouse
|
complain; fuss
|
|
|
grovel
|
crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate
|
|
|
guileless
|
without deceit
|
|
|
gustatory
|
affecting the sense of taste
|
|
|
gusty
|
windy
|
|
|
haggard
|
wasted away; gaunt
|
|
|
hallowed
|
blessed; consevrated
|
|
|
harangue
|
noisy speech
|
|
|
harbinger
|
forerunner
|
|
|
harrowing
|
agonizing; distressing; traumatic
|
|
|
heckler
|
someone who harrases others
|
|
|
heinous
|
atrocious
|
|
|
heresy
|
opinoin contray to popular belief
|
|
|
hermetic
|
sealed by fusion so as to be airtight
|
|
|
hermitage
|
home of a hermit
|
|
|
heterodox
|
unorthodox; unconventional
|
|
|
heyday
|
time of greatest success; prime
|
|
|
hilarity
|
boisterous mirth
|
|
|
hoary
|
white with age
|
|
|
hovel
|
shack; small, wretched house
|
|
|
hypochondriac
|
person unduly worried about his health
|
|
|
iconoclastic
|
attacking cherished traditions
|
|
|
idiom
|
expression whose meaning as a whole differs from teh meanings of its individual words
|
|
|
idiosyncrasy
|
individual trait, usually odd in nature
|
|
|
ignoble
|
unworthy; base in nature; not noble
|
|
|
ignominy
|
deep disgrace
|
|
|
illicit
|
illegal
|
|
|
illusory
|
deceptive; not real
|
|
|
impede
|
hinder; block; delay
|
|
|
imperioud
|
domineering; haughty
|
|
|
impetuous
|
violent; hasty; rash
|
|
|
impetus
|
incentive; stimulus; moving force
|
|
|
impinge
|
infringe
|
|
|
implicate
|
incriminate
|
|
|
importuante
|
urging; demanding
|
|
|
importune
|
beg persistently
|
|
|
impotent
|
weak; ineffective
|
|
|
impregnable
|
invulnerable
|
|
|
impromptu
|
without previous preparation
|
|
|
imprudent
|
lacking caution
|
|
|
impugn
|
dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way)
|
|
|
impunity
|
freedom from punishment or harm
|
|
|
imputation
|
accusation; charge; reproach
|
|
|
incarnation
|
act of assuming a human body and human nature
|
|
|
incense
|
enrage; infuriate
|
|
|
inchoate
|
recently begun, rudimentary
|
|
|
inclement
|
stormy; unkind
|
|
|
incoherence
|
unintelligibility; lack of logic or relevance
|
|
|
inconsequential
|
insignificant; unimportant
|
|
|
incontinent
|
lacking self-restraint; licentious
|
|
|
incontrovertible
|
indisputable; not open to question
|
|
|
incorporeal
|
lacking a material body; insubstantial
|
|
|
inculcate
|
teach; instill
|
|
|
incur
|
bring upon oneself
|
|
|
incursion
|
temporary invasion
|
|
|
indelible
|
not able to be erased
|
|
|
indigenous
|
native
|
|
|
indigent
|
poor; destitute
|
|
|
indiscretion
|
lack of tactfulness or sound judgment
|
|
|
indoctrinate
|
instruct in a doctrine or ideology
|
|
|
indomitable
|
unconquerable; unyielding
|
|
|
inebriated
|
habitually intoxicated; drunk
|
|
|
ineffable
|
unutterable; cannot be expressed in speech
|
|
|
inefficacious
|
not effective; unable ot produce a desired result
|
|
|
inexorable
|
relentless; unyielding; implacable
|
|
|
infidel
|
unbeliever
|
|
|
ingenue
|
an artless girl; an actress who plays such parts
|
|
|
ingrained
|
deeply established; firmly rooted
|
|
|
ingrate
|
an ungrateful person
|
|
|
inimical
|
unfriendly; hostile; harmful; detrimental
|
|
|
inimitable
|
matchless; not able to be imitated
|
|
|
iniquitous
|
wicked; immoral; unrighteous
|
|
|
innocuous
|
harmless
|
|
|
inordinate
|
unrestrained; excessive
|
|
|
insalubrious
|
unwholesome; not healthful
|
|
|
inscrutable
|
impenetrable
|
|
|
insidious
|
treacherous; stealthy; sly
|
|
|
insinuate
|
hint; imply; creep in
|
|
|
insipid
|
lacking in flavor; dull
|
|
|
insularity
|
narow-mindedness; isolation
|
|
|
insulated
|
set apart; isolated
|
|
|
insuperable
|
insurmountable; unbeatable
|
|
|
insurrection
|
rebellion; uprising
|
|
|
intemperate
|
immoderate; excessive; extreme
|
|
|
interloper
|
intruder; unwatned meddler
|
|
|
intermittent
|
periodic; on and off
|
|
|
intractable
|
unruly; stubborn; unyieldingq
|
|
|
intransigence
|
refusal of any compromise; stubborness
|
|
|
intrepid
|
fearless
|
|
|
intrinsic
|
essential
|
|
|
inured
|
accustomed; hardened
|
|
|
inveigle
|
entice
|
|
|
invidious
|
designed to creat ill will or envy
|
|
|
iota
|
very small quantity
|
|
|
itinerant
|
wandering; traveling
|
|
|
jaded
|
fatigued; sufeited
|
|
|
jaundiced
|
prejudiced, yellowed
|
|
|
jingoist
|
extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist
|
|
|
junta
|
