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717 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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Abate
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Decrease, reduce
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Abdicate
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To give up a position, right, or power
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Aberration
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Something different from the usual
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Abet
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To aid; act as accomplice
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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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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 put an end to, abolish 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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Abstain
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To choose not to do something
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Accolade
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Praise, distinction
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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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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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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 accomodate; 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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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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Adumbrate
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To sketch, outline in a shadowy way
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Adversarial
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Antagonistic, competitive
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Aerie
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Nook or nest built high in 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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Affected (adj)
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Pretentious, phony
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Affluent
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Rich, abundant
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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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Agile
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Well coordinated, nimble
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Agitation
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Commotion, excitement; uneasiness
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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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Alias
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Assumed name
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Alienated
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Distanced, estranged
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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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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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Aloof
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Detached, indifferent
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Altruism
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Unselfish concern for others' welfare
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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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Amicable
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Friendly, agreeable
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Amoral
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Unprincipled, unethical
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Amorphous
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Having no definite form
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Amphibian
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Creature equally at home on land or in water
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Ample
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Abundant, plentiful
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Amulet
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Ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
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Anachronistic
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Outdated
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Anarchy
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Absence of government or law; chaos
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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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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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Antagonist
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Foe, opponent, adversary
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Antecedent (adj)
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Coming before in place or time
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Anthology
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Collection of literary works
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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
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Antithesis
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Exact opposite or direct contrast
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Apathy
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Lack of feeling or emotion
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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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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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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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Arboreal
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Relating to trees; living in trees
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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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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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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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Artisan
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Craftsman; expert
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Ascend
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To rise or climb
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Ascetic
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Self-denying, abstinent, austere
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Ashen
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Resembling ashes, 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 attack, assault
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Assiduous
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Diligent, persistent, hard-working
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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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Atone
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To make amends for a wrong
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Atrocious
