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237 Cards in this Set

  • Front
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con·tig·u·ous   
[kuhn-tig-yoo-uhs
adjective
1. touching; in contact.
2. in close proximity without actually touching; near.
3. adjacent in time: contiguous events.
in·trac·ta·ble   
[in-trak-tuh-buhl
adjective
1. not easily controlled or directed; not docile or manageable; stubborn; obstinate: an intractable disposition.
2. (of things) hard to shape or work with: an intractable metal.
3. hard to treat, relieve, or cure: the intractable pain in his leg.
–noun
4. an intractable person.
triv·i·al   
[triv-ee-uhl
adjective
1. of very little importance or value; insignificant: Don't bother me with trivial matters.
2. commonplace; ordinary.
3. Biology . (of names of organisms) specific, as distinguished from generic.
pos·it   
[poz-it]
verb (used with object)
1. to place, put, or set.
2. to lay down or assume as a fact or principle

–noun
3. an assumption;
an·thro·po·cen·tric 
[an-thruh-poh-sen-trik
adjective
1. regarding the human being as the central fact of the universe.
2. assuming human beings to be the final aim and end of the universe.
3. viewing and interpreting everything in terms of human experience and values.
he·gem·o·ny   
[hi-jem-uh-nee, hej-uh-moh-nee]
noun, plural -nies.
1. leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation.
2. leadership; predominance.
3. (especially among smaller nations) aggression or expansionism by large nations in an effort to achieve world domination.
vi·cis·si·tude   
[vi-sis-i-tood, -tyood
noun
1. a change or variation occurring in the course of something.
2. interchange or alternation, as of states or things.
3. vicissitudes, successive, alternating, or changing phases or conditions, as of life or fortune; ups and downs: They remained friends through the vicissitudes of 40 years.
4. regular change or succession of one state or thing to another.
5. change; mutation; mutability
vo·li·tion   
[voh-lish-uhn, vuh-
noun
1. the act of willing, choosing, or resolving; exercise of willing: She left of her own volition.
2. a choice or decision made by the will.
3. the power of willing; will.
con·vey·ance   /kənˈveɪəns/ Show Spelled
[kuhn-vey-uhns
noun
1. transmission; communication.
2. a means of transporting, especially a vehicle, as a bus, airplane, or automobile.
3. Law .
a. the transfer of property from one person to another.
b. the instrument or document by which this is effected.
gy·ne·col·o·gy 
[gahy-ni-kol-uh-jee, jin-i-, jahy-ni-
noun
the branch of Medical science that deals with the health maintenance and diseases of women, especially of the reproductive organs. Abbreviation: GYN, gyn
pro·di·gious   
[pruh-dij-uhs
adjective
1. extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc.: a prodigious research grant.
2. wonderful or marvelous: a prodigious feat.
3. abnormal; monstrous.
4. Obsolete . ominous.
chi·can·er·y   
/ʃɪˈkeɪnəri, tʃɪ-/ Show Spelled
[shi-key-nuh-ree, chi-]
noun, plural -er·ies.
1. trickery or deception by quibbling or sophistry: He resorted to the worst flattery and chicanery to win the job.
2. a quibble or subterfuge used to trick, deceive, or evade.
fal·la·cious   
[fuh-ley-shuhs]
adjective
1. logically unsound:
2. deceptive; misleading:
3. disappointing; delusive
soph·ist·ry   
[sof-uh-stree]
–noun, plural -ries.
1. a subtle, tricky, superficially plausible, but generally fallacious method of reasoning.
2. a false argument;
an·thro·po·gen·ic 
[an-thruh-puh-jen-ik]
–adjective
caused or produced by humans:
aer·o·nau·tics   
[air-uh-naw-tiks, -not-iks]
–noun ( used with a singular verb )
the science or art of flight.
nas·cent   
[nas-uhnt, ney-suhnt]
–adjective
1. beginning to exist or develop
2. Chemistry . (of an element) in the nascent state.
mael·strom   
[meyl-struhm]
–noun
1. a large, powerful, or violent whirlpool.
2. a restless, disordered, or tumultuous state of affairs
3. ( initial capital letter ) a famous hazardous whirlpool off the NW coast of Norway.
in·sur·rec·tion   
[in-suh-rek-shuhn]
–noun
an act or instance of rising in revolt, rebellion, or resistance against civil authority or an established government.
res·tive   
[res-tiv]
–adjective
1. impatient of control, restraint, or delay, as persons; restless; uneasy.
2. refractory; stubborn.
3. refusing to go forward; balky: a ____ horse.
au·thor·i·tar·i·an   
[uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uhn, uh-thor-]
–adjective
1. favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom: __________ principles; __________ attitudes.
2. of or pertaining to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.
3. exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others: an ___________ parent.
lau·re·ate   
[lawr-ee-it, lor-]
–noun
1. a person who has been honored for achieving distinction in a particular field or with a particular award: a Nobel _______.
2. poet _______.
–adjective
3. deserving or having special recognition for achievement, as for poetry (often used immediately after the noun that is modified): poet __________; conjurer ________.
4. having special distinction or recognition in a field: the _______ men of science.
5. crowned or decked with laurel as a mark of honor.
6. consisting of or resembling laurel, as a wreath or crown.
cor·re·spond·ent   
[kawr-uh-spon-duhnt, kor-]
–noun
1. a person who communicates by letters.
2. a person employed by a news agency, periodical, television network, etc., to gather, report, or contribute news, articles, and the like regularly from a distant place.
3. a person who contributes a letter or letters to a newspaper, magazine, etc.
4. a person or firm that has regular business relations with another, especially at a distance.
5. a thing that corresponds to something else.
–adjective
6. consistent, similar, or analogous; corresponding.
hilt   
[hilt]
–noun
1. the handle of a sword or dagger.
2. the handle of any weapon or tool.
–verb (used with object)
3. to furnish with a hilt.
—Idiom
4. to the hilt, to the maximum extent or degree; completely; fully: to play the role to the hilt. Also, up to the hilt.
e·gre·gious   
[ih-gree-juhs, -jee-uhs]
–adjective
1. extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant: an egregious mistake; an egregious liar.
2. Archaic . distinguished or eminent.
de·crep·it   
[dih-krep-it]
–adjective
1. weakened by old age; feeble; infirm: a _______ man who can hardly walk.
2. worn out by long use; dilapidated: a _______ stove.
ma·laise   
[ma-leyz, -muh-; Fr. ma-lez
–noun
1. a condition of general bodily weakness or discomfort, often marking the onset of a disease.
2. a vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort.
ver·i·ta·ble   
[ver-i-tuh-buhl]
–adjective
1. being truly or very much so: a ________ triumph.
2. Obsolete . true, as a statement or tale.
ag·it·prop   
[aj-it-prop
–noun
1. agitation and propaganda, especially for the cause of communism.
2. ( often initial capital letter ) an agency or department, as of a government, that directs and coordinates agitation and propaganda.
3. Also, ag·it·prop·ist. a person who is trained or takes part in such activities
co·te·rie   
[koh-tuh-ree]
–noun
1. a group of people who associate closely.
2. an exclusive group; clique.
3. a group of prairie dogs occupying a communal burrow.
fo·ment   
[foh-ment]
–verb (used with object)
1. to instigate or foster (discord, rebellion, etc.); promote the growth or development of: to foment trouble; to foment discontent.
2. to apply warm water or medicated liquid, ointments, etc., to (the surface of the body).
van·guard   
[van-gahrd]
–noun
1. the foremost division or the front part of an army; advance guard; van.
2. the forefront in any movement, field, activity, or the like.
3. the leaders of any intellectual or political movement.
4. ( initial capital letter ) Rocketry . a U.S. three-stage, satellite-launching rocket, the first two stages powered by liquid-propellant engines and the third by a solid-propellant engine.
ag·glom·er·a·tion 
[uh-glom-uh-rey-shuhn]
–noun
1. a jumbled cluster or mass of varied parts.
2. the act or process of agglomerating.
squal·or   /ˈskwɒlər,
[skwol-er, skwaw-ler]
–noun
the condition of being squalid; filth and misery.
ar·che·type   
[ahr-ki-tahyp]
–noun
1. the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype.
2. (in Jungian psychology) a collectively inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc., universally present in individual psyches.
John Vliet Lindsay
was an American politician, lawyer and broadcaster who was a U.S. Congressman, Mayor of New York City, candidate for U.S. President and regular guest host of Good Morning America.

