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773 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Abandon(n)
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total lack of inhibition
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Abase
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to humble, disgrace
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Abatement
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decrease, reduction
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abdicate
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to give up position, right, or power
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aberration
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something different from the usual or normal
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abet
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to aid, act as accomplice
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abeyance
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temporary suppression or suspension
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abhor
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to loathe, detest
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abject
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miserable, pitiful
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abjure
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to reject, abandon formally
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ablution
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act of cleansing
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abnegate
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to deny, renounce
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abolitionist
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one who opposes the practice of slavery
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abortive
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interrupted while incomplete
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abridge
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to condense, shorten
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abrogate
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to abolish or invalidate by authority
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abscond
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to depart secretly
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absolve
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to forgive, free from blame
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abstemious
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moderate in appetite
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abstract(adj)
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theoretical; complex, difficult
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abstruse
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difficult to comprehend
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accede
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to express approval; agree to
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accessible
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attainable, available; approachable
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accessory
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attachment, ornament; accomplice, partner
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accolade
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praise, distinction
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accost
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to approach and speak to someone
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accretion
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growth in size or increase in amount
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accrue
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to accumulate, grow by additions
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acerbic
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bitter, sharp in taste or temper
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acme
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highest point, summit
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acquiesce
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to agree, comply quietly
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acquittal
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release from blame
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acrid
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harsh, bitter
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acrimony
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bitterness, animosity
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acuity
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sharpness
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acumen
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sharpness of insight
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acute
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sharp, pointed
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adage
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old saying or proverb
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adamant
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uncompromising, unyielding
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adapt
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to accommodate, adjust
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adhere
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to cling or follow without deviation
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adjacent
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next to
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adjuct
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something added, attached, or joined
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admonish
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to caution or reprimand
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adroit
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skillful, accomplished, highly competent
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adulation
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high praise
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adulterate
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to corrupt or make impure
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adumbrate
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to sketch, outline in a shadowy way
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advantageous
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favorable, useful
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adversarial
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antagonistic, competitive
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adverse
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unfavorable, unlucky, harmful
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aerial
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having to do with the air
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aerie
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nook or nest built high in the air
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aerodynamic
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relating to objects moving through the air
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aesthetic
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pertaining to beauty or art
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affable
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friendly, easy to approach
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affront(n)
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personal offense, insult
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agenda
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plan, schedule
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aggrandize
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to make larger or greater in power
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aggregate(n)
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collective mass or sum; total
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aggrieve
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to afflict, distress
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agile
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well-coordinated, nimble
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agitation
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commotion, excitement; uneasiness
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agnostic
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one doubting that people can know God
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agrarian
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relating to farming or rural matters
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alacrity
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cheerful willingness, eagerness; speed
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alchemy
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medieval chemical philosophy based on changing metal into gold
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algorithm
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mechanical problem-solving procedure
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alias
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assumed name