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Monstrous, shockingly bad
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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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Audacious
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Bold, daring, fearless
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Audible
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Capable of being heard
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Augment
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To expand, extend
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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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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, hinder
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Aviary
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Large enclosure housing birds
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Awry
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Crooked, askew, amiss
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Baleful
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Harmful
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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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Banal
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Trite, overly common
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Bane
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Something causing death, destruction or ruin
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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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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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Belie
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To misrepresent; expose as false
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Belligerent
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Hostile, intending to fight
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Benefactor
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Someone giving aid or money
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Beneficent
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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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Bias
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Prejudice, slant
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Bibliography
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List of books
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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 pale; take the color out of
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Blandish
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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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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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Boor
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Crude person, one lacking manners or taste
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Botanist
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Scientists who studies plants
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Bovine
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Cowlike; relating to cows
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Brazen
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Bold, shameless, impudent; of or like brass
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Broach (v)
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To mention or suggest for the first time
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Burgeon
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To sprout of flourish
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Burnish
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To polish, make smooth and bright
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Buttress (v)
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To reinforce or support
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Cacophony
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Jarring, unpleasant noise
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Cajole
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To flatter, coax, persuade
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Callous
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Thick-skinned, insensitive
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Callow
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Immature, lacking sophistication
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Candor
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Honesty of expression
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Canny
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Smart; founded on common sense
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Capitulate
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To submit completely, surrender
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Capricious
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Impulsive, whimsical, without much thought
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Caricature
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Exaggerated portrait, cartoon
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Cartography
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Science or art of making maps
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Castigate
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To punish, chastise, criticize severely
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Catalyst
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Something causing change without being changed
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Catholic
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Universal; broad and comprehensive
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Caucus
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Small group within an organization; a meeting of such a group
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Caustic
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Biting, sarcastic; able to burn
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Cede
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To surrender possession of something
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Censorious
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Severely critical
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Cessation
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Temporary or complete halt
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Chagrin
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Shame, embarrassment, humiliation
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Champion (v)
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To defend or support
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Chaotic
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Extremely disorderly
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Charlatan
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Quack, fake
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Chary
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Watchful, cautious, extremely shy
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Chastise
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To punish, discipline, scold
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Chide
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To scold, express disapproval