During his political career, he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1965 and as mayor of New York City from 1966 to 1973
Abraham David "Abe" Beame
was mayor of New York City from 1974 to 1977.[1] As such, he presided over the city during the fiscal crisis of the mid-1970s, during which the city was almost forced to declare bankruptcy.
hin·ter·land   
[hin-ter-land]
–noun
1. Often, hinterlands. the remote or less developed parts of a country; back country: The hinterlands are usually much more picturesque than the urban areas.
2. the land lying behind a coastal region.
3. an area or sphere of influence in the unoccupied interior claimed by the state possessing the coast.
pro·sa·ic   
[proh-zey-ik]
–adjective
1. commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative: a prosaic mind.
2. of or having the character or form of prose rather than poetry.
pied-à-terre
is a small living unit usually located in a large city some distance away from an individual's primary residence. It may be an apartment or condominium
erst·while   
[urst-hwahyl, -wahyl]
–adjective
1. former; of times past: erstwhile friends.
ex·co·ri·ate   
[ik-skawr-ee-eyt, -skohr-]
–verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.
1. to denounce or berate severely; flay verbally: He was excoriated for his mistakes.
2. to strip off or remove the skin from: Her palms were excoriated by the hard labor of shoveling.
ex·urb   
[ek-serb, eg-zerb]
–noun
a small, usually prosperous, community situated beyond the suburbs of a city.
aer·ie   
[air-ee, eer-ee]
–noun
1. the nest of a bird of prey, as an eagle or a hawk.
2. a lofty nest of any large bird.
3. a house, fortress, or the like, located high on a hill or mountain.
en·tre·pôt   
[ahn-truh-poh; Fr. ahn-truh-poh
–noun, plural -pôts  /-ˌpoʊz; Fr. -ˈpoʊ/ show+spelled">Show Spelled
[-pohz; Fr. -poh] Show IPA
.
1. a warehouse.
2. a commercial center where goods are received for distribution, transshipment, or repackaging.
e·bul·lient   
[ih-buhl-yuhnt, ih-bool-]
–adjective
1. overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited: The award winner was in an ebullient mood at the dinner in her honor.
2. bubbling up like a boiling liquid.
ca·liph   
[key-lif, kal-if]
–noun
1. a spiritual leader of islam, claiming succession from Muhammad.
2. any of the former Muslim rulers of Baghdad (until 1258) and of the Ottoman Empire (from 1571 until 1924).
ae·gis   
[ee-jis]
–noun
1. Classical Mythology . the shield or breastplate of zeus or athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon.
2. protection; support: under the imperial aegis.
3. sponsorship; auspices: a debate under the aegis of the League of women Voters.
fi·at   
[fee-aht, -at; fahy-uht, -at]
–noun
1. an authoritative decree, sanction, or order: a royal fiat.
2. a formula containing the word fiat, by which a person in authority gives sanction.
3. an arbitrary decree or pronouncement, especially by a person or group of persons having absolute authority to enforce it: The king ruled by fiat.
bau·ble   
[baw-buhl]
–noun
1. a showy, usually cheap, ornament; trinket; gewgaw.
2. a jester's scepter.
pros·e·lyt·ize   
[pros-uh-li-tahyz]
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -ized, -iz·ing.
to convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte; recruit.
an·es·the·sia   
[an-uhs-thee-zhuh]
–noun
1. Medicine/Medical . general or local insensibility, as to pain and other sensation, induced by certain interventions or drugs to permit the performance of surgery or other painful procedures.
2. Pathology . general loss of the senses of feeling, as pain, heat, cold, touch, and other less common varieties of sensation.
3. Psychiatry . absence of sensation due to psychological processes, as in conversion disorders.
mas·tec·to·my 
[ma-stek-tuh-mee]
–noun, plural -mies. Surgery .
the operation of removing all or part of the breast or mamma.
pro·vost   
[proh-vohst
–noun
1. a person appointed to superintend or preside.
2. an administrative officer in any of various colleges and universities who holds high rank and is concerned with the curriculum, faculty appointments, etc.
3. Ecclesiastical . the chief dignitary of a cathedral or collegiate church.
be·nign
   [bih-nahyn]
–adjective
1.
having a kindly disposition; gracious: a benign king.

2.
showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness: a benign smile.

3.
favorable; propitious: a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.
ag·gran·dize
   [uh-gran-dahyz, ag-ruhn-dahyz
–verb (used with object), -dized, -diz·ing.
1.
to widen in scope; increase in size or intensity; enlarge; extend.

2.
to make great or greater in power, wealth, rank, or honor.

3.
to make (something) appear greater.
a·lac·ri·ty
   [uh-lak-ri-tee]
–noun
1.
cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness: We accepted the invitation with alacrity.

2.
liveliness; briskness.
con·tra·vene
   [kon-truh-veen
–verb (used with object), -vened, -ven·ing.
1.
to come or be in conflict with; go or act against; deny or oppose: to contravene a statement.

