Verbal Advantage 7

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1. REDRESS (REE-dres or ri-DRES)

Back 1

Reparation, compensation, satisfaction for a wrong done.
Synonyms: amends, recompense, retribution, rectification, requital, quittance.
Usage: Redress may take the form of a monetary compensation or it may be an act orstatement that makes amends, that repairs or compensates for a wrong.
Corresponding verb: redress (ri-DRES), to repair, set right, make amends for.

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2. ANOMALOUS (uh-NAHM-uh-lus)

Back 2

Irregular, abnormal, out of place, deviating from what is usual or expected, not fittingin with a common type or conforming to a general rule.
Synonyms: inconsistent, unnatural, eccentric, aberrant (uh-BER-int).
Corresponding noun: anomaly, a deviation from the norm, an irregularity.

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3. OBSEQUIOUS (uhb-SEE-kwee-us)

Back 3

Subservient, submissive, obedient, ready and willing to serve, please, or obey.
Corresponding noun: obsequiousness, subservience, obedience, an eager desire toserve or obey.
Synonyms: compliant, servile, slavish, ingratiating (Level 3, Word 13), deferential,fawning, toadying, truckling, sycophantic.
Antonyms: unruly, defiant, intractable (Level 5, Word 12), refractory (Level 6, Word 42), recalcitrant, intransigent.

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4. DIDACTIC (dy-DAK-tik)

Back 4

Instructive, designed or intended to teach.
Synonyms: edifying, preceptive, expository, hortatory, pedagogic.N.B. Pedagogic is the adjective corresponding to the noun pedagogue. A pedagogue isa teacher, but today the word is sometimes used disparagingly to mean a teacher who isstrict, narrowminded, or dogmatic.
Etymology: Greek didaktikos, skillful or adept at teaching.
Connotation: Didactic often connotes morally instructive or edifying: A great work offiction may be as didactic as it is entertaining. Sometimes didactic has the negative
connotation of inclined to lecture others in a tedious or excessively moralistic way:"His didactic manner of telling everyone how the organization should be run."
Corresponding noun: didactics, the art or science of teaching.N.B. The word pedagogy may also refer to the art or science of teaching, but moreoften it means the teaching profession.

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5. TRUNCATE (TRUNGK-ayt, like trunk + ate)

Back 5

To cut short, shorten by cutting or lopping off.
Synonyms: condense, abridge, abbreviate, curtail.
Antonyms: lengthen, extend, elongate, prolong, protract (Level 3, Word 25).
Etymology: Latin truncare, to maim, mutilate, shorten by cutting off. Truncare comesin turn from truncus, (adjective) maimed, mutilated, cut short or lopped off, (noun) atree that has been cut down.
Usage: Truncate usually suggests a more severe or substantial cutting or shorteningthan its synonyms condense, abridge, abbreviate, and curtail, which comes closest tothe severity of truncate. Truncate may refer to a cutting short in number, length, orduration.
Corresponding adjective: truncated, cut short, abbreviated, terminated abruptly.

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6. ABSTEMIOUS (ab-STEE-mee-us)

Back 6

(1) Sparing or moderate, especially in eating or drinking.
(2) Characterized by abstinence, not partaking or indulging, especially in alcoholicbeverages.
Etymology: Latin abstemius, abstaining from liquor.
Corresponding noun: abstemiousness.
Synonyms: sober, temperate, ascetic. Ascetic means rigorously abstemious, practicingstrict and extreme abstinence or self-denial.

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7. ETHEREAL (i-THEER-ee-ul)

Back 7

Heavenly, not earthly, hence, very light, airy, delicate, or refined.
Synonyms: celestial, lofty, elevated, tenuous, rarefied, sublime.
Antonyms: mundane (Level 4, Word 22), terrestrial, sublunary.
Related word: ether, which in one of its senses refers to an imaginary substance thatthe ancients believed filled the upper regions of space. Ether was the lightest and mostsubtle of the elements, which included earth, water, and fire.

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8. BOMBASTIC (bahm-BAS-tik)

Back 8

Pompous, pretentious, inflated, overblown.
Usage: Bombastic applies to speech or writing that is pompous, overblown, orpretentious, or to people who express themselves in this way.N.B. This discussion distinguishes the synonyms bombastic, grandiloquent (Level 6,Word 35), and turgid, which denote extravagant language.
Corresponding noun: bombast, verbal padding, speech or writing that is wordy,puffed-up, and pretentious.