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alienated
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distanced, estranged
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aligned
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precisely adjusted; committed to one side or party
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allay
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to lessen, ease, or soothe
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allegory
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symbolic representation
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alleviate
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to relieve, improve partially
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alliteration
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repetition of the beginning sounds of words.
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allocation
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allowance, portion, share
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allure(v)
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to entice by charm; attract
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allusion
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indirect reference
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allusiveness
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quality of making many indirect references
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aloof
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detached; indifferent
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altercation
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noisy dispute
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altruism
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unselfish concern for others' welfare
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amalgam
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mixture, combination, alloy
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ambidextrous
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able to use both hands equally well
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ambiguous
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uncertain; subject to multiple interpretations
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ambivalence
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attitude of uncertainty; conflicting emotions
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ameliorate
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to make better, improve
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amenable
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agreeable, cooperative
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amend
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to improve or correct flaws in
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amenity
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pleasantness; something increasing comfort
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amiable
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friendly, pleasant, likable
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amicable
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friendly, agreeable
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amity
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friendship
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amoral
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unprincipled, unethical
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amorous
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strongly attracted to love; showing love
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amorphous
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having no definite form
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amortize
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to diminish by installment payments
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amphibian(n)
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creature equally at home on land or in water
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amphitheater
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arena theater with rising tiers around a central open space
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ample
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abundant, plentiful
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amplify
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to increase, intensify
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amulet
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ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
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anachronism
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something chronologically inappropriate
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anachronistic
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outdated
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analogous
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comparable, parallel
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anathema
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ban, curse; something shunned or disliked
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ancillary
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accessory, subordinate, helping
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anecdote
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short, usually funny account of an event
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angular
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characterized by sharp angles; lean and gaunt
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animation
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enthusiasm, excitement
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animosity
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hatred, hostility
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annul
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to cancel, nullify, declare void, or make legally invalid
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anodyne
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something that calms or soothes pain
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anoint
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to apply oil to, esp. as a sacred rite
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anomaly
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irregularity or deviation from the norm
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anonymity
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condition of having no name or an unknown name
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antecedent(adj)
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coming before in place or time
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antediluvian
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prehistoric, ancient beyond measure
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antepenultimate
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third from last
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anterior
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preceding, previous, before, prior(to)
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anthology
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collection of literary works
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anthropomorphic
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attributing human qualities to non-humans
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antipathy
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dislike, hostility; extreme opposition or aversion
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antiquated
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outdated, obsolete
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antiquity
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ancient times; the quality of being old or ancient
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apathetic
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indifferent, unconcerned
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apathy
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lack of feeling or emotion
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aphasia
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inability to speak or use words
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aphelion
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point in a planet's orbit that is farthest from the sun
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aphorism
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old saying or short pithy statement
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apocryphal
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not genuine; fictional
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apostate(n)
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one who renounces a religious faith
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apostrophe
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speech to the reader or someone not present
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apotheosis
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glorification; glorified ideal
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appease
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to satisfy, placate, calm, pacify
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approbation