2.
to violate, infringe, or transgress: to contravene the law.
ab·di·cate
   [ab-di-keyt]
–verb (used without object)
1.
to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner: The aging founder of the firm decided to abdicate.
con·tig·u·ous
   [kuhn-tig-yoo-uhs]
–adjective
1.
touching; in contact.

2.
in close proximity without actually touching; near.

3.
adjacent in time: contiguous events.
con·flu·ence
   [kon-floo-uhns]
–noun
1.
a flowing together of two or more streams, rivers, or the like: the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

2.
their place of junction: St. Louis is at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

3.
a body of water formed by the flowing together of two or more streams, rivers, or the like.
con·join
   [kuhn-join]
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1.
to join together; unite; combine; associate.

2.
Grammar . to join as coordinate elements, especially as coordinate clauses.
de·base
   [dih-beys]
–verb (used with object), -based, -bas·ing.
1.
to reduce in quality or value; adulterate: They debased the value of the dollar.

2.
to lower in rank, dignity, or significance: He wouldn't debase himself by doing manual labor.
de·bil·i·tate
   [dih-bil-i-teyt
–verb (used with object), -tat·ed, -tat·ing.
to make weak or feeble; enfeeble: The siege of pneumonia debilitated her completely.
de·funct
   [dih-fuhngkt
–adjective
1.
no longer in effect or use; not operating or functioning: a defunct law; a defunct organization.

2.
no longer in existence; dead; extinct: a defunct person; a defunct tribe of Indians.
cur·so·ry
   [kur-suh-ree]
–adjective
going rapidly over something, without noticing details; hasty; superficial: a cursory glance at a newspaper article.
dearth
   [durth]
–noun
1.
an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack: There is a dearth of good engineers.

2.
scarcity and dearness of food; famine.
dal·ly
   [dal-ee]
–verb (used without object)
1.
to waste time; loiter; delay.

2.
to act playfully, especially in an amorous or flirtatious way.

3.
to play mockingly; trifle: to dally with danger.
af·fin·i·ty
   [uh-fin-i-tee]
–noun
1.
a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.

2.
a person, thing, idea, etc., for which such a natural liking or attraction is felt.

3.
relationship by marriage or by ties other than those of blood ( distinguished from consanguinity).
des·e·crate
   [des-i-kreyt]
–verb (used with object), -crat·ed, -crat·ing.
1.
to divest of sacred or hallowed character or office.

2.
to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose.

3.
to treat with sacrilege; profane.
e·quiv·o·cal
   [ih-kwiv-uh-kuhl
–adjective
1.
allowing the possibility of several different meanings, as a word or phrase, especially with intent to deceive or misguide; susceptible of double interpretation; deliberately ambiguous: an equivocal answer.

2.
of doubtful nature or character; questionable; dubious; suspicious: aliens of equivocal loyalty.

3.
of uncertain significance; not determined: an equivocal attitude.
ep·i·gram
   [ep-i-gram]
–noun
1.
any witty, ingenious, or pointed saying tersely expressed.

2.
epigrammatic expression: Oscar Wilde had a genius for epigram.

3.
a short, often satirical poem dealing concisely with a single subject and usually ending with a witty or ingenious turn of thought.
en·fran·chise
   [en-fran-chahyz]
–verb (used with object), -chised, -chis·ing.
1.
to grant a franchise to; admit to citizenship, especially to the right of voting.

2.
to endow (a city, constituency, etc.) with municipal or parliamentary rights.

3.
to set free; liberate, as from slavery.
en·cum·ber
   [en-kuhm-ber]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to impede or hinder; hamper; retard: Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action.

2.
to block up or fill with what is obstructive or superfluous: a mind encumbered with trivial and useless information.

3.
to burden or weigh down: She was encumbered with a suitcase and several packages.
e·go·cen·tric
   [ee-goh-sen-trik, eg-oh-]
–adjective
1.
having or regarding the self or the individual as the center of all things: an egocentric philosophy that ignores social causes.

2.
having little or no regard for interests, beliefs, or attitudes other than one's own; self-centered: an egocentric person; egocentric demands upon the time and patience of others.
ef·face
   [ih-feys]
–verb (used with object), -faced, -fac·ing.
1.
to wipe out; do away with; expunge: to efface one's unhappy memories.

2.
to rub out, erase, or obliterate (outlines, traces, inscriptions, etc.).

3.
to make (oneself) inconspicuous; withdraw (oneself) modestly or shyly.
du·bi·ous
   [doo-bee-uhs, dyoo-]
–adjective
1.
doubtful; marked by or occasioning doubt: a dubious reply.

2.
of doubtful quality or propriety; questionable: a dubious compliment; a dubious transaction.

3.
of uncertain outcome: in dubious battle.
dog·ma
   [dawg-muh, dog-]
[-muh-tuh] Show IPA.
1.
a system of principles or tenets, as of a church.

2.
a specific tenet or doctrine authoritatively laid down, as by a church: the dogma of the assumption.

3.
prescribed doctrine: political dogma.
dis·par·age
   [dih-spar-ij]
–verb (used with object), -aged, -ag·ing.
1.
to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle: Do not disparage good manners.

2.
to bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of: Your behavior will disparage the whole family.
dis·dain
   [dis-deyn, dih-steyn]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to look upon or treat with contempt; despise; scorn.

2.
to think unworthy of notice, response, etc.; consider beneath oneself: to disdain replying to an insult.
dis·cord
   [n. dis-kawrd; v. dis-kawrd]
–noun
1.
lack of concord or harmony between persons or things: marital discord.

2.
disagreement; difference of opinion.

3.
strife; dispute; war.
dis·cern·ing
   [dih-sur-ning, -zur-]
–adjective
showing good or outstanding judgment and understanding: a discerning critic of french poetry.
er·rant
   [er-uhnt]
–adjective
1.
deviating from the regular or proper course; erring; straying.

2.
journeying or traveling, as a medieval knight in quest of adventure; roving adventurously.

3.
moving in an aimless or lightly changing manner: an errant breeze.
ex·or·bi·tant
   [ig-zawr-bi-tuhnt]
–adjective
exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, especially in amount or extent; highly excessive: to charge an exorbitant price; exorbitant luxury.
ex·pe·di·ent
   [ik-spee-dee-uhnt]
–adjective
1.
tending to promote some proposed or desired object; fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under the circumstances: It is expedient that you go.

2.
conducive to advantage or interest, as opposed to right.

3.
acting in accordance with expediency.
ex·tol
   [ik-stohl, -stol]
–verb (used with object), -tolled, -tol·ling.
to praise highly; laud; eulogize: to extol the beauty of Naples.
ex·tra·ne·ous
   [ik-strey-nee-uhs]
–adjective
1.
introduced or coming from without; not belonging or proper to a thing; external; foreign: extraneous substances in our water.