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Chromatic
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Relating to color
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Circuitous
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Roundabout
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Circumference
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Boundary or distance around a circle or sphere
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Circumscribe
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To encircle; set limits on, confine
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Circumspect
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Cautious, wary
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Citadel
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Fortress or stronghold
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Civil
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Polite; relating to citizens
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Clairvoyant (adj)
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Having ESP, psychic
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Clamor
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To make a noisy outcry; a noisy outcry
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Clandestine
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Secretive
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Clemency
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Merciful leniency
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Cloister (v)
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To confine, seclude
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Coalesce
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To grow together or cause to unite as one
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Coddle
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To baby, treat indulgently
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Coerce
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To compel by force or intimidation
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Cogent
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Logically forceful, compelling, convincing
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Coherent
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Intelligible, lucid, understandable
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Collateral
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Accompanying
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Colloquial
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Characteristic of informal speech
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Collusion
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Collaboration, complicity, conspiracy
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Commensurate
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Proportional
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Commodious
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Roomy, spacious
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Communicable
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Transmittable
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Commute
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To change a penalty to a less severe one
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Compensate
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To repay or reimburse
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Complacent
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Self-satisfied, smug
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Complement
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To complete, perfect
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Compliant
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Submissive and yielding
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Complicity
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Knowing partnership in wrongdoing
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Compunction
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Feeling of uneasiness caused by guilt or regret
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Concave
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Curving inward
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Concede
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To yield, admit
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Conciliatory
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Overcoming distrust or hostility
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Concur
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To agree
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Condone
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To pardon or forgive; overlook, justify, or excuse a fault
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Conduit
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Tube, pipe, or similar passage
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Conflagration
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Big, destructive fire
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Confound
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To baffle, perplex
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Congeal
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To become thick or solid, as a liquid freezing
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Congenial
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Similar in tastes and habits
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Conglomerate
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Collected group of varied things
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Conjecture
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Speculation, prediction
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Conscientious
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Governed by conscience; careful and thorough
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Consecrate
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To declare sacred; dedicate to a goal
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Consensus
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Unanimity, agreement of opinion or attitude
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Consolation
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Something providing comfort or solace for a loss or hardship
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Consolidate
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To combine, incorporate
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Constrained
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Forced, compelled; confined, restrained
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Construe
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To explain or interpret
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Contentious
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Quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent
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Continence
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Self-control, self-restraint
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Contravene
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To contradict, deny, act contrary to
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Contrite
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Deeply sorrowful and repentant for a wrong
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Conundrum
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Riddle, puzzle or problem with no solution