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praise; official approval
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appropriate(v)
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to take possession of
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aquatic
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belonging or living in water
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arable
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suitable for cultivation
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arbitrary
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depending solely on individual will, inconsistent
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arbitrator
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mediator, negotiator
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arboreal
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relating to trees; living in trees
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arboretum
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place where trees are displayed and studied
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arcane
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secret, obscure, known only to a few
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archaic
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antiquated, from an earlier time; outdated
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archipelago
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large group of islands
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ardent
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passionate, enthusiastic, fervent
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ardor
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great emotion or passion
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arduous
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extremely difficult, laborious
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arid
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extremely dry or deathly boring
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arraign
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to call to court to answer a charge
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arrogate
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to demand, claim arrogantly
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arsenal
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ammunition storehouse
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articulate(adj)
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well-spoken, expressing oneself clearly
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artifact
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historical relic, item made by human craft
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artisan
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craftsperson; expert
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ascend
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to rise or climb
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ascendancy
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state of rising, ascending; power or control
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ascertain
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to determine, discover, make certain of
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ascetic(adj)
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self-denying, abstinent, austere
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ascribe
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to attribute to, assign
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ashen
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resembling ashes; deathly pale
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askew
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crooked, tilted
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aspersion
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false rumor, damaging report, slander
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aspire
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to have great hopes; to aim at a goal
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assail
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to attach, assault
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assent(v)
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to express agreement
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assert
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to affirm, attest
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assiduous
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diligent, persistent, hard-working
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assignation
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appointment for lovers' meeting; assignment
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assimilation
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act of blending in, becoming similar
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assonance
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resemblance in sound, especially in vowel sounds; partial rhyme
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assuage
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to make less severe, ease, relieve
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astringent
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harsh, severe, stern
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astute
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having good judgement
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asunder(adv)
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into different parts
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asymmetrical
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not corresponding in size, shape, position, etc.
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atone
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to make amends for a wrong
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atrocious
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monstrous, shockingly bad, wicked
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atrophy(v)
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to waste away, wither from disuse
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attain
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to accomplish, gain
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attenuate
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to make thin or slender; weaken
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attest
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to testify, stand as proof of, bear witness
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audacious
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bold, daring, fearless
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audit(n)
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formal examination of financial records
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auditory
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having to do with hearing
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augment
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to expand, extend
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augury(adj)
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prophecy, prediction of events
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august
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dignified, awe-inspiring, venerable
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auspicious
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having favorable prospects, promising
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austere
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stern, strict, unadorned
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authoritarian
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extremely strict, bossy
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autocrat
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dictator
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autonomous
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separate, independent
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auxiliary
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supplementary, reserve
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avarice
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greed
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avenge
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to retaliate, take revenge for an injury or crime
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aver
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to declare to be true, affirm
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aversion
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intense dislike
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avert
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to turn(something) away; prevent
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aviary
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large enclosure housing birds
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avow
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to state openly or declare
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awry
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crooked, askew, amiss
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axiom