2.
not pertinent; irrelevant: an extraneous remark; extraneous decoration.
fal·la·cious
   [fuh-ley-shuhs]
–adjective
1.
containing a fallacy; logically unsound: fallacious arguments.

2.
deceptive; misleading: fallacious testimony.

3.
disappointing; delusive: a fallacious peace.
fas·tid·i·ous
   [fa-stid-ee-uhs, fuh-]
–adjective
1.
excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please: a fastidious eater.

2.
requiring or characterized by excessive care or delicacy; painstaking.
fer·vent
   [fur-vuhnt
–adjective
1.
having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.; ardent: a fervent admirer; a fervent plea.

2.
hot; burning; glowing.
fet·ter
   [fet-er]
–noun
1.
a chain or shackle placed on the feet.

2.
Usually, fetters. anything that confines or restrains: Boredom puts fetters upon the imagination.

–verb (used with object)
3.
to put fetters upon.

4.
to confine; restrain.
fledg·ling
   [flej-ling]
–noun
1.
a young bird just fledged.

2.
an inexperienced person
flip·pant
   [flip-uhnt
–adjective
1.
frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity: The audience was shocked by his flippant remarks about patriotism.

2.
Chiefly Dialect . nimble, limber, or pliant.

3.
Archaic . glib; voluble.
des·o·late
   [adj. des-uh-lit; v. des-uh-leyt]
–adjective
1.
barren or laid waste; devastated: a treeless, desolate landscape.

2.
deprived or destitute of inhabitants; deserted; uninhabited.

3.
solitary; lonely: a desolate place.
–adjective
1.
barren or laid waste; devastated: a treeless, desolate landscape.

2.
deprived or destitute of inhabitants; deserted; uninhabited.

3.
solitary; lonely: a desolate place.
–noun
1.
the rule of a despot; the exercise of absolute authority.

2.
absolute power or control; tyranny.

3.
an absolute or autocratic government.
–noun
1.
the rule of a despot; the exercise of absolute authority.

2.
absolute power or control; tyranny.

3.
an absolute or autocratic government.
–adjective
1.
skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body.

2.
having mental adroitness or skill; clever.

3.
done with skill or adroitness.
di·a·tribe
   [dahy-uh-trahyb]
–noun
a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism: repeated diatribes against the senator.
di·chot·o·my
   [dahy-kot-uh-mee
–noun, plural -mies.
1.
division into two parts, kinds, etc.; subdivision into halves or pairs.

2.
division into two mutually exclusive, opposed, or contradictory groups: a dichotomy between thought and action.

3.
Botany . a mode of branching by constant forking, as in some stems, in veins of leaves, etc.
dif·fi·dent
   [dif-i-duhnt]
–adjective
1.
lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.

2.
restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.

3.
Archaic . distrustful.
dil·et·tante
   [dil-i-tahnt, dil-i-tahnt, -tahn-tey, -tan-tee]
–noun
1.
a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a desultory or superficial way; dabbler.

2.
a lover of an art or science, especially of a fine art.
ab·ject
   [ab-jekt, ab-jekt]
–adjective
1.
utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched: abject poverty.

2.
contemptible; despicable; base-spirited: an abject coward.

3.
shamelessly servile; slavish.
a·bom·i·nate
   [uh-bom-uh-neyt]
–verb (used with object), -nat·ed, -nat·ing.
1.
to regard with intense aversion or loathing; abhor.

2.
to dislike strongly.
cal·low
   [kal-oh]
–adjective
1.
immature or inexperienced: a callow youth.

2.
(of a young bird) featherless; unfledged.
co·nun·drum
   [kuh-nuhn-druhm]
–noun
1.
a riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words, as What is black and white and read all over? A newspaper.

2.
anything that puzzles.
a·bridge
   [uh-brij]
–verb (used with object), a·bridged, a·bridg·ing.
1.
to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents: to abridge a reference book.

2.
to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish; curtail: to abridge a visit; to abridge one's freedom.

3.
to deprive; cut off.
be·nev·o·lent
   [buh-nev-uh-luhnt]
–adjective
1.
characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings: a benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile.

2.
desiring to help others; charitable: gifts from several benevolent alumni.

3.
intended for benefits rather than profit: a benevolent institution.
de·ride
   [dih-rahyd]
–verb (used with object), -rid·ed, -rid·ing.
to laugh at in scorn or contempt; scoff or jeer at; mock.
ca·price
   [kuh-prees]
–noun
1.
a sudden, unpredictable change, as of one's mind or the weather.

2.
a tendency to change one's mind without apparent or adequate motive; whimsicality; capriciousness: With the caprice of a despotic king, he alternated between kindness and cruelty.
ac·cre·tion
   [uh-kree-shuhn]
–noun
1.
an increase by natural growth or by gradual external addition; growth in size or extent.

2.
the result of this process.

3.
an added part; addition: The last part of the legend is a later accretion.
cav·il
   [kav-uhl]
–verb (used without object)
1.
to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually followed by at or about ): He finds something to cavil at in everything I say.
com·mis·er·ate
   [kuh-miz-uh-reyt]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to feel or express sorrow or sympathy for; empathize with; pity.
ad·age
   [ad-ij
–noun
a traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation; proverb.
den·i·grate
   [den-i-greyt]
–verb (used with object), -grat·ed, -grat·ing.
1.
to speak damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory manner; sully; defame: to denigrate someone's character.

2.
to treat or represent as lacking in value or importance; belittle; disparage: to denigrate someone's contributions to a project.

3.
to make black; blacken: rain clouds denigrating the sky.
be·rate
   [bih-reyt]
–verb (used with object), -rat·ed, -rat·ing.
to scold; rebuke: He berated them in public.
de·lin·e·ate
   [dih-lin-ee-eyt]
–verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.
1.
to trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline; represent pictorially: He delineated the state of Texas on the map with a red pencil.

2.
to portray in words; describe or outline with precision: In her speech she delineated the city plan with great care.
del·e·te·ri·ous
   [del-i-teer-ee-uhs]
–adjective
1.
injurious to health: deleterious gases.

2.
harmful; injurious: deleterious influences.
a·wry
   [uh-rahy]
–adverb, adjective
1.
with a turn or twist to one side; askew: to glance or look awry.

2.
away from the expected or proper direction; amiss; wrong: Our plans went awry.
av·a·rice
   [av-er-is]
–noun
insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth.
au·to·crat
   [aw-tuh-krat
–noun
1.
an absolute ruler, especially a monarch who holds and exercises the powers of government as by inherent right, not subject to restrictions.