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9. SENESCENT (si-NES-int)

Back 9

Aging, growing old, on the decline.
Etymology and related words: Latin senex, old, the source also of senile and senate,which means literally "a council of elders."
Usage: Senescent may apply to persons, things, or ideas that are growing old, decrepit, oroutworn.
Antonym: juvenescent, growing younger.
Corresponding noun: senescence, the process of becoming old or the state of being old.

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10. PERNICIOUS (pur-NISH-us)

Back 10

Deadly, fatal, destructive, causing great harm or injury.
Synonyms: injurious, ruinous, deleterious (Level 4, Word 33), noxious, baneful, malign,noisome (Level 9, Word 38).
Antonyms: healthful, wholesome, salutary, salubrious.
Etymology: Latin perniciosus, destructive, ruinous, and pernicies, destruction, disaster,ultimately from nex, a violent death.

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11. CATHOLIC (KATH-uh-lik or KATH-lik)

Back 11

Universal, all-inclusive, all-embracing, comprehensive, specifically, broadminded,tolerant, or all-embracing in one's sympathies, interests, or tastes.
Usage tip: Catholic, with a capital C, refers to the Roman Catholic Church, to thereligion of Catholicism, or to a member of the Catholic Church. Catholic, with a small c,has nothing to do with religion. It comes directly from Latin and Greek words meaninguniversal, general, and suggests a broadminded, tolerant, all-embracing outlook on life.
Synonyms: open-minded, liberal, ecumenical, latitudinarian.
Antonyms: narrow-minded, bigoted, biased, intolerant, dogmatic, parochial.N.B. This discussion distinguishes the words ecumenical and catholic.

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12.OBJURGATION (AHB-jur-GAY-shin)

Back 12

A harsh rebuke, vehement scolding or denunciation.
Synonyms: reproof, reproach, upbraiding, vilification, vituperation.
Corresponding verb: objurgate (pronounced AHB-jur-gayt or uhb-JUR-gayt), to rebuke sharply, chide harshly, denounce vehemently.
Etymology: Latin ob-, against, andjurgare, to scold or quarrel.

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13. EFFUSIVE (i-FYOO-siv)

Back 13

Gushing, overflowing, overly demonstrative, expressing emotion in an excessive orunrestrained manner.
Synonyms: exuberant, profuse, ebullient, impassioned, ecstatic, rhapsodic.
Antonyms: undemonstrative, reserved, aloof, indifferent, reticent, diffident, taciturn(Level 3, Word 2), laconic (Level 3, Word 18).
Etymology: Latin effusio, a pouring forth, from effundere, to pour out or pour forth.
Corresponding noun: effusion, a pouring or gushing forth. Effusion may be used of aliteral gushing (as of gas or fluid), or it may be used figuratively of an unrestrainedemotional outburst in speech or writing.
Usage: Effusive is nearly always used figuratively to mean gushing or overflowing withemotion, overly demonstrative.

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14. UMBRAGE (UHM-brij)

Back 14

Offense, resentment.
Synonyms: displeasure, irritation, indignation, pique.
Usage: Umbrage is most commonly used today in the phrase "to take umbrage,"meaning to take offense. You may also feel umbrage, resentment, at something, or giveumbrage, offense, to someone else, but these constructions are less common.

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15. VICISSITUDE (vi-SIS-i-t(y)ood)

Back 15

A change, variation.
Synonyms: alternation, fluctuation, mutation.
Usage: Vicissitude is often used in the plural, vicissitudes, to refer to the changes thatoccur during the course of something, the ups and downs.

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16. CONTENTIOUS (kuhn-TEN-shus)

Back 16

Argumentative, quarrelsome, ready and eager to argue, bicker, or debate.N.B. This discussion distinguishes the words contentious, litigious, pugnacious (Level 5, Word 8), disputatious, belligerent, and bellicose, all of which refer to quarrelsomeor hostile parties who are inclined to engage in argument or conflict.
Antonyms: peaceable, obliging, civil, tolerant, amiable, amicable, benevolent,equable, forbearing.
Etymology and related words: Latin contentio, striving, effort, ultimately fromcontendere, to strain or strive against another. From the same source we inherit the verbto contend and the noun contention, which may mean either a struggle, opposition, oran assertion made in an argument.