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premise, postulate, self-evident truth
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baleful
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harmful, with evil intentions
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balk(v)
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to refuse, shirk; prevent
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ballad
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folk song, narrative poem
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balm
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soothing, healing influence
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ban(v)
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to forbid, outlaw
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banal
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trite and overly common
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bane
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something causing ruin, death, or destruction
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banter
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playful conversation
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bastion
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fortification, stronghold
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bay(v)
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to bark, especially in a deep, prolonged way
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becalm
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to make calm or still; keep motionless by lack of wind
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becloud
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to confuse; darken with clouds
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beguile
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to deceive, mislead; charm
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behemoth
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huge creature
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belabor
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to insist repeatedly or harp on
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belated
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late
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beleaguer
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to harass, plague
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belfry
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bell tower, room in which a bell is hung
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belie
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to misrepresent; expose as false
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belittle
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to represent as unimportant, make light of
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bellicose
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warlike, aggressive
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bellicose
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warlike, aggressive
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belligerent
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hostile, tending to fight
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bellow
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to roar, shout
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bemuse
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to confuse, stupefy; plunge deep into thought
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benchmark
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standard of measure
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benefactor
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someone giving aid or money
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beneficient
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kindly, charitable; doing good deeds; producing good effects
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benighted
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unenlightened
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benign
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kindly, gentle or harmless
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bequeath
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to give or leave through a will; to hand down
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berate
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to scold harshly
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beseech
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to beg, plead, implore
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bestial
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beastly, animal-like
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bestow
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to give as a gift
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betoken
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to indicate, signify, give evidence of
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bevy
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group
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bias
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prejudice, slant
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bibliography
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list of books
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bibliophile
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book lover
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bilateral
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two-sided
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bilk
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to cheat, defraud
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billet
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board and lodging for troops
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biped
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two-footed animal
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bisect
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to cut into two(usually equal) parts
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blanch
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to coax with flattery
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blasphemous
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cursing, profane, irreverent
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blatant
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glaring, obvious, showy
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blight(v)
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to afflict, destroy
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blithe
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joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought
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bludgeon
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to hit as with a short heavy club
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boisterous
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rowdy, loud, unrestrained
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bombastic
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using high-sounding but meaningless language
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bonanza
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extremely large amount; something profitable
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bonhomie
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good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer
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boon
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blessing, something to be thankful for
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boor
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crude person, one lacking manners or taste
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bourgeois
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middle-class
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bovine
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cow-like; relating to cows
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brazen
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bold, shameless, impudent; of or like brass
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breach
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act of breaking, violation
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brignad
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bandit, outlaw
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broach
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to mention or suggest for the first time
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brusque
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rough and abrupt in manner
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buffet(v)
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to strike, hit
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buffoon
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clown or fool
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boisterous
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rowdy, loud, unrestrained
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bombastic
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using high-sounding but meaningless language
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bonanza
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extremely large amount; something profitable