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Convalescence
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Gradual recovery after an illness
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Convene
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To meet, come together, assemble
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Conventional
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Typical, customary, commonplace
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Convex
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Curved outward
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Convoluted
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Twisted, complicated, involved
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Copious
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Abundant, plentiful
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Corroborate
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To confirm, verify
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Cosmetic (adj)
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Relating to beauty; affecting the surface of something
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Cosmopolitan
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Sophisticated, free from local prejudices
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Coterie
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Small group of persons with a similar purpose
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Covert
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Hidden, secret
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Covet
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To desire strongly something possessed by another
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Crass
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Crude, unrefined
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Craven
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Cowardly
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Credence
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Acceptance of something as true or real
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Credulous
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Gullible, trusting
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Creed
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Statement of belief or principle
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Cryptic
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Puzzling
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Cuisine
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Characteristic style of cooking
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Culmination
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Climax, final stage
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Culpable
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Guilty, responsible for wrong
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Cupidity
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Greed
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Curmudgeon
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Cranky person
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Cursory
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Hastily done, superficial
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Curt
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Abrupt, blunt
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Curtail
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To shorten
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Cynic
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Person who distrusts the motives of others
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Daunt
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To discourage, intimidate
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Dearth
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Lack, scarcity, insufficiency
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Debase
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To degrade or lower in quality or stature
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Debilitate
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To weaken, enfeeble
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Debunk
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To discredit, disprove
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Deciduous
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Falling off or shed seasonally; short-lived, temporary
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Decorum
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Proper behavior, etiquette
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Decry
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To belittle, openly condemn
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Deface
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To mar the appearance of, vandalize
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Defamatory
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Slanderous, injurious to the reputation
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Deferential
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Respectful and polite in a submissive way
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Deflation
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Decrease, depreciation
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Defunct
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No longer existing, extinct
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Delectable
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Appetizing, delicious
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Delegate (v)
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To give powers to another
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Deleterious
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Harmful, destructive, detrimental
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Deluge
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Flood
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Demagogue
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Leader, rabble-rouser, usually using appeals to emotion or prejudice
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Demean
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To degrade, humiliate, humble
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Demographics
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Data relating to study of human population
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Demote
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To reduce to a lower grade or rank
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Demur
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To express doubts or objections
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Denigrate
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To slur someone's reputation
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Deplete
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To use up, exhaust
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Deplore
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To express or feel disapproval of; regret strongly
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Deploy
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To spread out strategically over an area
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Depravity
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Sinfulness, moral corruption
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Deprecate