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17. OBEISANCE (oh-BAY-sins)

Back 17

A gesture of respect or submission, or an attitude of respect and submission.
Synonyms: deference, homage, adoration, reverence, veneration.
Usage: Obeisance is used chiefly of formal situations in which respect or homage ispaid to a god, a ruler, a religious leader, or a person of great influence or power.

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18. ASSIDUOUS (uh-SIJ-oo-us)

Back 18

Hardworking, industrious, done with persistent, careful, and untiring attention.
Synonyms: diligent, painstaking, persevering, unremitting, indefatigable, sedulous.
Antonyms: lazy, shiftless, indolent, languid, phlegmatic (Level 9, Word 33), otiose.
Etymology and related words: Latin adsiduus, sitting continuously in one place,engaged in an occupation, ultimately from sedere, to sit down, the source also of theEnglish words sedate and sedentary.
Corresponding noun: assiduousness, hard and careful work.

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19. DUPLICITY (d(y)oo-PLIS-i-tee)

Back 19

Deceit, cunning, double-dealing, hypocritical deception.
Synonyms: trickery, dishonesty, fraud, guile, chicanery, casuistry, mendacity.
Etymology and usage: Latin duplicitas, doubleness, and duplicare, to double,ultimately from duplex, twofold, double. Literally, duplicity means doubleness of heartor speech, in modern usage it refers to double-dealing, an act of deception in which oneuses hypocritical or misleading words or actions to hide one's true intentions.
Corresponding adjective: duplicitous, twofaced, deceitful.

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20. INSOUCIANT (in-SOO-see-int)

Back 20

Carefree, nonchalant, lightheartedly unconcerned or indifferent, free from worry oranxiety, calm and unbothered.
Etymology: The French phrase sans souci means without care or worry. Insouciantcombines the privative prefix in-, not, with the French souci, care, worry, to meanliterally not caring, free from worry, lightheartedly unconcerned.
Usage: Insouciant sometimes implies a carefree indifference or lack of concern forconsequences.
Corresponding noun: insouciance, lighthearted indifference, nonchalance, a carefreelack of concern.

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21. MYRMIDON (MUR-mi-dahn or MUR-mi-dun)

Back 21

A loyal follower, faithful servant or subordinate, especially someone who isunquestioningly obedient.
Etymology: In ancient Greek legend, the Myrmidons were a savage, warlike people ofthe region of Thessaly who fought in the Trojan War under their king, the great warriorAchilles. The Oxford English Dictionary traces myrmidon back to the year 1400, andshows that by the 17th century it had come to be used in a general sense to mean "anunscrupulously faithful follower or hireling, a hired ruffian."
Additional useful word: rapine (RAP-in, rhymes with happen), the act of seizing andcarrying off property by force, plunder.

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22. NASCENT (NAS-int, also NAY-sent)

Back 22

Beginning to exist or develop, in the process of being born or begun, coming or havingjust come into being.
Synonyms: emerging, dawning, developing, commencing, embryonic, incipient,inchoate (Level 7, Word 35).
Antonyms: ancient, extinct, outworn, outmoded, antiquated, obsolete, senescent(Level 7, Word 9), antediluvian. Antediluvian means of the time before the Deluge, thegreat flood described in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, hence, extremely old or oldfashioned.
Etymology: Latin nasci, to be born.
Corresponding noun: nascency, birth or beginning.

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23. ACCEDE (ak-SEED)

Back 23

To consent, yield, give in or agree to.
Synonyms: comply, submit, assent, concur (Level 1, Word 18), acquiesce (Level 4,Word 31).
Antonyms: resist, disagree, oppose, protest, contradict, dispute, dissent, wrangle, cavil(Level 3, Word 29).
Etymology: Latin accedere, to approach, come near.N.B. This discussion distinguishes the verbs to accede, acquiesce, assent, concur, andconsent.
Usage: Accede implies yielding a position or giving in to a demand or request, oftenunder pressure. Accede may also be used to mean to attain or assume an office or title (toaccede to the throne or to the presidency). 8

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24. MAGNANIMOUS (mag-NAN-i-mus)

Back 24

Noble, honorable, generous in overlooking injury or insult, high-minded, unselfish.
Synonyms: courageous, exalted, lofty (for the noble, high-minded connotation),charitable, altruistic, beneficent (for the generous, unselfish connotation).
Antonyms: vile, contemptible, malicious, despicable, ignominious, covetous,avaricious (Level 2, Word 40), mercenary (Level 3, Word 14), venal (Level 9, Word 14), vindictive (Level 5, Word 39), churlish, sordid, abject, servile, sycophantic,pusillanimous (Level 9, Word 16).
Etymology: Latin magnus, great, and animus, spirit.N.B. This discussion distinguishes the words noble and magnanimous.
Corresponding noun: magnanimity, noble generosity, greatness or dignity of mind orheart.

