Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
441 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
eradicate
|
v. To erase, to destroy, to eliminate, to get rid of
|
|
|
eradication
|
n. Erasure, elimination, abolishment, destruction
|
|
|
erudition
|
n. Deep learning, extensive knowledge, scholarship
|
|
|
escapism
|
n. Tendency to escape from reality through daydreaming or fantasizing
|
|
|
esoteric
|
adj. Known only by a small group, mysterious, confidential
|
|
|
foil
|
n. One who by contrast enhances another's distinctive characteristics, a complement
|
|
|
duplicity
|
n. Double-dealing, deceptiveness, deceit
|
|
|
duress
|
n. Constraint by threat, coercion, stress
|
|
|
equivocal
|
adj. Ambiguous, vague, dubious
|
|
|
equivocate
|
v. To avoid making an explicit statement, to hedge, to prevaricate
|
|
|
equivocation
|
n. Hedging, prevarication, deliberate ambiguousness; also a vague or dubious statement
|
|
|
flora
|
n. Plant life, greenery, vegetation
|
|
|
florid
|
adj. Flushed with red, ruddy; also very ornate, flowery
|
|
|
flout
|
v. To show contempt for, to scorn
|
|
|
foible
|
n. A minor fault, a weakness, a failing (esp. of character)
|
|
|
dupe
|
n. An easily deceived person, a sucker; also one who functions as another's tool, a pawn
v. To deceive, to beguile, to mislead, to lie to |
|
|
duplicitous
|
adj. Deliberately deceptive, deceitful
|
|
|
epitaph
|
n. An inscription on a tomb; also a short work in memory of a dead person
|
|
|
epitome
|
n. A representative or example of a class or type, a model
|
|
|
equanimity
|
n. Composure, serenity, calmness
|
|
|
flax
|
n. A type of plant that yields textile fiber; also a pale grayish yellow
|
|
|
flux
|
n. A state of change; not constant
|
|
|
flippancy
|
n. Disrespectful casualness, pertness, impudence
|
|
|
flippant
|
adj. Disrespectfully casual, pert, impudent
|
|
|
drone
|
v. To hum or buzz continuously; also to utter in a monotonous low tone.
|
|
|
droning
|
adj. Like low dull humming or buzzing; also monotonous, uniform
|
|
|
drub
|
v. To soundly defeat; instill forcefully; also to berate harshly
|
|
|
epidemiologist
|
n. Those who study causes/patterns/control of diseases in groups
|
|
|
episodic
|
adj. Composed of a series of shorter incidents; also brief, short, temporary
|
|
|
epistolary
|
adj. Pertaining to letters or the writing of letters. (Epistles are letters.)
|
|
|
firebrand
|
n. Someone who stirs trouble or kindles a revolt; Sam Adams
|
|
|
fission
|
n. Splitting into parts. Nuclear fission powers many homes
|
|
|
flagrant
|
adj. Conspicuously bad, glaring, gross. A "flagrant foul" gets an extra penalty from sports referees. (flagr = fire)
|
|
|
drivel
|
n. Childish, stupid, senseless, or foolish talk; also saliva, spit
v. To slobber, to drool; also to talk stupidly or childishly |
|
|
enthrall
|
v. To hold spellbound, to captivate
|
|
|
enthrallment
|
n. Holding spellbound, captivation
|
|
|
ephemeral
|
adj. Brief, transient, fleeting
|
|
|
fickle
|
adj. Erratically changeable, capricious, unstable
|
|
|
filament
|
n. A fine thread, fiber, or wire. Light bulbs have filaments.