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To belittle, disparage
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Depreciate
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To lose value gradually
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Deride
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To mock, ridicule, make fun of
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Derivative
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Copied or adapted; not original
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Desiccate
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To dry completely, dehydrate
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Desist
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To stop doing something
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Despondent
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Feeling discouraged and dejected
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Despt
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Tyrannical ruler
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Desultory
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At random, rambling, unmethodical
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Deter
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To discourage; prevent from happening
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Deviate
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To stray, wander
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Dexterous
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Skilled physically or mentally
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Dialect
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Regional style of speaking
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Diaphanous
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Allowing light to show through; delicate
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Diatribe
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Bitter verbal attack
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Dictum
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Authoritative statement; popular saying
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Didactic
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Excessively instructive
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Diffidence
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Shyness, lack of confidence
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Diffuse
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Widely spread out
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Digress
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To turn aside; to stray from the main point
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Dilapidated
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In disrepair, run down, neglected
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Dilate
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To enlarge, swell, extend
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Dilatory
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Slow, tending to delay
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Diplomacy
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Discretion, tact
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Dirge
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Funeral hymn
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Disarray
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Clutter, disorder
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Disburse
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To pay out
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Discern
|
To perceive something obscure
|
|
|
Disconcerting
|
Bewildering, perplexing, slightly disturbing
|
|
|
Discordant
|
Harsh-sounding, badly out of tune
|
|
|
Discredit
|
To dishonor or disgrace
|
|
|
Discrepancy
|
Difference between
|
|
|
Disdain
|
To regard with scorn and contempt
|
|
|
Disgorge
|
To vomit, discharge violently
|
|
|
Disheveled
|
Untidy, disarranged, unkempt
|
|
|
Disparage
|
To belittle, speak disrespectfully about
|
|
|
Disparate
|
Dissimilar, different in kind
|
|
|
Dispassionate
|
Free from emotion; impartial, unbiased
|
|
|
Dispel
|
To drive out or scatter
|
|
|
Dispense
|
To distribute, administer
|
|
|
Disperse
|
To break up, scatter
|
|
|
Dispirit
|
To dishearten, make dejected
|
|
|
Disrepute
|
Disgrace, dishonor
|
|
|
Dissemble
|
To pretend, disguise one's motives
|
|
|
Disseminate
|
To spread far and wide
|
|
|
Dissipate
|
To scatter; to pursue pleasure to excess
|
|
|
Dissuade
|
To persuade someone to alter original intentions
|
|
|
Distraught
|
Very worried and distressed
|
|
|
Dither
|
To move or act confusedly or without clear purpose
|
|
|
Diurnal
|
Daily
|
|
|
Divine (v)
|
To foretell or know by inspiration
|
|
|
Divisive
|
Creating disunity or conflict
|
|
|
Docile
|
Tame, willing to be taught
|
|
|
Doctrinaire
|
Rigidly devoted to theories
|
|
|
Dogmatic
|
Rigidly fixed in opinion, opinionated
|
|
|
Doleful
|
Sad, mournful
|
|
|
Dormant
|
At rest, inactive, in suspended animation
|
|
|
Doting
|
Excessively fond, loving to excess
|
|
|
Dour
|
Sullen and gloomy
|
|
|
Drivel
|
Stupid talk; slobber
|
|
|
Droll
|
Amusing in a wry, subtle way
|
|
|
Dulcet
|
Pleasant sounding, soothing to the ear
|
|
|
Dupe
|
To deceive, trick; a fool or pawn
|
|
|
Duplicity
|
Deception, dishonesty; double-dealing
|
|
|
Dyspeptic
|
Suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable
|
|
|
Ebb
|
To fade away, recede
|
|
|
Ebullient
|
Exhilarated, full of enthusiasm and high spirits
|
|
|
Eclectic
|
Selecting from various sources
|
|
|
Ecstatic
|
Joyful
|
|
|
Edict
|
Law, command, official public order
|
|
|
Edifice
|
Building
|
|
|
Edify
|
To instruct morally and spiritually
|
|
|
Efface
|
To erase or make illegible
|
|
|
Effervescent
|
Bubbly, lively
|
|
|
Effigy
|
Stuffed doll; likeness of a person
|
|
|
Effrontery
|
Impudent boldness; audacity
|
|
|
Effulgent
|
Brilliantly shining
|
|
|
Effusive
|
Expressing emotion without restraint
|
|
|
Egocentric
|
Acting as if things are centered around oneself
|
|
|
Egregious
|
Conspicuously bad
|
|
|
Elation
|
Exhilaration, joy
|
|
|
Elegy
|
Mournful poem
|
|
|
Elicit
|
To draw out, provoke
|
|
|
Eloquence
|
Fluent and effective speech
|
|
|
Emaciated
|
Skinny, scrawny, gaunt, especially 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
|
|
|
Eminent
|
Celebrated, distinguished; outstanding, towering
|
|
|
Emollient
|
Having soothing qualities, especially for skin
|
|
|
Empathy
|
Identification with another's feelings
|
|
|
Emulate
|
To copy, imitate
|
|
|
Endemic
|
Belonging to a particular area, inherent
|
|
|
Enervate
|
To weaken, sap strength from
|
|
|
Engender
|
To produce, cause, bring about
|
|
|
Enigmatic
|
Puzzling, inexplicable
|
|
|
Enjoin
|
To urge, order, command; forbid or prohibit, as by judicial order
|
|
|
Enmity
|
Hostility, antagonism, ill-will
|
|
|
Ennui
|
Boredom, lack of interest and energy
|
|
|
Enormity
|
State of being gigantic or terrible
|
|
|
Ensconce
|
To settle comfortably into place
|
|
|
Enthrall
|
To captivate, enchant, enslave
|
|
|
Entreat
|
To plead, beg
|
|
|
Enunciate
|
To pronounce clearly
|
|
|
Ephemeral
|
Momentary, transient, fleeting
|
|
|
Epicure
|
Person with refined taste in food and wine
|
|
|
Epigram
|
Short, witty saying or poem
|
|
|
Epilogue
|
Concluding section of a literary work
|
|
|
Epitome
|
Representative of an entire group; summary
|
|
|
Equanimity
|
Calmness, composure
|
|
|
Equine
|
Relating to horses
|
|
|
Equivocal
|
Ambiguous, open to more than one interpretation
|
|
|
Equivocate
|
To erase or wipe out
|
|
|
Errant
|
Straying, mistaken, roving
|
|
|
Erudite
|
Scholarly, learned
|
|
|
Eschew
|
To abstain from, avoid
|
|
|
Esoteric