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25. NONAGE (NAHN-ij)

Back 25

Immaturity, youth, especially the period of legal minority, the state of being a minor inthe eyes of the law.
Etymology: Middle English, from AngloFrench, combining the prefix non-, not, with theword age (literally, "not of age").

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26. INVECTIVE (in-VEK-tiv)

Back 26

Vehement or abusive language involving bitter, scathing accusations or denunciations.
Synonyms: slander, defamation, aspersion, objurgation (Level 7, Word 12),billingsgate, vituperation, obloquy.
Antonyms: praise, commendation, adulation, eulogy, encomium.N.B. This discussion covers the origin and precise meaning of the words billingsgate,vituperation, and obloquy, and distinguishes the words abuse and invective.
Etymology and related word: Latin invehere, to attack with words, the source also ofthe English verb to inveigh, to attack violently with words, protest furiously or expressangry disapproval. Inveigh is always followed by against (inveigh against an unfaircompany policy, inveigh against an abuse of First Amendment rights).

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27. MACHINATION (MAK-i-NAY-shin)

Back 27

A crafty or treacherous plot, malicious scheme, cunning design or plan to achieve asinister purpose (often used in the plural, machinations).
Synonyms: stratagem, conspiracy, contrivance, ruse, cabal (kuh-BAHL).
Etymology: Latin machinari, to plot, devise, contrive to do evil, from machina, a deviceor contrivance for performing work.
Related word and phrase: The Latin machina is also the source of machine, something
devised to perform work, and it appears in a Latin expression now used in English: deusex machina (DAY-uus eks MAH-ki-nah). Deus ex machina means literally "a god out ofa machine", in English it means "an unexpected occurrence that rescues someone orsomething from an apparently hopeless predicament" (Eugene Ehrlich, Amo, Amas,
Amat, and More). Pronunciation tip: The ch in machine is soft, the ch in machination ishard, like a K. Do not say mashination (a recent, erroneous variant). The preferredpronunciation is MAK-i-NAY-shin.

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28. DOCILE (DAHS'l)

Back 28

Submissive, obedient, compliant, easy to direct, manage, or supervise, followinginstructions.
Synonyms: amenable, deferential, malleable (Level 2, Word 29), tractable,acquiescent, obsequious (Level 7, Word 3).
Antonyms: willful, wayward, headstrong, obstinate (Level 1, Word 34), intractable(Level 5, Word 12), intransigent, refractory (Level 6, Word 42).
Etymology and related word: Latin docilis, teachable, from docere, to teach, instruct.From the same source comes docent (DOH-sint), which may mean either a teacher at auniversity who is not a member of the faculty, or a lecturing tour guide in a museum,cathedral, or some such place of cultural interest.N.B. Avoid the phrase docent guide, which is redundant.
Corresponding noun: docility.
Pronunciation tip: The pronunciation DOH-syl is the preference of British and Canadianspeakers. The preferred American pronunciation is DAHS'l (rhymes with fossil).

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29. REDOUBTABLE (ri-DOWT-uh-buul)

Back 29

Formidable, fearsome, arousing awe or dread, hence, worthy of or commanding respect.
Etymology and related words: Middle English, through an Old French verb meaning tofear or dread, ultimately from the Latin dubitare, to doubt, waver in opinion or action, thesource also of the words dubious and dubiety, doubtfulness, uncertainty, wavering.
Usage: Redoubtable may apply to people or things, as a redoubtable hero or aredoubtable problem. The word is sometimes used to achieve a humorous, gentlymocking effect.