|
|
|
finagle
|
v. To get by indirect (usu. deceitful) methods; also to cheat, to swindle
|
|
|
dogmatist
|
n. An arrogantly assertive person, a doctrinaire
|
|
|
dollop
|
n. A blob, a lump (of something solid); also a bit, a modicum
|
|
|
domineering
|
adj. Overbearing, tyrannizing, arrogantly commanding
|
|
|
enigmatic
|
adj. Puzzling, cryptic, mysterious
|
|
|
enigmatically
|
adv. Puzzlingly, cryptically, mysteriously
|
|
|
ensnare
|
v. To catch in or as if in a snare, to entangle, to trap
|
|
|
felicities
|
n. Great happinesses, bliss; also sources or causes of happiness
|
|
|
felicitous
|
adj. Suited, apt, fit; also marked by happiness or fortune (from feliz = happy)
|
|
|
feral
|
adj. Wild, untamed, savage (feral dogs are often dangerous)
|
|
|
dogged
|
adj. Stubbornly persevering, obstinate, intensely determined
|
|
|
doggerel
|
n. Crudely fashioned verse, often of a humorous or burlesque nature
|
|
|
dogmatic
|
adj. Arrogantly asserting an opinion, overbearing, dictatorial
|
|
|
enfranchised
|
adj. Given the rights of citizenship (esp. voting rights)
|
|
|
engender
|
v. To bring into existence, to give rise to; also to procreate, to propagate
|
|
|
enigmas
|
pl. n. Ambiguous or inexplicable things, riddles, puzzles
|
|
|
fauna
|
n. Animals as a group (esp. those of a particular region or period)
|
|
|
fawning
|
adj. Affectionate or attempting to please, servile; also seeking attention by flattery and obsequiousness
|
|
|
feign
|
v. To pretend, to fake, to affect, to simulate
|
|
|
divine
|
v. To foretell, to prophesy; also to know by inspiration, to guess
adj. Like a deity, sacred; also perfect, magnificent |
|
|
doctrinal
|
adj. Pertaining to a principle or group of principles, dogmatic
|
|
|
enervate
|
v. To weaken, to enfeeble, to sap the strength of
|
|
|
enervated
|
adj. Weakened, deprived of strength, debilitated
|
|
|
enervating
|
adj. Weakening, depriving of strength, debilitating
|
|
|
farce
|
n. A comedy; also a ludicrous empty show, a mockery
|
|
|
fastidious
|
adj. Carefully attentive to detail, meticulous; also difficult to please, exacting, picky
|
|
|
fatalistic
|
adj. Believing that all events are predetermined and inevitable
|
|
|
exculpate
|
To clear of guilt, to exonerate, to acquit
|
|
|
execute
|
To carry out, to perform, to do; also to put to death
|
|
|
execution
|
The way of doing something, performance; also putting someone to death
|
|
|
exegesis
|
A critical explanation, an analysis (esp. of a text)
|
|
|
exemplars
|
Models, ideals; also examples, ones that are typical
|
|
|
exhilarating
|
Invigorating, refreshing, elating
|
|
|
forsake
|
To give up, to renounce (something formerly held dear); also to leave, to abandon
|
|
|
fortitude
|
Patient courage, strength of mind, resolution
|
|
|
fortuitous
|
Happening by chance, accidental, incidental
|
|
|
euphony
|
Agreeable sound, harmony, pleasing sound
|
|
|
evanescence
|
Dissipation, disappearance (as of a vapor), evaporation
|
|
|
evanescent
|
Fleeting, transient, momentary
|
|
|
exacerbate
|
To make more severe, to aggravate, to make worse
|
|
|
exacerbated
|
More severe, aggravated, worse
|
|
|
exalt
|
To elevate (in esteem); also to glorify, to praise, to honor
|
|
|
forensics
|
The art of formal debate, argumentation
|
|
|
forerunners
|
Predecessors, precursors
|
|
|
formidable
|
Fearful or awing, causing wonder or dread; also difficult, hard
|
|
|
espouse
|
To support, to promote, to advocate; also to marry
|
|
|
estrangement
|
Alienation, making hostile or indifferent, schism
|
|
|
ethos
|
The character or values peculiar to one or more persons, a lifestyle
|
|
|
etymology
|
The history of a language, derivation; also the study of etymology, linguistics
|
|
|
eulogize
|
To praise highly, to acclaim, to laud (eu=good + log=speech)
|
|
|
euphemistic
|
Substituting a mild, lkind, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive
|
|
|
foolhardy
|
Unwisely bold or venturesome, rash, reckless
|
|
|
foppish
|
Overly concerned with one's dress, dandified, conceited, vain
|
|
|
forage
|
To conduct a search, to rummage (esp. for food or provisions)
|
|
|
exhortation
|
An encouragement, an incitement, urging
|
|
|
exonerate
|
To free from blame, to vindicate, to absolve
|
|
|
exonerated
|
Freed from blame, vindicated, absolved
|
|
|
expedite
|
To speed the progress of, to facilitate, to hasten
|
|
|
expeditious
|
Acting or done with speed and efficiency, fast, rapid, quick
|
|
|
expiate
|
To make amends for, to atone, to make reparation for
|
|
|
founder V.