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bonhomie
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good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer
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boon
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blessing, something to be thankful for
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boor
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crude person, one lacking manners or taste
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bourgeois
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middle-class
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bovine
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cow-like; relating to cows
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brazen
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bold, shameless, impudent; of or like brass
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breach
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act of breaking, violation
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brigand
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bandit, outlaw
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broach
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to mention or suggest for the first time
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brusque
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rough and abrupt in manner
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buffet(v)
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to strike, hit
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buffoon
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clown or fool
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bulwalk
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defense wall; anything serving as defense
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burgeon
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to sprout or flourish
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burly
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brawny, husky
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burnish
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to polish, make smooth and bright
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bursar
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treasurer
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bustle
|
commotion, energetic activity
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butt
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person or thing that is object of ridicule
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buttress(v)
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to reinforce or support
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byway
|
back road
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cacophonous
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jarring, unpleasantly noisy
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cadence
|
rhythmic flow of poetry; marching beat
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cajole
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to flatter, coax, persuade
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calamitous
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disastrous, catastrophic
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callous
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thick-skinned, insensitive
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callow
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immature, lacking sophisitication
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calumny
|
false and malicious accusation, misrepresentation, slander
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candor
|
honesty of expression
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canny
|
smart; founded on common sense
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canonize
|
to declare a person a saint; raise to highest honors
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canvass
|
to examine thoroughly; conduct a poll
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capacious
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large, roomy; extensive
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capitulate
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to submit completely, surrender
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capricous
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impulsive, whimsical, without much thought
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carnal
|
of the flesh
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carp(v)
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to find fault, complain constantly
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cartography
|
science or art of making maps
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cast(n)
|
copy, replica
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cast(v)
|
to fling, to throw
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castigate
|
to punish, chastise, criticize severely
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catalyst
|
something causing change without being changed
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categorical
|
absolute, without exception
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catharsis
|
purification, cleansing
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catholic
|
universal; broad and comprehensive
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caucus
|
smaller group within an organization; a meeting of such a group
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caulk
|
to make watertight
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causality
|
cause-and effect relationship
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caustic
|
biting, sarcastic; able to burn
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cavalier(adj)
|
carefree, happy; with lordly disdain
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cavort
|
to frolic, frisk
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cede
|
to surrender possession of something
|
|
|
censorious
|
severely critical
|
|
|
centripetal
|
directed movement towards the center
|
|
|
certitude
|
assurance, certainty
|
|
|
cession
|
act of surrendering something
|
|
|
chagrin
|
shame, embarrassment, humiliiation
|
|
|
chalice
|
goblet, cup
|
|
|
champion(v)
|
to defend or support
|
|
|
chaotic
|
extremely disorderly
|
|
|
charlatan
|
quack, fake
|
|
|
chary
|
watchful, cautious, extremely shy
|
|
|
chastise
|
to punish, discipline, scold
|
|
|
cherubic
|
sweet, innocent, resembling a cherub angel
|
|
|
chicanery
|
trickery, fraud, deception
|
|
|
chide
|
to scold, express disapproval
|
|
|
chimerical
|
fanciful, imaginary, visionary, impossible
|
|
|
choleric
|
easily angered, short-tempered
|
|
|
choice(adj)
|
specially selected, preferred
|
|
|
chromatic
|
relating to color
|
|
|
chronicler
|
one who keeps records of historical events
|
|
|
circuitous
|
roundabout
|
|
|
circumference
|
boundary or distance around a circle or sphere
|
|
|
circumlocution
|
roundabout, lengthy way of saying something
|
|
|
circumnavigate
|
to sail completely around
|
|
|
circumscribe
|
to encircle; set limits on, confine
|
|
|
circumspect
|
cautious, wary
|
|
|
circumvent
|
to go around, avoid
|
|
|
cistern
|
tank for rainwater
|
|
|
citadel
|
fortress or stronghold
|
|
|
civil
|
polite; relating to citizens
|
|
|
civility
|
courtesy, politeness
|
|
|
clairvoyant(adj)
|
having ESP, psychic
|
|
|
clamor(v)
|
to make a noisy outcry
|
|
|
clamor(n)
|
noisy outcry
|
|
|
clandestine
|
secretive, concealed for a darker purpose
|
|
|
cleave
|
to split or separate OR to stick, cling, adhere
|
|
|
cloister(v)
|
to confine, seclude
|
|
|
coddle
|
to baby, treat indulgently
|
|
|
coffer
|
strongbox, large chest for money
|
|
|
cogent
|
logically forceful, compelling, convincing
|
|
|
cognate
|
related, similar, akin
|
|
|
cognomen
|
family name; any name, especially a nickname
|
|
|
cohabit
|
to live together
|
|
|
collateral
|
accompanying
|
|
|
colloquial
|
characteristic of informal speech
|
|
|
colloguy
|
dialogue or conversation, conference
|
|
|
collusion
|
collaboration, complicity, conspiracy
|
|
|
comeliness
|
physical grace and beauty
|
|
|
commensurate
|
proportional
|
|
|
commission
|
fee payable to an agent; authorization
|
|
|
commodious
|
roomy, spacious
|
|
|
commute
|
to change a penalty to a less severe one
|
|
|
compatriot
|
fellow countryman
|
|
|
complement
|
to complete, perfect
|
|
|
complicity
|
knowing partnership in wrongdoing
|
|
|
compunction
|
feeling of uneasiness caused by guilt or regret
|
|
|
concerto
|
musical composition for orchestra and soloist
|
|
|
conciliatory
|
overcoming distrust or hostility
|
|
|
concord
|
agreement
|
|
|
condone
|
to pardon or forgive; overlook, justify, or excuse a fault
|
|
|
conduit
|
tube, pipe, or similar passage
|
|
|
conflagration
|
big, destructive fire
|
|
|
confluence
|
meeting place; meeting of two streams
|
|
|
confound
|
to baffle, perplex
|
|
|
congeal
|
to become thick or solid, as a liquid freezing
|
|
|
congenial
|
similar in tastes and habits
|
|
|
congenital
|
existing since birth
|
|
|
congress
|
formal meeting or assembly
|
|
|
conjecture
|
speculation, prediction
|
|
|
conjugal
|
pertaining to marriage
|
|
|
conjure
|
to evoke a spirit, cast a spell
|
|
|
connive
|
to conspire, scheme
|
|
|
consanguineous
|
of the same origin; related by blood
|
|
|
conscientious
|
governed by conscience; careful and thorough
|
|
|
consecrate
|
to declare sacred; dedicate to a goal
|
|
|
consign
|
to commit, entrust
|
|
|
consonant(adj)