group of men joined in political intrigue; cabal
|
|
|
jurisprudence
|
science of law
|
|
|
kleptomaniac
|
person who has a compulsive desire to steal
|
|
|
knave
|
untrustworthy person, rogue, scoundrel
|
|
|
kudos
|
honor; glory; praise
|
|
|
laceration
|
torn, ragged wound
|
|
|
lachrymose
|
producing tears
|
|
|
lackadaisical
|
lacking purpose or zest; halfhearted; languid
|
|
|
laconic
|
brief and to the point
|
|
|
laggard
|
slow; sluggish
|
|
|
lampoon
|
ridicule
|
|
|
larceny
|
theft
|
|
|
largess
|
generous gift
|
|
|
lassitude
|
languor; weariness
|
|
|
lax
|
careless
|
|
|
lecherous
|
lustful; impure in though and deed
|
|
|
legerdemain
|
magician-ness of hand
|
|
|
levity
|
lack of seriousness; ightness
|
|
|
lewd
|
lustful
|
|
|
liaison
|
contact keeping parts of an organization in communication; go-between; secret love affair
|
|
|
libel
|
defamatory statement
|
|
|
licentious
|
amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained
|
|
|
lilliputian
|
extremely small
|
|
|
limpid
|
clear; transparent; lucid
|
|
|
linchpin
|
something that holds or links various parts together
|
|
|
listless
|
lacking in spirit or energy
|
|
|
lithe
|
flexible; supple
|
|
|
litigation
|
lawsuit
|
|
|
livid
|
lead-colored
|
|
|
loath
|
reluctant; disinclined
|
|
|
loll
|
lounge about
|
|
|
lope
|
gallopslowly
|
|
|
lout
|
clumsy person
|
|
|
lucrative
|
profitable
|
|
|
lull
|
moment of calm
|
|
|
lummox
|
big, clumsy, often stupid person
|
|
|
lurid
|
wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome
|
|
|
madrigal
|
pastoral song
|
|
|
maelstrom
|
whirlpool
|
|
|
maladroit
|
clumsy; bungling
|
|
|
malapropism
|
comic misuse of a word
|
|
|
malediction
|
curse
|
|
|
malfeasance
|
wrongdoing
|
|
|
malign
|
speak evil of; bad-mouth; defame
|
|
|
malingerer
|
one who feigns illness to escape duty
|
|
|
marshal
|
put in order
|
|
|
marsupial
|
one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch
|
|
|
masochist
|
person who enjoys his own pain
|
|
|
matriculate
|
enroll
|
|
|
maudlin
|
effusively sentimental
|
|
|
maul
|
handle roughly
|
|
|
maverick
|
rebel; nonconformist
|
|
|
mawkish
|
msuhy and gushy
|
|
|
mellifluous
|
sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious
|
|
|
mendacious
|
lying; habitually dishonest
|
|
|
mercenary
|
interested in money or gain
|
|
|
merger
|
combination (of two business corporations)
|
|
|
metaphysical
|
pertaining to speculative philosphy
|
|
|
metropolis
|
large city
|
|
|
mettle
|
courage; spirit
|
|
|
miasma
|
swamp gas; heavy, vaporous atmosphere, often emanating from decaying matter
|
|
|
milieu
|
environment; means of expression
|
|
|
minutiae
|
petty details
|
|
|
misantrhope
|
one who hates makind
|
|
|
miserly
|
stingy; mean
|
|
|
missive
|
letter
|
|
|
mnemonic
|
pertaining to memory
|
|
|
modicum
|
limited quanitity
|
|
|
monastic
|
realted to monks or monasteries
|
|
|
monolithic
|
solidly uniform
|
|
|
moratorium
|
legal delay of payment
|
|
|
mores
|
conventions; moral standards
|
|
|
mortician
|
undertaker
|
|
|
mote
|
small speck
|
|
|
muggy
|
warm and damp
|
|
|
multifaceted
|
having many aspects
|
|
|
multifarious
|
varied; greatly diversifed
|
|
|
mundane
|
worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday
|
|
|
munificent
|
very generous
|
|
|
mushroom (v)
|
expand or grow rapidly
|
|
|
musty
|
stale; spoiled by age
|
|
|
mutinous
|
unruly; rebellious
|
|
|
nadir
|
lowest point
|
|
|
nascent
|
incipient; coming into being
|
|
|
natty
|
neatly or smartly dressed
|
|
|
nebulous
|
vague; hazy; cloudy
|
|
|
necromancy
|
black magic; dealings with the dead
|
|
|
nefarious
|
very wicked
|
|
|
nemesis
|
someone seeking revenge
|
|
|
neologism
|
new or newly coined word or phrase
|
|
|
neophyte
|
recent convert; beginner
|
|
|
nepotism
|
favoritism (to a relative)
|
|
|
nettle
|
annoy; vex
|
|
|
nihilist
|
one who believes traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist
|
|
|
nirvana
|
in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which teh individual loses himself in teh attainment of an impresonal beatitude
|
|
|
noisome
|
foul-smelling; unwholesome
|
|
|
nominal
|
in name only; trifling
|
|
|
noncommital
|
neutral; unpledged; undecided
|
|
|
nondescript
|
undistinctive; ordinary
|
|
|
nonentity
|
person of no improtance; nonexistence
|
|
|
nonplus
|
bring to halt by confusion; eprplex