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30. PROGNOSTICATE (prahg-NAHS-ti-kayt)

Back 30

To predict, especially, to predict from signs, symptoms, or present indications.
Synonyms: foretell, forecast, foresee, prophesy, presage, vaticinate.
Related words: prognostic (noun), an indication of something in the future, prognostic(adjective), pertaining to or serving as the basis of a prediction (prognostic powers,prognostic evidence), prognostication, a prediction, prophecy, forecast (economicprognostications), prognosticator, a person who makes predictions, prognosis, aprediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease or medical condition.N.B. Take care to distinguish the words prognosis and diagnosis. A diagnosis describesthe nature of the medical condition, a prognosis predicts its likely course and outcome.

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31. ENGENDER (en-JEN-dur)

Back 31

To bring about, bring into being, give rise to, cause to exist, sow the seeds of.
Synonyms: produce, generate.
Antonyms: prevent, suppress, subdue, quell, quash.
Etymology: Latin generare, to beget, produce, bring to life.
Additional useful word: procreation, sexual intercourse, especially when it results inthe creation of offspring.

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32. FETID (FET-id)

Back 32

Stinking, foul-smelling, having an extremely offensive odor, as of something rotten ordecayed.
Synonyms: rank, rancid, malodorous, putrid, noisome, mephitic, graveolent.
Antonyms: fragrant, scented, perfumed, aromatic, redolent.
Etymology: Latin fetidus, stinking, from fetere, to stink.
Usage: Fetid is usually reserved for an extremely offensive odor, such as that producedby rotting or decay.
Spelling and pronunciation tip: The spelling foetid and the pronunciation FEE-tid are
British, If you're American, spell it fetid and pronounce, it with a short E: FET-id.

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33. PEDANTIC (puh-DANT-ik)

Back 33

Absurdly learned, scholarly in an ostentatious way, making an inappropriate or tiresomedisplay of knowledge by placing undue importance on trivial details, rules, or formalities.
Useful phrase noted: mea culpa, (Latin) "my fault", pronounced MAY-uh KUUL-puh.
Corresponding nouns: pedant, a person who overrates learning, makes an inappropriatedisplay of knowledge, or lays undue stress on trivial points or on exact knowledge ofdetail, pedantry, an inappropriate display of learning or a slavish or dogmatic attention torules and minor details of learning.
Etymology and related word: Italian, through Latin, from the Greek paidagogos, a tutorof children, the source also of the word pedagogue, which may mean simply a teacher, ora teacher who is narrow-minded, dogmatic, and pedantic. The Greek paidagogos comesfrom pais, paidos, a boy or child, and agein, to lead or conduct, and means literally aleader or conductor of youngsters. "Among the ancient Greeks and Romans," says theCentury Dictionary, "the pedagogue was originally a slave who attended the youngerchildren of his master, and conducted them to school, to the theater, etc., combining inmany cases instruction with guardianship."

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34. CAPITULATE (kuh-PITCH-uh-layt)

Back 34

To yield, surrender, specifically, to surrender on specified terms or conditions.
Corresponding noun: capitulation, the act of surrendering or yielding on specifiedterms or conditions.
Etymology, related word, and usage: Latin caput, capitis, the head, the source also ofdecapitate. By derivation capitulate means to list the terms of surrender under variousheadings in a document, although some current dictionaries define capitulate as "tosurrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms," in precise usage capitulate means toyield or surrender only on stipulated terms, although the terms do not necessarily haveto be drawn up in a document.

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35. INCHOATE (in-KOH-it)

Back 35

Just begun, in an early stage of development, partly in existence, not fully formed,undeveloped, imperfect, incomplete.
Synonyms: elementary, preliminary, nascent (Level 7, Word 22), rudimentary,incipient.
Etymology: Latin incohatus, just begun, not finished, incomplete, the past participle ofthe verb incohare, to begin, take in hand, start work on.

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36. EXPONENT (eks-POH-nint)

Back 36

A person who stands or speaks for something, a representative or advocate.
Etymology and related word: Latin exponere, to put forth, put on view, display, thesource also of the English verb to expound, to explain, interpret, set forth point by point.

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37. MENDACIOUS (men-DAY-shus)

Back 37

Not truthful, lying, false, dishonest, deceitful.
Etymology: Latin mendacium, a lie, from mendax, lying, deceitful.
Synonyms: fraudulent, hypocritical, disingenuous, evasive, equivocal, duplicitous,prevaricating.
Antonyms: truthful, honorable, upright, ethical, virtuous, scrupulous, veracious.
Corresponding noun: mendacity, untruthfulness, lying, deceit.