2.
a person invested with or claiming to exercise absolute authority.

3.
a person who behaves in an authoritarian manner; a domineering person.
au·thor·i·tar·i·an
   [uh-thawr-i-tair-ee-uhn, uh-thor-]
–adjective
1.
favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom: authoritarian principles; authoritarian attitudes.

2.
of or pertaining to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.

3.
exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others: an authoritarian parent.
aus·pi·cious
   [aw-spish-uhs]
–adjective
1.
promising success; propitious; opportune; favorable: an auspicious occasion.

2.
favored by fortune; prosperous; fortunate.
aug·ment
   [v. awg-ment; n. awg-ment]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase: His salary is augmented by a small inheritance.

2.
Music .
a.
to raise (the upper note of an interval or chord) by a half step.

b.
to double the note values of (a theme): In the fugue's development the subject is augmented.

3.
Grammar . to add an augment to.
au·da·cious
   [aw-dey-shuhs]
–adjective
1.
extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave; fearless: an audacious explorer.

2.
extremely original; without restriction to prior ideas; highly inventive: an audacious vision of the city's bright future.

3.
recklessly bold in defiance of convention, propriety, law, or the like; insolent; brazen.
bes·tial
   [bes-chuhl, bees-]
–adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or having the form of a beast: the belief that a person could assume bestial form after death; the bestial signs of the zodiac.

2.
without reason or intelligence; brutal; inhuman: bestial treatment of prisoners.

3.
beastlike in gratifying one's sensual desires; carnal; debased.
bi·lat·er·al
   [bahy-lat-er-uhl]
–adjective
1.
pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides, factions, parties, or the like: a bilateral agreement; bilateral sponsorship.

2.
located on opposite sides of an axis; two-sided, especially when of equal size, value, etc.

3.
Biology . pertaining to the right and left sides of a structure, plane, etc.
ac·crue
   [uh-kroo]
–verb (used without object), -crued, -cru·ing.
1.
to happen or result as a natural growth, addition, etc.

2.
to be added as a matter of periodic gain or advantage, as interest on money.

3.
Law . to become a present and enforceable right or demand.
at·ro·phy
   [a-truh-fee]
–noun
1.
Also, a·tro·phi·a  [uh-troh-fee-uh] Show IPA. Pathology . a wasting away of the body or of an organ or part, as from defective nutrition or nerve damage.

2.
degeneration, decline, or decrease, as from disuse: He argued that there was a progressive atrophy of freedom and independence of thought.
as·tute
   [uh-stoot, uh-styoot
–adjective
1.
of keen penetration or discernment; sagacious: an astute analysis.

2.
clever; cunning; ingenious; shrewd: an astute merchandising program; an astute manipulation of facts.
crass
   [kras]
–adjective, -er, -est.
1.
without refinement, delicacy, or sensitivity; gross; obtuse; stupid: crass commercialism; a crass misrepresentation of the facts.

2.
Archaic . thick; coarse.
ba·nal
   [buh-nal, -nahl, beyn-l]
–adjective
devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed; trite: a banal and sophomoric treatment of courage on the frontier.
al·tru·ism
   [al-troo-iz-uhm]
–noun
1.
the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others ( opposed to egoism).

2.
Animal Behavior . behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, as a warning cry that reveals the location of the caller to a predator.
ad·dle
   [ad-l
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1.
to make or become confused.

2.
to make or become rotten, as eggs.
ad·jure
   [uh-joor
–verb (used with object), -jured, -jur·ing.
1.
to charge, bind, or command earnestly and solemnly, often under oath or the threat of a penalty.

2.
to entreat or request earnestly or solemnly.
af·fa·ble
   [af-uh-buhl]
–adjective
1.
pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to; friendly; cordial; warmly polite: an affable and courteous gentleman.

2.
showing warmth and friendliness; benign; pleasant: an affable smile.
al·le·vi·ate
   [uh-lee-vee-eyt]
–verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.
to make easier to endure; lessen; mitigate: to alleviate sorrow; to alleviate pain.
am·biv·a·lence
   [am-biv-uh-luhns]
–noun
1.
uncertainty or fluctuation, especially when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things.

2.
Psychology . the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing him or her in opposite directions.
a·mel·io·rate
   [uh-meel-yuh-reyt, uh-mee-lee-uh-]
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -rat·ed, -rat·ing.
to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve; meliorate.
ca·jole
   [kuh-johl]
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -joled, -jol·ing.
to persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax.
a·mi·a·ble
   [ey-mee-uh-buhl]
–adjective
1.
having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities; affable: an amiable disposition.

2.
friendly; sociable: an amiable greeting; an amiable gathering.

3.
agreeable; willing to accept the wishes, decisions, or suggestions of another or others.
bur·lesque
   [ber-lesk]
–noun
1.
an artistic composition, especially literary or dramatic, that, for the sake of laughter, vulgarizes lofty material or treats ordinary material with mock dignity.

2.
any ludicrous parody or grotesque caricature.

3.
Also, bur·lesk . a humorous and provocative stage show featuring slapstick humor, comic skits, bawdy songs, striptease acts, and a scantily clad female chorus.
a·mor·phous
   [uh-mawr-fuhs]
–adjective
1.
lacking definite form; having no specific shape; formless: the amorphous clouds.

2.
of no particular kind or character; indeterminate; having no pattern or structure; unorganized: an amorphous style; an amorphous personality.

3.
Petrography, Mineralogy . occurring in a mass, as without stratification or crystalline structure.
a·nach·ro·nism
   [uh-nak-ruh-niz-uhm]
–noun
1.
something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, especially a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time: The sword is an anachronism in modern warfare.

2.
an error in chronology in which a person, object, event, etc., is assigned a date or period other than the correct one: To assign Michelangelo to the 14th century is an anachronism.
ab·hor
   [ab-hawr]
–verb (used with object), -horred, -hor·ring.
to regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; detest utterly; loathe; abominate.
cha·grin
   [shuh-grin]
–noun
1.
a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation.
cir·cum·spect
   [sur-kuhm-spekt]
–adjective
1.
watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent: circumspect behavior.

2.
well-considered: circumspect ambition.
clan·des·tine
   [klan-des-tin]
–adjective
characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious: Their clandestine meetings went undiscovered for two years.
co·a·lesce
   [koh-uh-les]
–verb (used without object)
1.
to grow together or into one body: The two lakes coalesced into one.

2.
to unite so as to form one mass, community, etc.: The various groups coalesced into a crowd.

3.
to blend or come together: Their ideas coalesced into one theory.
co·gent
   [koh-juhnt]
–adjective
1.
convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation; telling.