|
consistent with, in agreement with
|
|
|
construe
|
to explain or interpret
|
|
|
consummate(adj)
|
accomplished, complete, perfect
|
|
|
contend
|
to battle, clash; compete
|
|
|
contentious
|
quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent
|
|
|
continence
|
self-control, self-restraint
|
|
|
contravene
|
to contradict, deny act contrary to
|
|
|
contrite
|
deeply sorrowful and repentant for a wrong
|
|
|
contusion
|
bruise
|
|
|
conundrum
|
riddle, puzzle or problem with no solution
|
|
|
convalescence
|
gradual recovery after an illness
|
|
|
concave
|
curved inwards
|
|
|
convex
|
curved outwards
|
|
|
convivial
|
sociable; fond of eating, drinking, and people
|
|
|
convoke
|
to call together, summon
|
|
|
convoluted
|
twisted, complicated, involved
|
|
|
coquette
|
woman who flirts
|
|
|
corporeal
|
having to do with the body; tangible, material
|
|
|
corpulence
|
obesity, fatness, bulkiness
|
|
|
corroborate
|
to confirm, verify
|
|
|
cosmography
|
science that deals with the nature of the universe
|
|
|
cosmopolitan
|
sophisticated, free from local prejudices
|
|
|
cosset
|
to pamper, treat with great care
|
|
|
coterie
|
small group of persons with a similar purpose
|
|
|
countenance(n)
|
facial expression; look of approval or support
|
|
|
countermand
|
to annul, cancel, make a contrary order
|
|
|
countervail
|
to counteract, to exert a force against
|
|
|
coven
|
group of witches
|
|
|
covert
|
hidden; secret
|
|
|
covet
|
to desire strongly something possessed by another
|
|
|
crass
|
crude, unrefined
|
|
|
craven
|
cowardly
|
|
|
credence
|
acceptance of something as true or real
|
|
|
credulous
|
gullible, trusting
|
|
|
creed
|
statement of belief or principle
|
|
|
crescendo
|
gradual increase in volume of sound
|
|
|
criterion
|
standard for judging, rule for testing
|
|
|
cryptic
|
puzzling
|
|
|
cuisine
|
characteristic style of cooking
|
|
|
culmination
|
climax, final stage
|
|
|
culpable
|
guilty, responsible for wrong
|
|
|
culprit
|
guilty person
|
|
|
cumulative
|
resulting from gradual increase
|
|
|
cupidity
|
greed
|
|
|
curator
|
caretaker and overseer of an exhibition, esp. in a museum
|
|
|
curmudgeon
|
cranky person
|
|
|
cursory
|
hastily done, superficial
|
|
|
curt
|
abrupt, blunt
|
|
|
curtail
|
to shorten
|
|
|
cygnet
|
young swan
|
|
|
cynic
|
person who distrusts the motives of others
|
|
|
daunt
|
to discourage, intimidate
|
|
|
dearth
|
lack, scarcity, insufficiency
|
|
|
debase
|
to degrade or lower in quality or stature
|
|
|
debauch
|
to corrupt, seduce from virtue or duty; indulge
|
|
|
debilitate
|
to weaken, enfeeble
|
|
|
debunk
|
to discredit, disprove
|
|
|
debutante
|
young woman making debut in high society
|
|
|
decapitate
|
to behead
|
|
|
decathlon
|
athletic contest with ten events
|
|
|
deciduous
|
losing leaves in the fall; short-lived, temporary
|
|
|
declivity
|
downward slope
|
|
|
decorous
|
proper, tasteful, socially correct
|
|
|
decorum
|
proper behavior, etiquette
|
|
|
decry
|
to belittle, openly condemn
|
|
|
defamatory
|
slanderous, injurious to the reputation
|
|
|
defendant
|
person required to answer a legal action or suit
|
|
|
deferential
|
respectful and polite in a submissive way
|
|
|
defile
|
to dirty, spoil; to disgrace, dishonor
|
|
|
deflation
|
decrease, depreciation
|
|
|
deft
|
skillful, dexterous
|
|
|
defunct
|
no longer existing, dead, extinct
|
|
|
delegate(v)
|
to give powers to another
|
|
|
deleterious
|
harmful, destructive, detrimental
|
|
|
delineation
|
depiction, representation
|
|
|
(1)deluge(n)
(2) deluge(v) |
(1)flood
(2)to submerge, overwhelm |
|
|
demagogue
|
leader, rabble-rouser, usually using appeals to emotion or prejudice
|
|
|
demarcation
|
borderline; act of defining or marking a boundary or distinction
|
|
|
demographics
|
data relating to study of human population
|
|
|
demur
|
to express doubts or objections
|
|
|
demystify
|
to remove mystery from, clarify
|
|
|
denigrate
|
to slur or blacken someone's reputation
|
|
|
denounce
|
to accuse, blame
|
|
|
denude
|
to make bare, uncover, undress
|
|
|
denunciation
|
public dondemnation
|
|
|
depict
|
to describe, represent
|
|
|
deplore
|
to express or feel disapproval of; regret strongly
|
|
|
depose
|
to remove from a high position, as from a throne
|
|
|
depravity
|
sinfulness, moral corruption
|
|
|
deprecate
|
to belittle, disparage
|
|
|
deride
|
to mock, ridicule, make fun of
|
|
|
derivative
|
copied or adapted; not original
|
|
|
derogate
|
to belittle, disparage
|
|
|
desecrate
|
to abuse something sacred
|
|
|
dessicate
|
to dry completely, dehydrate
|
|
|
desist
|
to stop doing something
|
|
|
despondent
|
feeling discouraged and dejected
|
|
|
despot
|
tyrannical ruler
|
|
|
destitute
|
very poor, poverty-stricken
|
|
|
desultory
|
at random, rambling, unmethodical
|
|
|
determinate
|
having defined limits; conclusive
|
|
|
devoid
|
totally lacking
|
|
|
devout
|
deeply religious
|
|
|
dexterous
|
skilled physically or mentally
|
|
|
diabolical
|
fiendish; wicked
|
|
|
dialect
|
regional style of speaking
|
|
|
diaphanous
|
allowing light to show through; delicate
|
|
|
diatribe
|
bitter verbal attach
|
|
|
dichotomy
|
division into two parts
|
|
|
dictum
|
authoritative statement; popular saying
|
|
|
didactic
|
excessively instructive
|
|
|
differentiate
|
to distinguish between two items
|
|
|
diffidence
|
shyness, lack of confidence
|
|
|
diffract
|
to cause to separate into parts, esp. light
|
|
|
diffuse
|
widely spread out
|
|
|
dilapidated
|
in disrepair, run down, neglected
|
|
|
dilate
|
to enlarge, swell, extend
|
|
|
dilatory
|
slow, tending to delay
|
|
|
diluvial
|
relating to a flood
|
|
|
diminutive
|
small
|
|
|
diplomacy
|
discretion, tact
|
|
|
dirge
|
funeral hymn
|
|
|
disaffected
|
discontented and disloyal
|
|
|
disarray
|
clutter, disorder
|
|
|
disband
|
to break up
|
|
|
disbar
|
to expel from legal profession
|
|
|
disburse
|
to pay out
|
|
|
discern
|
to perceive something obscure
|
|
|
disclaim
|
to deny, disavow
|
|
|
disconcerting
|
bewildering, perplexing, slightly disturbing
|
|
|
discordant
|
harsh-sounding, badly out of tune
|
|
|
discredit
|
to dishonor or disgrace
|
|
|
discrepancy
|
difference between
|
|
|
discretionary
|
subject to one's own judgement
|
|
|
discursive
|
wandering from topic to topic
|
|
|
disdain
|
to regard with scorn and contempt
|
|
|
disdainful
|
contemptuous, scornful
|
|
|
disgorge
|
to vomit, discharge violently
|
|
|
disheveled
|
untidy, disarrange, unkempt
|
|
|
disparage
|
to belittle, speak disrespectfully about
|
|
|
disparate
|
dissimilar, different in kind
|
|
|
dispense with
|
to suspend the operation of, do without
|
|
|
dispirit
|
to dishearten, make dejected
|
|
|
disrepute
|
disgrace, dishonor
|
|
|
dissemble
|
to pretend, disguise one's motives
|
|
|
disseminate
|
to spread far and wide
|
|
|
dissension
|
difference of opinion
|
|
|
dissipate
|
to scatter; to pursue pleasure to excess
|
|
|
dissonant
|
harsh and unpleasant sounding
|
|
|
distend
|
to swell, inflate, bloat
|
|
|
distraught
|
very worried and distressed
|
|
|
dither(v)
|
to move or act confusedly or without clear purpose
|
|
|
diurnal
|
daily
|
|
|
divine(v)
|
to foretell or known by inspiration
|
|
|
divisive
|
creating disunity or conflict
|
|
|
docile
|
tame, willing to be taught
|
|
|
doctrinaire
|
rigidly devoted to theories
|
|
|
dogged(adj)
|
persistent, stubborn
|
|
|
dogmatic
|
rigidly fixed in opinion, opinionated
|
|
|
doleful
|
sad, mournful
|
|
|
dolt
|
idiot, dimwit, foolish person
|
|
|
domineer
|
to rule over something in a tyrannical way
|
|
|
donor
|
benefactor, contributor
|
|
|
dotard
|
senile old person
|
|
|
doting
|
excessively fond, loving to excess
|
|
|
dour
|
sullen and gloomy; stern and severe
|
|
|
dowry
|
money or property given by a bride to her husband
|
|
|
drivel
|
stupid talk; slobber
|
|
|
droll
|
amusing in a wry, subtle way
|
|
|
dross
|
waste produced during metal smelting; garbage
|
|
|
dulcet
|
pleasant sounding, soothing to the ear
|
|
|
(1)dupe(v)
(2)dupe(n) |
1. to deceive, trick
2. fool, pawn |
|
|
duplicity
|
deception, dishonesty, double-dealing
|
|
|
duress
|
threat of force or intimidation; imprisonment
|
|
|
dyspeptic
|
suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable
|
|
|
ebb(v)
|
to fade away, recede
|
|
|
ebullient
|
exhilarated, full of enthusiasm and high spirits
|
|
|
eclectic
|
selecting from various sources
|
|
|
ecstatic
|
joyful
|
|
|
eddy
|
air or wind current
|
|
|
edict
|
law, command, official public order
|
|
|
edifice
|
building
|
|
|
edify
|
to instruct morally and spiritually
|
|
|
editorialize
|
to express an opinion on an issue
|
|
|
efface
|
to erase or make illegible
|
|
|
efficacious
|
effective, efficient
|
|
|
effigy
|
stuffed doll; likeness of a person
|
|
|
effluvia
|
outpouring of gases or vapros
|
|
|
effrontery
|
impudent boldness; audacity
|
|
|
effulgent
|
brilliantly shining
|
|
|
effusive
|
expressing emotion without restraint
|
|
|
egocentric
|
acting as if things are centered around oneself
|
|
|
egregious
|
conspicuously bad
|
|
|
egress
|
exit
|
|
|
elation
|
exhilaration, joy
|
|
|
elegy
|
mournful poem
|
|
|
elicit
|
to draw out, provoke
|
|
|
elucidate
|
to explain, clarify
|
|
|
emaciated
|
skinny, scrawny, esp. from hunger
|
|
|
emancipate
|
to set free, liberate
|
|
|
embellish
|
to ornament, make attractive with decoration or details; add details to a statement
|
|
|
embezzle
|
to steal money in violation of a trust
|
|
|
embroil
|
to involve in; cause to fall into disorder
|
|
|
emend
|
to correct a text
|
|
|
eminent
|
celebrate, distinguished; outstanding, towering
|
|
|
emollient
|
having soothing qualities, especially for skin
|
|
|
emotive
|
appealing to or expressing emotion
|
|
|
empathy
|
identification with another's feelings
|
|
|
emulate
|
to copy, imitate
|
|
|