|
Understood by only a learned few
|
|
|
Espouse
|
To support or advocate; to marry
|
|
|
Estrange
|
To alienate, keep at a distance
|
|
|
Ethereal
|
Not earthly, spiritual, delicate
|
|
|
Eulogy
|
High praise, often in a public speech
|
|
|
Euphemism
|
Use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one
|
|
|
Euphony
|
Pleasant, harmonious sound
|
|
|
Euphoria
|
Feeling of well-being or happiness
|
|
|
Evade
|
To avoid, dodge
|
|
|
Evanescent
|
Momentary, transitory, short-lived
|
|
|
Evict
|
To put out or force out
|
|
|
Exacerbate
|
To aggravate, intensify the bad qualities of
|
|
|
Exasperation
|
Irritation
|
|
|
Excerpt (n)
|
A selection from a book or play
|
|
|
Excruciating
|
Agonizing, intensely painful
|
|
|
Exculpate
|
To clear of blame or fault, vindicate
|
|
|
Execrable
|
Utterly detestable, abhorrent
|
|
|
Exhilaration
|
State of being energetic or filled with happiness
|
|
|
Exhort
|
To urge or incite by strong appeals
|
|
|
Exonerate
|
To clear of blame, absolve
|
|
|
Exorbitant
|
Extravagant, greater than reasonable
|
|
|
Expedient (adj)
|
Convenient, efficient, practical
|
|
|
Expiate
|
To atone for, make amends for
|
|
|
Explicit
|
Clearly defined, specific; forthright in expression
|
|
|
Exponent
|
One who champions or advocates
|
|
|
Expound
|
To elaborate; to expand or increase
|
|
|
Expunge
|
To erase, eliminate completely
|
|
|
Expurgate
|
To censor
|
|
|
Extemporaneous
|
Unrehearsed, on the spur of the moment
|
|
|
Extenuate
|
To lessen the seriousness, strength, or effect of
|
|
|
Extol
|
To praise
|
|
|
Extricate
|
To free from, disentangle
|
|
|
Extrinsic
|
Not inherent or essential, coming from without
|
|
|
Exuberant
|
Lively, happy, and full of good spirits
|
|
|
Exude
|
To give off, ooze
|
|
|
Exult
|
To rejoice
|
|
|
Fabricate
|
To make or devise; construct
|
|
|
Facade
|
Face, front; mask, superficial appearance
|
|
|
Facile
|
Very easy
|
|
|
Fallacious
|
Wrong, unsound, illogical
|
|
|
Fallow
|
Uncultivated, unused
|
|
|
Fanaticism
|
Extreme devotion to a cause
|
|
|
Farcical
|
Absurd, ludicrous
|
|
|
Fastidious
|
Careful with details
|
|
|
Fathom (v)
|
To measure the depth of, gauge
|
|
|
Fatuous
|
Stupid; foolishly self-satisfied
|
|
|
Fawn (v)
|
To flatter excessively, seek the favor of
|
|
|
Faze
|
To bother, upset, or disconcert
|
|
|
Feckless
|
Ineffective, careless, irresponsible
|
|
|
Feign
|
To pretend, give a false impression; to invent falsely
|
|
|
Felicitous
|
Suitable, appropriate; well-spoken
|
|
|
Fell (v)
|
To chop, cut down
|
|
|
Fervid
|
Passionate, intense, zealous
|
|
|
Fetid
|
Foul-smelling, putrid
|
|
|
Fiasco
|
Disaster, utter failure
|
|
|
Fidelity
|
Loyalty
|
|
|
Finicky
|
Fussy, difficult to please
|
|
|
Flaccid
|
Limp, flabby, weak
|
|
|
Flagrant
|
Outrageous, shameless
|
|
|
Flamboyant
|
Flashy, garish; exciting, dazzling
|
|
|
Flaunt
|
To show off
|
|
|
Flora
|
Plants
|
|
|
Florid
|
Gaudy, extremely ornate; ruddy, flushed
|
|
|
Flounder
|
To falter, waver; to muddle, struggle
|
|
|
Flout
|
To treat contemptuously, scorn
|
|
|
Fluctuate
|
To alternate, waver
|
|
|
Foible
|
Minor weakness or character flaw
|
|
|
Foil (v)
|
To defeat, frustrate
|
|
|
Foment
|
To arouse or incite
|
|
|
Ford (v)
|
To cross a body of water at a shallow pace
|
|
|
Foreboding
|
Dark sense of evil to come
|
|
|
Forestall
|
To prevent, delay; anticipate
|
|
|
Forethought
|
Anticipation, foresight
|
|
|
Forgo
|
To go without, refrain from
|
|
|
Forlorn
|
Dreary, deserted; unhappy; hopeless, despairing
|
|
|
Forswear
|
To repudiate, renounce, disclaim, reject
|
|
|
Forte
|
Strong point, something a person does well
|
|
|
Fortuitous
|
Happening by luck, fortunate
|
|
|
Foster
|
To nourish, cultivate, promote
|
|
|
Founder (v)
|
To fall helplessly; sink; fail
|
|
|
Fracas
|
Noisy dispute
|
|
|
Fractious
|
Unruly, rebellious
|
|
|
Fraudulent
|
Deceitful, dishonest, unethical
|
|
|
Fraught
|
Full of, accompanied by
|
|
|
Frenetic
|
Wildly frantic, frenzied, hectic
|
|
|
Fulsome
|
Sickeningly excessive; repulsive
|
|
|
Funereal
|
Mournful, appropriate to a funeral
|
|
|
Furtive
|
Secret, stealthy
|
|
|
Abbess
|
The lady superior of a nunnery
|
|
|
Abbey
|
The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns
|
|
|
Abbot
|
The superior of a community of monks
|
|
|
Abdomen
|
In mammals, the visceral cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor; the belly
|
|
|
Abdominal
|
Pertaining to the abdomen
|
|
|
Abduction
|
A carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally
|
|
|
Abed
|
In bed, on a bed
|
|
|
Abeyance
|
A state of suspension or temporary inaction
|
|
|
Abhorrence
|
The act of detesting extremely
|
|
|
Abhorrent
|
Very repugnant, hateful
|
|
|
Abidance
|
An abiding
|
|
|
Able-bodied
|
Competent for physical service
|
|
|
Ablution
|
A washing or cleansing, especially of the body
|
|
|
Abnegate
|
To renounce (a right or privilege)
|
|
|
Abnormal
|
Not conformed to the ordinary rule or standard
|
|
|
Abominable
|
Very hateful
|
|
|
Abominate
|
To hate violently
|
|
|
Abomination
|
A very detestable act of practice
|
|
|
Aboriginal
|
Primitive; unsophisticated
|
|
|
Aborigines
|
The original of earliest known inhabitants of a country
|
|
|
Aboveboard
|
Without concealment, fraud, or trickery
|
|
|
Abrade
|
To wear away the surface or some part of by friction
|
|
|
Abrasion
|
That which is rubbed off
|
|
|
Abridge
|
To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaving out minor particles
|
|
|
Abridgment
|
A condensed form as of a book or play
|
|
|
Abrupt
|
Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break
|
|
|
Abscess
|
A collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body
|
|
|
Abscission
|
The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation
|
|
|
Abscond
|
To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose if escaping arrest
|
|
|
Absence
|
The fact of not being present or available
|
|
|
Absent-minded
|
Lacking in attention to immediate surroundings or business
|
|
|
Absolution
|
Forgiveness or passing over of offenses
|
|
|
Absolve
|
To free from sin or its penalties
|
|
|
Absorb
|
To drink in or suck up
|
|
|
Absorption
|
The act or process of absorbing
|
|
|
Abstemious
|
Characterized by self denial or abstinence
|
|
|
Abstinence
|
Self denial
|
|
|
Abstruse
|
Dealing with matters difficult to be understood
|
|
|
Absurd
|
Inconsistent with reason or common sense
|
|
|
Abundant
|
Plentiful
|
|
|
Abusive
|
Employing harsh words or ill treatment
|
|
|
Abut
|
To touch at the end or boundary line
|
|
|
Abyss
|
Bottomless gulf
|
|
|
Academic
|
Of or pertaining to an academy, college or university
|
|
|
Academician
|
A member of an academy
|
|
|
Academy
|
Any institution where the higher branches of learning are taught
|
|
|
Accede
|
To agree
|
|
|
Accelerate
|
To move faster
|
|
|
Accept
|
To take when offered
|
|
|
Access
|
A way of approach or entrance; passage
|
|
|
Accessible
|
Approachable
|
|
|
Accession
|
Induction or elevation, as to dignity, office, or government
|
|
|
Accessory
|
A person or thing that aids the principal agent
|
|
|
Acclaim
|
To utter with a shout
|
|
|
Accommodate
|
To furnish something as a kindness or favor
|
|
|
Accompaniment
|
A subordinate part or parts, enriching or supporting the leading part
|
|
|
Accompanist
|
One who or that which accompanies
|
|
|
Accompany
|
To go with, or be associated with, as a companion
|
|
|
Accomplice
|
An associate in wrong-doing
|
|
|
Accomplish
|
To bring to pass
|
|
|
Accordion
|
A portable free-reed musical instrument
|
|
|
Accost
|
To speak to
|
|
|
Account
|
A record or statement of receipts and expenditures
|
|
|
Accouter
|
To dress
|
|
|
Accredit
|
To give credit or authority to
|
|
|
Accumulate
|
To become greater in quantity or number
|
|
|
Accuracy
|
Exactness
|
|
|
Accurate
|
Conforming exactly to truth or to a standard
|
|
|
Accursed
|
Doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune
|
|
|
Accusation
|
A charge of crime, misdemeanor, or error
|
|
|
Accusatory
|
Pertaining to an accusation
|
|
|
Accuse
|
To charge with wrong doing, misconduct, or error
|
|
|
Accustom
|
To make familiar by use
|
|
|
Acerbity
|
Sourness, with bitterness and astringency
|
|
|
Acetate
|
A salt of acetic acid
|
|
|
Acetic
|
Pertaining to the nature of vinegar
|
|
|
Ache
|
To be in pain or distress
|
|
|
Achillean
|
Invulnerable
|
|
|
Achromatic
|
Colorless
|
|
|
Acid
|
A sour substance
|
|
|
Acidify
|
To change into acid
|
|
|
Acknowledge
|
To recognize; to admit the genuineness or validity of
|
|
|
Acknowledgment
|
Recognition
|
|
|
Acoustic
|
Pertaining to the act or sense of hearing
|
|
|
Acquaint
|
To make familiar or conversant
|
|
|
Acquiesce
|
To comply; submit
|
|
|
Acquiescence
|
Passive consent
|
|
|
Acquire
|
To get as one's own
|
|
|
Acquisition
|
Anything gained, or made one's ow
|
|
|
Acquit
|
To free or clear, as in from accusation
|
|
|
Acquittal
|
A discharge from accusation by judicial action
|
|
|
Acquittance
|
Release or discharge from indebtedness, obligation, or responsibility
|
|
|
Acreage
|
Quantity or extent of land, especially of cultivated land
|
|
|
Acrid
|
Harshly pungent or bitter
|
|
|
Acrimonious
|
Full of bitterness
|
|
|
Acrimony
|
Sharpness or bitterness of speech or temper
|
|
|
Actionable
|
Affording cause for instituting an action, as trespass, slanderous words
|
|
|
Actuality
|
Any reality
|
|
|
Actuary
|
An officer, as of an insurance company, who calculates and states the risks and premiums
|
|
|
Actuate
|
To move or incite to action
|
|
|
Acumen
|
Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination
|
|
|
Acute
|
Having fine and penetrating discernment
|
|
|
Adamant
|
Any substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability
|
|
|
Addendum
|
Something added, or to be added
|
|
|
Addle
|
To make inefficient or worthless; muddle
|
|
|
Adduce
|
To bring forward or name for consideration
|
|
|
Adhere
|
To stick fast or together
|
|
|
Adherence
|
Attachment
|
|
|
Adherent
|
Clinging or sticking fast
|
|
|
Adhesion
|
The state of being attached or joined
|
|
|
Adieu
|
Goody-bye, farewell
|
|
|
Adjacency
|
The state of being adjacent
|
|
|
Adjacent
|
That which is near or bordering upon
|
|
|
Adjudge
|
To award or bestow by formal decision
|
|
|
Adjunct
|
Something joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinate place
|
|
|
Adjuration
|
A vehement appeal
|
|
|
Adjutant
|
Auxiliary
|
|
|
Administrator
|
One who manages affairs of any kind
|
|
|
Admissible
|
Having the right or privilege of entry
|
|
|
Admittance
|
Entrance, or the right or permission to enter
|
|
|
Admonish
|
To warn of a fault
|
|
|
Admonition
|
Gentle reproof
|
|
|
Ado
|
Unnecessary activity or ceremony
|
|
|
Adoration
|
Profound devotion
|
|
|
Adroit
|
Having skill in the use of the bodily or mental powers
|
|
|
Adulterant
|
An adulterating substance
|
|
|
Adulterate
|
To make impure by the admixture of other or baser ingredients
|
|
|
Adumbrate
|
To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem
|
|
|
Advent
|
The coming or arrival
|
|
|
Adverse
|
Opposing or opposed
|
|
|
Adversity
|
Misfortune
|
|
|
Advert
|
To refer incidentally
|
|
|
Advertiser
|
One who advertises
|
|
|
Advisory
|
Not mandatory
|
|
|
Advocacy
|
The act of pleading a cause
|
|
|
Advocate
|
One who pleads the cause of another, as in a legal or ecclesiastical court
|
|
|
Aerial
|
Pertaining to the air
|
|
|
Aeronaut
|
One who navigates the air, a balloonist
|
|
|
Aeronautics
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The art or practice of flying aircraft
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Aerostat
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A balloon or other apparatus floating in or sustained by the air
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Aerostatics
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The branch of pneumatics that treats the equilibrium, pressure, and mechanical properties
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Affable
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Easy to approach
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Affect
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To act upon
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Affiliate
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Some auxiliary person or thing
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Affirmative
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Answering yes
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Affix
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To fasten
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Affluence
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A profuse or abundant supply of riches
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Affront
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An open insult or indignity
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Afire
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On fire, literally or figuratively
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Afoot
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In progress
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Aforesaid
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Said in a preceding part or before
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Afresh
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Once more, after rest or interval
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Afterthought
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A thought that comes later than its appropriate or expected time
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Agglomerate
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To pile or heap together
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Aggrandize
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To cause to appear greatly
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Aggravate
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To make heavier, worse, or more burdensome
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Aggravation
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The fat of being made heavier or more heinous
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Aggregate
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The entire number
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Aggress
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To make the first attack
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Aggression
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An unprovoked attack
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Aggrieve
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To give grief or sorrow to
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Aghast
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Struck with terror and amazement
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Agile
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Able to move or act quickly, physically, or mentally
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Agitate
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To move or excite the feelings or thoughts
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Aide-de-camp
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An officer who receives and transmits the orders of the general
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Ailment
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Slight sickness
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Airy
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Delicate, ethereal
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Akin
