Verbal Advantage 3

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1. DEFRAY (di-FRAY)

Back 1

To pay, provide money for, cover the cost or expenses of.

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2. TACITURN (TAS-i-turn)

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Silent, not talkative, holding one's tongue, habitually silent and withdrawn.
Synonyms: reserved, uncommunicative, reticent.
Antonyms: garrulous (Level 4, Word 8), loquacious, effusive, voluble (Level 5, Word 1).
Related word: tacit (Level 2, Word 9), unspoken, done or made in silence.

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3. TERSE (rhymes with curse)

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Brief and to the point, free of superfluous words, expressed in a pointed and polishedway.
Synonyms: concise, pithy, succinct, laconic (Level 3, Word 18).
Antonyms: long-winded, redundant, verbose (Level 2, Word 30), prolix (Level 9, Word 1).
Beastly mispronunciation: suh-SINGKT for succinct. Take care to pronounce the
double C like KS: suhk-SINGKT.

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4. BOON (rhymes with moon)

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A blessing, timely and welcome benefit, something beneficial bestowed upon one,something to be thankful for.
Additional useful words: yore, time long past, supplicant, a person who begs forsomething, supplication, the act of begging for something humbly and earnestly,archaic, old-fashioned, of a former time.

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5. PROLETARIAT (PROH-Iuh-TAIR-ee-it)

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The working class, especially the industrial wageearning class, which earns its livingby manual labor, the lowest and poorest class of people in society.
Corresponding adjective: proletarian, of or relating to the working class.

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6. HETEROGENEOUS (HET-uh-roh-JEE-nee-us)

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Varied, composed of parts of different kinds, made up of unrelated or diverseelements, mixed, dissimilar, miscellaneous.
Antonym: homogeneous (HOH-moh-JEE-nee-us).
Useful information: The prefix homo- means same, similar, like, the prefix heteromeansother, different, unlike.

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7. PITTANCE (PIT'ns, rhymes with admittance)

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A small amount, portion, or share, especially a small or meager amount of money.
Memory aid: Think of the pit of a fruit, which is . small and hard, and you'll easilyremember that a pittance is a small amount of money that is hard to live on.

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8. GLIB (rhymes with rib)

Back 8

Smooth-spoken, speaking in a ready, fluent manner, with natural or offhand ease,talkative in a nonchalant way.
Synonyms: suave, facile, bland, voluble (Level 5, Word 1), flippant, unctuous.
Useful information: The synonym unctuous means having a slimy, slippery, orsmarmy manner, self-serving and insincere.
Additional useful word: unguent, a medicinal ointment, salve.

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9. PENCHANT (PEN-chint)

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A liking, leaning, strong inclination, decided taste.
Synonyms: propensity, proclivity.

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10. SOLICITOUS (suh-LIS-i-tus)

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Concerned, showing care and attention, especially in a worried, anxious, or fearfulway.
Usage tip: In the above sense, solicitous may be followed by the prepositions of, for,or about. When used to mean eager, full of desire, willing, solicitous is followed bythe preposition to.

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11. CIRCUMSCRIBE (SUR-kum-SKRYB)

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To limit, restrict, confine, hem in, fix the boundaries of (literally, to draw a line around).
Related words: circum- means around. You can see this combining form in the wordscircumstance, circumcision, circumvent, to go around, bypass, especially in a clever orresourceful way, circumlocutory, expressed in a roundabout way, and circumnavigate, tonavigate or sail around.

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12. DEARTH (rhymes with earth)

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A lack, scarcity, insufficiency, inadequate supply of something needed.
Synonym: paucity (Level 10, Word 2).
Antonyms: abundance, surplus, excess, superfluity, plethora, surfeit.

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13. INGRATIATING (in-GRAY-shee-ay-ting)

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Flattering, attempting to win approval or curry favor, trying to gain acceptance, done tocharm or please another.
Synonym: unctuous.
Usage tip: Dictionaries and thesauruses often give charming, pleasing, and agreeable assynonyms of ingratiating, but today the word invariably has the negative suggestion ofinsincerely charming, pleasing or agreeable so as to gain approval or get into the goodgraces of another.