encipher
|
to translate a message into code
|
|
|
encore
|
additional performance, often demanded by audience
|
|
|
encumber
|
to hinder, burden, restrict, motion
|
|
|
endemic
|
belonging to a particular area, inherent
|
|
|
endurance
|
ability to withstand hardships
|
|
|
enervate
|
to weaken, sap strength from
|
|
|
engender
|
to produce, cause, bring about
|
|
|
enigmatic
|
puzzling, inexplicable
|
|
|
enjoin
|
to urger, order, command; forbid or prohibit, as by judicial order
|
|
|
enmity
|
hostility, antagonism, ill-will
|
|
|
ennui
|
boredom, lack of interest and energy
|
|
|
ensconce
|
to settle comfortably into a place
|
|
|
enshroud
|
to cover, enclose with a dark cover
|
|
|
entail
|
to involve as a necessary result, necessitate
|
|
|
entity
|
something with its own existence or form
|
|
|
entomologist
|
scientists who study insects
|
|
|
entreat
|
to plead, beg
|
|
|
enumerate
|
to count, list, itemize
|
|
|
ephemeral
|
momentary, transient, fleeting
|
|
|
epicure
|
person with refined taste in food and wine
|
|
|
epigram
|
short, witty saying or poem
|
|
|
epigraph
|
quotation at the beginning of a literary work
|
|
|
epilogue
|
concluding section of a literary work
|
|
|
epitome
|
representative of an entire group; summary
|
|
|
epochal
|
very significant or influential; defining an epoch or time-period
|
|
|
equanimity
|
calmness, composure
|
|
|
equestrian(n)
|
one who rides on horseback
|
|
|
equine
|
relating to horses
|
|
|
equivocal
|
ambiguous, open to two interpretations
|
|
|
equivocate
|
to use vague or ambiguous language intentionally
|
|
|
eradicate
|
to erase or wipe out
|
|
|
errant
|
straying, mistaken, roving
|
|
|
erudite
|
learned, scholarly
|
|
|
eschew
|
to abstain from, avoid
|
|
|
esoteric
|
understood only by a learned few
|
|
|
espouse
|
to support or or advocate; to marry
|
|
|
estrange
|
to alienate, keep at a distance
|
|
|
etheral
|
not earthly, spiritual, delicate
|
|
|
ethos
|
beliefs or character of a group
|
|
|
etymology
|
origin and history of a word; study of words
|
|
|
eulogy
|
high praise, often in a public speech
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euphemism
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use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one
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euphony
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pleasant, harmonious sound
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euphoria
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feeling of well-being or happiness
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eurythmics
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art of harmonious bodily movement
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euthanasia
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mercy-killing; intentional, easy and painless death
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evade
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to avoid, dodge
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evanescent
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momentary, transitory, short-lived
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evict
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to put out or force out
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evince
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to show clearly, display, signify
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evoke
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to inspire memories; to produce a reaction
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exacerbate
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to aggravate, intensify the bad qualities of
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exasperation
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irritation
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excommunicate
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to bar from membership on the church
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exculpate
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to clear of blame or fault
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execrable
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utterly detestable
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exhilaration
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state of being energetic or filled with happiness
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exhort
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to urge or incite by strong appeals
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exhume
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to remove from a grave; uncover a secret
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exigent
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urgent; excessively demanding
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exonerate
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to clear of blame
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exorbitant
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extravagant, greater than reasonable
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exorcise
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to expel evil spirits
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expansive
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sweeping, comprehensive; tending to expand
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(1)expatriate(V)
(2) expatriate(n) |
(1)to drive someone from his/her native land
(2) one who lives outside one's native land |
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expiate
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to atone for, make amends for
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explicit
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clearly defined, specific; forthright in expression
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explode
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to debunk, disprove; blow up, burst
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exponent
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one who champions or advocates
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expound
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to elaborate; to expand or increase
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expunge
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to erase, eliminate completely
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expurgate
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to censor
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extenuate
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to lessen the seriousness, strength or effect of
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extol
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to praise
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extort
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to obtain something by threats
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extraneous
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irrelevant, unrelated, unnecessary
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extremity
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outermost or farthest point
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extricate
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to free from, disentangle, free
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extrinsic
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not inherent or essential, coming from without
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exuberant
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lively, happy, and full of good spirits
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exude
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to give off, ooze
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exult
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to rejoice
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fabricate
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to make or devise; construct
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facile
|
very easy
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facilitate
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to aid, assist
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facility
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aptitude, ease in doing something
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fallacious
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wrong, unsound, illogical
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fallow
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uncultivated, unused
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fanaticism
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extreme devotion to a cause
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farcical
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absurd, ludicrous
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fastidious
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careful with details
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fathom(v)
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to measure the depth of, gauge
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fatuous
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stupid; foolishly self-satisfied
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fault
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break in a rock formation; mistake or error
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fawn(v)