|
|
|
novelty
|
something new; newness
|
|
|
nuance
|
shade of difference in meaning or color
|
|
|
obfuscate
|
confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex
|
|
|
obituary
|
death notice
|
|
|
obsequious
|
slavishly attnetive; servile; sycophatic
|
|
|
obstreperous
|
boisterous; noisy
|
|
|
obtrude
|
push forward or intrude
|
|
|
obviate
|
prevent; make unnecessary
|
|
|
odious
|
hateful; vile
|
|
|
odium
|
strong dislike or contempt; hatefulness
|
|
|
officious
|
meddlesome; excesssively pushy in offering one's services
|
|
|
onerous
|
burdensome
|
|
|
opiate
|
medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction
|
|
|
opulence
|
extreme wealth
|
|
|
orthodox
|
traditional; conservative in belief
|
|
|
ossify
|
change or harden into bone
|
|
|
ostensible
|
apparent; professed; pretended
|
|
|
ostracize
|
exclude from public favor; ban
|
|
|
oust
|
expel
|
|
|
ovation
|
enthusiastic applause
|
|
|
paean
|
song of praise or joy
|
|
|
pall
|
grow tiresome
|
|
|
pan
|
criticize harshly
|
|
|
panacea
|
cure-all; remedy for all diseases
|
|
|
panache (pa-NAHSH)
|
flair; flamboyance
|
|
|
pandemonium
|
wild tumult
|
|
|
pander
|
cater to the low desires of others
|
|
|
panegyric
|
formal praise
|
|
|
pantomime
|
acting without dialogue
|
|
|
parable
|
short, simple story teaching a moral
|
|
|
paradigm
|
model; example; pattern
|
|
|
paradox
|
something apparently contradictory in nature
|
|
|
paragon
|
model of perfection
|
|
|
paramount
|
foremost in importance; supreme
|
|
|
paraphernalia
|
equipment; odds and ends
|
|
|
pariah
|
social outcast
|
|
|
parity
|
equality in status or amount; close resemblance
|
|
|
paroxysm
|
fit or attack of pain, laugther, rage
|
|
|
parry
|
ward off a blow; deflect
|
|
|
parsimony
|
stinginess; excessive frugality
|
|
|
pastiche (pah- STEESH)
|
piece of writing or music made up of borrowed bits and pieces; hodgepodge
|
|
|
pastoral
|
rural; simple and peaceful
|
|
|
pathological
|
related to the study of disease
|
|
|
pathos
|
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings
|
|
|
patina (PAT in ah)
|
green crust on old bronze works
|
|
|
patrician
|
noble; aristocratic
|
|
|
peccadillo
|
slight offense
|
|
|
pellucid
|
transparent; limpid
|
|
|
penury
|
severe poverty; stinginess
|
|
|
perdition
|
damnation
|
|
|
peregrination
|
journey
|
|
|
peremptory
|
demanding and leaving no choice
|
|
|
perennial
|
something that is continuing or recurrent
|
|
|
perfidious
|
treacherous; disloyal
|
|
|
perfunctory
|
superficial; not thorough; lacking interst
|
|
|
pernicious
|
very destructive
|
|
|
perquisite
|
any gain above stipulated salary
|
|
|
personable
|
attractive
|
|
|
perspicacious
|
having insight; penetrating; astute
|
|
|
pertinacious
|
stubborn; persistent
|
|
|
peruse
|
read with care
|
|
|
perverse
|
stubbornly wrongheded; wicked and perverted
|
|
|
petulant
|
touchy; peevish
|
|
|
philanderer
|
faithless lover
|
|
|
philistine
|
narrow-minded person, uncultured and extensively intersted in material gain
|
|
|
phlegmatic
|
calm; not easily disturbed
|
|
|
picaresque
|
pertaining to rogues in literature
|
|
|
piecemeal
|
one piece at a time; gradually
|
|
|
pillage
|
plunder
|
|
|
pine
|
languish, decline; long for, yearn
|
|
|
piquant
|
pleasantly tart-tasting; stimulating
|
|
|
pique
|
provoke or arouse; annoy
|
|
|
placebo
|
harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
|
|
|
plaintive
|
mournful
|
|
|
platitude
|
trite remark; commonplace statment
|
|
|
plaudit
|
enthusiastically worded approval; round of applause
|
|
|
plumb
|
checking perpendicularity
|
|
|
plumb
|
examine critically in order to understand
|
|
|
plutocracy
|
society ruled by the wealthy
|
|
|
poignancy
|
quality of being deeply moving
|
|
|
polemical
|
aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious
|
|
|
polyglot
|
speaking several languages
|
|
|
ponderous
|
weighty; unweildy
|
|
|
pontifical
|
pertaining to a bishop or pope
|
|
|
porous
|
full of pores; like a sieve
|
|
|
portend
|
fortell; presage
|
|
|
portent
|
sign; omen; forewarning
|
|
|
portly
|
stately; stout
|
|
|
poseur
|
person who pretends to be sophisticated
|
|
|
posterity
|
descendants; future generations
|
|
|
posthumous
|
after death
|
|
|
potable
|
suitable for drinking
|
|
|
potentate
|
monarch; sovereign
|
|
|
prate
|