|
To fail utterly, to collapse; also to cave in, to sink
|
|
|
fractious
|
Unruly, inclined to make trouble; also cranky, peevish
|
|
|
fraternize
|
To associate with others congenially, to consort, to socialize
|
|
|
exposés
|
Candid reports (often giving juicy stories about corruption); also formal expositions of facts
|
|
|
expropriate
|
To deprive of possession, to seize, to confiscate
|
|
|
expunge
|
To erase, to annihilate, to eliminate completely
|
|
|
expurgate
|
To remove objectionable material before publication, to censor
|
|
|
extemporaneous
|
Impromptu, without much or any preparation, ad lib
|
|
|
extenuating
|
Weakening, lessening, palliating
|
|
|
frenetic
|
Wildly excited or active, frenzied, frantic
|
|
|
frenzied
|
Frantic, mad, agitated, excited, frenetic
|
|
|
frivolity
|
Trivialness; also inappropriate silliness
|
|
|
extenuation
|
Partial justification, a partial excuse, alleviation
|
|
|
external
|
Outside, exterior, outer
|
|
|
extirpation
|
Total destruction, extermination, elimination
|
|
|
extol
|
To praise highly, to exalt, to commend
|
|
|
extrapolate
|
To infer or estimate by extending known information, to project
|
|
|
extricate
|
To disentangle, to disengage, to untangle
|
|
|
frivolous
|
Trivial, insignificant; also inappropriately silly
|
|
|
fulsome
|
Offensively flattering/insincere, oily; also offensive to sensibilities
|
|
|
fumigate
|
To subject to fumes, usu. in order to disinfect; also to spray for pests
|
|
|
extrinsic
|
Not essential, extraneous; also external, coming from outside
|
|
|
extroverted
|
Social, outgoing, gregarious
|
|
|
exubrance
|
Unrestrained enthusiasm or joy; also luxury, abundance, plenty
|
|
|
exubrant
|
Unrestrainedly enthusiastic or joyful; also luxurious, abundant
|
|
|
exubrantly
|
With unrestrained enthusiasm, joyfully; also luxuriously, abundantly
|
|
|
fumigation
|
Subjection to fumes (usu. in order to disinfect); also spraying for pests
|
|
|
furlough
|
n. A leave of absence (usu. for a soldier), a layoff from work, a holiday
v. To grant a leave to; also to lay off (workers) |
|
|
furtive
|
Secretive, covert, clandestine, surreptitious; also expressing hidden purpose, shifty
|
|
|
furtiveness
|
Stealth, secrecy, surreptitiousness; also shiftiness
|
|
|
gall V.
|
to irk, to exasperate, to vex, to irritate
|
|
|
gallant
|
valorous, valiant, brave; also boldly stylish, dashing
|
|
|
galvanize
|
to animate, to spur to action, to arouse to awareness
|
|
|
hackneyed
|
trite, overused, stereotyped, banal, clichéd
|
|
|
hallmark
|
a well-recognized trait; also a mark indicating quality or excellence
|
|
|
hapless
|
luckless, unfortunate, unlucky
|
|
|
iconoclast
|
a rebel; a maverick, one seeking to overthrow traditional ideas or institutions
|
|
|
ideologue
|
an advocate of a particular set of doctrines or beliefs
|
|
|
ideology
|
a set of doctrines or beliefs that form a system's basis, a creed
|
|
|
gambol
|
n. frolicking, playful skipping about, whimsically playing
v. to leap about playfully, to frolic |
|
|
gargantuan
|
immense, gigantic, enormous
|
|
|
garish
|
gaudy, loud, flashy; also glaring, dazzling
|
|
|
harangue
|
n. a speech characterized by strong feeling, a tirade
v. to deliver a tirade, to rant, to rave |
|
|
harbinger
|
n. a forerunner, a foreshadower
v. to presage, to foreshadow, to signal the approach of |
|
|
heckler
|
one who badgers, a botherer, a hinderer, a harrasser
|
|
|
idiosyncratic
|
peculiar, wierd, eccentric, quirky, having strange habits
|
|
|
idolatrous
|
worshipping false gods
|
|
|
ignominious
|
deserving shame/disgrace; also degrading, debasing
|
|
|
gaunt
|
thin and bony as to look malnourished, angular, lean, skinny
|
|
|
genial
|
cordial, sociable, kindly, congenial, gracious
|
|
|
gibbering
|
unintelligible, incoherent, raving, frenzied
|
|
|
hedonism
|
pursuit of or devotion to pleasure (esp. sensual pleasure)
|
|
|
heinous
|
grossly wicked, reprehensible, abominable
|
|
|
heretical
|
departing from established (esp. religious) beliefs or standards
|
|
|
ignominy
|
great personal dishonor or humiliation, disgrace
|
|
|
illicit
|
unlawful, illegal, not sanctioned by custom or law
|
|
|
immutable
|
unchanging ("mut" = change)
|
|
|
glutton
|
one who eats or drinks excessively
|
|
|
gospel
|
a religious teacher's doctrine; also something accepted as unquestionably true