2.
to the point; relevant; pertinent.
cog·ni·zant
   [kog-nuh-zuhnt, kon-uh-]
–adjective
1.
having cognizance; aware (usually followed by of ): He was cognizant of the difficulty.

2.
having legal cognizance.
a·bey·ance
   [uh-bey-uhns]
–noun
1.
temporary inactivity, cessation, or suspension: Let's hold that problem in abeyance for a while.

2.
Law . a state or condition of real property in which title is not as yet vested in a known titleholder: an estate in abeyance.
ab·er·rant
   [uh-ber-uhnt, ab-er-]
–adjective
1.
departing from the right, normal, or usual course.

2.
deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type; exceptional; abnormal.
a·base
   [uh-beys]
–verb (used with object), a·based, a·bas·ing.
1.
to reduce or lower, as in rank, office, reputation, or estimation; humble; degrade.

2.
Archaic , to lower; put or bring down: He abased his head.
con·cil·i·ate
   [kuhn-sil-ee-eyt]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to overcome the distrust or hostility of; placate; win over: to conciliate an angry competitor.

2.
to win or gain (goodwill, regard, or favor).

3.
to make compatible; reconcile.
co·hort
   [koh-hawrt]
–noun
1.
a group or company: She has a cohort of admirers.

2.
a companion or associate.

3.
one of the ten divisions in an ancient Roman legion, numbering from 300 to 600 soldiers.
col·lo·qui·al
   [kuh-loh-kwee-uhl]
–adjective
1.
characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.

2.
involving or using conversation.
con·clave
   [kon-kleyv, kong-]
–noun
1.
a private or secret meeting.

2.
an assembly or gathering, especially one that has special authority, power, or influence: a conclave of political leaders.

3.
the assembly or meeting of the cardinals for the election of a pope.
con·spic·u·ous
   [kuhn-spik-yoo-uhs]
–adjective
1.
easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable: a conspicuous error.

2.
attracting special attention, as by outstanding qualities or eccentricities: He was conspicuous by his booming laughter.
ca·pri·cious
   [kuh-prish-uhs, -pree-shuhs]
–adjective
1.
subject to, led by, or indicative of caprice or whim; erratic: He's such a capricious boss I never know how he'll react.

2.
Obsolete . fanciful or witty.
con·se·crate
   [kon-si-kreyt]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity: to consecrate a new church building.

2.
to make (something) an object of honor or veneration; hallow: a custom consecrated by time.

3.
to devote or dedicate to some purpose: a life consecrated to science.
flux
   [fluhks]
–noun
1.
a flowing or flow.

2.
the flowing in of the tide.

3.
continuous change, passage, or movement: His political views are in a state of flux.
fo·ren·sic
   [fuh-ren-sik]
–adjective
1.
pertaining to, connected with, or used in courts of law or public discussion and debate.

2.
adapted or suited to argumentation; rhetorical.
for·ti·tude
   [fawr-ti-tood, -tyood]
–noun
mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously: Never once did her fortitude waver during that long illness.
ful·mi·nate
   [fuhl-muh-neyt]
–verb (used without object)
1.
to explode with a loud noise; detonate.

2.
to issue denunciations or the like (usually followed by against ): The minister fulminated against legalized vice.
gaffe
   [gaf]
–noun
a social blunder; faux pas.
gam·ut
   [gam-uht]
–noun
1.
the entire scale or range: the gamut of dramatic emotion from grief to joy.

2.
Music .
a.
the whole series of recognized musical notes.

b.
the major scale.
gre·gar·i·ous
   [gri-gair-ee-uhs]
–adjective
1.
fond of the company of others; sociable.

2.
living in flocks or herds, as animals.

3.
Botany . growing in open clusters or colonies; not matted together.
guile
   [gahyl]
–noun
insidious cunning in attaining a goal; crafty or artful deception; duplicity.
bur·geon
   [bur-juhn
–verb (used without object)
1.
to grow or develop quickly; flourish: The town burgeoned into a city. He burgeoned into a fine actor.

2.
to begin to grow, as a bud; put forth buds, shoots, etc., as a plant (often followed by out, forth ).
an·ec·dote
   [an-ik-doht]
1.
a short account of a particular incident or event, especially of an interesting or amusing nature.

2.
a short, obscure historical or biographical account.
brusque
   [bruhsk; especially Brit. broosk]
–adjective
abrupt in manner; blunt; rough: A brusque welcome greeted his unexpected return.
an·tip·a·thy
   [an-tip-uh-thee]
–noun, plural -thies.
1.
a natural, basic, or habitual repugnance; aversion.

2.
an instinctive contrariety or opposition in feeling.

3.
an object of natural aversion or habitual dislike.
ar·bi·ter
   [ahr-bi-ter]
–noun
1.
a person empowered to decide matters at issue; judge; umpire.

2.
a person who has the sole or absolute power of judging or determining.
–noun
1.
a person empowered to decide matters at issue; judge; umpire.

2.
a person who has the sole or absolute power of judging or determining.
–noun
1.
the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype.

2.
(in Jungian psychology) a collectively inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc., universally present in individual psyches.
bom·bast
   [bom-bast]
–noun
1.
speech too pompous for an occasion; pretentious words.

2.
Obsolete . cotton or other material used to stuff garments; padding.
ar·dent
   [ahr-dnt]
–adjective
1.
having, expressive of, or characterized by intense feeling; passionate; fervent: an ardent vow; ardent love.

2.
intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous: an ardent theatergoer. an ardent student of french history.

3.
vehement; fierce: They were frightened by his ardent, burning eyes.
ben·e·fac·tor
   [ben-uh-fak-ter, ben-uh-fak-]
–noun
1.
a person who confers a benefit; kindly helper.

2.
a person who makes a bequest or endowment, as to an institution.
blight
   [blahyt]
–noun
1.
Plant Pathology .
a.
the rapid and extensive discoloration, wilting, and death of plant tissues.

b.
a disease so characterized.

2.
any cause of impairment, destruction, ruin, or frustration: Extravagance was the blight of the family.

3.
the state or result of being blighted or deteriorated; dilapidation; decay: urban blight.
as·cet·ic
   [uh-set-ik]
–noun
1.
a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial or self-mortification for religious reasons.

2.
a person who leads an austerely simple life, especially one who abstains from the normal pleasures of life or denies himself or herself material satisfaction.

3.
(in the early Christian church) a monk; hermit.
as·pir·ant
   [uh-spahyuhr-uhnt, as-per-uhnt
–noun
1.
a person who aspires, as one who seeks or desires a career, advancement, status, etc.: The aspirants for foundation grants had yet to prove themselves.
triv·i·al·ize
   [triv-ee-uh-lahyz]
–verb (used with object), -ized, -iz·ing.
to make trivial; cause to appear unimportant, trifling, etc.
as·suage
   [uh-sweyj, uh-sweyzh]
–verb (used with object), -suaged, -suag·ing.
1.
to make milder or less severe; relieve; ease; mitigate: to assuage one's grief; to assuage one's pain.