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38. STRIDENT (STRY-dint)

Back 38

Loud and harsh-sounding, grating, shrill.
Synonyms: earsplitting, screeching, discordant, clamorous, cacophonous, vociferous,stentorian.
Antonyms: faint, subdued, melodious, dulcet, euphonious.
Etymology and related words: Latin stridere, to make a harsh noise. From stridere,English has also inherited stridor (STRY-dur), a harsh grating or creaking sound or, inmedicine, a harsh sound made when breathing in or out that indicates obstruction of therespiratory tract, stridulous (STRIJ-uh-lus), making a harsh or shrill noise, and stridulate(STRIJ-uh-layt), to make a shrill, high-pitched grating or chirping sound (like a cricket).

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39. OLIGARCHY (AHL-i-gahr-kee)

Back 39

Government by a few, rule or control exercised by a few persons or by a small, elitegroup.
Etymology: Greek oligos, few, little, and archein, to govern, rule.
Usage: Oligarchy may denote rule or control exercised by a few people, a state or anorganization run by a few people, or the few dominant people themselves, and the wordoften suggests the hoarding of power for corrupt or selfish purposes.
Corresponding adjective: oligarchic or oligarchical.
Pronunciation tip: Some speakers pronounce oligarchy with a long O: OH-ligarchy.This recent variant is listed second in two current dictionaries, all other authorities, past
and present, do not recognize it. Properly, the initial O is short, as in olive and college:AHL-igarchy.

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40. REFULGENT (ri-FUHL-jint)

Back 40

Shining brightly, brilliant, radiant, resplendent.
Synonyms: gleaming, blazing, sparkling, luminous, incandescent, scintillating,coruscating. (The discussion defines and distinguishes the last three synonyms.)
Antonyms: (easy) dull, dim, obscure, gloomy, murky, (hard) tenebrous, dark andgloomy, umbrageous, shady or overshadowed, subfuscous, dusky or somber,crepuscular, pertaining to twilight, hence, characterized by dim, waning, or glimmeringlight.
Etymology: Latin refulgere, to shine brightly, from re-, back, and fulgere, to shine,flash, or gleam.
Usage: Refulgent may mean shining, brilliant, radiant, either literally (a refulgent smile,the refulgent beam of a flashlight) or figuratively (a refulgent wit, refulgent beauty).
Corresponding noun: refulgence, brilliance, radiance, resplendence.

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41. NEPOTISM (NEP-uh-tiz'm)

Back 41

Favoritism shown to relatives.
Etymology: Latin nepos, nepotis, a nephew or grandson.
Usage: Despite its specific derivation, nepotism may denote favoritism shown to anyrelative, and the word usually applies to situations in business and public life whererelatives are shown preference over "non-relatives" and receive privileges or positionsthat they may not necessarily deserve.
Corresponding adjective: nepotistic.

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42. RIBALD (RIB-uld)

Back 42

Humorous in a mildly indecent, coarse, or vulgar way.
Synonyms: gross, indelicate, lewd, immodest, sensual, obscene.N.B. Obscene suggests lewdness or indecency that is strongly offensive, whereas ribaldapplies to coarse vulgarity that is humorous and only mildly indecent.
Antonyms: refined, decent, polite, tasteful, cultured, polished, cultivated, decorous,urbane (Level 1, Word 45).
Corresponding noun: ribaldry, language or behavior that is humorous in a mildlyindecent or vulgar way.
Pronunciation tip: Certain dictionaries that cater to the gross whims of the vulgarmasses now record the indelicate spelling pronunciation RY-bald and the equallyuncultivated RIB-ald. There is no rye and there is no bald in ribald. The word should
rhyme with scribbled and dribbled, as this limerick illustrates:William Shakespeare, whenever he scribbled,Used a quill that incessantly dribbled,When his pen leaked a lot,It made Willy quite hot,And he wrote something suitably ribald.

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43. AVUNCULAR (uh-VUNGK-yuh-lur)

Back 43

Like an uncle, pertaining to an uncle, or exhibiting some characteristic considered typicalof an uncle (an avuncular smile, an avuncular slap on the back, avuncular concern,avuncular generosity, avuncular advice).
Etymology: The noun uncle and the adjective avuncular both come from the Latinavunculus, a mother's brother.

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44. SUPPLICATE (SUHP-li-kayt)

Back 44

To ask, beg, or plead for humbly and earnestly.
Synonyms: entreat, petition, importune, beseech.
Etymology and related word: Latin supplicare, to kneel, get on one's knees, fromsupplex, kneeling, on one's knees. By derivation, to supplicate means to beg or plead forsomething on bended knee. From the same source comes supple, bending easily.
Corresponding nouns: supplication, a humble and earnest request or the act of beggingor pleading for something humbly and earnestly. A person who supplicates or who makesa supplication may be called either a suppliant or a supplicant.

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45. IRASCIBLE (eye-RAS-i-buul or i-RAS-i-buul)

Back 45

Easily angered, hot-tempered, extremely irritable or touchy.
Synonyms: cranky, testy, peevish, petulant, irate, cantankerous, contentious (Level 7,Word 16), snappish, choleric, captious, splenetic.
Antonyms: calm, unruffled, placid, amiable, affable, equable
Etymology and related words: The words irascible and irate both come from the Latinverb irasci, to be angry, which comes in turn from ira, anger, wrath. This Latin ira is alsothe direct source of the English word ire, anger, wrath.N.B. Irate suggests temporary anger, the state of being infuriated or enraged at themoment or for the time being. Irascible suggests extreme irritability, and applies to aperson easily provoked to anger. Irascible may also apply to that which displays anger or
extreme irritability: irascible remarks.

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46. INEXORABLE (in-EKS-uh-ruh-buul)

Back 46

Relentless, unyielding, merciless, not able to be stopped, changed, or moved by entreatyor persuasion.
Synonyms: unrelenting, unswerving, inflexible, immovable, uncompromising,intransigent, obdurate, implacable.
Antonyms: flexible, compromising, obliging, compliant, docile (Level 7, Word 28),tractable, acquiescent, complaisant (kum-PLAY-zint).
Etymology: Latin inexorabilis, not moved by entreaty or supplication.N.B. This discussion distinguishes the words inexorable and implacable.

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47. PARVENU (PAHR-vuh-n(y)oo)

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An upstart, specifically, a person who suddenly acquires wealth and power and rises to ahigher class, but who is not accepted by the members of that class.
Etymology: French, literally, "a person newly come into success."
Usage: Parvenu almost always is used in a negative sense of a person who gains wealthand standing, but who cannot gain the social acceptance of the wealthy and powerful. Inthe eyes of the established elite, the parvenu is an upstart-undeserving, uncultured,immodest, and often pretentious.
Related word: arriviste (ar-ree-VEEST). This word also comes from French and meansliterally "a person who has recently arrived." Arriviste is used today of someone whoattains social prominence or a position of power, sometimes by unscrupulous means andalways without paying the necessary dues.N.B. This discussion concludes by distinguishing parvenu and arriviste.

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48. SALUBRIOUS (suh-LOO-bree-us)

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Healthful, wholesome, favorable or conducive to well-being.
Antonyms: insalubrious, deleterious (Level 4, Word 33), pernicious (Level 7, Word 10),noxious, baneful, malign, noisome (Level 9, Word 38).N.B. This discussion distinguishes the synonyms salubrious, salutary, and wholesome.
Etymology: Both salutary and salubrious come from the Latin salus, health.
Corresponding noun: salubriousness.

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49. HYPERBOLE (hy-PUR-buh-lee)

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Exaggeration in speech or writing, especially, extravagant exaggeration that is intentionaland obvious.
Corresponding adjective: hyperbolic (HY-pur-BAHL-ik), less often, hyperbolical.
Pronunciation tip: Occasionally, you will hear an educated speaker who has learned thisword from reading, but who has not bothered to check its pronunciation in a dictionary,say hyper-bowl. Hy-PUR-buh-lee is the only recognized pronunciation.

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50. SANCTIMONIOUS (SANG-ti-MOH-nee-us)

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Self-righteous, holier-than-thou, characterized by insincere or affected righteousness,virtuousness, or religious piety.
Etymology and usage: Latin sanctus, holy, sacred. In modern usage, sanctimoniousrefers to insincere, affected, or hypocritical holiness or righteousness.
Corresponding noun: sanctimony, righteousness or virtuousness that is affected orhypocritical.