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4866 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
h 1
abase
lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect
n abash
embarrass
n abate
subside or moderate
abbreviate
shorten
abdicate
renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)
aberrant
abnormal or deviant
aberration
deviation from the normal; mental disorder
n abet
assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage
n abeyance
suspended action
abhor
detest; hate
abject
(of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology
abjure
renounce upon oath
ablution
washing
abnegation
renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
abolish
cancel; put an end to
abominate
loathe; hate
abominable
detestable; extremely unpleasant
aboriginal
being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine
abortive
unsuccessful; fruitless
abrasive
rubbing away; tending to grind down
abridge
condense or shorten
abrogate
abolish
n abscission
cutting off; separation
abscond
depart secretly and hide
absolute
complete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism
absolve
pardon (an offense)
abstain
refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote; ±â±ÇÇÏ´Ù
abstemious
sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
abstinence
restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote
abstract
theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational
abstruse
obscure; profound; difficult to understand
abusive
coarsely insulting; physically harmful
n abut
border upon; adjoin
abysmal
bottomless
abyss
enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit
academic
related to a school; not practical or directly useful
accede
agree
accelerate
move faster
accessible
easy to approach; obtainable
accessory
additional object; useful but not essential thing
acclaim
applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise
acclimate
adjust to climate or environment; adapt
n acclivity
sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity
accolade
award of merit; strong praise and approval
accommodate
oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging
accomplice
partner in crime
accord
agreement
accost
approach and speak first to a person
n accoutre
equip; N. accoutrement
accretion
growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete
accrue
come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual
n acerbity
bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)
n acetic
vinegary
n acidulous
slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic
acknowledge
recognize; admit
n acme
peak; pinnacle; highest point
acoustics
science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
acquiesce
assent; agree passively; comply without protest
acquittal
deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner
n acrid
bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent
n acrimonious
stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior
acrophobia
fear of heights
actuarial
calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
actuary
someone who advises insurance companies
n actuate
motivate; activate; cause to act
acuity
sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
acumen
mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen
acute
(of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain
n adage
wise saying; proverb
s proverb
adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially
adamant
hard; inflexible
adapt
make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.
n addendum
addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book)
addiction
compulsive habitual need
n addle
make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)
address
direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one's efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech
adept
expert at; very skilled
adhere
stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality
adherent
supporter; follower
adjacent
adjoining; neighboring; close by
adjunct
something attached to but holding an inferior position
adjuration
solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
n adjutant
staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
admonish
warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove
adorn
decorate
adroit
skillful (in using mind or hand)
h 2
adulation
flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved
adulterate
make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances
advent
arrival
adventitious
accidental; casual; happening by chance
adversary
opponent; enemy
adverse
going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile
adversity
great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event
n advert
refer
advocacy
support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something
advocate
speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for
n aegis
shield; protection; defense
n aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry)
nest of a large bird of prey
aesthetic
artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics
affable
easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly
affected
artificial; pretended
affidavit
written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)
affiliation
joining; associating with
affinity
feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages
affirmation
positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination
affliction
state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
affluence
abundance; wealth
affront
insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
n agape
openmouthed
n agenda
items of business at a meeting
n agglomeration
collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass; heap
aggrandize
make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement
aggregate
sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars
aghast
filled with great surprise or fear; horrified
agility
nimbleness; ability to move quickly
agitate
stir up; disturb
agnostic
one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality
n agog
highly excited; intensely curious
agrarian
pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform
alacrity
cheerful promptness without reluctance
alchemy
medieval chemistry
n alcove
nook; recess
alias
an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias
alienate
make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of
alimentary
supplying nourishment
n alimony
payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce
allay
calm; pacify
allege
state without proof
allegiance
loyalty
n allegory
story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable
alleviate
relieve (pain)
alliteration
repetition of beginning sound in poetry
allocate
assign; set apart for a particular purpose
alloy
mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness
allude
refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference
allure
entice; attract; tempt
s siren
apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature
alluvial
pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
n aloof
apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.
n aloft
upward; high up in the air
altercation
noisy quarrel
altruistic
unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism
n amalgamate
(of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body
n amalgam
combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth
n amass
collect (gradually, in a very large amount)
amazon
female warrior
ambidextrous
capable of using either hand with equal ease
ambience
environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature
ambiguous
unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation
ambivalence
the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions
amble
walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly
n ambrosia
food of the gods
s nectar
drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees
ambulatory
able to walk
ameliorate
improve
amenable
obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests
amend
correct; change ; generally for the better
h 3
amenities
convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies
amiable
agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly
amicable
peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement
n amiss
wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.
amity
friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations
amnesia
loss of memory
amnesty
pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)
amoral
nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong
amorous
moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances
amorphous
formless; lacking shape or definition
amphibian
able to live both on land and in water; N.
amphitheater
oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena
n ample
enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space
amplify
increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph
n amputate
cut off part of body; prune (a limb)
n amok(amuck)
in a state of rage; Ex. run amok
n amulet
charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck
anachronism
an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic
n analgesic
causing insensitivity to pain; N.
s analgesia
condition of being unable to feel pain
analogous
comparable; similar
analogy
similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things
anarchist
person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority
anarchy
absence of governing body; state of disorder
n anathema
solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize
ancestry
family descent; ADJ. ancestral
anchor
secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage
ancillary
serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
anecdote
short story of an amusing or interesting event
anemia
condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic
anesthetic
substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia
anguish
acute pain; extreme suffering
angular
sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner
animadversion
critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval
animated
lively; spirited
animosity
active enmity
n animus
hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition
annals
records arranged in yearly parts; history
anneal
reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)
annex
attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one
annihilate
destroy
annotate
comment; make explanatory notes
annuity
yearly allowance
annul
make void
s elope
run away secretly with the intention of getting married
n anodyne
drug that relieves pain or trouble; ÁøÅëÁ¦; opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement
anoint
consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)
anomalous
abnormal; irregular
anomaly
irregularity
anonymity
state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous
antagonism
hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist
antecede
precede
antecedents
preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
antediluvian
antiquated; extremely ancient
n anthem
song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem
n anthology
book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus
anthropoid
manlike; resembling a human being; N.
anthropologist
student of the history and science of humankind
anthropomorphic
having human form or characteristics
anticlimax
letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting
antidote
remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles
antipathy
aversion; dislike or opposition
n antiquated
obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated
antiseptic
substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.
antithesis
contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical
n anvil
iron block used in hammering out metals
apathy
lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic
n ape
imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)
n aperture
opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light
n apex
tip; summit; climax; highest point
aphasia
loss of speech due to injury or illness
aphorism
pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic
n apiary
a place where bees are kept
s hive
box for bees; V: cause to go in a hive
s apiculture
bee-keeping
s apiarist
person who keeps bees
n aplomb
poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence
s poise
good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position
apocalyptic
prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse
n apocryphal
(of a story) widely believed but untrue
apogee
highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee
n apolitical
having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs
n apologist
one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia
n apoplexy
stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain
n apostate
one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
n apothecary
druggist; pharmacist
h 4
n apothegm(apophthegm)
pithy, compact saying
n apotheosis
elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something
appall
dismay; shock deeply
apparition
ghost; phantom
appease
pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement
n appellation
name; title
append
attach
n application
diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself
apposite
appropriate; fitting
appraise
estimate value of; N. appraisal
appreciate
be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference
apprehend
arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension
n apprehensive
fearful; discerning
apprise
inform
approbation
approval
appropriate
acquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate
n appurtenances
subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing
n apropos
with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.
aptitude
fitness; talent
n aquiline
curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose
n arable
fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land
arbiter
person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware
arbitrary
unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler
arbitrate
act as judge (at the request of both sides)
n arboretum
place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited
s arboreal
of or living in trees
arcade
a covered passageway usually lined with shops
arcane
esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener
archaeology
study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
n archaic
antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.
n archetype
prototype; primitive pattern
arch-
chief; first; Ex. archbishop
n archipelago
group of closely located islands
n archives
public records; place where public records are kept
ardor
heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
n arduous
hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work
n argot
slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people
aria
operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
n arid
(of land) dry; barren; unproductive
aristocracy
hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat
armada
fleet of warships
aromatic
fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell
arraign
charge in court; indict
n array
marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array
arrears
being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done
n arrhythmic
lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia
arrogance
pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in one's own importance and a lack of respect for other people)
n arroyo
gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater
s artery
blood-vessel; CF. vein
articulate
effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints
arsenal
storage place for military equipment
artifacts
object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced
n artifice
deception; trickery
artisan
a manually skilled worker
n artless
without guile; open and honest
ascendancy
controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant
ascertain
find out for certain; make certain
ascetic
practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism
ascribe
refer; attribute; assign
aseptic
preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
n ashen
ash-colored; deadly pale
n asinine
stupid; Ex. asinine remarks
n askance
with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at
n askew
crookedly; slanted; at an angle
asperity
sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
aspersion
slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on
aspirant
seeker after position or status
aspire
seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership
assail
assault
n assay
analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)
assent
agree; accept; N. assessment
n assert
state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence
assiduous
diligent
assimilate
absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)
assuage
mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
assumption
something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume
s regent
a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
assurance
firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in fron of his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure; make (something) certain to heappen; make (someone) feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured; confident in one's own ability; showing certainty
asteroid
small planet
n astigmatism
eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism
h 5
n astral
relating to the stars
astringent
binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism
astronomical
enormously large or extensive
astute
wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage
n asunder
into parts; apart; V. sunder
asylum
place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)
asymmetric
not identical on both sides of a dividing central line
n atavism
resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic
atheistic
denying the existence of God; N. atheism
atone
make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for
atrocity
brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious
atrophy
wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)
attentive
alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady; N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration
attenuate
make thin; weaken
attest
testify; bear witness
attribute
essential quality; V: ascribe; explain
attrition
rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition
n atypical
not normal; not typical
audacious
daring; bold; N. audacity
audit
examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.
augment
increase; add to
n augury
omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)
august
impressive; majestic
n aureole
sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light
n auroral
pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis
auspicious
favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices
austere
forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity
authenticate
prove genuine
authoritarian
subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father
authoritative
having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive
autocratic
having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy
automaton
mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself
autonomous
self-governing; N. autonomy
autopsy
examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.
auxiliary
offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant
avalanche
great mass of falling snow and ice
avarice
greediness for wealth
avenge
take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy.
aver
state confidently; declare as true
averse
reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work
aversion
firm dislike
avert
prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight.
aviary
enclosure for birds; large cage
n avid
greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity
avocation
secondary or minor occupation
avow
declare openly; N. avowal
avuncular
of or like an uncle
awe
solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome
s awful
terrible; very bad
n awl
pointed tool used for piercing
n awry
distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.
axiom
self-evident truth requiring no proof
n azure
sky blue
n babble
chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N.
n bacchanalian
drunken
s bacchanal
noisy party with a lot of drinking
s Bacchanalia
the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus
n badger
pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal
n badinage
teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
baffle
frustrate; perplex
n bait
harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals
n baleful
evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look
n balk
stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate
n ballast
heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast
n balm
something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees
s pang
sudden sharp feeling of pain
n balmy
soft and mild (of air); fragrant
banal
hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed
n bandy
discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with
bane
posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous
bantering
joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter
barb
sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark
h 6
n bard
poet
n barefaced
shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
s unregenerate
making no attempt to change one's bad practices
n baroque
highly ornate
barrage
barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism
barrister
counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar
s solicitor
lawyer in the lower court of law
barterer
trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money
n bask
luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth
s luxuriate
take pleasure in great comfort
n bastion
stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
n bate
let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate
n bauble
trinket; cheap jewel; trifle
n bawdy
indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd
n beatific
giving or showing bliss; blissful
s bliss
complete happiness; ADJ. blissful
n beatitude
blessedness; state of great happiness
s mystic
of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism
n bedizen
dress with vulgar finery
s finery
beautiful clothes for a special occasion
n bedraggle
wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled
n beeline
direct quick route
n befuddle
confuse thoroughly
s fuddle
make stupid or confused as with alcholic drink; N. in a fuddle: confused
beget
father; become the father of; produce; give rise to
n begrudge
envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success.
s grudge
deep feeling of dislike; Ex. grudge fight; V.
n beguile
deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile
n behemoth
huge creature; something of monstrous size or power
n beholden
obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude
n behoove(behove)
be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.
n belabor
harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically
n belated
delayed
n beleaguer
besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset
n belie
contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.
belittle
disparage; depreciate
bellicose
warlike
belligerent
quarrelsome
n bemoan
lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of
n bemused
confused; lost in thought; preoccupied
benediction
blessing
benefactor
gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose
beneficent
kindly; doing good
beneficial
helpful; useful; advantageous
beneficiary
person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will
n benefit
advantage; anything that brings helpl, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits
benevolent
generous; charitable; having a wish to do good
benign
kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor
benison
blessing
bent
determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination
bequeath
leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest
n berate
scold strongly
n bereavement
state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
n bereaved
deprived of (someone beloved through death)
n bereft
deprived of (something valuable); lacking
n berserk
mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited
beseech
beg; plead with
n beset
harass or trouble from all directions; hem in
s hem
surround tightly so that movement is impossible; Ex. hem in; N.
besiege
surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
n besmirch
soil; defile; make dirty
n bestial
beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel
bestow
confer
n betoken
signify; indicate; be a sign of
s token
outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude
n betray
be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.
n betroth
become engaged to marry
n bevy
large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets
bicameral
two-chambered as a legislative body
bicker
quarrel
biennial
every two years
n bifurcated
divided into two branches; forked
n bigotry
stubborn intolerance
s bigot
one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)
s intolerant
not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one's own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate
n bilious
suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated
n bilk
swindle; cheat
n billowing
swelling out in waves; surging
s billow
large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows
s swell
long wave of water that moves continuously without breaking; V.
s surge
powerful movement of or like a wave; V.
n bivouac
temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.