2.
to appease; satisfy; allay; relieve: to assuage one's hunger.

3.
to soothe, calm, or mollify: to assuage his fears; to assuage her anger.
as·sid·u·ous
   [uh-sij-oo-uhs
–adjective
1.
constant; unremitting: assiduous reading.

2.
constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task; persevering; industrious; attentive: an assiduous student.
ar·cane
   [ahr-keyn]
–adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters.
os·ten·ta·tious
   [os-ten-tey-shuhs, -tuhn-]
–adjective
1.
characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others: an ostentatious dresser.

2.
(of actions, manner, qualities exhibited, etc.) intended to attract notice: Lady Bountiful's ostentatious charity.
pe·dan·tic
   [puh-dan-tik]
–adjective
1.
ostentatious in one's learning.

2.
overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, especially in teaching.
fore·stall
   [fohr-stawl, fawr-]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to prevent, hinder, or thwart by action in advance: to forestall a riot by deploying police.

2.
to act beforehand with or get ahead of; anticipate.

3.
to buy up (goods) in advance in order to increase the price when resold.
ger·ry·man·der
   [jer-i-man-der, ger-]
ger·ry·man·der
   [jer-i-man-der, ger-]
Di·o·ny·sian
   [dahy-uh-nish-uhn, -nis-ee-uhn, -nahy-see-]
–adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or honoring Dionysus or Bacchus.

2.
recklessly uninhibited; unrestrained; undisciplined; frenzied; orgiastic.
gra·tu·i·tous
   [gruh-too-i-tuhs, -tyoo-]
–adjective
1.
given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; voluntary.

2.
being without apparent reason, cause, or justification: a gratuitous insult.

3.
Law . given without receiving any return value.
stew·ard
   [stoo-erd, styoo-]
–noun
1.
a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.

2.
a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc.

3.
an employee who has charge of the table, wine, servants, etc., in a club, restaurant, or the like.
im·pinge
   [im-pinj]
–verb (used without object)
1.
to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually followed by on or upon ): to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's daily life.

2.
to encroach; infringe (usually followed by on or upon ): to impinge on another's rights.

3.
to strike; dash; collide (usually followed by on, upon, or against ): rays of light impinging on the eye.

–verb (used with object)
4.
Obsolete . to come into violent contact with.
ex·hort
   [ig-zawrt]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently.
ca·coph·o·ny
   [kuh-kof-uh-nee]
–noun, plural -nies.
1.
harsh discordance of sound; dissonance: a cacophony of hoots, cackles, and wails.

2.
a discordant and meaningless mixture of sounds: the cacophony produced by city traffic at midday.

3.
Music . frequent use of discords of a harshness and relationship difficult to understand.
pre·rog·a·tive
   [pri-rog-uh-tiv, puh-rog-]
–noun
1.
an exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like: the prerogatives of a senator.

2.
a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category: It was the teacher's prerogative to stop the discussion.

3.
a power, immunity, or the like restricted to a sovereign government or its representative: The royal prerogative exempts the king from taxation.
hei·nous
   [hey-nuhs]
–adjective
hateful; odious; abominable; totally reprehensible: a heinous offense.
ap·pre·hen·sive
   [ap-ri-hen-siv]
–adjective
1.
uneasy or fearful about something that might happen: apprehensive for the safety of the mountain climbers.

2.
quick to learn or understand.

3.
perceptive; discerning (usually followed by of ).
de·lib·er·a·tion
   [dih-lib-uh-rey-shuhn
–noun
1.
careful consideration before decision.

2.
formal consultation or discussion.

3.
deliberate quality; leisureliness of movement or action; slowness.
hew
   [hyoo or, often, yoo]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to strike forcibly with an ax, sword, or other cutting instrument; chop; hack.

2.
to make, shape, smooth, etc., with cutting blows: to hew a passage through the crowd; to hew a statue from marble.

3.
to sever (a part) from a whole by means of cutting blows (usually followed by away, off, out, from, etc.): to hew branches from the tree.
parch·ment
   [pahrch-muhnt]
–noun
1.
the skin of sheep, goats, etc., prepared for use as a material on which to write.

2.
a manuscript or document on such material.

3.
a stiff, off-white paper resembling this material.
a·pos·tate
   [uh-pos-teyt, -tit]
–noun
1.
a person who forsakes his religion, cause, party, etc.
ex·tra·dite
   [ek-struh-dahyt]
–verb (used with object), -dit·ed, -dit·ing.
1.
to give up (an alleged fugitive or criminal) to another state, nation, or authority.

2.
to obtain the extradition of.
mor·a·to·ri·um
   [mawr-uh-tawr-ee-uhm, -tohr-, mor-]
1.
a suspension of activity: a moratorium on the testing of nuclear weapons.

2.
a legally authorized period to delay payment of money due or the performance of some other legal obligation, as in an emergency.

3.
an authorized period of delay or waiting.
plea bargaining
–noun
an agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant whereby the defendant is allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge rather than risk conviction for a graver crime in order to avoid a protracted trial or to win the defendant's cooperation as a witness.
ca·pit·u·late
   [kuh-pich-uh-leyt]
–verb (used without object), -lat·ed, -lat·ing.
1.
to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms.

2.
to give up resistance: He finally capitulated and agreed to do the job my way.
au·ton·o·my
   [aw-ton-uh-mee]
–noun, plural -mies.
1.
independence or freedom, as of the will or one's actions: the autonomy of the individual.

2.
the condition of being autonomous; self-government, or the right of self-government; independence: The rebels demanded autonomy from Spain.

3.
a self-governing community.
fet·id
   [fet-id, fee-tid]
–adjective
having an offensive odor; stinking.
ca·thar·sis
   [kuh-thahr-sis]
1.
the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, especially through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music.

2.
Medicine/Medical . purgation.

3.
Psychiatry .
a.
psychotherapy that encourages or permits the discharge of pent-up, socially unacceptable affects.

b.
discharge of pent-up emotions so as to result in the alleviation of symptoms or the permanent relief of the condition.
fit·ful
   [fit-fuhl]
–adjective
coming, appearing, acting, etc., in fits or by spells; recurring irregularly.
vac·il·late
   [vas-uh-leyt
–verb (used without object), -lat·ed, -lat·ing.
1.
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute: His tendency to vacillate makes him a poor leader.

2.
to sway unsteadily; waver; totter; stagger.