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to flatter excessively, seek the favor of
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faze
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to bother, upset, or disconcert
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feckless
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ineffective, careless, irrresposible
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fecund
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fertile, fruitful, productive
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federation
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union of organizations; union of several states, each of which retains local power
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feign
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to pretend, give a false impression; to invent falsely
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feisty
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excitable, easily drawn into quarrels
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felicitous
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suitable, appropriate; well-spoken
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fervid
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passionate, intense zealous
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fetid
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foul-smelling, putrid
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fetter
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to bind, chain, confine
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fiasco
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disaster, utter failure
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fictive
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fictional, imaginary
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fidelity
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loyalty
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filch
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to steal
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filibuster
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use of obstructive tactics in a legislative assembly to prevent adoption of a measure
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finicky
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fussy, difficult to please
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fission
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process of splitting into two parts
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fitful
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intermittent, irregular
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flagrant
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outrageous, shameless
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flamboyant
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flashy, garish; exciting, dazzling
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flaunt
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to show off
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fledgling
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young bird just learning to fly; beginner, novice
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flora
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plants
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florid
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gaudy, extremely ornate; ruddy, flushed
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flounder
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to falter, waver; to muddle, struggle
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flout
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to treat contemptuously, scorn
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fluctuate
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to alternate, waver
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fodder
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raw material; feed for animals
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foible
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minor weakness or character flaw
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foil(v)
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to defeat, frustate
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foment
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to arouse or incite
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forbearance
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patience, restraint, leniency
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foreclose
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to rule out; to seize debtor's property for lack of payments
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forensic
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relating to legal proceedings; relating to debates
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forensics
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study of argumentation and debate
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forestall
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to prevent, delay; anticipate
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forlorn
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dreary, deserted; unhappy; hopeless, despairing
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forswear
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to repudiate, renounce, disclaim, reject
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founder(V)
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to fall helplessly; sink
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fracas
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noisy dispute
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fractious
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unruly, rebellious
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fragmentation
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division, separation into parts, disorganization
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fraught
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full of, accompanied by
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frenetic
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wildly frantic, frenzied, hectic
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frond
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leaf
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frugal
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thrifty; cheap
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fulsome
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excessive, overdone, sickeningly abundant
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furtive
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secret, stealthy
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(1)gall(n)
(2)gall(v) |
(1)bitterness; careless nerve
(2) to exasperate and irritate |
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gambol
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to dance or skip around playfully
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game(adj)
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courageous
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garner
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to gather and store
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garrulous
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very talkative
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gaunt
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thin and bony
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gavel
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mallet used for commanding attention
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germinate
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to begin to grow(used of a seed or idea)
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gestation
|
growth process from conception to birth
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gibe(v)
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to make heckling, taunting remarks
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girth
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distance around something
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glib
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fluent in an insincere manner; off-hand, casual
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glower
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to glare, stare angrily and intensely
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gnarl
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to make knotted, deform
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gnostic
|
having to with knowledge
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goad
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to prod or urge
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gradation
|
process occurring by regular degrees or stages; variation in color
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grandiloquence
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pompous talk, fancy but meaningless language
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grandiose
|
magnificent and imposing; exaggerated and pretentious
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granular
|
having a grainy texture
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gratis
|
free, costing nothing
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