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Of similar nature or qualities
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Alabaster
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A white or delicately tinted fine-grained gypsum
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Alacrity
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Cheerful willingness
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Albeit
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even though
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Albino
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A person with milky white skin and hair and eyes with bright red pupil and usually pin iris
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Album
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A book whose leaves are so made to form paper frames for holding photographs or the like
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Alchemy
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Chemistry of the middle ages, characterized by the pursuit of changing base metals into gold
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Alcohol
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A volatile, inflammable, colorless liquid of a penetrating odor and burning taste
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Alcoholism
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A condition resulting from the inordinate or persistent use of alcoholic beverages
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Alcove
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A covered recess connected with or at the side of a larger room
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Alderman
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A member of a municipal legislative body who usually exercises certain judicial functions
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Aldermanship
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the dignity, condition, office, or term of office of an alderman
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Alias
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An assumed name
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Alien
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One who owes allegiance to a foreign government
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Alienable
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Capable of being aliened or alienated
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Alienate
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To cause to turn away
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Alienation
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Estrangement
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Aliment
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That which nourishes
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Allay
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To calm the violence or reduce the intensity of, mitigate
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Allege
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To assert to be true, especially in a formal manner
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Allegory
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The setting forth of a subject under the guise of another subject of aptly suggestive likeness
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Alleviate
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To make less burdensome or less hard to bear
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Alley
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A narrow street
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Alliance
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Any combination or union for some common purpose
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Allot
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To assign a definite thing or part to a certain person
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Allotment
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Portion
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Allude
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To refer incidentally or by suggestion
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Allusion
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An indirect and incidental reference to something without definite mention of it
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Alluvion
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A flood
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Ally
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A person or thing connected with another, usually in some relation of helpfulness
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Almanac
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Series of tables giving the days of the week together with certain astronomical information
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Aloof
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Not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others
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Altar
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Any raised place or structure on which sacrifices may be offered or incense burned
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Alter
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To make change in
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Alteration
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Change or modification
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Altercate
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To contend angrily or zealously in words
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Alternate
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One chosen to act in place of another in case of the absence or incapacity of that other
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Alternative
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Something that may or must exist, be taken or chosen, or done instead of something else
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Altitude
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Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level
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Alto
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The lowest or deepest female voice or part
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Altruism
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Benevolence to others on subordination to self-interest
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Altruist
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One who advocates or practices altruism
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Amalgam
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An alloy or union of mercury with another metal
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Amalgamate
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To mix or blend together in a homogeneous body
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Amateur
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Practicing an art or occupation for the love of it
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Amatory
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Designed to excite love
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Ambidextrous
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Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease
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Ambiguous
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Having a double meaning
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