speak foolishly; boast idly
|
|
|
precarious
|
uncertain; risky
|
|
|
precept
|
practical rule guiding conduct
|
|
|
precinct
|
district or division of a city
|
|
|
precipice
|
steep cliff
|
|
|
precipitous
|
steep; overhasty
|
|
|
precis
|
concise summing up of main points
|
|
|
prelate
|
church dignitary
|
|
|
premonition
|
forewarning
|
|
|
prescience
|
ability to foretell the future
|
|
|
pretext
|
excuse
|
|
|
prevaricate
|
lie
|
|
|
pristine
|
characteristic of eariler times; primitive
|
|
|
profligate
|
dissipated; wasteful; wildly immoral
|
|
|
progenitor
|
ancestor
|
|
|
progeny
|
children
|
|
|
prognosis
|
forecasted course of a disease
|
|
|
proletarian
|
member of teh working class; blue collar person
|
|
|
prolixity
|
tedious wordiness; verbosity
|
|
|
promulgate
|
proclaim a doctrine or law
|
|
|
propensity
|
natural inclination
|
|
|
propinquity
|
nearness; kinship
|
|
|
propitiate
|
appease
|
|
|
propitious
|
favorable; fortunate; advantageous
|
|
|
propound
|
put forth for analysis
|
|
|
propulsive
|
driving forward
|
|
|
proselytize
|
convert to a religion or belief
|
|
|
protean
|
versatile; able to take on many shapes
|
|
|
proxy
|
authorized agent
|
|
|
prurient
|
having lustful thoughts and desires
|
|
|
psyche
|
soul; mind
|
|
|
puerile
|
childish; immature
|
|
|
pugilist
|
boxer
|
|
|
pugnacity
|
combativeness
|
|
|
pulchritude
|
beauty; comeliness
|
|
|
punctilious
|
laying stress on niceties of conduct or form
|
|
|
pundit
|
authority on a subject ; learned person; expert
|
|
|
punitive
|
punishing
|
|
|
purchase
|
firm grasp or footing
|
|
|
purported
|
alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored
|
|
|
pusillanimous
|
cowardly; fainthearted
|
|
|
quaff
|
drink with relish
|
|
|
quagmire
|
soft, wet, boggy land
|
|
|
quail
|
cower; lose heart
|
|
|
qualified
|
limited; restricted
|
|
|
quandary
|
dilemma
|
|
|
quarry
|
victim; object of a hunt
|
|
|
querulous
|
fretful; whining
|
|
|
quibble
|
minor objection
|
|
|
quiescent
|
at rest; dormant; temporarily inactive
|
|
|
quintessence
|
purest and highest embodiment
|
|
|
quip
|
taunt
|
|
|
quirk
|
startling twist; caprice
|
|
|
quiver
|
case for arrow
|
|
|
quixotic
|
idealistic but impractical
|
|
|
quorum
|
number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
|
|
|
rail
|
scold; rant
|
|
|
raiment
|
clothing
|
|
|
rankle
|
irritate; fester
|
|
|
rapacious
|
excessively greedy; predatory
|
|
|
rapport
|
emotional closeness; harmony
|
|
|
rarefied
|
made less dense [of a gas]
|
|
|
ratiocination
|
reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises
|
|
|
rave
|
overwhelmingly favorable review
|
|
|
raze
|
destroy completely
|
|
|
reactionary
|
recoiling from progress
|
|
|
recalcitrant
|
obstinately stubborn
|
|
|
recant
|
disclaim or disavow
|
|
|
recapitulate
|
summarize
|
|
|
recidivism
|
habitual return to crime
|
|
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reciprocate
|
repay in kind
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reconnaissance
|
survey of enemy by soldiers; reccointering
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recrimination
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countercharges
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rectitude
|
uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment
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recumbent
|
reclinging; lying down completely or in part
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regale
|
entertain
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rejoinder
|
retort; comeback; reply
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relegate
|
banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign
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remiss
|
negligent
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remonstrance
|
protest; objection
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remunerative
|
compensating; rewarding
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rend
|
split; tear apart
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rendition
|
translation; artistic interpretation of asong, etc.
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renege
|
deny; go back on
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repast
|
meal; feast; banquet