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14. MERCENARY (MUR-suh-ner-ee)

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Greedy, done for payment only, motivated by a selfish desire for money or other reward.
Synonyms: covetous, avaricious (both discussed in Level 2, Word 40).
Additional related word: venal, corruptible, capable of being bribed or bought off.
Corresponding noun: mercenary, a hired soldier, one who fights not for a cause or forlove of country but for money.

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15. EXTEMPORIZE (eks-TEM-puh-ryz)

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To improvise, to speak or compose with little or no preparation or practice, performsomething in an offhand or unpremeditated way.
Corresponding adjective: extemporaneous (eks-TEM-puh-RAY-nee-us), spoken orcomposed with little or no preparation or practice.

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16. ERUDITE (preferably, ER-uu-dyt or AIR-uu-dyt, commonly, AIR-yoo-dyt)

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Learned, scholarly, possessing extensive knowledge acquired chiefly from books.
Corresponding noun: erudition (preferably ER- or AIR-uu-DISH-un, commonly, AIRyoo-DISH-un), extensive knowledge acquired from reading books.
Usage tip: erudite may be used either of people or things.

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17. AUSTERE (aw-STEER)

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Severe, serious, characterized by strict selfdiscipline or severe self-denial, stern inappearance, manner, or practice.
Synonyms: somber, grim, grave, forbidding, dour (rhymes with poor).

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18. LACONIC (luh-KAHN-ik)

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Using few words, briefly and often bluntly expressed.
Synonyms: succinct, concise, pithy, succinct, terse (Level 3, Word 3).
Etymology: Laconic comes from the Greek lakonikos, a resident of the ancient city stateof Sparta, which was renowned for its austere and warlike people. By derivation laconicrefers to the Spartans' reputation for rigorous self-discipline and reticence. Like theancient Spartans, the laconic speakers and writers of today are determined to use no morewords than are necessary to get the point across, even at the risk of giving offense.
Illustrative anecdote: Julius Caesar's three-word pronouncement, Veni, vidi, vici ("Icame, I saw, I conquered"), is one of the most famous laconic statements of all time.

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19. AMELIORATE (uh-MEEL-yuh-rayt)

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To make or become better or more tolerable, raise the condition or state of.
Synonyms: improve, amend, correct, reform, rectify.
Usage tip: Ameliorate is used chiefly of improving something that needs help because itis inferior, oppressive, or intolerable.

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20. EXPUNGE (ek-SPUNJ)

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To erase, delete, cancel, punch, strike, or wipe out something completely so it appears asthough it had never existed.
Synonyms: eradicate, obliterate.

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21. CIRCUMSPECT (SUR-kum-spekt)

Back 21

Careful, cautious, wary, watchful, carefully considering all circumstances before actingor making a judgment.
Synonyms: discreet, vigilant, prudent (Level 1, Word 47).
Etymology: Circumspect comes from the Latin circum-, around, and specere, to look atcarefully, observe. The Latin specere is also the source of the words spectator, spectacle,and spectacular, wonderful to behold.

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22. QUIESCENT (kwy-ES-int)

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Still, quiet, tranquil, inactive, at rest or repose.
Antonyms: vigorous, animated, sprightly, vivacious, ebullient.
Related words: latent, which applies to something that has not yet been revealed,dormant, which applies to something inactive or that seems asleep.
Connotation: Quiescent suggests a temporary cessation of activity, a period of rest orrepose.

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23. FOIBLE (FOY-buul)

Back 23

A weak point, slight fault or flaw,,-minor failing, especially a (usually forgivable)weakness in a person's character.
Etymology: By derivation foible means the weak part of a sword, and it is related to theword feeble, weak, frail.

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24. FERVENT (FUR-vint)

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Passionate, having or showing great warmth or intensity of feeling, fiery, earnest,impassioned.
Synonyms: vehement, ardent, fervid, zealous.
Antonyms: lukewarm, listless, apathetic, indifferent, impassive, phlegmatic (fleg-MATik).
Etymology and usage tip: Fervent and fervid both come from the Latin fervere, to boil,glow. Fervent suggests great warmth and earnestness. Fervid is stronger and suggestsintense, even violent emotion.