3.
to oscillate or fluctuate.
de·co·rum
   [dih-kawr-uhm, -kohr-]
–noun
1.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

2.
the quality or state of being decorous; orderliness; regularity.

3.
Usually, decorums. an observance or requirement of polite society.
pan·dem·ic
   [pan-dem-ik]
–adjective
1.
(of a disease) prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world; epidemic over a large area.

2.
general; universal: pandemic fear of atomic war.

–noun
3.
a pandemic disease.
si·lo
   [sahy-loh]
–noun
1.
a structure, typically cylindrical, in which fodder or forage is kept.

2.
a pit or underground space for storing grain, green feeds, etc.

3.
Military . an underground installation constructed of concrete and steel, designed to house a ballistic missile and the equipment for firing it.

–verb (used with object)
4.
to put into or preserve in a silo.
ward
   [wawrd]
–noun
1.
a division or district of a city or town, as for administrative or political purposes.

2.
one of the districts into which certain English and Scottish boroughs are divided.

3.
a division, floor, or room of a hospital for a particular class or group of patients: a convalescent ward; a critical ward.
pli·ant
   [plahy-uhnt]
–adjective
1.
bending readily; flexible; supple; adaptable: She manipulated the pliant clay.

2.
easily influenced; yielding to others; compliant: He has a pliant nature.
pul·pit
   [pool-pit, puhl-]
–noun
1.
a platform or raised structure in a church, from which the sermon is delivered or the service is conducted.

2.
the pulpit,
a.
the clerical profession; the ministry.

b.
members of the clergy collectively: In attendance were representatives of medicine, the pulpit, and the bar.

3.
(especially in Protestantism and Judaism) the position of pastor or rabbi: He heard of a pulpit in Chicago that was about to be vacated.
me·tas·ta·size
   [muh-tas-tuh-sahyz]
–verb (used without object), -sized, -siz·ing.
1.
Pathology . (of malignant cells or disease-producing organisms) to spread to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces.

2.
to spread injuriously: Street gangs have metastasized in our city.

3.
to transform, especially into a dangerous form: The KGB metastasized after the fall of the Soviet Union. Truth metastasized into lurid fantasy.
san·guine
   [sang-gwin]
–adjective
1.
cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident: a sanguine disposition; sanguine expectations.

2.
reddish; ruddy: a sanguine complexion.

3.
(in old physiology) having blood as the predominating humor and consequently being ruddy-faced, cheerful, etc.
ac·qui·esce
   [ak-wee-es]
–verb (used without object), -esced, -esc·ing.
to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent: to acquiesce halfheartedly in a business plan.
hal·cy·on
   [hal-see-uhn
1.
calm; peaceful; tranquil: halcyon weather.

2.
rich; wealthy; prosperous: halcyon times of peace.

3.
happy; joyful; carefree: halcyon days of youth.
in·vec·tive
   [in-vek-tiv
–noun
1.
vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach.

2.
a railing accusation; vituperation.

3.
an insulting or abusive word or expression.

–adjective
4.
vituperative; denunciatory; censoriously abusive.
mal·fea·sance
   [mal-fee-zuhns]
–noun Law .
the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used especially of an act in violation of a public trust). Compare misfeasance ( def. 2 ) , nonfeasance.
ac·ri·mo·ny
   [ak-ruh-moh-nee]
–noun
sharpness, harshness, or bitterness of nature, speech, disposition, etc.: The speaker attacked him with great acrimony.
tur·pi·tude
   [tur-pi-tood, -tyood
–noun
1.
vile, shameful, or base character; depravity.

2.
a vile or depraved act.
mal·a·dy
   [mal-uh-dee]
–noun, plural -dies.
1.
any disorder or disease of the body, especially one that is chronic or deepseated.

2.
any undesirable or disordered condition: social maladies; a malady of the spirit.
per·fi·dy
   [pur-fi-dee]
–noun, plural -dies.
1.
deliberate breach of faith or trust; faithlessness; treachery: perfidy that goes unpunished.

2.
an act or instance of faithlessness or treachery.
fas·cism
   [fash-iz-uhm]
–noun
1.
( sometimes initial capital letter ) a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.

2.
( sometimes initial capital letter ) the philosophy, principles, or methods of fascism.

3.
( initial capital letter ) a fascist movement, especially the one established by Mussolini in Italy 1922–43.
des·ti·tute
   [des-ti-toot, -tyoot]
–adjective
1.
without means of subsistence; lacking food, clothing, and shelter.

2.
deprived of, devoid of, or lacking (often followed by of ): destitute of children.
sem·i·nal
   [sem-uh-nl]
–adjective
1.
pertaining to, containing, or consisting of semen.

2.
Botany . of or pertaining to seed.

3.
having possibilities of future development.
dé·tente
   [dey-tahnt; Fr. dey-tahnt]
a relaxing of tension, especially between nations, as by negotiations or agreements.
cross-pol·li·na·tion
   [kraws-pol-uh-ney-shuhn, kros-]
–noun
1.
Botany . the transfer of pollen from the flower of one plant to the flower of a plant having a different genetic constitution. Compare self-pollination.

2.
a sharing or interchange of knowledge, ideas, etc., as for mutual enrichment; cross-fertilization.
fac·ile
   [fas-il or, especially Brit., -ahyl]
–adjective
1.
moving, acting, working, proceeding, etc., with ease, sometimes with superficiality: facile fingers; a facile mind.

2.
easily done, performed, used, etc.: a facile victory; a facile method.

3.
easy or unconstrained, as manners or persons.
ju·di·cious
   [joo-dish-uhs]
–adjective
1.
using or showing judgment as to action or practical expediency; discreet, prudent, or politic: judicious use of one's money.

2.
having, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment; wise, sensible, or well-advised: a judicious selection of documents.
xen·o·pho·bi·a
   [zen-uh-foh-bee-uh, zee-nuh-]
–noun
an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.
coun·ter·vail
   [koun-ter-veyl]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to act or avail against with equal power, force, or effect; counteract.

2.
to furnish an equivalent of or a compensation for; offset.

3.
Archaic . to equal.

–verb (used without object)
4.
to be of equal force in opposition; avail.
bell·weth·er
   [bel-weth-er]
–noun
1.
a wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a bell.

2.
a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a profession or industry: Paris is a bellwether of the fashion industry.

3.
a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend; index.
par·lance
   [pahr-luhns]
–noun
1.
a way or manner of speaking; vernacular; idiom: legal parlance.

2.
speech, especially a formal discussion or debate.

3.
talk; parley.
vex
   [veks]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to irritate; annoy; provoke: His noisy neighbors often vexed him.

2.
to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry: Lack of money vexes many.

3.
to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: to vex a question endlessly without agreeing.