|
|
|
gourmand
|
a connoisseur of good, a lover of good food, a gastronome
|
|
|
hermetic
|
completely sealed; also impervious to outside influence
|
|
|
heterogeneity
|
dissimilarity of elements or parts, miscellaneousness
|
|
|
hiatus
|
a gap, an interruption, a break
|
|
|
impeach
|
to object to the believability of a statement; to charge a public official before a court
|
|
|
impeccable
|
having no flaws, perfect
|
|
|
impede
|
to hinder, to hamper, to obstruct the progress of
|
|
|
granular
|
made up of particles/grains; grainy in texture, gritty
|
|
|
graphologist
|
one who studies handwriting
|
|
|
grating
|
discordant, harsh, annoying, a raspy sound
|
|
|
hidebound
|
stubbornly prejudiced, narrow-minded, or inflexible
|
|
|
hierarchal
|
ordered by rank, graded, an orderly organization
|
|
|
histrionic
|
excessively dramatic or emotional, affected; also pertaining to acting
|
|
|
impediment
|
an obstruction, a hindrance, an obstacle
|
|
|
impenitent
|
unrepentant, remorseless, not sorry
|
|
|
imperious
|
arrogantly overbearing, domineering, dictatorial
|
|
|
gregarious
|
not habitually solitary, social, outgoing
|
|
|
gubernatorial
|
pertaining to a governor
|
|
|
gustatory
|
pertaining to the sense of taste
|
|
|
hoard
|
v. to gather or accumulate a hidden supply for future use
n. a hidden fund or supply stored for future use, a cache |
|
|
holistic
|
concerned with wholes rather than separation into parts
|
|
|
homage
|
honor, (publicly expressed) respect, reverence, deference
|
|
|
impetuous
|
suddenly or forcefully energetic or emotional, impulsively passionate
|
|
|
impious
|
irreverent, lacking due respect or dutifulness
|
|
|
implausibility
|
difficult to believe, unconvincing, lack of credibility
|
|
|
homogeneous
|
same, similar
|
|
|
honorific
|
n. a title or phrase that conveys respect
adj. showing respect |
|
|
hubbub
|
loud noise, din, racket, uproar; also confusion, tumult
|
|
|
impotent
|
lacking strength, weak, powerless; also sterile, unable to reproduce
|
|
|
impregnable
|
impossible to enter by force, impenetrable
|
|
|
impropriety
|
being improper, inappropriateness; also an improper act, an indecency
|
|
|
jabber
|
v. to utter or speak rapidly, unintelligibly, or idly
n. rapid or babbling talk, chatter, prattle |
|
|
jaded
|
spoiled by success; pretentiously callous;
|
|
|
jaunt
|
n. a short trip or excursion (usually for pleasure), an outing
v. to make a short journey |
|
|
husbandry
|
agriculture (esp. the application of science to agriculture)
|
|
|
improvisation
|
inventing or reciting without preparation
|
|
|
impugn
|
to attack as false or questionable, to challenge in argument
|
|
|
impunity
|
exemption from punishment, penalty, or harm
|
|
|
jauntiness
|
a buoyant or self-confident air; also crispness and dapperness in appearance
|
|
|
jest
|
n. a playful or amusing act, a prank, a joke; also a frolicsome or frivolous mood
v. to act or speak playfully, to joke |
|
|
jovial
|
heartily convivial, in good cheer, jolly, merry, jocund
|
|
|
kennel
|
n. a shelter for a dog
v. to place or keep in as if in a kennel; |
|
|
knave
|
lowly; an unprincipled crafty fellow; also a man of humble birth
|
|
|
impute
|
to attribute, to ascribe, to charge with fault or responsibility for
|
|
|
inadvertant
|
unintentional, careless, heedless, thoughtless
|
|
|
inane
|
lacking sense or substance, empty, banal, insipid
|
|
|
judicious
|
having sound judgment, prudent, reasonable, wise, sagacious
|
|
|
jurisprudence
|
the philosophy or science of law
|
|
|
juxtapose
|
to place side by side (esp. for comparison or contrast)
|
|
|
labyrinthine
|
complex, intricate, mazelike, resembling a labyrinth
|
|
|
lackadaisical
|
uncaring, lacking energy or interest, languid, spiritless
|
|
|
laggard
|
n. one who fails to keep up with a pace, a straggler
adj. hanging back, falling behind, straggling, dilatory, slow |
|
|
inauspicious
|
not favorable, bad, ill, evil
|
|
|
incandescent
|
brilliant, bright (as in a "candle")
|
|
|
incensed
|
extremely angry, infuriated, furious, seething, enraged
|
|
|
lamentable
|
regrettable, deplorable, pitiable, pathetic, piteous
|
|
|
laminate
|
to cover with thin sheets; also to compress into a thin sheet or divide into thin layers
|
|
|
lampoon
|