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25. PROTRACT (proh-TRAKT)

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To draw out, drag out, extend in time, lengthen, prolong, especially to excess.
Antonyms: abbreviate, condense, curtail, truncate (Level 7, Word 5).
Etymology and connotation: Protract comes from the Latin tractare, to draw, dragaround. It suggests drawing or dragging something out needlessly, often to the point ofirritation or boredom

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26. OSTENTATIOUS (AH-sten-TAY-shus)

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Showy, extremely conspicuous, extravagant, flamboyant, specifically, displayed or donein a flashy, vain manner.
Antonyms: simple, plain, modest, unassumingN.B. This discussion distinguishes the words pretentious, pompous, and ostentatious, allof which refer to persons or things that are showy, extravagant, and self-important.

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27. QUANDARY (KWAHN-duh-ree)

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A state of uncertainty, perplexity, or doubt.
Synonyms: predicament, dilemma.

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28. CENSURE (SEN-shur)

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To blame, condemn, find fault with, criticize harshly, express stern disapproval of.
Synonyms: denounce, reprimand, reprehend.
Antonyms: commend, extol, laud.
Connotation: Censure usually implies condemnation of irresponsible behavior ratherthan condemnation of character.
Usage tip: Be careful not to confuse the words censure, to blame, condemn, find faultwith, and censor (SEN-sur), to suppress or delete something objectionable.

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29. CAVIL (KAV'l)

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To criticize or complain unnecessarily, point out petty flaws, raise trivial or frivolousobjections.
Synonyms: nitpick, niggle, carp, quibble. (All these words suggest making unnecessarycriticisms or complaining about trivial things.)

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30. ASSIMILATE (uh-SIM-i-layt)

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To absorb, take in, also, to adapt to or become absorbed by a system or culture.
Synonyms: comprehend, incorporate, appropriate.

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31. RESCIND (ri-SIND)

Back 31

To cancel, take back, take away, remove, also, to render void, annul, repeal.

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32. DISCERNIBLE (di-SURN-i-buul)

Back 32

Recognizable, detectable, perceptible, capable of being recognized by the senses or bythe mind.
Synonyms: apparent, evident, distinguishable, manifest.
Antonyms: obscure, invisible, indistinct, imperceptible.
Related words and etymology: Discernible (adjective), discern (verb), discernment(noun), and discerning (adjective) come from a Latin word meaning to sift, separate,distinguish between, and all of these words pertain to sifting or separating things in orderto distinguish them. Challenging synonyms of discernment include astuteness, acumen(uh-KYOO-min), and perspicacity (PUR-spi-KAS-i-tee).

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33. CATACLYSM (KAT-uh-kliz'm)

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A disaster, great mishap, catastrophe, violent upheaval.N.B. This discussion distinguishes the synonyms disaster, catastrophe, calamity, debacle(di-BAHK'l), and cataclysm, all of which refer to accidents, misfortunes, and sudden orviolent changes.
Etymology tips: The negative prefix dis- denotes the absence or reverse of what follows:dislike is an absence of affection, discomfort is the absence of comfort, disadvantage isthe reverse of an advantage. Catastrophe and cataclysm begin with the Greek kata-,which means "down."
Additional useful words: deluge (DEL-yooj), a great flood or downpour, inundate (INun-dayt), to overflow or overwhelm.

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34. NARCISSISM (NAR-si-SIZ'm)

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Self-love, excessive admiration of oneself.
Synonyms: vanity, conceit, egotism, amour-propre (ah-MOOR PROH-pruh).
Antonyms: humbleness, modesty, humility.
Etymology: Narcissism comes from Narcissus, a character in Greek mythology who fellin love with his reflection in a pool of water.
Related words: narcissist, a person afflicted with narcissism, self-love, narcissistic(adjective) means full of admiration for one's own appearance, abilities, or achievements.

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35. INCRIMINATE (in-KRIM-i-nayt)

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To charge with a crime, accuse of wrongdoing, implicate, present evidence or proof ofinvolvement in a wrongful act.