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replete
|
filled to teh brim or to the point of being stuffed
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repository
|
storehouse
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reprise
|
musical repetiiton
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reprobate
|
person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency
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repugnant
|
loathsome; hateful
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requisite
|
necessary requirement
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requite
|
repay; revenge
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rescind
|
cancel
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respite
|
interval of relief; time for rest; delay in punishment
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restitution
|
reparation; indemnification
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restive
|
restlessly impatient; ostinately resisting control
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reticence
|
reserve; uncommunicativeness; inclination to silence
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retinue
|
following; attendants; entourage
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retrench
|
cut down; economize
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retroactive
|
taking effect before its enactment
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retrograde
|
go backwards; degenerate
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revelry
|
boisterous merrymaking
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reverie
|
daydream; musing
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revile
|
attack with abusive language; vilify
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revulsion
|
sudden violent change of feeling; reaction
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rhapsodize
|
to speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner
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ribald
|
wanton; profane
|
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rife
|
abundant; current
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rift
|
opening; break
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rig
|
fix or manipulate
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rile
|
vex; irritate; muddy
|
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roil
|
to make liquids murky by stirring up sediment
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rote
|
repetition
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rout
|
stampede; drive out
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rue
|
regret; lament; mourn
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rustic
|
pertaining to country people; uncouth
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saboteur
|
one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property
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saccharine
|
cloyingly sweet
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sacrilegious
|
desecrating; profane
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sacrosanct
|
most sacred; inviolable
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sadistic
|
inclined to crueltl
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sadistic
|
inclined to cruelty
|
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salacious
|
lascivious; lustful
|
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salent
|
protruding; strikingly conspicuous; jumping
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salutary
|
tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome
|
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sanction
|
approve; ratify
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sanctuary
|
refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place
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sanguine
|
cheerful; hopeful
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sardonic
|
cynically mocking sarcastic
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sartorial
|
pertaining to tailors
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sate
|
satisfy to teh full; cloy
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