n. a broad satirical piece, a parody, a caricature (usu. malicious)
v. to ridicule or satirize in or as if in a lampoon |
|
|
machination
|
plotting; also a crafty scheme for something sinister, a conspiracy
|
|
|
magnanimity
|
generosity, unselfishness; also courageous nobility in mind and heart
|
|
|
malaria
|
an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitos
|
|
|
incision
|
a cut; also penetration, clarity, and sharpness; incisiveness
|
|
|
incisor
|
a tooth at the front of the mouth, adapted for cutting or gnawing
|
|
|
incongruity
|
lack of conformity, disharmony, disagreement
|
|
|
languid
|
showing little spirit/animation, listless, lacking energy/vitality
|
|
|
larva
|
the newly hatched (oft. wormlike) earliest form of an animal
|
|
|
latency
|
present but not active or evident, dormancy, inactivity
|
|
|
malcontent
|
adj. dissatisfied with existing conditions, discontented
n. a chronically dissatisfied person; a rebel against the establishment |
|
|
malediction
|
a curse, an imprecation (from "mala" = bad + "dict" = speech)
|
|
|
malevolence
|
ill will, maliciousness; also evil influence, harmfulness
|
|
|
infelicity
|
inappropriateness; also unhappiness, misfortune
|
|
|
ingenuous
|
openly straightforward, frank, candid
|
|
|
inherent
|
intrinsic, innate; existing as an essential characteristic
|
|
|
lucid
|
mentally sound, sane; also easily understood, intelligible
|
|
|
lummox
|
a clumsy or stupid person
|
|
|
lupus
|
any of several diseases that mainly affect the skin and joints
|
|
|
membranous
|
resembling, pertaining to, or made of a thin layer of tissue
|
|
|
menagerie
|
a diverse group; also a collection of live animals on display
|
|
|
mendicant
|
a begger
|
|
|
inconsequential
|
unimportant; also not following, illogical
|
|
|
incontrovertible
|
impossible to dispute, unquestionable
|
|
|
incorrigible
|
uncorrectable, difficult to control or manage
|
|
|
laud
|
to praise, to glorify, to acclaim, to commend, to extol
|
|
|
layperson
|
one who is not a member of the clergy; also a nonprofessional, an amateur
|
|
|
ledger
|
a book or spreadsheet in which monetary records are kept, an accounting
|
|
|
malign
|
v. to slander, to speak ill of (often falsely), to defame, to libel
adj. malicious, malevolent; evil in disposition, nature, intent, or influence |
|
|
malinger
|
to avoid duty or work by faking an illness
|
|
|
malleability
|
ability to be shaped or adjusted, moldability or adaptability
|
|
|
incredulous
|
skeptical, disbelieving
|
|
|
incumbent
|
n. one currently holding an office
adj. imposed as a duty, obligatory; |
|
|
indecorous
|
lacking propriety or good taste, improper, indecent, unseemly
|
|
|
legitimized
|
made lawful, legal
|
|
|
levee
|
an embankment raised to prevent flooding, a dike; also a formal reception
|
|
|
levity
|
lightness of manner or speech, humor
|
|
|
malodorous
|
bad-smelling, foul
|
|
|
mandate
|
an authoritative command or instruction, a charge, a directive
v. to make mandatory (as by law), to decree, to require |
|
|
mania
|
an excessively intense enthusiasm or desire, a craze; also insanity
|
|
|
indefatigable
|
tireless, weariless, untiring, unflagging
|
|
|
indelible
|
impossible to remove, permanent
|
|
|
indigenous
|
native, endemic, aboriginal; also innate, intrinsic
|
|
|
lexicography
|
writing or compiling a dictionary
|
|
|
libelous
|
defamatory, slandering, maliciously false
|
|
|
libertarian
|
one who believes in freedom of action and thought and free will
|
|
|
manifest
|
adj. clearly apparent, obvious, evident, distinct
v. to show or demonstrate, to reveal; also to be evidence of, to prove |
|
|
mannequin
|
a model of the human body; also one who models clothes
|
|
|
marginalize
|
to relegate/confine to a lower/outer limit/edge (as in social status)
|
|
|
indiscernible
|
difficult or impossible to perceive, imperceptible
|
|
|
indiscretion
|
lack of prudence, injudiciousness; also an indiscreet act
|
|
|
indiscriminate
|
unselective, random, haphazard; also widespread
|
|
|
licentious
|
lacking moral discipline or restraint (esp. in sexual conduct),
disregarding accepted rules or standards |
|
|
lilt
|
n. a light tune, a happy song
v. to speak, sing, or play cheerfully, rhythmically, or with liveliness |
|
|
linchpin
|
a central cohesive element, a mainstay, a cornerstone
|
|
|
marquee
|