bizarre
fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional
n blanch
bleach; whiten; make white or pale
n bland
soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence
n blandishment
flattery
n blare
loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light
s screech
unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V.
s dazzle
make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze; fill with wonder
n blas\'e
bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored
n blasphemy
irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege
n blatant
extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy
n bleak
cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing
n blighted
suffering from a disease; destroyed
s blight
plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy
n blithe(blithesome)
gay; joyous
n bloated
(unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air
n blowhard
talkative boaster; braggart
n bludgeon
club; heavy-headed weapon; V.
n bluff
pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured
h 7
blunder
error; stupid mistake
n blurt
utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement
n bluster
blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale
s bully
one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.
bode
foreshadow; portend
bogus
counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview
n bohemian
unconventional (in an artistic way)
boisterous
violent; rough; noisy
n bolster
support; reinforce
n bolt
door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a
s dart
move or throw suddenly and quickly
s gobble
eat very quickly
n bombardment
attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard
n bombastic
pompous; using inflated language
s bombast
grandiloquent, pompous speech
n boon
blessing; benefit; something very helpful
n boorish
rude; insensitive
s boor
rude, insensitive person
n bouillon
clear beef (or meat) soup
n bountiful
generous; graciously generous; showing bounty
s gracious
kind in a generous way (to someone less important)
bourgeois
middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions
bovine
cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
n bowdlerize
expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler
n brackish
somewhat saline
n braggadocio
boasting
s brag
boast
n braggart
boaster; bragger
n brandish
wave around (a weapon); flourish
n bravado
swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery
s swagger
walk or behave with an over-confident manner
n brawn
human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness
s brawny
muscular; having well-developed muscles
s sturdy
strong and firm (in the body)
n brazen
insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence
s brawl
noisy quarrel
n breach
breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V.
breadth
width; extent
brevity
conciseness; shortness of duration
n brindled
tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
s tawny
brownish yellow
n bristling
rising like bristles; showing irritation
s bristle
short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly
n brittle
hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation
n broach
introduce as a subject; moot; open up
n brocade
rich, figured(patterned) fabric
brochure
pamphlet
n brooch
ornamental clasp; pin
s clasp
hold firmly within arms
n brook
tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream
n browbeat
bully; intimidate
n browse
graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually
s graze
(of an animal) feed on growing grass; cause (an animal) to feed on grass; scrape (esp. the skin) or touch lightly in passing; brush; Ex. We can't graze the cattle till summer; N: surface wound
s skim
read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid
n brunt
main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument
n brusque
blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice
n buccaneer
pirate
n bucolic
rustic; pastoral
n buffet
strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that's been set
s slap
hit quickly with the flat part of the hand; N. CF. smack
n buffoonery
clowning
s buffoon
stupid person; clown
s clown
act stupidly; play the fool; N.
n bugaboo
bugbear; object of baseless terror
n bullion
gold and silver in the form of bars
n bulwark
strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
n bungle
mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior
s botch
mismanage; blow
buoyant
able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market
bureaucracy
overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic
n burgeon
grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon
n burlesque
give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly
n burnish
make shiny by rubbing; polish
n buttress
support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress
s prop
support placed under or against something; V.
n buxom
full-bosomed; plump; jolly
s plump
pleasantly fat; nicely rounded
n cabal
small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
cache
hiding place; V.
cacophonous
discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
cadaver
corpse; dead human body
cadaverous
like a corpse; pale
n cadence
rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm
n cajole
persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle
s coax
persuade by flattery
calamity
disaster; misery
calculated
deliberately planned; likely
n caldron(cauldron)
large kettle
n caliber
ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber
calligraphy
beautiful writing; excellent penmanship
n callous
hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind
s callus
area of thick hard skin
n callow
youthful; immature; inexperienced
n calorific
heat-producing; N. calorie
calumny
malicious misrepresentation; slander
n camaraderie
good-fellowship; CF. comrade
n cameo
shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film
n canard
unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
n candor
frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid
n canine
related to dogs; doglike
n canker
any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer
s ulcer
sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate
n canny
shrewd in money matters; thrifty
n cant
insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people
cantankerous
ill-humored; irritable
n cantata
story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)
n canter
slow gallop; V. CF. trot
h 8
n canto
division of a long poem
n canvass
determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N.
capacious
spacious
n capacity
mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president
n capillary
having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity
n capitulate
surrender; give up all resistance
caprice
whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause
capricious
unpredictable; fickle
caption
title; chapter heading; text under illustration
n captious
faultfinding; too critical
n carafe
glass water bottle; decanter
n carapace
shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)
n carat(karat)
unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold
n carcinogenic
causing cancer; N. carcinogen
n cardinal
chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order
cardiologist
doctor specializing in ailments of the heart
n careen
lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger
s career
rush wildly; go at full speed
s sway
swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one's opinion; N.
caricature
distortion; burlesque
carillon
a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
carnage
destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals
carnal
fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body
carnivorous
meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore
n carousal
drunken revel; V. carouse
n carping
petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble
n carrion
rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture
n cartographer
map-maker
cascade
small waterfall
n caste
one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige
castigation
punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
casualty
serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle
s casual
happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark
n cataclysm
deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change
n catalyst
agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis
catapult
slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
s hurl
throw forcefully; shout out violently
n cataract
great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)
catastrophe
calamity ; disaster
n catcall
shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
n catechism
book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize
categorical
without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute
s qualify
reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated
catharsis
purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
cathartic
purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.
n catholic
(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes
n caucus
private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston
n caulk(calk)
make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)
causal
implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality
caustic
burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
n cauterize
burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection
n cavalcade
procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry
n cavalier
casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight
n cavil
quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily
n cede
yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession
celerity
speed; rapidity
celestial
heavenly
s hereafter
life after death
s afterlife
life after death; later part of one's life
n celibate
abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy
censor
(in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.
n censorious
severely critical
censure
blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval
centaur
mythical figure, half man and half horse
centigrade
denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius)
centrifugal
radiating; departing from the center
centrifuge
machine that separates substances by whirling them
centripetal
tending toward the center
centurion
Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)
cerebral
pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum
cerebration
thought; working of the brain
n ceremonious
marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy
s unceremonious
not done politely without due formalities
n certitude
certainty
cessation
stoppage
n cession
yielding to another; ceding
n chafe
warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.
n chaff
worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff
n chaffing
bantering; joking
n chagrin
annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)
n chalice
goblet; consecrated cup
chameleon
lizard that changes color in different situations
h 9
champion
support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)
s championship
position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion
chaotic
in utter disorder
charisma
divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism
n charlatan
quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)
n chary
cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold
n chase
ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch
chasm
abyss; very deep crack
n chassis
framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached
chaste
morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere
n chasten
discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate
n chastise
punish as by beating; criticize severely
chauvinist
blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin
check
stop motion; curb or restrain
n checkered(chequered)
marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares
n cherubic
angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order
n chicanery
trickery; deception
n chide
scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)
n chimerical
fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature
n chisel
swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
s chip
lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp
chivalrous
courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry
n choleric
hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera
n choreography
art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances
s chore
daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task
n chortle
chuckle with delight; N.
s chuckle
laugh quietly
chronic
long established as a disease
chronicle
report; record (in chronological order)
n churlish
boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo
n ciliated
having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash
cipher
nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
circlet
small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)
circuitous
roundabout
s circuit
closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place
circumlocution
indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly)
circumscribe
limit; confine; draw a line around
n circumspect
prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought
circumvent
outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
n cistern
reservoir or water tank
citadel
fortress
cite
quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record
civil
having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic
clairvoyant
having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance
s hindsight
understanding the nature of an event after it has actually happened
n clamber
climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble
clamor
loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous
clandestine
secret
s chaperon
older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman
n clangor
loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging
n clapper
striker (tongue) of a bell
s clap
strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound; come together suddenly with a sharp sound; put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in jail; N: clapping; loud or explosive sound; CF. applause
n clarion
shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times
claustrophobia
fear of being locked in
n clavicle
collarbone
s scrimmage
disorderly fight between two or more people
cleave
split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven
n cleft
N: split
n clemency
disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement
clich\'e
phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\'ed
s bromide
platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement
n clientele
body of customers
climactic
relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic
n clime
climate
n clique
small exclusive group of people
cloister
monastery or convent
n clout
great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist
cloying
distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
n coagulate
congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant
s clot
half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.
s pudding
hot sweet dish
coalesce
combine; fuse; N. coalescence
coalition
partnership; league; union of separate political parties
n coda
concluding section of a musical or literary composition
n coddle
treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs
n codicil
supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
codify
arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs
coercion
use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce
n coeval
living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age
n cog
tooth projecting from a wheel
cogent
convincing
cogitate
think over; ponder
cognate
having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.
cognitive
having to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing
cognizance
knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware
n cohabit
live together
cohere
stick together
cohesion
tendency to keep together
n cohorts
group of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander (in the ancient Rome)
n coiffure
hairstyle
coin
make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented
coincidence
the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental
n colander
utensil with perforated bottom used for straining
h 10
collaborate
work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy
n collage
work of art put together from fragments
s scrap
small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight; Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for disposal; discard as worthless; fight; quarrel
s scraps
leftover food
s scrappy
quarrelsome
collate
examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)
collateral
security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters
n collation
a light meal; collating
colloquial
pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression
colloquy
informal discussion; conversation
collusion
conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude
colossal
huge
colossus
gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance
n comatose
in a coma; extremely sleepy
s coma
deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow
combustible
easily burned; N. CF. combustion
comely
attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
s homely
not good-looking; unattractive
comestible
something fit to be eaten
n comeuppance
deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke
s deserts
what someone deserves
n comity
courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations
commandeer
take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes
s draft
first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript
s draught
current of air (through a room or to a fire); act of pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of liquid swallowed at a time
n commemorative
remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp
s commemorate
honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war
commensurate
equal in extent; of the same size
commiserate
feel or express pity or sympathy for
commodious
spacious and comfortable
n communal
held in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune
s commune
small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature
compact
agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement
compatible
harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together
compelling
overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel
s compulsion
compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse
s compulsory
obligatory; that must be done
s compulsive
resulting from compulsion
compendium
brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious
compensatory
making up for; repaying
compilation
listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling
compile
assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary
complacency
self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent
s smug
self-satisfied; complacent
complaisant
trying to please; obliging; willing to please others
complement
complete; consummate; make perfect; N.
complementary
serving to complete something
compliance
conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply
compliant
readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements
complicity
participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)
component
element; ingredient
n comport
bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment
s deport
send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment
s bearing
deportment; connection
composure
mental calmness
compound
combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings; Ex. factory compound; CF. complex
comprehensive
broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive
compress
force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.
comprise
include; consist of
n compromise
adjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one's principle; N.
compunction
remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt
compute
reckon; calculate
s reckon
count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose
concatenate
link as in a chain
concave
hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex
concede
admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal
conceit
vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)
s vain
full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity
concentric
having a common center
conception
beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception
n concerted
mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together
concession
an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire
conciliatory
reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)
concise
brief and compact
n conclave
private secret meeting
conclusive
decisive; ending all debate
concoct
prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction
concomitant
that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
concord
harmony; accord
s concordat
formal agreement
concur
agree; coincide; happen at the same time
concurrent
happening at the same time; in agreement
condescend
(derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior
condign
adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
condiments
seasonings; spices
condole
express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow
condone
overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
conducive
helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards
conduit
aqueduct; passageway for fluids
n confidant(confidante)
trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)
s confide
tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about
s confidence
self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling you this in confidence; Ex. exchange confidences about their boyfriends; ADJ. confident
s confidential
spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary
confine
shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement
confiscate
seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
conflagration
great fire
confluence
flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together
conformity
harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance
n confound
confuse; puzzle
congeal
freeze; coagulate
congenial
pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather
congenital
existing at birth
h 11
conglomeration
mass of material sticking together
s conglomerate
corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V.
congruence
correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity
congruent
in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous
n conifer
pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen
conjecture
surmise; guess; V.
conjugal
pertaining to marriage
conjure
cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.
connivance
pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire
connoisseur
person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art
connotation
suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote
connubial
pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
s matrimony
state of being married
s patrimony
property inherited from a father
consanguinity
kinship; relationship by birth
s consanguineous(consanguine)
having a common ancestor
conscientious
scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker
conscript
draftee; person forced into military service; V.
consecrate
dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor
consensus
general agreement; opinion reached by a group
consequential
self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent
conservatory(conservatoire)
school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
consign
send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee
consistency
absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous
console
lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation
consolidation
unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen
consonance
harmony; agreement
s consonant
harmonious; in agreement; N.
consort
associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
conspiracy
treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)
s conspire
take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.
s consternation
great shock; dismay
constituent
supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component
s constituency
voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)
s constitution
constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions
constraint
restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison
construe
explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue
consummate
complete; V.
contagion
infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air
s drastic
strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures
contaminate
pollute
contempt
scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible
contend
struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly
contention
assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition
s thesis
opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments
s boost
lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: push upward; increase
contentious
quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments
contest
dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N.
context
writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs
contiguous
adjacent to; touching upon
n continence
self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent
n contingent
dependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency
contortions
twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist
n contraband
illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.
n contravene
contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention
contrite
penitent; repentant; N. contrition
n contrived
unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.
s contrive
invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention
s contrivance
something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme
controvert
oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
contumacious
stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
contusion
bruise
s bruise
injure without breaking the skin; N.
n conundrum
riddle; difficult problem
convene
come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council
convention
social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement
conventional
ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons
converge
approach; tend to meet; come together
conversant
familiar with; having knowledge of
converse
opposite; ADJ.
convert
one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief
convex
curving outward
conveyance
vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance
conviction
judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief
convivial
pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial
convoke
call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation
convoluted
coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain
s convulsion
violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive
n copious
plentiful
n coquette
flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.
s flirt
behave in a way that attracts (sexual) attention; deal triflingly with; N: one (or woman) given to flirting; ADJ. flirtatious
cordial
warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome
n cordon
extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; (¾î±ú¿¡¼­ °Üµå¶û ¹ØÀ¸·Î °ÉÄ¡´Â) Àå½Ä ¸®º»; V.
n cornice
projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars); ó¸¶ Àå½Ä
n cornucopia
horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty
corollary
natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)
n corporeal
bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible
corpulent
very fat; N. corpulence
s corpus
collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse
s corpuscle
red or white cell in the blood
correlation
mutual relationship
s correlate
either of the correlated things; V.
corroborate
confirm; support; strengthen
corrode
destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period)
corrosive
eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce
n corrugated
wrinkled; ridged
s wrinkle
small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.
s crinkle
wrinkle
cosmic
pertaining to the universe; vast
n coterie
group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests
countenance
approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance
n countermand
cancel; revoke (an order)
h 12
counterpart
thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system
n coup
highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d'\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills
couple
join; unite; OP. uncouple
n courier
messenger
n covenant
binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise
s bargain
agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power
covert
secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
n covetous
avaricious; desirous of (someone else's possessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else's possessions)
n cow
terrorize; intimidate
n cower
shrink quivering as from fear; cringe
n coy
shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer¸¦ ¹Þ¾ÒÀ» ¶§
n cozen
cheat; hoodwink; swindle
n crabbed
sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting
s peevish
bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry
n crass
very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior
craven
cowardly
credence
belief
n credo
creed
credulity
belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\'e; ADJ. credulous
creed
system of religious or ethical belief
crescendo
increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent
s far-fetched
too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story
s overture
musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
n crestfallen
dejected; dispirited
s crest
top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird
n crevice
crack; fissure
cringe
shrink back as if in fear; cower
criteria
standards used in judging; CF. criterion
n crone
hag; ugly old woman
n crotchety
(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
n crux
essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance
crypt
secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
cryptic
mysterious; hidden; secret
n cubicle
small chamber used for sleeping or work
s compartment
one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
n cuisine
style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine
n culinary
relating to cooking or kitchen
n cull
pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.
culmination
highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war
culpable
deserving blame; blameworthy
s culprit
one guilty of a crime
n culvert
artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road
cumbersome
heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform
cumulative
growing by addition; accumulative
cupidity
greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
curator
superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)
n curmudgeon
churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person
n cursive
(of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined
cursory
casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
curtail
shorten; reduce
cynical
skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness
n cynosure
object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor
n dabble
work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid
n dais
raised platform for speakers or other important people
n dally
trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time
n dank
damp; unpleasantly wet
n dapper
neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry
n dappled
spotted
n daub
smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
s smear
spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing
s smudge
dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.
daunt
intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
dauntless
bold; fearless
dawdle
loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing
deadlock
standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate
s standstill
condition of no movement or activity; stop
n deadpan
wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face
dearth
scarcity
d\'eb\^acle
sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster
debase
degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement
s kneel
go down on one's knee(s)
n debauch
corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)
s seduce
lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive
debilitate
weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble
s bout
match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu
n debonair
(of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition
d\'ebris
rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed
n debunk
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule
n debutante
young woman making formal entrance into society
s debut
d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society
decadence
decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent
decant
pour off gently (wine or liquid)
decapitate
behead
decelerate
slow down
h 13
n deciduous
falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth
decimate
kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of
decipher
decode; CF. indecipherable
n declivity
downward slope
n d\'ecollet\'e
(of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)
s decree
authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree
n decomposition
decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts
decorum
propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct
s decorous
proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)
decoy
lure or bait; V.
decrepitude
state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age
s decrepit
weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man
n decry
express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films
deducible
derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning
deface
mar; disfigure
s mar
spoil the appearance of
defame
harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory
default
failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.
n defeatist
resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism
defection
desertion
s defect
shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)
defer
give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous
deference
courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery
defiance
refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant
defile
pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains
definitive
most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court
deflect
turn aside; turn away from a straight course
n defoliate
destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant
n defray
provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay
n defrock
strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
s frock
long loose garment (worn by monks)
deft
neat; skillful
defunct
dead; no longer in use or existence
degenerate
become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person
degradation
humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank
s dishonor
disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable
n dehydrate
remove water from; dry out
deify
turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity
n deign
condescend; stoop
s stoop
bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something; condescend; Ex. stoop to lying
delete
erase; strike out
n deleterious
harmful
deliberate
consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow
delineate
portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation
delirium
mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious
delta
flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river
delude
deceive
deluge
flood; rush; V.
delusion
false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that
delusive
deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
n delve
dig; search deeply; investigate
demagogue
person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
demean
disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave
demeanor
behavior; bearing
demented
insane
demise
death
n demographic
related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population
demolition
destruction; V. demolish
n demoniac(demoniacal)
fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil
s fiend
evil spirit; devil
n demotic
of or pertaining to the people
n demur
object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday
n demure
(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure
denigrate
blacken; defame
denizen
(animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor
denotation
meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation
n d\'enouement
final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained
denounce
condemn; criticize; N. denunciation
depict
portray
s expos\'e
public revelation of something discreditable
deplete
reduce; exhaust
deplore
regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition
deploy
spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically
s battalion
army unit made up of four or more companies
depose
dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify
deposition
testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
depravity
extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave
deprecate
express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory
depreciate
lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value
depredation
plundering; destruction
deranged
insane
s institute
organization for a special purpose; V: establish
s institution
instituting; (building for the) organization; established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage
s institutionalize
make into an institution; put or confine in an institution
derelict
negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person
s dereliction
neglect of duty; abandonment
deride
ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect
derision
ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory
derivative
unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N.
s derivation
deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word
dermatologist
one who studies the skin and its diseases
s acne
skin disease (on the face)
h 14
derogatory
expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage
n descry
catch sight of (something distant)
desecrate
profane; violate the sanctity of
s violate
break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves
desiccate
dry up
desolate
(of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless
desolate
make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert
n desperado
reckless, desperate outlaw
s desperate
having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort
despise
look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible
despoil
plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village
despondent
without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection
despot
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
destitute
extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience
s impoverish
make poor; deprive of natural strength or something important; Ex. impoverished soil
desultory
aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
n detached
emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment
s detain
keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention
n determinate
having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final
n determination
resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision
deterrent
something that discourages or deters
detonation
explosion
detraction
slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor
detrimental
harmful; damaging; N. detriment
deviate
turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
n devious
roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route
devise
think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest
devoid
empty; lacking
n devolve
deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to
s deputize
work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away
devotee
enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach
devout
pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope
dexterous
skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity
diabolical
diabolic; devilish; fiendish
n diadem
crown
dialectical
relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
diaphanous
sheer; transparent
n diatribe
bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse
dichotomy
division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)
n dictum
authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)
n didactic
(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism
n die
metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice
diffidence
shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident
n diffuse
wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse
digression
wandering away from the subject; V. digress
dilapidated
falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation
dilate
expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)
dilatory
delaying; tending to delay
dilemma
situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
n dilettante
aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight
diligence
steadiness of effort; persistent hard work
dilute
make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president
diminution
lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish
din
continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition
s weary
tired after long work; V.
n dinghy
small boat (often ship's boat)
s maroon
leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown
n dingy
(of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain
s dull
(of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.
n dint
means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
n diorama
life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background
n dire
warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food
n dirge
funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)
disabuse
correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief
n disaffected
disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty
disapprobation
disapproval; condemnation
n disarray
state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray
n disavowal
denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim
n disband
dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.
n disburse
pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse
discernible
distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement
discerning
mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive
n disclaim
disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer
disclose
reveal; N. disclosure
n discombobulated
discomposed; confused
s discompose
disturb the composure of; confuse
discomfit
frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
n disconcert
confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb
disconsolate
hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
discord
conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played)
discordant
not harmonious; conflicting
n discount
disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; deduct from a cost
discourse
serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.
discredit
defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful
discrepancy
lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions
discrete
separate; unconnected
discretion
prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary
discriminating
able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination
s discriminate
distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference
s brisk
quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor
n discursive
(of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)
disdain
treat with scorn or contempt
n disembark
debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark
disenfranchise
disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise
n disengage
uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage
disfigure
mar the appearance of; spoil
n disgorge
surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge
n disgruntle
make discontented
h 15
dishearten
discourage
n disheveled
untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel
disinclination
unwillingness
n disingenuous
not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous
n disinter
dig up; unearth; OP. inter
disinterested
unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective
disjointed
disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin
disjunction
act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive
n dislodge
remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge
n dismantle
take apart; disassemble
s mantle
loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core
s crust
hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)
dismember
cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb
n dismiss
eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal
disparage
belittle
maneuver(manoeuver)
strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end
disparate
basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated
disparity
difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity
dispassionate
calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings
dispatch
speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill
dispel
scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
s dispense
distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule
disperse
scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd
n dispirited
lacking in spirit
n disport
amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
disputatious
argumentative; fond of argument
disquietude
uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious
n disquisition
formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report
dissection
analysis; cutting apart in order to examine
n dissemble
disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend
disseminate
distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)
dissent
disagree
dissertation
formal essay; treatise
dissident
dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.
n dissimulate
pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble
dissipate
squander; waste foolishly; scatter
n dissolution
disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life
s reduce
diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into components by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce the house to rubble; N. reduction
dissuade
persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion
s dissonance
discord
n distant
reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly
distend
expand; swell out
distill
refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew
n distinction
honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction
s distinct
clearly different; clearly noticed
s distinctive
clearly different from others of the same kind
distort
twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion
n distrait
absentminded; distracted
n distraught
upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry
s distract
take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted
diurnal
daily; occurring during the daytime
diva
operatic singer; prima donna
diverge
vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating
diverse
differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity:
diversion
act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse
divest
strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)
divine
perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination
s dowse
use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals
divulge
reveal
docile
obedient; easily managed; submissive
s ferocious
fierce; violent; N. ferocity
n docket
program as for trial; book where such entries are made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket
n doctrinaire
unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties
doctrine
teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal
s indoctrinate
cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism
n document
provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.
n doddering
shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder
s merit
deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise
n doff
take off; OP. don
n dogged
determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert's dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean
s persevere
continue steadily in spite of difficulties
n doggerel
poor verse
dogmatic
opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal
n doldrums
blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy); slack(inactive) period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums
s blues
state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)
dolorous
sorrowful; N. dolor
n dolt
slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull
n domicile
home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain.
n domineer
rule over tyrannically
s dominate
control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; ³»·Á´Ùº¸´Ù
s dominant
exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive
n don
put on; OP. doff
s outfit
clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit
dormant
sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent
n dormer
window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room
dorsal
relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin
n dossier
file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back
n dotage
senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage
n dote
be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
n dour
sullen; gloomy; stubborn
s sullen
silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy
s brood
sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time
n douse
plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse
n dowdy
untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman
n downcast
disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward
n drab
dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life
n draconian
extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician
n dregs
sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue
n drivel
nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense
s nonsense
speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail
s dribble
flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.
s drip
fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops
s trickle
flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.
n droll
queer and amusing
s queer
strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal
n drone
idle person who lives on other people's work; male bee
n drone
talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.
s murmur
low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble
n dross
waste matter; worthless impurities
drudgery
hard unpleasant work; menial work
s drudge
do drudgery; N: person who drudges
n dubious
questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety
n ductile
malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled
n dulcet
sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious
n dumbfound(dumfound)
astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck
n dupe
someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive
n duplicity
double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous
h 16
duration
length of time something lasts
n duress
forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress
n dutiful(duteous)
(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)
n dwindle
shrink; reduce gradually
dynamic
energetic; vigorously active
s dynamo
generator for producing electricity; energetic person
n dyspeptic
suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food
s dys-
abnormal; impaired
s dyslexia
word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read
s dysentery
inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract
n earthy
unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal
s earthly
of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason
ebb
(of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide
ebullient
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
eccentric
irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric
eccentricity
oddity; idiosyncrasy
ecclesiastic
ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
s chapel
small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)
s chaplain
clergyman attached to a chapel
s padre
chaplain (in the armed forces)
eclectic
selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism
eclipse
darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse
s ecliptic
path of the sun and the planets
ecologist
person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology
s ecosystem
ecological community together with its environment
economy
efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources
ecstasy
rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy
s rapture
great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous
n eddy
swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.
edict
decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command
s sovereign
ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent
s sovereignty
complete independence and self-government (of a country); supremacy of authority; power to govern
n edify
instruct; correct morally
s edifice
building (of imposing size)
eerie
weird; causing fear because strange
efface
rub out; remove the surface of
effectual
able to produce a desired effect; valid
s effective
effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph
s effectuate
effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation
effeminate
having womanly traits
s emasculate
weaken; castrate
s castrate
remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)
n effervescence
inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce
effete
having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted
efficacy
power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual
effigy
dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President
s dummy
imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy
n effluvium
noxious(harmful) smell
effrontery
rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek
s effulgent
shining brightly; brilliant
effusion
pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing
s gush
(of liquid) pour out in large quantities from a hole; make an excessive display of feeling (without true feeling); Ex. Blood gushed from the wound.
egoism
excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical
s ego
one's opinion of oneself; self-esteem
egotistical
egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited
s egotism
tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance
egregious
notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
n egress
exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress
n ejaculation
exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate
n elaboration
addition of details; intricacy
s elaborate
work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ.
elated
filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation
n elegy
poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac
elicit
draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)
n elixir
cure-all; panacea; something invigorating
ellipsis
omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses
elliptical
elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out
eloquence
expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced
elucidate
explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid
elusive
evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me.
n elysian
relating to paradise; blissful
s Elysium
place or condition of bliss
emaciated
thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)
emanate
issue forth; come out
emancipate
set free; liberate
embargo
ban on commerce or other activity
embark
commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
embed(imbed)
enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass
embellish
adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details)
embezzlement
taking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one's care)
s emblazon
ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment
s embody
give a bodily form to; incorporate; include
n emboss
produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design
embrace
hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet
s encircle
surround
embroider
decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish
embroil
throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio
embryonic
undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development
emend
correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
n emetic
substance causing vomiting; ADJ.
n eminent
rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position
emissary
agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger
emollient
soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
emolument
salary; payment for an office; compensation
n empathy
ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy
s compassion
sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate
empirical
based on experience
n emulate
imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)
n enamored
in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love
encipher
encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher
enclave
territory enclosed within an alien land
encomiastic
praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy
encompass
surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.
encroachment
gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another's possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon
h 17
encumber
burden; N. encumbrance
n endearment
fond word or act; expression of affection
s endear
make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced
endemic
prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic
endorse
approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal
endue
provide with some quality; endow
enduring
lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive
energize
invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active
enervate
weaken; take away energy from
enfranchise
admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
n engage
attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle
engaging
charming; attractive
s engaged
employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict
engender
cause; produce; give rise to
engross
occupy fully; absorb
enhance
increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve
enigma
puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling
s puzzle
baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by reasoning; Ex. puzzle out the answer; N.
enjoin
command; order; forbid
enmity
ill will; hatred; hostility
n ennui
boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy
enormity
hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous
n enrapture
please intensely; fill with rapture and delight
n ensconce
settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
ensue
follow (as a result)
entail
make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B
n enterprising
full of initiative; showing enterprise
s enterprise
willingness to take new ventures; initiative; business organization; plan (that is difficult or daring); Ex. their latest enterprise to sail round the world in a small boat
enthrall
capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound
entice
lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt
s mischief
behavior (of children) causing trouble with no serious harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops; ADJ. mischievous: causing mischief; playfully troublesome
entity
real being
entomology
study of insects
n entrance
put under a spell(condition caused by magical power); carry away(fill with strong feeling) with emotion; put into a trance; fill with delight
s trance
hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one's physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition
s hypnosis
induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize
entreat
plead; ask earnestly
n entree(entr\'ee)
entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle
entrepreneur
businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial
enumerate
list; mention one by one
n enunciate
announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him.
environ
enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)
n eon(aeon)
long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras
n epaulet(epaulette)
ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)
s fringe
decorative edge of hanging threads; edge
ephemeral
short-lived; fleeting
s fleet
fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral
epic
long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand
epicure
connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus
s Epicurean
believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N.
n epigram
witty thought or saying, usually short
epilogue
short speech at conclusion of dramatic work
n episodic
(of a story or play) loosely connected; made up of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident in the course of an experience
n epistemologist
philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology
n epitaph
inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone)
n epithet
word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)
epitome
perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody
epoch
period of time
equable
tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform
equanimity
calmness of temperament; composure
n equestrian
rider on horseback; ADJ.
equilibrium
balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity
n equine
resembling a horse; Ex. equine face
equinox
period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial
n equipoise
balance; balancing force; equilibrium
equitable
fair; impartial; OP. inequitable
equity
fairness; justice; OP. inequity
n equivocal
(of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal
n equivocate
use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation
erode
eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks.
erotic
pertaining to passionate love or sexual love
n errant
wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant
n erratic
odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable
erroneous
mistaken; wrong; incorrect
erudite
(of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition
escapade
prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules
s prank
mischievous trick
s flighty
(esp. of a woman's behavior) capricious; often changing, esp. from one lover to another; impulsive
n eschew
avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks
n esoteric
hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica
espionage
spying
n espouse
adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal
esteem
respect; value; judge; N.
estranged
separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement
n ethereal
like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. ether: upper air
s airy
of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal
n ethnic
relating to races
n ethnology
study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology
n ethos
underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos
etymology
study of word parts; study of the origins of words
eugenic
pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race
eulogistic
praising; full of eulogy
h 18
n eulogy
expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize
euphemism
mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic
euphony
sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious
n euphoria
feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric
euthanasia
mercy killing
evanescent
fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce
n evasive
not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit
evince
show clearly
n evenhanded
impartial; fair
evocative
tending to call up (emotions, memories)
evoke
call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation
n ewe
female sheep
s ram
male sheep; V. strike or drive against with a heavy impact
exacerbate
worsen; aggravate; embitter
s embitter
make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.
exacting
extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety
s exact
demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from him; N. exaction
exalt
raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation
n exasperate
vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)
n exceptionable
objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable
s except
exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality
n excerpt
selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V.
n exchequer
treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer
s chancellor
legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor
s treasure
keep as precious; cherish
excise
cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision
exclaim
cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory
n excoriate
scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
exculpate
clear from blame or guilt
n execrable
very bad; detestable
execrate
curse; express abhorrence for; detest
execute
put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution
s executor
person designated to execute the terms of a will; ¿¹¼ú ÀÛÇ°ÀÇ Á¦ÀÛÀÚ
s executioner
person administering capital punishment
s executive
person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing
s legislature
legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make laws
s judiciary
judicial branch of government
n exegesis
explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages
exemplary
serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model
exemplify
show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.
exempt
not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V.
exertion
effort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert oneself: make a great effort
s exhale
breathe out; OP. inhale
exhilarating
invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car
n exhort
urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation
s urge
drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action
s urgent
compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands
exhume
dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
exigency
urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
exiguous
small in amount; minute
n existential
pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism
exodus
departure (of a large number of people)
exonerate
acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt
exorbitant
(of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds
exorcise
drive out evil spirits
exotic
not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress
s intrigue
make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of; N: secret scheme; plot; secret love affair
n expansive
(of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size
s outgoing
sociable; eager to mix socially with others
n expatiate
talk at length; speak or write in detail
expatriate
exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country
expedient
suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient
expedite
hasten; make go faster
s expeditious
done with speed; quick; N. expedition
expenditure
payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy
expertise
specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill
expiate
make amends for (a sin)
n expletive
meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word
s interjection
exclamation; Ex. ``Ouch''
s swear
vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words
s swear-word
word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody''
s oath
solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. ``For Christ's sake''
explicate
explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable
explicit
totally clear; definite; outspoken
exploit
brave and successful act; deed or action, particularly a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean
exploit
make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation
expository
explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition
n expostulation
protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate
exposure
risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption
expound
explain
n expropriate
take possession of (often for public use and without payment)
n expunge
cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); erase
expurgate
clean; remove offensive parts of a book
extant
(of something written or painted) still in existence
extemporaneous
not planned; impromptu; extempore
n extenuate
weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)
extirpate
root up; uproot; destroy completely
n extol
praise very highly; glorify
extort
wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant
s wring
twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)
n extradition
surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite
n extraneous
not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject
n extrapolation
projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information
extricate
free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle
extrinsic
external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic
extrovert
person interested mostly in external objects and actions
s mingle
mix together in close association
n extrude
force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die
n exuberance
overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly
s glow
shine brightly without a flame (as of eyes or metals); show redness and heat (in the face) after hard work or because of strong feelings; N: light produced by a heated body; brilliance of a color
n exude
flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation
s ooze
(of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or thick liquid as at the bottom of a river
exult
rejoice
fabricate
build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society
n facade(fa\c{c}ade)
front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance
facet
small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side
n facetious
joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous
n facile
easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex. facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; something that facilitates an action; amenity; Ex. with great facility
facilitate
help bring about; make less difficult
facsimile
copy
n faction
party; clique (within a large group); dissension
s dissension
disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group
n factious
inclined to form factions; causing dissension
n factitious
artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears
n factotum
handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything
faculty
mental or bodily powers; teaching staff
h 19
fallacious
false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument
fallible
liable to err
s falsify
make (something written) false by changing
n fallow
(of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated
s sow
plant or scatter seed
n falter
hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N.
s stumble
trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.
fanaticism
excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic
fancied
imagined; unreal
n fancier
breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal
n fanciful
whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme
s fancy
imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); capricious liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decorative; elaborate
n fanfare
call by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spectacular public display
n farce
broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly things happening; ADJ. farcical
n fastidious
difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky
s squeamish
easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant things; fastidious; Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish.
n fatalism
belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death
fathom
comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water
s fathomless
too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable
n fatuous
smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness
fauna
animals of a period or region; CF. flora
n fawning
courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness
s court
attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster
n faze
disconcert; dismay; embarrass
feasible
practical; able to be carried out; practicable
n febrile
feverish
n fecundity
fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young
s fertile
producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing good crops; V. fertilize
s fruitful
producing results; profitable; prolific; producing in abundance
feign
pretend
n feint
trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.
s shift
change position or place; exchange (one thing) for another; change in direction or position; Ex. shift the stolen goods; N. group of workers which takes turns with other groups; working period of such a group
n felicitous
(of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
n felicity
happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous
s feline
of a member of the cat family; N.
n fell
cruel; (of a disease) deadly
n fell
cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down (with a missile)
felon
person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime
n feral
(of an animal) not domestic; wild
n ferment
agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)
s fermentation
chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation
n ferret
drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive out (as from a hiding place); expel; uncover or discover by searching; Ex. ferret out the secret; N. small fierce animal which catches rats and rabbits by going into their holes
n fervent
ardent; zealous; hot
n fervid
ardent; zealous; hot
s impassioned
(of speech) filled with passion; fervent
n fervor
glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat
n fester
rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut or wound) generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered in my mind for days.
festive
joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival
n fete(f\^ete)
honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast
n fetid(foetid)
malodorous; foul
s foul
very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means; N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit a foul
s fetish(fetich)
object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism
n fetter
shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot
n fiasco
total failure; CF. bottle
n fiat
command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done
fickle
changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless
n fictitious
imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional
fidelity
loyalty; accuracy
n figment
invention; something invented; imaginary thing; Ex. figment of your imagination
figurative
not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech
s figure
written symbols; number; amount represented in numbers; outline or silhouette of a thing or human body; person (well-known); impression; diagram; pattern; group in a dance; Ex. figure of speech; V. calculate with numbers; adorn with figures; appear; consider; Ex. My name did not figure in the list.
n figurine
small ornamental statuette(very small statue)
n filch
steal (things of small value)
s pilfer
steal things of small value; filch; snitch
n filial
pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect
n filibuster
block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter
s freebooter
pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich
s bust
piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster
n filigree
delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork
s lace
cord used to draw and tie together two opposite edges (as of a shoe); delicate fabric made of fine threads; V: draw together by tying a lace
n filing
particle removed by a file
finale
conclusion; concluding part
n finesse
delicate skill; V: handle with finesse
n finicky
too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about her food
s fussy
fastidious; finicky; easily upset
s fuss:
trouble or worry over trifles; make nervous; pay too much attention to; N: needless concern or worry (about a trivial thing); anxious nervous condition; display of attention; Ex. make a fuss over the baby
finite
limited
n firebrand
piece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person who stirs up trouble
s hothead
person who does things too quickly without thinking; ADJ. hotheaded
fissure
crevice; crack
n fitful
spasmodic; intermittent; irregular
s fit
sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion caused by epilepsy
n flaccid
flabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid muscles
s limp
walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak
n flag
droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging
s droop
bend or hang downward; become weakened; Ex. His shoulders drooped with tiredness; N.
flagrant
conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous
outrage
act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive
n flail
beat with or as if with a flail; move wildly; thresh grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about; N: threshing tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a long handle
s thresh
beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw
s toss
throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
n flair
talent
n flamboyant
ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; showy; CF. flame
n flaunt
display ostentatiously; Ex. ``Honey, if you've got it, flaunt it !''
n flay
strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly
n fleck
spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot
n fledgling(fledgeling)
inexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person
n fleece
wool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob by a trick; swindle; plunder
s shear
remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears; pair of scissors
s trickster
person who cheats people
n flick
light stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light quick blow; strike with a light quick blow (as from a whip); Ex. flick the switch
s flicker
burn unsteadily or fitfully; move waveringly; N: flickering movement or light; brief sensation; Ex. flicker of excitement
s flutter
(of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings) lightly, rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or erratically; fly by waving quickly; flitter; N.
n flinch
hesitate; shrink back (in fear of something unpleasant); Ex. She did not flinch in the face of danger.
h 20
n flippant
lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about death; N. flippancy
s flip
send (something) spinning, often into the air, by striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over
n flit
fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower
n floe
flat mass of floating ice
flora
plants of a region or era
s florescence
condition or period of flowering
n florid
ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose
s flush
redden; blush; flow suddenly and abundantly; wash out by a rapid brief flow of water; N: reddish tinge; blush; brief rush; rush of strong feeling; Ex. flush of pride; ADJ: having surfaces in the same plane; even; blushing
s blush
become red in the face (from embarrassment or shame); become red or rosy; N.
s tinge
give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy
s tint
slight degree of color; V: give a tint to
s flowery
full of flowers; full of ornate expressions
n flotsam
drifting wreckage
s jetsam
things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship)
n flounder
struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion
s thrash
beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk about thoroughly in order to find the answer; move wildly or violently; Ex. The fishes thrashed about in the net.
flourish
grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation (esp. in handwriting)
n flout
reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the rules
s curb
chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain
fluctuate
waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly
fluency
smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent
n fluke
unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky
n fluster
confuse; make nervous and confused; N.
n fluted
having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar); V. flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: long rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column
s groove
long narrow channel made in a surface to guide the movement of something; Ex. groove of the record
s stammer
speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions
n flux
flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux
n fodder
coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for livestock; CF. food
n foible
small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble
n foil
contrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinctive characteristics of another
n foil
defeat; frustrate; prevent from being successful; thwart; CF. fail
n foist
insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist
s palm
conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off; Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the painting as a real Renoir
s pass_off
present falsely; represent falsely to be
n foliage
masses of leaves; CF. defoliate
n foment
stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant)
n foolhardy
rash; reckless; foolishly daring
n foppish
vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance
n foray
raid; sudden raid or military advance; V.
n forbearance
patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison
n ford
place where a river can be crossed on foot; V.
n forebears(forbears)
ancestors
foreboding
premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant)
n forensic
suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic science/medicine
s forum
public square of an ancient Roman city; public place for open discussion; court of law
foreshadow
give an indication beforehand; be a sign of (what is coming); portend; prefigure
s prefigure
be a sign of; foreshadow
s forerunner
predecessor; one that comes before and indicates the approach of another
foresight
ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future
forestall
prevent by taking action in advance
s nuptial
of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials; wedding ceremony
s forfeit
something surrendered as punishment for a crime or breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. forfeiture
s forge
counterfeit; reproduce fraudulently; form by heating in a forge and hammering into shape; move with a sudden increase of speed or power; Ex. forged ahead in the last two years; N: furnace where metals are heated
forgo(forego)
give up; do without
forlorn
sad and lonely; wretched; desolate
formality
ceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence to rules; something done just for form's sake; Ex. mere formality
formidable
menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question
s menace
threat; V: threaten
n forsake
desert; abandon; renounce
n forswear
renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure
forte
strong point or special talent in a person's character
n forthright
straightforward; direct; frank
s forthcoming
happening in the near future; ready; willing to help; Ex. No answer was forthcoming.
fortitude
bravery; courage; strength of mind
n fortuitous
accidental; by chance; N. fortuity
n foster
rear; bring up (for a certain period only); encourage; promote the development of (feelings or ideas); Ex. help foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care although not related by blood; Ex. foster parents
n founder
fail completely; sink; CF. flounder
founder
person who establishes (an organization or business)
n fracas
brawl(noisy quarrel or fight) in which a number of people take part; melee
n fractious
unruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex. fractious horse
frail
weak; N. frailty
franchise
right or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory
n frantic
wild; distraught as from fear or worry; Ex. frantic with fear
fraudulent
cheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; N. fraud: deception; swindle
n fraught
filled (with something unpleasant); full; Ex. fraught with danger and difficulties; CF. freight
n fray
brawl; fight; V: wear away or unravel by rubbing; have loose threads developing; cause to become worn out (a person's temper or nerves); CF. rub
n frenetic(phrenetic)
frenzied; frantic
n frenzied
madly excited; N. frenzy: violent wild excitement
n fresco
painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)
s paste
smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: cause to adhere by applying paste
s pastry
paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)
s plaster
paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls; V.
n fret
be annoyed or vexed; Ex. fret over your poor grades; N: irritation of mind; ADJ. fretful
friction
clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against
n frieze
ornamental horizontal band on a wall
frigid
intensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone
n fritter
waste (time or money on unimportant things)
frivolous
lacking in seriousness; flippant; self-indulgently carefree; unworthy of serious attention; relatively unimportant; trivial
s self-indulgence
excessive indulgence of one's own desire
s carefree
free from worries; having no problems
n frolicsome
prankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky
s frolic
play and jump about happily; frisk; Ex. frolicking young lambs
n frond
fern leaf; palm or banana leaf
s litter
waste material thrown away (as bits of paper scattered untidily); V: cover untidily with scattered litter
n fructify
bear fruit; produce fruit
frugality
thrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing economy; costing little; inexpensive
fruition
bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come to/be brought to fruition
frustrate
thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose
fugitive
fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large
n fulcrum
support on which a lever rests or pivots
n fulminate
thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation
n fulsome
disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire
fumble
move the fingers and hands awkwardly (in search of something); mishandle or drop a ball that is in play; bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N.
n functionary
official (who performs a particular function)
s functional
made for practical use only (without decoration); functioning; Ex. functional modern furniture; CF. functionalism
fundamental
basic; primary; essential
n funereal
sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral
n furor
frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury
n furtive
stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance
s sneak
move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N: one who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky
s underhand(underhanded)
done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)
s sly
clever in deceiving; secretive; not telling one's intentions
n fusillade
simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)
fusion
union; coalition; V. fuse
futile
useless; hopeless; ineffectual
n gadfly
animal-biting fly; irritating person
n gaffe
social blunder
h 21
n gainsay
deny
n gait
manner of walking or running; speed
galaxy
large isolated system of stars, such as the Milky Way; collection of brilliant personalities
gale
windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughters, tears); Ex. gale of laughter
n gall
bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; ´ãÁó(bile); CF. gall bladder
n gall
annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation
galleon
large three-masted sailing ship
s galley
low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves)
s clipper
sailing vessel built for great speed
s pinnace
small boat
s clip
cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener
n galvanize
stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity
s galvanic
of the production of electricity by the action of an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani
n gambit
opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage
s ploy
strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy
n gambol
romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N.
s romp
play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.
s zest
outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life
n gamely
in a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight gamely against a superior boxer; ADJ. game
n gamut
entire range
n gape
open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape
n garbled
mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or distort (a message) to such an extent as to make misleading or unintelligible
s jumble
mix in a confused way
n gargantuan
huge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of Gargantua and Pantagruel
gargoyle
waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building
n garish
overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy
s trim
make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the edges); Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur; N. ADJ: tidy; in good order
n garner
gather; store up; amass
n garnish
decorate; add a garnish to; decorate (food or drink) with small items such as lemon slices; N.
n garrulous
loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity
n gastronomy
art and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome
gauche
clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth
n gaudy
flashy; showy
s flashy
showy; gaudy; giving a momentary brilliance
s gild
cover with a thin layer of gold
n gaunt
lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren
n gavel
hammerlike tool; mallet(wooden hammer) used by a presiding officer or an auctioneer; V.
s bid
command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N: offer of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain something; Ex. bid for freedom
n gawk
stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe
n gazette
official periodical publication; newspaper
genealogy
record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry
generality
vague statement; general statement which is not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most; Ex. generality of people
generate
cause; produce; create
generic
characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus
s genus
division of animals or plants, below a family and above a species
genesis
beginning; origin
n geniality
cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. genial: cheerful and good-tempered
genre
particular variety of art or literature
n genteel
well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty
n gentility
those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel
s breed
produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant
s crossbreed
hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. inbreed
s well-bred
of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined
n gentry
people of standing(rank or position); people of good family or high social position; class of people just below nobility
s gentle
kindly; soft; mild; of good family
n genuflect
bend the knee as in worship
germane
pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate
n germinal
pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea
s germ
earliest form of an organism; seed or bud; something that may develop into something larger or more important; microbe
germinate
cause to sprout; sprout
s sprout
begin to grow; give off shoots or buds; N: new growth on a plant; shoot
s shoot
new growth from a plant
gerontocracy
government ruled by old people
s gerontology
study of the sociological phenomena associated with old age
s geriatrics
medical treatment and care of old age
n gerrymander
change voting district lines in order to favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + (sala)mander
n gestate
evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period of development from conception until birth
s natal
connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal
n gesticulation
motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures (while speaking)
n ghastly
horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast
n gibberish
nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; babbling
n gibe
mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks
n giddy
light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height
n gingerly
very carefully; ADJ.
n girth
distance around something; circumference
n gist
essence; main point; substance
glacial
like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. glacial epoch; CF. iceberg
n glaring
(of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly bright; shining intensely and blindingly
s glare
shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and angrily; N.
n glaze
cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex. unglazed pottery
n glean
gather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; gather bit by bit (facts or information) often with difficulty
glib
fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick
s slick
make smooth or glossy; N: smooth surface; Ex. oil slick; ADJ: smooth; glossy; deftly executed; adroit; glib
s sleek
smooth and shining (as from good health); V.
n glimmer
shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope
s glitter
shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex. glittering diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractiveness; glamor; Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves
s glamor
compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous
n gloat
express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated over the stolen jewels.
n gloss_over
explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults
s gloss
brief explanation note or translation of a difficult expression; V.
glossary
brief explanation of words used in the text
n glossy
smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex. gloss of good manners
s mat
not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece of material used as a floor covering; V.
s finish
surface texture; completeness of execution
s finished
properly made and complete; Ex. finished product/performance
n glower
scowl; glare; look or stare angrily
s scowl
frown angrily; N: angry frown
n glut
overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to excess; N: oversupply
n glutinous
sticky; viscous; gluey
glutton
someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much
n gnarled
twisted
s gnarl
protruding knot on a tree; V.
gnome
dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards
goad
urge on; drive with a goad; cause (someone) to do something by continued annoyance; Ex. They goaded him into doing it by saying he was a coward; N: sharp-pointed stick for driving cattle; stimulus; CF. annoy continually
n gorge
narrow canyon; steep rocky cleft; ravine (made by a stream which runs through it)
n gorge
stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. gorgeous: dazzlingly beautiful
n gory
bloody; N. gore: blood (from a wound)
s shudder
shake uncontrollably; tremble; V.
n gossamer
sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb
s sheer
pure; thin and transparent; very steep
h 22
n gouge
tear out; cut out (as if with a gouge); Ex. gouge his eyes out; N: chisel for cutting out hollow areas in wood
n gouge
overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury
n gourmand
epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink
n gourmet
connoisseur of food and drink; epicure
graduated
arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.)
s graduate
arrange into categories or grades; divide into marked intervals (for use in measurement); Ex. graduated ruler
n granary
storehouse for grain
grandeur
impressiveness; stateliness; majesty
s stately
formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic
grandiloquent
(of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic
grandiose
affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas
s high-flown
highly pretentious or inflated
s matin\'ee(matinee)
dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon
n granulate
form into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or particle
graphic
pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described
s vivid
(of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description
s graphite
black form of carbon used in lead pencils
n grapple
wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar
n grate
make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; shred by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated cheese N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fireplace
gratify
please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire
n gratis
free; without charge; ADJ.
gratuitous
given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment
gratuity
tip
gravity
seriousness; ADJ. grave
gregarious
sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group
grievance
cause of complaint; complaint
n grill
question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking surface of parallel metal bars
s broil
cook by direct heat; N.
s grim
causing great fear; unrelenting; determined in spite of fear; Ex. grim smile
n grimace
facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V.
n grisly
ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies
s groom
man employed to take care of horses; V: make neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal)
grotesque
fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement)
s hideous
repulsive to the sight; ugly; repugnant; Ex. hideous face/scream
n grotto
small cavern
n grouse
complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike game bird
s grumble
complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N.
s mutter
utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low tones
s rumble
make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder or stomach)
n grovel
crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; behave in a servile manner
grudging
unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly)
n gruel
thin liquid porridge
s porridge
soft food made by boiling oatmeal
s oatmeal
crushed oats used for making porridge
n grueling
exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race
n gruesome
grisly; horrible
n gruff
rough-mannered; (of a voice) rough; hoarse
s grunt
utter a deep guttural sound (as a pig does); N.
n guffaw
boisterous laughter; V.
guile
deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile
s cunning
clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in deceiving; deceit
guileless
without deceit
guise
outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise
n gull
trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe
gullible
easily deceived
n gustatory
affecting or relating to the sense of taste
n gusto
eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm
gusty
windy
s gust
strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster
n guy
cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide
s topple
become unsteady and fall down
s overthrow
topple; N.
s overturn
turn over; capsize; topple
s capsize
(of a boat) turn over
gyroscope
apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc.
n habituate
accustom or familiarize; addict
n hackles
hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make someone's hackles rise
s growl
low, guttural, menacing sound (as of a dog)
hackneyed
commonplace; trite
n haggard
wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners
n haggle
argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain)
n halcyon
calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days
n hale
healthy
s hail
frozen rain drop; V: salute or greet; precipitate hail
n hallowed
blessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; V. hallow: set apart as holy
hallucination
delusion; false idea; false perception of objects with a compelling sense of their reality; objects so perceived; V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory
n halting
hesitant; faltering; not fluent; Ex. halting steps/voice; V. halt: proceed or act with uncertainty; falter; hesitate; waver; stop
s waver
move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting and refusing
hamper
obstruct; prevent the free movement of; N: ½Ä·áÇ°À̳ª ÀǺ¹ µîÀ» ´ã´Â ¹Ù±¸´Ï
n hap
chance; luck
haphazard
random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town
n hapless
unfortunate; luckless
n harangue
long, passionate, and vehement speech; V.
harass
annoy by repeated attacks
harbinger
forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come)
harbor
give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge
s habitat
natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation
n hardy
(of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) able to stand inclement(stormy) weather
n harping
tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously
n harrowing
agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth
harry
harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid
hatch
deck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: emerge from an egg; produce (young) from an egg
s latch
fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch; V: close with a latch
s notch
V-shaped cut in a surface; V.
haughtiness
pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty
s haunt
(of a spirit) visit (a place); come to mind continually; visit (a place) regularly; frequent; Ex. haunted house; Ex. haunted by his last words; N: place much frequented
n haven
place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven
s havoc
widespread damage; disorder; chaos
hazardous
dangerous
s hazard
venture; put in danger; risk; Ex. hazard a guess; N: possible source of danger
hazy
slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind
n headlong
hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV.
s headfirst
moving with the head leading; headlong
n headstrong
willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have one's own way; CF. no 'excessive'
n heckler
person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech)
hedonist
one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one's life purely for pleasure
heedless
not noticing; disregarding
s heed
pay attention to; N: close attention
n hegemony
dominance especially of one nation over others
n heinous
atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime
s gross
total; fragrant; clearly wrong; (of people's behavior) coarse; corpulent; Ex. gross insolence/behavior; V: earn as a total amount; N: 12 dozens
s helm
steering wheel of a ship; position of control
herbivorous
grain-eating; CF. herbivore
heresy
opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic
n hermetic
sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight
n hermetic
concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult
s sterile
incapable of producing young; free from microorganism; V. sterilize
n hermitage
home of a hermit
n herpetologist
one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians
n heterodox
(of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional
heterogeneous
dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar elements or plants
n hew
cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N.
n heyday
time of greatest success or power; prime
s prime
period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; prepare
s primary
first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first
s primal
first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence
s primate
group of mammals including humans
n hiatus
gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break
h 23
n hibernal
wintry; wintery; of or like winter
hibernate
sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation
hierarchy
arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority
s totem
animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole
hieroglyphic
picture writing; ADJ.
n hilarity
boisterous mirth(merriment; laughter); ADJ. hilarious: full of laughter
n hindmost
furthest behind; farthest to the rear
s wage
begin and continue (a war)
hindrance
block; obstacle; V. hinder
n hinterlands
back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland
n hireling
one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician
n hirsute
hairy; having a lot of hair
n histrionic
theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior
s historic
important in history; Ex. historic battle
s historical
connected with history; based on events in history (whether regarded as important or not)
n hoard
stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use
n hoary
white with age
n hoax
trick which makes someone take action; practical joke; Ex. hoax mail; V.
n holocaust
destruction by fire; CF. burnt whole; CF. Holocaust
n holster
leather pistol case (that hangs on a belt around the waist)
homage
honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to
n homeostasis
tendency of a system or organism to maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm
homespun
domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy
s spin
rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, wool, etc.); N.
n homily
sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic
homogeneous
of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout
n hone
sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool
n hoodwink
deceive; delude
n horde
crowd; swarm
s swarm
large group of insects moving in a mass; crowd of people or animals; V: move in a crowd or mass
n hortatory
encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort
n horticultural
pertaining to cultivation of gardens; N. horticulture: science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants; CF. agriculture: science or art of farming or growing crops
hostility
unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile
n hovel
shack; small wretched house
s hut
crude dwelling; shack
s shack
crude cabin
s shed
small roofed structure for storage and shelter; V: pour forth; lose by natural process; repel without allowing penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed tears/light/water/skin/leaves
n hover
hang about; (of birds or aircraft) stay in the air in one place; (of people) wait nearby; stay around one place; waver; be in an uncertain state
n hubbub
confused uproar; loud noise; din
n hubris
arrogance; excessive self-conceit
n hue
color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue
n hue_and_cry
outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule
humane
marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian
humanitarian
one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism
n humdrum
dull; monotonous
humid
damp; N. humidity
n humility
humbleness of spirit
s humble
of low rank or position; modest; having a low opinion of oneself and a high opinion of others; unassuming; not proud; V. humiliate: make humble; cause to feel ashamed or to lose the respect of others
n hummock
small hill; hillock
n humus
substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil
n hurtle
crash; rush; move with great speed; Ex. hurtling runaway train
n husband
use sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband one's energy; CF. house holder
n husbandry
frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman
hybrid
mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize
s mongrel
plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ.
s pedigree
line of ancestors; ancestry; lineage; ADJ. (of an animal) descended from of a chosen family; Ex. pedigree dog; CF. crane's foot
n hydrophobia
fear of water; rabies
s rabies
disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal (causing madness and death)
s hygiene
science and practice of the promotion and preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic condition
n hyperbole
exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola
hypercritical
excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities)
n hypochondriac
person unduly worried about his health; worrier without cause about illness; ADJ. CF. hypochondria: neurosis that one is or is becoming ill; CF. abdomen
hypocritical
pretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. hypocrisy: profession of beliefs one does not possess; CF. hypocrite
hypothetical
based on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis
n ichthyology
study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish
icon(ikon)
religious image; idol; image or representation
n iconoclastic
attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images
ideology
system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture
n idiom
expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic
idiosyncrasy
individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic
n idolatry
worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous
n idyllic
charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene
s idyll(idyl)
short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers
n igneous
produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite
ignite
kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to
n ignoble
unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed
n ignominy
deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominous defeat
illicit
illegal
n illimitable
infinite; limitless
illuminate
brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks
illusion
misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion
illusive
deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive
illusory
illusive; deceptive; not real
imbalance
lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion
s disproportion
lack of proportion (between the parts); ADJ. disproportionate
n imbecility
weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool
imbibe
drink in
n imbroglio
complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil
n imbue
saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings
h 24
immaculate
spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
s tenant
one that pays rent to use property owned by another
s tenancy
possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy
imminent
impending; near at hand
immobility
state of being immovable
n immolate
offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)
immune
resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity
n immure
imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall
immutable
unchangeable
impair
injure; hurt; damage
n impale
pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear
impalpable
imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible
impartial
not biased; fair; N. impartiality
s impart
grant a share of; make known; Ex. news to impart
impassable
not able to be traveled or crossed
impasse
predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress
impassive
without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face
n impeach
charge (a public official) with crime in office; raise doubts about; indict; Ex. impeach a witness's credibility
n impeccable
faultless
s credential
evidence concerning one's authority; written proof of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court.
impecunious
without money
impede
hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block
s retard
delay (in development); ADJ. retarded: (as of a child) slower in development
impediment
hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment
impel
drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action
impending
nearing; approaching; about to happen
impenetrable
not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery
impenitent
not repentant
imperative
absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done
imperceptible
unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable
imperial
like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism
s imperil
put in danger
n imperious
domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor
impermeable
impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate
impertinent
insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence
imperturbable
unshakably calm; placid
s collected
composed; calm; self-possessed
n impervious
impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism
impetuous
violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision
impetus
moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse
impiety
irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety
n impinge
infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.
impious
irreverent
implacable
incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy
implausible
unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi
implement
put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument
implicate
incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime
implication
something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating
implicit
understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust
implode
burst inward; CF. vaccum tube
implore
beg
imply
suggest a meaning not expressed; signify
n impolitic
not wise; not expedient; not politic
imponderable
weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound
import
significance; importance; meaning
s significant
expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant
n importunate
urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent
n importune
beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way)
imposture
assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor
s masquerade
wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise
impotent
weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power
s crave
desire; want intensely
n imprecation
curse; swearword
n impregnable
invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take
s impregnate
make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate
impromptu
without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment
impropriety
improperness; unsuitableness
improvident
thriftless; not providing for the future
improvise
compose on the spur of the moment
imprudent
lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious
impudence
impertinence; insolence
n impugn
dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight
n impuissance
powerlessness; feebleness
impunity
freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish
n impute
attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation
inadvertently
unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly
s oversee
watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision
inalienable
not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights
n inane
silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity
inanimate
lifeless; not animate
n inarticulate
speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly
s speechless
unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger
inaugurate
begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural
n incandescent
strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle
n incantation
singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant
s chant
tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant
s charm
quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch
s bewitch
cast a spell over; captivate completely
s recite
repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite his complaints; N. recitation
s recital
act of reciting publicly; detailed account; performance of music or dance (by a solo performer)
n incapacitate
disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity
incarcerate
imprison
incarnate
endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody
incarnation
act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation
s personify
represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification
incendiary
arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb
incense
enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor
incentive
spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity
inception
start; beginning
incessant
uninterrupted; unceasing
h 25
n inchoate
(of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not explicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; Ex. inchoate mass
incidence
rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality
incidental
not essential; minor; N: something incidental
s incident
event; event that causes a crisis
s incinerate
burn to ashes
incipient
beginning; in an early stage
incisive
(appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into
incite
arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion
n inclement
stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement
incline
slope; slant; Ex. steep incline
inclined
tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend
s tend
have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one's attention; attend
inclusive
tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge
incognito
with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ.
incoherent
unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent
incommodious
not spacious; inconvenient
incompatible
inharmonious; N. incompatibility
incongruity
lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate
s attire
clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel
inconsequential
insignificant; unimportant
inconsistency
state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible
incontinent
lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious
incontrovertible
indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable
incorporate
introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ.
n incorporeal
without a material body; insubstantial
incorrigible
uncorrectable
incredulity
tendency to disbelief
incredulous
withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief
increment
increase
incriminate
accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence
n incrustation
hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust
incubate
hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in one's body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease
s inasmuch_as
since; owing to the fact that
incubus
burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus
inculcate
teach (ideas or principles); instill
incumbent
obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office
incur
bring upon oneself
incursion
temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey
indefatigable
tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired
indelible
not able to be erased
n indemnify
make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured
indentation
notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth
n indenture
bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified time (as between an apprentice and his master)
indeterminate
uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite
indicative
suggestive; implying; serving to indicate
indices
signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index
indict
charge; N. indictment
indifferent
unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad
indigence
poverty
indigenous
native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World
indigent
poor; destitute
indignation
anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant
s righteous
morally upright; just
s rightful
legally correct; Ex. rightful owner
indignity
treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them.
indiscriminate
choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions
indisputable
too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt
indissoluble
permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate
indite
write; compose
indolent
lazy
indomitable
unconquerable; unyielding
n indubitable
unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable
induce
persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement
inductive
pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general
s induct
place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts
indulgent
humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence
s indulge
yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special pleasure; Ex. indulge one's every whim/a child/in a big cigarette; N. indulgence
s humor
indulge; comply with the wishes of; N. quality that makes something amusing; state of mind; mood; Ex. in a bad humor; Ex. out of humor
industrious
diligent; hard-working; N. industry
n inebriated
habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety
s inebriate
make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person
s intoxicate
make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxicated by all the money he might win
n ineffable
unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy
ineffectual
not effective; not having a desired effect; weak
n ineluctable
irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable
inept
unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate
inequity
unfairness; ADJ. inequitable
n inerrancy
infallibility
n inert
inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state
inevitable
unavoidable
n inexorable
relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises
infallible
unerring; never making mistakes
infamous
notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation
infantile
childish; infantlike
infer
deduce; conclude; N. inference
n infernal
pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction
n infidel
unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)
infiltrate
pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator
s penetrate
enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand
infinitesimal
very small
infirmity
weakness
inflated
exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)
influx
flowing into
infraction
violation (of a rule or regulation); breach
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infringe
violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)
ingenious
marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity
s resourceful
clever and imaginative (in dealing with difficult situations); N. resource, resourcefulness
ingenuous
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid
s ingenue
ing\'enue; young innocent girl
ingrained
deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice
ingrate
ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)
n ingratiate
become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss
inherent
firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic
inhibit
restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition
s inhibited
(of a person) unable to express what one really feels
s uninhibited
having no inhibitions; free in behavior and feelings
n inimical
(of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy
inimitable
matchless; not able to be imitated
iniquitous
wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity
initiate
begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated
injurious
harmful; causing injury
n inkling
hint; slight indication
innate
inborn
innocuous
harmless
innovation
change; something newly introduced; introduction of something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce (something new); be creative; ADJ. innovative
n innuendo
indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo
inopportune
untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen
n inordinate
beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive; Ex. inordinate demands
inquisitor
questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition
s inquisitive
eager for knowledge; unduly curious
n insalubrious
unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place
s healthful
conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air
s healthy
possessing good health; healthful
s wholesome
conducive to mental or physical health; healthful
insatiable
not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite
n inscrutable
difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious
n insensate
without feeling; lacking sense; foolish
n insensible
unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible
n insidious
treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot
insightful
discerning; perceptive
n insinuate
hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate
s creep
move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N.
s artful
exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice
n insipid
lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character
insolence
impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude
insolvent
bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency
insomnia
wakefulness; inability to sleep
n insouciant
without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent
n instigate
start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel
insubordination
disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate
insubstantial
lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial
n insularity
narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula
insuperable
insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties
s odds
chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with
insurgent
rebellious; N.
insurmountable
overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable
insurrection
rebellion; uprising
intangible
not able to be perceived by touch; vague
integral
complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part
integrate
make whole; combine; make into one unit
integrity
honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness
s upright
(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral
intellect
higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability
intelligentsia
intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily)
inter
bury; N. interment
s cemetery
place for burying the dead
interdict
prohibit; forbid; N.
interim
meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper
n interloper
intruder; one who interferes
interminable
endless
intermittent
periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals
internecine
mutually destructive
n interpolate
insert between
n interregnum
period between two successive reigns or governments
n interrogate
question closely; cross-examine; cross-question
intervene
come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention
n intimate
hint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close relationship; familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate knowledge/thoughts in the diary; N: close friend or confidant; CF. intimacy
intimidate
frighten; N. intimidation
intractable
unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child
intransigence
refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
intrepid
fearless
intrinsic
essential; inherent; built-in
n introspective
looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination
introvert
one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted
n intrude
put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one's own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in
intuition
immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition
inundate
flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work
s overwhelm
(of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief
s submerge
place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work
s engulf
surround and swallow up
n inured
accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; CF. unfeeling
invalidate
weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify
s invalid
one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health
invective
abuse
n inveigh
denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink
n inveigle
deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly
inverse
opposite
invert
turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of
h 27
inveterate
deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old
n invidious
designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison
invincible
unconquerable
n inviolable
secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability
n invocation
prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking
n invoke
call and bring into use (a right or law); call on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one's advisor/God
invulnerable
incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure
iota
very small quantity
n irascible
irritable; easily angered
n irate
angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath
n iridescent
exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence
irksome
annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy
ironic
expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner
n irony
hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning
irreconcilable
impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved
irrefutable
indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable
irrelevant
not applicable; unrelated
irremediable
incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy
irreparable
not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair
irrepressible
unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back
irreproachable
beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct
irresolute
uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution
s indecisive
marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. indecisive battle
s indecision
irresolution; inability to make up one's mind
irretrievable
impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve
irreverence
lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent
irrevocable
unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke
isotope
varying from of an element
n isthmus
narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land
n itinerant
wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher
n itinerary
plan of a trip; record of a trip
n jabber
chatter rapidly or unintelligibly
s jab
poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows
n jaded
tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite
jargon
language used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk
n jaundiced
yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful) from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye
s jaundice
medical condition in which the skin, the white part of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; affect with prejudice, envy, or hostility; bias
n jaunt
trip; short journey
n jaunty
cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat
jeopardize
endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger
n jettison
throw overboard (from a ship or plane)
n jibe
agree; be in harmony with; gibe
jingoist
extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism
n jocose
given to(having a tendency of) joking
n jocular
said or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking
s jest
playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully
n jocund
merry
n jollity
gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay
n jostle
shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds
s shove
push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and shoving to get on the bus; N.
s bump
hit or knock against with force; N.
n jovial
good-natured; merry; cheerful
jubilation
rejoicing; great joy
judicious
sound on judgment; wise
n juggernaut
irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path
s jug
pitcher; container for holding liquids
n juncture
crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining
n junket
trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense
n junta
group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force)
n jurisprudence
science of law
s jurisdiction
right and power to apply the law; authority
s juridical
of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary
n juxtapose
place side by side; CF. next
n kaleidoscope
tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical effects; series of changing events; Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful
n ken
range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken
kernel
central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)
n killjoy
grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others
s grouch
bad-tempered complaint; person who keeps complaining; V: complain; grumble
s spoilsport
one who spoils the pleasure of others
kindle
start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse
n kindred
related; belonging to the same group; similar in nature or character; Ex. kindred languages; N: relative; kin; kinship
kinetic
producing motion; of motion
n kismet
fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.
n kleptomaniac
person who has a compulsive desire to steal
n knave
untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery
n knead
mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with the hands); Ex. knead dough
n knell
tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.
s toll
sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge
s curfew
regulation requiring all people to leave the streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour of a curfew
n knit
contract into wrinkles; grow together; join together closely; make (a fabric or garment) by interwining yarn or thread; Ex. knit the brow; Ex. The bones should knit together in a few weeks.
s crochet
make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet
n knoll
little round hill; hillock
n knotty
intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot
n kudos
honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement
s entourage
group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround
n labile
likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability
laborious
demanding much work or care; tedious
labyrinth
maze
n laceration
torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin as with broken glass); wound
s rip
tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail ripped under the force of the wind; N.
s rag
scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance
n lachrymose
producing tears; tearful
n lackadaisical
lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid
s halfhearted
exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm
n lackluster
lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull
n laconic
brief and to the point; using few words; terse
n laggard
slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler
s lag
move or develop more slowly; straggle; Ex. lag behind the rest; N.
s straggle
stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. straggling branch
h 28
n lagoon
shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs
n laity
laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy
s layman
man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional
lament
grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation
n lampoon
ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution
n lancet
small surgical tool for making incisions
s lance
pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon
languid
lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless
languish
lose animation or strength
languor
lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression
n lank
long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln
n lap
take in food or drink with one's tongue; splash gently; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person
n larceny
theft; Ex. petit larceny
n larder
pantry; place where food is kept
n largess
generous gift (given to people who do not have enough)
lascivious
lustful
s lust
intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.
n lassitude
languor; weariness; listlessness
latent
present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential
lateral
of or coming from the side
n latitude
freedom from narrow limitations
laud
praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise
n lavish
liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; V. give in abundance
n lax
careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. lax service
n leaven
add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise (by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens
s enliven
make lively or spirited; animate
lechery
gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man
n lectern
reading desk or stand for a public speaker
n leery
(of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious
n leeway
room to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for the deadline
s margin
border; room; allowance beyond what is needed; Ex. margin of safety
s marginal
of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex. marginal effect/writing ability
legacy
gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor
legend
explanatory list of symbols on a map
n legerdemain
sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand
leniency
mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment
s permissive
allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society
leonine
like a lion
lethal
deadly
lethargic
drowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggishness and inactivity
n levee
earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise
n levitate
rise and float in the air (especially by magical means); CF. light
levity
lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner
n levy
impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco
lewd
lustful
n lexicographer
compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of compiling a dictionary
n lexicon
dictionary
n liability
drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible (for paying)
liaison
contact that keeps parties in communication; communication between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection
libel
defamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a person's character; V. ADJ. libelous
n libertine
debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\'e; CF. free
s rou\'e
lecherous man
libidinous
lustful
n libido
psychic and emotional energy or urges behind human activity; sexual desire
n libretto
text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book
licentious
amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained
s license
official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V.
n lien
legal claim or right on a property
n ligneous
like wood
n lilliputian
extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels
n limber
flexible; supple; pliable; V.
n limbo
region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo
s abode
dwelling place; home
s abide
dwell; abide by: comply with; put up with; tolerate; Ex. abide by the rules; Ex. I can't abide rude people.
n limn
draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?
n limpid
crystal clear
lineage
descent; ancestry
n lineaments
features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line
s feature
distinctive part of the faces (as the eyes or mouth); features: overall appearance of the face; prominent or distinctive quality; prominent article; film; V: make prominent
s linger
loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell lingered for days.
s persist
continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent
linguistic
pertaining to language
s lionize
treat (a person) as a celebrity
s liquidate
settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish
s list
tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)
listless
lacking in spirit or energy; languid
n litany
supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words
n lithe
flexible; supple; CF. limber
s willowy
flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow
n litigation
lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V. litigate
n litotes
understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty good)''
s understate
state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate
n livid
lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry
n loath
reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go.
loathe
detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; Ex. loathsome smell
n lode
metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)
lofty
very high
s loft
room or space under the roof; attic
log
record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V.
loiter
hang about/around; stand idly about; linger
n loll
lounge about
s lounge
stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way
longevity
long life; long duration
n loom
appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged, indistinct, or distorted form); Ex. The shadow of the gallows loomed threateningly. N: apparatus for making thread into cloth
s gallows
framework from which a noose is suspended (used for execution by hanging)
s noose
loop formed in a rope
n lope
gallop slowly
loquacious
talkative; N. loquacity
h 29
n lout
clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides ?
n low
moo; make the sound of a cow
s lubricate
apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance that reduces friction
lucid
easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity
lucrative
profitable; producing wealth
n lucre
money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre
s filth
dirty matter; ADJ. filthy
n ludicrous
laughable; ridiculous; trifling
n lugubrious
mournful; sorrowful
n lull
moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of security; CF. lullaby
n lumber
move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through the woods; N: timber
n lumen
unit of light energy (one candle's worth)
n luminary
celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object that gives light (as a celestial body)
s dignitary
person of high rank or position
n luminous
shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs
lunar
pertaining to the moon
s lunatic
insane; Ex. lunatic asylum
n lurid
wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder
n lurk
stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived
s slink
move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky (as in ambush)
n luscious
pleasing to taste or smell; delicious
n luster
shine; gloss (of a polished surface)
n lustrous
shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair
n luxuriant
abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate
n macabre
gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death
s morgue
mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation
s cremate
incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium
n mace
ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike medieval weapon
n macerate
soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper
n Machiavellian
crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power
n machinations
evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve an evil end; V. machinate
n maculated
spotted; stained; CF. immaculate
n madrigal
pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments
n maelstrom
violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. stream
n magisterial
authoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex. magisterial manner
s magistrate
official with power to administer the law
magnanimity
generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous
n magnate
person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate
magniloquent
boastful; pompous
magnitude
greatness (in size or extent); extent
n maim
mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed for life
s mangle
tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex. badly mangled bodies
maladroit
clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling
malady
illness
n malaise
uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any particular pain or appearance of disease)
n malapropism
comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop
s malapropos
inappropriate; ADV.
malcontent
person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented
malediction
curse
malefactor
evildoer; criminal
s maleficient
doing evil; N. maleficience
malevolent
wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence
n malfeasance
wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official)
malicious
hateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. malice: desire to harm others; spite
malign
speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence
malignant
tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor
malingerer
one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work
n malleable
(of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable
malodorous
foul-smelling
s compost
mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost
mammal
vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young
s vertebrate
having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column
s suckle
give or take milk at the breast or udder
s nurse
suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; Ex. nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against someone
mammoth
gigantic; enormous
manacle
restrain; handcuff; N.
n mandate
order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory
mandatory
obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate
n mangy
shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance
s mange
skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair
maniacal
raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm
manifest
evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly
n manifestation
outward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced musical bent
s pronounced
distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp
manifesto
public declaration of principles; statement of policy
n manifold
many in number or kind; numerous; varied
n manipulate
operate with one's hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative
n mannered
affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech
s mannerism
distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in art (according to a set of styles)
n manumit
emancipate; free from slavery or bondage
marital
pertaining to marriage
n maritime
bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces
marked
noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man
n marred
damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure
n marshal
put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military officer; official
s enlist
(cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, or support)
n marsupial
one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat
martial
warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law
s cadet
student at a military school
n martinet
strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet
martyr
one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism
masochist
person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism
n masticate
chew
materialism
preoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather than spiritual matters)
maternal
motherly; N. maternity: motherhood
matriarch
woman who rules a family or larger social group
n matriculate
enroll (in college or graduate school); CF. matrix
n matrix
point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization
n maudlin
effusively sentimental
s sentimental
swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments
n maul
handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer
h 30
n mausoleum
monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos
n mauve
pale purple
n maverick
rebel; nonconformist (in a group)
n mawkish
mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental
maxim
proverb; truth pithily stated
n mayhem
injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. maim
meager
scanty; inadequate
n mealymouthed
indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive
n meander
wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly
n meddlesome
interfering; V. meddle: interfere
mediate
settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire
s intermediary
intermediate; acting as a mediator; N: mediator; go-between
mediocre
ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad
meditation
reflection; thought; V. meditate
medium
element that is a creature's natural environment; nutrient setting in which microorganisms are cultivated; appropriate occupation or means of expression; channel of communication; compromise; middle position between extremes; intervening substance through which something else is transmitted
n medley
mixture
n meek
submissive; patient and long-suffering
s suitor
man who is courting a woman
n megalomania
mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance
melancholy
gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia
s blue
gloomy; depressed
melee
fight
n mellifluous
(of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune
n memento
token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit
memorialize
commemorate
s memorial
something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to honor the memory of a person or event; ADJ: commemorative
n menagerie
collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo
n mendacious
lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity
n mendicant
beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar
s alms
money or goods given to the poor
n menial
suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)
n mentor
counselor; teacher
n mercantile
concerning trade or merchants
mercenary
motivated solely by money or gain; N.
n mercurial
capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood
s quicksilver
mercury
n meretricious
flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute
s vulgar
of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout
n merger
combination (of two business corporations); act of merging
n mesmerize
hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer
n metallurgical
pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores
metamorphosis
change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis
metaphor
implied comparison; CF. simile
s soar
rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared into the sky.
metaphysical
pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality
n mete
measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment
meteoric
like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex. meteoric rise to fame; N. meteor
methodical
systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure
meticulous
excessively careful (with great attention to detail); painstaking; scrupulous
metropolis
large city
n mettle
courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome
n miasma
swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence
s swamp
wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with liquid
microcosm
small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society
s miniature
small model; small painting; ADJ: small
migrant
changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; N: one that migrates
migratory
wandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle in another; move periodically from one region to another
n milieu
social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor.
militant
combative; bellicose; N.
n militate
work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier
s militia
army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers
millennium
thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity
mimicry
imitation
s mime
pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime
n minatory
menacing; threatening
n mincing
affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp. meat) into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated primness; walk in an unnatural way, taking little short steps; Ex. The actor minced across the stage; CF. mincemeat; CF. mincer
s dainty
delicate; delicately beautiful; fastidious; not easy to please; Ex. dainty movement/dress
s exquisite
delicate; very finely made; extremely beautiful; Ex. exquisite piece of jewelry
s choice
delicate; of very fine quality
n minion
servile dependent; obsequious follower
n minuscule(miniscule)
extremely small
minute
extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting
n minutiae
petty or trivial details; CF. minutia
mirage
unreal reflection; optical illusion
n mire
entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire
n mirth
merriment; laughter
n misadventure
mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure
misanthrope
one who hates mankind; misanthropist
s vile
despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander
misapprehension
error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend
miscellany
mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items
s miscellaneous
made up of a variety of parts
n mischance
ill luck
misconstrue
interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge
n miscreant
wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe
s wretch
miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile
misdemeanor
minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing
s misconduct
immoral behavior; bad management; V.
miserly
stingy; mean
n misgivings
doubts
n mishap
unfortunate accident
n misnomer
wrong or improper name; incorrect designation
h 31
misogamy
hatred of marriage
misogynist
hater of woman; CF. misogyny
missile
object to be thrown or projected
n missive
letter; written statement; CF. sent
n mite
very small object or insect-like creature; small coin
mitigate
appease; moderate; make or become less in force or intensity
n mnemonic
pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid
mobile
movable; not fixed; N. mobility
n mock
ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision
mode
prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple mode of life
n modicum
limited quantity; small amount; Ex. He does not have a modicum of sense; CF. moderate
n modish
fashionable; conforming to the current fashion
n modulate
tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Ex. modulate from E to G
n mogul
powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian
molecule
the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance
n mollify
soothe an angry person
n mollycoddle
pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively
n molt(moult)
periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)
n molten
melted; Ex. molten lava
momentous
very important; N. moment; CF. momentary
momentum
quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force
monarchy
government under a single ruler
monastic
related to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly concerns
monetary
pertaining to money
monochromatic
having only one color
s monochrome
painting in only one color; ADJ.
s monogram
design composed of one or more initials of a name; V.
s monograph
scholarly article
n monolithic
solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone
monotheism
belief in one God
monotony
sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone
n monumental
massive; impressively large; built as a monument
n moodiness
fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood:
n moratorium
legal delay of payment or action; Ex. declare moratorium on the building of new houses
n morbid
given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease
n mordant
biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit
n mores
conventions; moral standards; moral customs
n moribund
dying; at the point of death; CF. death
n morose
ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy
n mortician
undertaker; CF. death
s undertaker
funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials
n mortify
humiliate by embarassing excessively; shame; punish the flesh; discipline (one's body) by self-denial; Ex. mortified by her blunder; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. cause to die
mosaic
picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.
n mote
small speck (esp. of dust)
s speck
small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye
n motif
theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure
n motility
ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously
n motley
multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a paid fool at medieval courts)
s motto
brief statement used to express a principle
n mottled
blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors
s blotch
spot; blot; CF. blot+botch
s blemish
mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished
n mountebank
charlatan; boastful pretender
s peddle
travel about selling (wares); CF. foot
n muddle
confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion
n muggy
(of weather) warm and damp
n mulct
defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the boy of his legacy
n multifarious
varied; greatly diversified; Ex. multifarious activities
multiform
having many forms
multilingual
having many languages; fluent in several languages
multiplicity
state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element
n mundane
worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world
n munificent
very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience
n mural
wall painting
n murky
dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom
n muse
ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of a poet)
n musky
having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer
n muster
gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N.
n musty
stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist
mutablility
ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant
muted
silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise
s mute
silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of
n mutilate
maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part
n mutinous
unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer
n myopic
nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia
n myriad
very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand
n nadir
lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith
naivet\'e(naivety)
quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous
narcissist
conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus
narrative
related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration
n nascent
incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music
h 32
natation
swimming
n natty
neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser
s smart
intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N: smarting pain
nauseate
cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea
s nausea
feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness
s nauseous
causing nausea; feeling nausea
nautical
pertaining to ships or navigation
n navigable
(of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to be steered
n nebulous
vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal
s nebula
diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy
n necromancy
black magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer; CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis
n nefarious
very wicked
negate
cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation
negligence
neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care
negligible
so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded
nemesis
someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis
n neologism
new or newly coined word or phrase
n neophyte
recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant
n nepotism
favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew
s favoritism
display of partiality toward a favored person
n nether
lower; Ex. nether garments/regions
n nettle
irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome
n nexus
connection
n nib
beak(bill); pen point
n nicety
precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties
n niggardly
meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person
n niggle
spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling
n nihilist
one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement
n nip
snip off; stop something's growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill
s snip
short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors
s pinch
squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger
n nirvana
in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude
s impersonal
not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization
nocturnal
done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne
n noisome
foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome
nomadic
wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place
nomenclature
terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things
nominal
in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint
n nonchalance
indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts
noncommittal
neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided
n nondescript
undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd
nonentity
person of no importance; nonexistence
n nonplus
put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more
nostalgia
homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic
n nostrum
questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy)
notable
conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted
notoriety
disrepute; ill fame
s nova
star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness
n novelty
something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original
novice
beginner
noxious
harmful; CF. obnoxious
n nuance
shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction
s shade
slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey
s gradation
series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression
n nubile
marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial
n nugatory
worthless; futile
nullify
make invalid; make null; invalidate
n numismatist
person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals
n nuptial
related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony
n nurture
nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing
n nutrient
nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment
s nutrition
process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition
s nutritious
providing nourishment
s nourish
provide with food necessary for life and growth
s nourishment
something that nourishes; food
n oaf
stupid awkward person; CF. elf
obdurate
stubborn; refusing to change one's belief
obeisance
bow (to show respect and obedience)
obelisk
tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid
obese
excessively fat; N. obesity
n obfuscate
confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand
n obituary
death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ.
objective
not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim
obligatory
binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate
oblique
indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line); Ex. oblique reference
obliterate
destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village
oblivion
obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness
n oblivious
inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting)
obloquy
slander; disgrace; infamy
n obnoxious
offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell
obscure
dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning
obsequious
slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic
s slavish
of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the original
obsequy
funeral ceremony
obsessive
related to thinking about something constantly; of an obsession; preoccupying; N. obsession: compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea; compulsive idea; V. obsess: preoccupy the mind of excessively
obsidian
black volcanic rock
s scion
detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant
h 33
obsolete
outmoded; no longer used
obstetrician
physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife
obstinate
stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy
obstreperous
boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable
n obtrude
push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive
obtuse
blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding
obviate
make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need
Occident
the West
n occlude
shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery.
occult
mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare
oculist
physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes
n odious
arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile
n odium
detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)
n odoriferous
giving off an odor
odorous
having an odor
n odyssey
long, eventful, adventurous journey
offensive
attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense
offhand
casual; done without prior thought or preparation
n officious
meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy
s pushy
disagreeably aggressive
n ogle
look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men ogling young girls
n olfactory
concerning the sense of smell
oligarchy
government by a privileged few
ominous
threatening; of an evil omen
s threat
sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.
omnipotent
all-powerful; having unlimited power
omnipresent
universally present; ubiquitous
omniscient
all-knowing
omnivorous
eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything
n onerous
burdensome
n onomatopoeia
words formed in imitation of natural sounds
s rustle
make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together
onslaught
vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy
s slaughter
killing of animals for food; massacre; V: butcher (animals) for food; kill in large numbers
n onus
burden; responsibility
s spare
give; use; refrain from harming; save from experiencing; exempt; Ex. spare me 5 minutes; Ex. Take this money and spare my life; Ex. The emperor was spared the onus; ADJ: kept in reserve; free for other use; unoccupied; Ex. spare time
n opalescent
iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence
opaque
dark; not transparent; N. opacity
opiate
medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium
opportune
timely; well-chosen
opportunist
individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism
n opprobrium
infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous
optician
maker and seller of eyeglasses
optimist
person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism
optimum
most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition
optional
not compulsory; left to one's choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options
optometrist
one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects
opulence
extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant
n opus
work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera
n oracular
of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle
orator
public speaker
oratorio
dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata
n ordain
decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination
ordeal
severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction
ordinance
decree; authoritative order
n ordination
ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest
n orgy
wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping
orient
get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate
orientation
act of finding oneself in society; orienting
n orifice
mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth
ornate
excessively or elaborately decorated
n ornithologist
scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds
orthodox
traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine
n orthography
correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics
oscillate
vibrate pendulumlike; waver
n osseous
made of bone; bony
n ossify
change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas
ostensible
apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition
s apparent
evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement
n ostentatious
showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display
n ostracize
banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism
s blackball
vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote
n oust
expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting
outlandish
bizzare; peculiar; unconventional
outmoded
no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned
n outskirts
fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston
outspoken
candid; blunt
s blunt
having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt
n outstrip
outrun; surpass; outdo
outwit
outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly
n ovation
enthusiastic applause
overbearing
bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate
overt
open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert
n overweening
arrogant; presumptuous
h 34
n overwrought
nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
s hysteria
excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hysteric: person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: attack of hysteria
ovoid
egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate
pachyderm
thick-skinned animal
pacifist
one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes
pacify
soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to
n paean
song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
n painstaking
taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through
n palatable
agreeable; pleasing to the taste
n palate
roof of the mouth; sense of the taste
n palatial
of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
n paleontology
study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents
palette
board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)
n palimpsest
parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
s parchment
writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat
n pall
become boring; grow tiresome
n pallet
small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
n palliate
ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
n pallid
pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
palpable
tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
n palpitate
throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
s throb
(of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart
n paltry
insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash
n pan
criticize harshly
panacea
cure-all; remedy for all diseases
n panache
flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. ÀÜ ¾Æ·¡·Î õÀ» »©³»´Â ¼Ø¾¾
pandemic
widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people
pandemonium
wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost
n pander
cater to (the low desires of others)
s cater
provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)
n panegyric
formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.
panoramic
denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area
pantomime
acting without dialogue; V.
papyrus
ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant
n parable
short simple story teaching a moral
paradigm
model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word
paradox
something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct
paragon
model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
parallelism
state of being parallel; similarity; analogy
s parallel
similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unparalleled
n parameter
limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget
paramount
foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal
paramour
illicit lover
s inamorata
woman whom a man loves
paranoia
psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac
paraphernalia
equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry
s dowry
money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage
paraphrase
restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words
parasite
animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside
s infest
inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters
n parched
extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)
n pariah
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
s outcast
one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
parity
equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
n parlance
language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
n parley
conference (between opponents); CF. speak
n parochial
narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
s parish
area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church
s outlook
point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook
parody
humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.
s spoof
parody
s takeoff
burlesque; act of leaving the ground
paroxysm
fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst
n parquet
floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
parry
ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N. CF. ¸·´Â´Ù´Â °³³äÀÌ ¾Æ´Ô
s ward
administrative division of a city; division in a hospital or prison; incompetent person placed under the protection of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert
parsimony
stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious
partial
incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something
partiality
state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
n partisan
one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla
s parvenu
upstart; newly rich person
partition
divide into parts
n pass\'e
old-fashioned; past the prime
passive
not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance
n pastiche
imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
pastoral
rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor
patent
obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
pathetic
causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching
s touching
causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched
pathological
pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease
n pathos
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
n patina
green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
s varnish
paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.
n patois
local or provincial dialect
patriarch
father and ruler of a family or tribe
n patrician
noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian
patronize
support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott
paucity
scarcity; dearth
pauper
very poor person
n peccadillo
slight offense or fault; CF. sin
s swipe
hit with a sweeping motion; N.
h 35
pecuniary
pertaining to money
pedagogue
teacher; CF. child leader
pedagogy
teaching; art of education
n pedant
scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities
n pedantic
bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry
s bookish
fond of books and reading
s studious
given to diligent study
n pedestrian
ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
s precinct
division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college
s pedigree
ancestry; lineage
pediatrician
physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics
peerless
having no equal; incomparable
s peer
one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
n pejorative
(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression, because it patronized them.
n pell-mell
in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
n pellucid
transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
n penance
self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent
n penchant
strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars
pendant(pendent)
hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)
s pending
not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
n pendulous
hanging; suspended
s suspend
cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in abeyance; defer; hang from above; exclude for a period from a position; Ex. suspended state; Ex. suspend judgment; Ex. suspended from the team; N. suspension
s suspense
state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty
penitent
repentant; N.
n pensive
dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over
n penumbra
partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
penury
extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
n peon
landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage
perceptive
insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
n percussion
striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion
n perdition
damnation; complete ruin; hell
s damn
condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation
s doom
condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V.
peregrination
journey; V. peregrinate
n peremptory
demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
perennial
something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring
perfidious
treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
perforate
pierce; put a hole through
perfunctory
done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss
perigee
point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee
perimeter
outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
s bound
leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to say my opinion; CF. bounce, rebound
n peripatetic
walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy
n peripheral
of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest
n periphery
outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town
perjury
false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath
permeable
that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge
n pernicious
very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia
n peroration
conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
n perpetrate
commit an offense; do (something wrong)
perpetual
everlasting
perpetuate
make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity
n perquisite(perk)
any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car
n personable
attractive (in personality or appearance)
perspicacious
(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute
perspicuity
clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
perspicuous
(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
n pert
(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
s forward
presumptuous or bold
pertinacious
holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
pertinent
suitable; to the point; relevant
perturb
disturb greatly
n peruse
read through with care; N. perusal
pervasive
spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
n perverse
purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity
perversion
corruption; turning from right to wrong
s pervert
corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural
s wrongheaded
stubbornly wrong
pessimism
belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic
n pestilential(pestilent)
causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)
n pestle
tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
s mortar
vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle
s mash
crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl
n petrify
turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze
petty
trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
n petulant
touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
s phalanx
formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
n pharisaical
pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
s pharisee
Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
s self-righteous
sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic
n phenomena
observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength
philanderer
faithless lover; flirt
h 36
philanthropist
lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy
n philatelist
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
n philistine
narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete
n philology
study of language or words
n phlegmatic
calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
phobia
morbid fear
phoenix
symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes
n phylum
major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division
n physiognomy
face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
n physiological
pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology
n piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
n piecemeal
one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal
n pied
piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
piety
devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious
n pigment
coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)
pillage
plunder
pillory
punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.
n pine
long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline
n pinion
restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing
pinnacle
peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame
pious
devout; religious; N. piety
n piquant
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
s tart
sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply
s sour
having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered; V.
pique
irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
n piscatorial
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
pitfall
hidden danger; concealed trap
s beware
be cautious (of)
n pith
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
s marrow
soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells
pithy
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
n pittance
small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
pivotal
of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
placate
pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
n placebo
harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
s tablet
small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall
placid
peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
n plagiarize
steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap
n plaintive
expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
n plait
braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail
n plasticity
ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay
platitude
trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous
s commonplace
ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark
s commonwealth
nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation
platonic
purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
n plaudit
praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
plausible
conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious
n plebeian
common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician
s plebiscite
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
s referendum
direct vote by all the people
n plenary
(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
n plenitude
abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty
n plethora
excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses
pliable
flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable
pliant
flexible; easily influenced
plight
difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament
n pluck
courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave
n plumage
feathers of a bird;
n plumb
exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of
s plumber
one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
n plummet
fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.
plutocracy
society ruled by the wealthy
podiatrist
doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics
podium
pedestal; raised platform
s pedestal
support or base as for a pillar or statue
n poignancy
quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick
n polarize
split into opposite extremes or camps
s polarity
state of having two opposite qualities
s polar
of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites
s camp
group sharing a common cause or opinion
n polemic
attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy
n polemical(polemic)
aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)
politic
prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
polity
(particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity
polygamist
one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry
polyglot
speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.
pomposity
self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important
n ponderous
having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
n pontifical
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
n pore
study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
porous
full of pores; like a sieve
s interstice
narrow space between things
portend
foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
s soothsayer
one who foretells the future
n portly
stout; corpulent
s stout
rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter
n poseur
person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose
s pose
assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.
n posterity
descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior
n posthumous
after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death); coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel
s postmortem
autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem
n postulate
self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
n posture
assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude
n potable
suitable for drinking; drinkable
potent
powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential
n potentate
monarch; sovereign
potential
expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth
potion
dose (of liquids); liquid dose
n potpourri
heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)
n poultice
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
practicable
feasible
practical
based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man
pragmatic
practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill
pragmatist
practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things
s prance
move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
n prate
talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
n prattle
talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
s idle
not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V.
preamble
introductory statement
n precarious
unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living
precedent
something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented
precedent
preceding (in time, rank, etc.)
h 37
precept
practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept
precipice
cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice
s brink
edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the Grand Canyon
precipitant
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; ħÀüