Set 3

Front 1

Alloy

Back 1

(v) to commingle; to debase by mixing with something inferior

Alloying the punch with prune juice turned out not to be such a good idea after all.

Front 2

Unalloyed

Back 2

pure

The reviewer described the movie as an unalloyed pleasure, saying it was the first film in years in which every single minute was worth watching.

Front 3

Amalgamate

Back 3

(v) to combine several elements into a whole

A griffin, theoretically at least, in an amalgamation of an eagle and a lion into one mean-looking mythical creature.

It makes sense that the metal used in fillings is called an amalgam since it is a combination of mercury and silver.

Front 4

Ambiguity

Back 4

(n) uncertainty in meaning

The ambiguity of the poem's title allows scholars to interpret it many different ways.

Front 5

Ambiguous

Back 5

(v)

Samir left the note purposefully ambiguous, figuring that Sonya would give him the benefit of the doubt if she wished to.

Front 6

Ambivalence

Back 6

(n) the quality of having opposing ideas or feelings

Nikki's ambivalence about the job offer was apparent; on one hand, the money and benefits would be better than at her current job, but on the other, she didn't want to risk losing the wonderful work environment she already had.

Front 7

Amerliorate

Back 7

(v) to make better or more tolerable

Jonas was sure that nothing could ameliorate the taste of beets; brussels sprouts, on the other hand, could be made quite palatable with the introduction of plenty of butter.

All attempts to ameliorate the relationship between the longstanding adversaries seemed futile; they were as hostile toward one another as ever.

Front 8

Amenable

Back 8

(adj) agreeable; responsive to suggestion

If you're amenable, let's go for a walk before lunch.

The actress was known for being amenable to direction, which made her a favorite of directors.

Front 9

Anachronism

Back 9

(n) something or someone out of place in terms of historical or chronological context

The wristwatch worn by one of the characters in the period movie set in Rome in 25 BC was just one of the movie's many anachronisms that spoiled the movie's credibility.

Mr. Jones' students felt his insistence on strict classroom discipline was an anachronism and that he should "get with the times."

Front 10

Anathema

Back 10

(n) a solemn or ecclesiastical (religious) curse; accursed or thoroughly loathed person or thing

He was an anathema to his entire town once it was revealed that he had been a secret police informant.

The precepts of eugenics became almost universally anathema around the world once the horrors of World War II began to be revealed.

Hearing the anathema pronounced against her filled her with foreboding.

Front 11

Anodyne (adj)

Back 11

soothing

Don't you agree that nothing is quite so anodyne as a long soak in a bubble bath?

I've also found that its anodyne effect can be enhanced by some good music and a glass of wine.

Front 12

Anodyne (n)

Back 12

something that assuages or allays pain, or comforts

After such a hectic week, Casey very much looked foward to the anodyne of a relaxing weekend of camping at the lake.

Front 13

Anomaly

Back 13

(n) deviation from the normal order, form, or rule; abnormality

Pickles for sale in a tire store would be an anomaly; tires for sale in a pickle store would be equally weird.

The anomalous results the scientist received the third time she ran the experiment made her question her initial hypothesis, since she couldn't find any other reason for the deviation from her prior results.

Front 14

Antagonize

Back 14

(v) to irritate or cause hostility

Alonzo constantly antagonized his younger sister by stealing her lunch money and refusing to give it back.

Front 15

Antipathy

Back 15

(n) aversion, dislike

Sam very clearly expressed his antipathy toward certain breakfast foods in the Dr. Seuss classic, Green Eggs and Ham.

Her longstanding antipathy toward her boss was tempered with at least a little gratitude after she received her big raise and promotion.

Front 16

Antipathetic

Back 16

showing a strong aversion

He was completely antipathetic to any new ideas, especially any that might suggest that his way wasn't the best way. I've never met such a closeminded person!