a rooflike structure projecting over an entrance
|
|
|
masquerade
|
a disguise, a pretense, a false outward show
v. to go about in/as if in disguise, to put on a deceptive appearance |
|
|
materialist
|
one who believes that worldly possessions are most important
|
|
|
indisputable
|
beyond doubt, unquestionable, undeniable
|
|
|
indoctrinate
|
to teach the beliefs or principles of a particular group
|
|
|
indomitable
|
incapable of being overcome or subdued, unconquerable
|
|
|
linguist
|
a specialist in the study of speech; also one who is fluent in several languages
|
|
|
liniment
|
a medicinal fluid rubbed into the skin to relieve pain or stiffness
|
|
|
lionize
|
to look on or treat as a celebrity, to honor, to glorify, to exalt
|
|
|
maturation
|
reaching fullest growth or development
|
|
|
maverick
|
n. a nonconformist, a dissenter, one who avoids groups
adj. independent in thought and action, free-spirited |
|
|
maxim
|
a saying, an adage, an epigram, an aphorism
|
|
|
indulgent
|
lenient, gratifying, lax, clement
|
|
|
indulge
|
to yield to the desires and whims of, to humor; also to engage, to take part
|
|
|
industrious
|
hard-working, assiduous, diligent, sedulous
|
|
|
listless
|
lethargic, lacking energy or vigor, disinclined to exert effort
|
|
|
lithe
|
readily bent, supple; also effortlessly graceful
|
|
|
litigant
|
a party engaged in a lawsuit adj. engaged in a lawsuit
|
|
|
meander
|
v. to wander, to ramble, to roam; also to follow a winding and turning course
n. a circuitous journey or excursion, a ramble, a wandering |
|
|
mediation
|
resolution by working with conflicting parties, arbitration
|
|
|
mediocrity
|
average to inferior quality, ordinariness; average ability or performance
|
|
|
ineffable
|
indescribable, unutterable, unspeakable
|
|
|
inefficacious
|
ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient
|
|
|
inexorable
|
incapable of being persuaded by entreaty, relentless, inflexible
|
|
|
litigious
|
tending to engage in lawsuits; also pertaining to legal proceedings
|
|
|
livid
|
extremely angry, furious; also ashen, pallid, very pale
|
|
|
locomotive
|
n. a driving or pulling force, an impetus; also a train engine adj. putting into motion, propelling; also able to move about independently
|
|
|
medley
|
an often jumbled assortment, a mixture
|
|
|
meek
|
patient, humble, gentle; also easily imposed upon, submissive
|
|
|
melee
|
a confused, tumultuous mingling; also confused hand-to-hand fighting, a brawl
|
|
|
infamous
|
having an exceedingly bad reputation, notorious
|
|
|
infamy
|
evil reputation, disgrace, notoriety
|
|
|
infatuated
|
in love with, possessed by an unreasoning passion or attraction, obsessed
|
|
|
lofty
|
elevated, exalted; also affecting grandness, pompous/arrogant
|
|
|
loophole
|
a way of escaping a difficulty
|
|
|
loquacious
|
very talkative, eloquent, garrulous, voluble, verbose
|
|
|
mellow
|
suggesting richness and softness or sweetness; also relaxed, easygoing
|
|
|
melodious
|
tuneful, agreeable to the ear
|
|
|
melodrama
|
a drama characterized by exaggerated emotions, stereotypical characters, and interpersonal conflicts
|
|
|
inimitable
|
matchless, incapable of being copied
|
|
|
innate
|
inherent, intrinsic; also possessed at birth, inborn
|
|
|
inordinate
|
exceeding reasonable limits, immoderate
|
|
|
lurid
|
causing shock or horror, gruesome or sensationalist; also sallow, pallid
|
|
|
lyrical
|
expressing deep personal emotion or observations; also highly enthusiastic
|
|
|
mercurial
|
quickly changeable, erratic, variable
|
|
|
merit
|
n. ability, achievement; also superiority, excellence
v. to earn, to deserve, to rate |
|
|
meritocracy
|
a system in which advancement is based on individual achievement or ability
|
|
|
narcissism
|
excessive self-love or -admiration, conceit, vanity, egoism, egotism
|
|
|
Affable
|
agreeable, easy to approach, amiable,congenial, warm
|
|
|
Affectation
|
a fake attitude, phony posturing, a pose, a pretense, a display
|
|
|
Affiliate
|
v. to collaborate, to associate, to ally
n. a collaborator, an associate, an ally |
|
|
Brazenness
|
bold self-assurance, brashness, shamelessness
|
|
|
Brevity
|
shortness, briefness, conciseness
|
|
|
Brook
|
to put up with, to tolerate, to stand
|
|
|
Circumlocution
|
indirect or roundabout expression, unnecessary verbosity; also evasion in speech or writing
|
|
|
Circumscribed
|
encircled, surrounded by lines; also restricted, limited, confined
|
|
|
Circumspect
|
cautious, prudent, careful, wary
|
|
|
insipid
|
lacking excitement or interest, dull, boring
|
|
|
instigate
|
to stir up, to foment, to incite; also to urge on, to goad
|
|
|
insufferable
|
difficult or impossible to endure, intolerable, unbearable
|
|
|
milieu
|
an environment, a setting, surroundings
|
|
|
minutia
|
a small or trivial detail, a trifle, a triviality
|
|
|
misanthrope
|
one who hates or mistrusts humankind, one who expects the worst from people
|
|
|
nihilism
|
the belief that political and social institutions should be demolished
|
|
|
nonchalance
|
casual lack of concern, imperturbability, sang-froid, insouciance
|
|
|
noncommittal
|
refusing commitment to a particular opinion or course of action
|
|
|
insular
|
suggestive of the isolated life of an island; also detached in outlook, narrow
|
|
|
insurgency
|
rebellion, revolt
|
|
|
intelligible
|
understandable, comprehensible
|
|
|
miscellany
|
a collection of various items, parts or ingredients
|
|
|
misnomer
|
a name wrongly applied to something; also an error in naming a person or place
|
|
|
missive
|
a written message, a letter, an epistle, a note
|
|
|
nonporous
|
without small holes; also impermeable to liquids
|
|
|
nostalgic
|
longing for the past; also homesick
|
|
|
nuance
|
expression of subtle shades of meaning; also a slight degree of difference, a gradation
|
|
|
intemperance
|
lack of moderation or restraint (as in the indulgence of an appetite); also excessive use of alcoholic drinks
|
|
|
interlocutor
|
one who takes part in a conversation
|
|
|
interpose
|
to put between, to interject, to introduce
|
|
|
mitigate
|
to moderate in force or intensity, to alleviate, to relieve, to assuage
|
|
|
modicum
|
a small, moderate, or token amount; a bit
|
|
|
modulate
|
to adjust, to temper; also to change or vary in pitch/tone/intensity
|
|
|
obdurate
|
intractable, adamant, stubbornly impenitent; also hardhearted
|
|
|
objective
|
adj. fair, unbiased, equitable; also having actual existence or reality
n. a goal, an aim, an object, something striven for |
|
|
obliging
|
ready to do favors for others, accommodating, amiable
|
|
|
introverted
|
unsocial, shy, keeping to oneself; also inward-looking, introspective
|
|
|
inundate
|
to overwhelm, to flood, to swamp
|
|
|
invective
|
n. denunciatory or abusive language or discourse, abuse, expletives
adj. pertaining to/characterized by denunciatory/abusive language |
|
|
monochromatic
|
having or appearing to have only one color
|
|
|
monolith
|
something made from or suggestive of one large block of stone
|
|
|
monotonous
|
tediously repetitious, lacking in variety
|
|
|
obsequious
|
servilely compliant, fawning, slavish, subservient
|
|
|
obstinacy
|
stubbornness, being refractory, hardheadedness, intractability
|
|
|
obstreperous
|
aggressively boisterous, clamorous; also noisily and stubbornly defiant
|
|
|
apparition
|
A vision, an appearance, an illusion, a fantasy
|
|
|
aghast
|
Amazed, shocked, terrified
|
|
|
appalled
|
Horrified, disgusted, repelled, sickened
|
|
|
apparition
|
a vision, an appearance, an illusion, a fantasy
|
|
|
atrocity
|
Horror, abomination, wickedness
|
|
|
autopsy
|
The careful examination of a dead body
|
|
|
baleful
|
Portending, evil, ominous, also harmful or deadly
|
|
|
cackle
|
To laugh harshly or shrilly
|
|
|
camouflage
|
a disguise, a mask, a cover-up
|
|
|
cannibalistic
|
(Human) flesh-eating, devouring one's own species
|
|
|
carcass
|
a body, a corpse
|
|
|
clairvoyant
|
A prophet, a psychic (who claims to "see" the future)
|
|
|
conjure
|
Summon by magic, enchant, bewitch
|
|
|
decay
|
to rot, to go to seed, to erode, to disintegrate
|
|
|
enchantment
|
a spell, thrall
|
|
|
excavate
|
To hollow out, to form a cavity or hole in, to unearth
|
|
|
extraterrestrial
|
Alien, not of the earth, from space
|
|
|
gore
|
blood, carnage, butchery
|
|
|
gruesome
|
lurid, morbid, hideous, ghastly
|
|
|
mesmerisic
|
hypnotic, relating to an induced trance
|
|
|
masquerade
|
to frolic in disguise, lit. to wear a mask
|
|
|
prophecy
|
a prediction (esp. a prophet’s utterance), a revelation, a foretelling
|
|
|
petrified
|
Deadened, stiff, stone like; also stunned, paralyzed (with terror)
|
|
|
séance
|
a meeting to receive messages from spirits or ghosts
|
|
|
shroud
|
A winding sheet, a burial cloth, grave clothes; also to cover, a screen
|
|
|
sinister
|
Evil, menacing, malignant, disquieting, malign, ominous
|
|
|
talisman
|
A charm, a magic item
|
|
|
inveterate
|
habitual, chronic; also firmly established, deep-rooted
|
|
|
inviolable
|
impregnable to assault or trespass, invincible; also secure from profanation
|
|
|
invoke
|
to call on a higher power; also to cite as support
|
|
|
morass
|
something that hinders, engulfs, or overwhelms
|
|
|
motley
|
adj. heterogeneous, miscellaneous, mixed, varied
n. a heterogeneous, often incongruous mixture of elements |
|
|
multifarious
|
having great variety, diverse, versatile, multifaceted
|
|
|
obtrusive
|
undesirably noticeable
|
|
|
obtuse
|
lacking quickness, sensitivity, or perceptiveness; stupid; also not sharp or pointed, blunt
|
|
|
oceanographic
|
pertaining to the exploration and study of the ocean
|
|
|
irascibility
|
tendency to outbursts of temper, irritability
|
|
|
irate
|
extremely angry, enraged
|
|
|
ire
|
anger, wrath, rage, fury
|
|
|
municipality
|
a political unit incorporated for local self-government
|
|
|
munificence
|
liberalness, generosity, openhandedness, magnanimity
|
|
|
mutability
|
changeability, ability to alter; also tendency to change frequently, inconstancy
|
|
|
odious
|
hateful, detestable, obnoxious, offensive, repellent
|
|
|
odometer
|
an instrument that measures the distance traveled by a vehicle
|
|
|
odoriferous
|
having or giving off a scent, smelly, fragrant, aromatic, odorous
|
|
|
iridescent
|
brilliant, lustrous, colorful
|
|
|
irreproachable
|
perfect, blameless, faultless (in every respect)
|
|
|
irresolute
|
unsure, undecided, indecisive
|
|
|
myriad
|
many; in a large indefinite number, innumerable; also composed of many diverse elements
|
|
|
olfactory
|
pertaining or contributing to the sense of smell
|
|
|
omnipresent
|
present everywhere simultaneously, universal, ubiquitous
|
|
|
omniscience
|
total knowledge, knowledge of everything (omni=all + scient= know)
|
|
|
onerous
|
troublesome, oppressive, burdensome
|
|
|
onset
|
a beginning, a start; also an onslaught, an assault
|
|
|
osmosis
|
gradual assimilation or absorption, soaking up
|
|
|
ossify
|
to change into bone or become bony; also to become set in a conventional pattern
|
|
|
ostensible
|
represented or appearing as such, ostensive, seeming, professed
|
|
|
ostentation
|
pretentious display meant to impress, boastful showiness
|
|
|
ostracism
|
banishment, exclusion, disgrace
|
|
|
ovation
|
enthusiastic and prolonged applause
|
|
|
overture
|
v. to make an offer or proposal to; also to present as an introduction or proposal
overture n. an act indicating readiness to act or open a relationship; also an introductory section |
|
|
populous
|
Having many inhabitants, crowded, peopled, teeming
|
|
|
precipitously
|
In an extremely steep manner
|
|
|
predation
|
Preying or plundering
|
|
|
presage
|
To foreshadow, to forecast, to predict, to foretell
|
|
|
retort
|
To rebut, to reply, to answer, to respond (oft. sharply)
|
|
|
ricochet
|
v. To bounce off a surface, to rebound, to carom
n. Bouncing off a surface, rebounding |
|
|
stodgy
|
Stuffy, prim/pompous; also dull, unimaginative, & commonplace
|
|
|
sublimation
|
A change from solid to gas without becoming liquid; also changing an inappropriate urge into something socially acceptable
|
|
|
presage
|
An omen, foreshadowing, prediction; also foresight, a presentiment
|
|
|
presumptuous
|
Bold, brash, taking liberties, arrogant, brazen, audacious
|
|
|
prodigal
|
Rashly/wastefully extravagant; also profuse, abundant, lavish
|
|
|
promenade
|
A leisurely walk, a stroll; also a place for strolling
|
|
|
sublime
|
Outstanding, lofty, grand, awe-inspiring, superb, majestic
|
|
|
supine
|
Lying on the back, lying down; also inactive, lethargic or indifferent, passive
|
|
|
symposium
|
A meeting for discussion of a topic, a conference, a forum
|
|
|
tantamount
|
Equivalent, equal, the same as
|
|
|
testimonials
|
Statements in support of a particular fact or claim; also tributes, things given in support of a person's service or achievement
|