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36. STIGMA (STIG-muh)

Back 36

A mark of shame or disgrace, a moral blemish, a stain on one's character or reputation.
Etymology: Stigma, from Greek, means literally a mark, brand, tattoo, in its originalbut no longer common sense, stigma refers to a brand or, scar made with a red-hot ironin the flesh of slaves and criminals. Later it came to be used of anything that branded aperson as unwholesome or disgraceful, a mark of shame, stain on one's character orreputation.
Corresponding verb: stigmatize, to brand as shameful, set a mark of disgrace upon.N.B. The plural of stigma is either stigmas or stigmata (preferably STIG-muh-tuh, oftenstigMAH-tuh). Stigmata, the Latinate plural, may also refer to marks resembling thewounds on the crucified body of Jesus Christ that are believed to have beensupernaturally impressed on the bodies of certain persons, such as St. Francis of Assisi.
Additional useful word: anglicize, to make English, conform to English modes ofspelling, pronunciation, and usage.

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37. BREVITY (BREV-i-tee)

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(1) Shortness, briefness.
(2) Brief expression, shortness of speech.
Synonyms: (sense 2) conciseness, succinctness, terseness, pithiness.
Etymology and related words: Brief and brevity both come from the Latin brevis, short,the source also of the unusual word breve (rhymes with leave). A breve is one of the
diacritical marks or symbols used to indicate pronunciation: It's a small curve, like a tinysmile, placed over a vbwe1 to indicate a short sound, as in the e in pet or the a in cat.

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38. PERQUISITE (PUR-kwi-zit)

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A benefit, incidental gain or reward, specifically, an expected or promised benefit,privilege, or advantage received in addition to one's normal salary or wages.

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39. INDIGENT (IN-di-jint)

Back 39

Poor, needy, penniless, impoverished, down-and-out.
Synonyms: destitute, impecunious (IM-pi-KYOO-nee-us).

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40. CLAIRVOYANT (klair-VOY-int)

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Having exceptional powers of perception, unusually clear-sighted or discerning,specifically, able to see objects or events that others cannot, having extra-sensoryperception or the power of divination.
Etymology: the Latin clarus, clear, and videre, to see (literally, "to see clearly whatothers cannot").
Related words: clairvoyance (noun), exceptional insight or perception, clairvoyant(noun), a person who supposedly possesses the power to see into the future, a medium,soothsayer.

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41. ADROIT (uh-DROYT)

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Skillful, clever, dexterous, specifically, showing skill in using one's hands or in usingone's brains.
Synonyms: deft, resourceful, ingenious, artful, adept (Level 1, Word 7).
Antonyms: awkward, clumsy, inept, maladroit (mal-uh-DROYT).
Etymology tips and related words: Adroit comes from Latin through the French droit,right, and means literally "to the right." The Latin dexter means on the right side, hence,skillful. From dexter we inherit the word dexterous, skilled with the hands or body. TheLatin sinister means left, on the left side, and also wrong, evil, unfavorable, adverse, themeaning of the English word sinister today. People who are ambidextrous are equallyskillful or dexterous with both hands. The unusual word ambisinister means literallyhaving two left hands, equally awkward with both hands. In French gauche means left,but also crooked, awkward, clumsy, in English gauche refers to a person who isawkward, crude, or blundering, or to behavior that lacks culture or social grace.
Usage tip: Adroit may refer either to physical dexterity or mental ingenuity.

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42. PLATITUDE (PLAT-i-t(y)ood)

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A flat, dull, ordinary, remark, a trite statement or hackneyed saying, especially oneuttered as if it were original or profound.
Synonyms: cliche, truism, bromide (BROH-myd).
Etymology: Platitude comes from the French word for flat, and means literally "a flatremark."
Related words: platitudinous (adjective) refers to speech or expression that is dull,ordinary, commonplace, insipid, banal. Platitudinize (verb) means to utter platitudes.A platitudinarian (noun) is a person who habitually utters platitudes-flat, dull,ordinary remarks.

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43. FASTIDIOUS (fa-STID-ee-us)

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(1) Extremely delicate, sensitive, or particular, especially in matters of taste orbehavior.
Synonyms: dainty, fussy, finicky, overnice.
(2) Hard to please, extremely picky or demanding, exacting, critical to a fault.
Etymology and usage: Fastidious descends from Latin words meaning squeamish,disgusted, disdainful, and conceited. The fastidious person is so excessively concernedwith details that he may become squeamish or disgusted if things are not just right. Thefastidious person may also be so hard to please, so critical and demanding, that sheappears contemptuous of others.N.B. This discussion distinguishes the words scrupulous, meticulous, punctilious, andfastidious, all of which suggest demanding standards and careful attention to detail.

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44. VENDETTA (ven-DET-uh)

Back 44

A bitter, protracted feud or rivalry.
Etymology: Vendetta comes through Italian from the Latin vindicta, revenge,vengeance.
Related word: vindictive, vengeful, seeking a revenge.
Usage: Vendetta refers specifically to the violent tradition of revenging the murder of arelative by killing the murderer or a member of his family. Vendetta is now also usedmore generally to mean any long, bitter feud or rivalry, not necessarily between familiesand not necessarily attended by bloodshed.

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45. LUCID (LOO-sid)

Back 45

(1) Clear, easy to see or understand, plainly expressed.
(2) Clear of mind, mentally sound, rational, sane.
Synonyms: (sense 1) intelligible, comprehensible, limpid, perspicuous (pur-SPIK-yoous).
Antonyms: murky, obscure, befuddled, nebulous (Level 2, Word 5), ambiguous (Level 2, Word 25), abstruse.
Related word: pellucid (pe-LOO-sid), exceptionally clear, extremely easy to see orunderstand.

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46. SALIENT (SAY-lee-int)

Back 46

Conspicuous, noticeable, prominent, sticking or jutting out.
Synonyms: protruding, manifest, obtrusive, protuberant.
Antonyms: inconspicuous, unassuming, unobtrusive, indiscernible, unostentatious.
Etymology and usage: Salient comes from the Latin verb salire, to leap, jump, spring.That which is salient seems to leap out at you, jump into view, or spring forward tocommand your attention. Salient may apply to things that are conspicuously attractiveor unattractive.

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47. CATEGORICAL (KAT-uh-GOR-i-kuul)

Back 47

Absolute, unqualified, explicit, without exceptions, conditions, or qualifications.
Antonyms: ambiguous (Level 2, Word 25), doubtful, dubious, indefinite, enigmatic,equivocal.
Usage: Categorical refers to statements or assertions that are absolute, unqualified,direct and explicit. The word often suggests a statement or state of mind that is rigid,narrow, arrogant, or arbitrary.

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48. INSCRUTABLE (in-SKROO-tuh-buul)

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Incomprehensible, unfathomable, extremely difficult to understand, not open toinvestigation or analysis.
Synonyms: mysterious, impenetrable, esoteric, arcane (ar-KAYN).
Antonyms: lucid (Level 4, Word 45), perspicuous.
Etymology: Inscrutable combines the negative prefix in-, which means not, with theLatin scrutari, to examine, inspect, search thoroughly.
Related words: scrutinize, to investigate, examine closely, scrutiny, a closeexamination.
Usage tips: The phrase "an inscrutable smile" is a cliche, a hackneyed expression,unless you're trying to be humorous, it's best to avoid it altogether. Also, in the pastinscrutable was often applied to Asians or to the Asian race. Today this use isconsidered not only cliche but also derogatory and offensive.

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49. CONSTRUE (kun-STROO)

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To interpret, explain the meaning or intention of.
Related words: construct, construction.
Etymology: By derivation, the verb to construe means to put a particular constructionon something, to interpret it, explain its underlying meaning or intention.

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50. ALLUDE (uh-LOOD)

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To refer to something indirectly, make a casual reference.
Synonyms: suggest, hint, insinuate, intimate (IN-ti-mayt).
Antonyms: indicate, specify, detail, enumerate.
Corresponding noun: allusion, an indirect, casual, or passing reference.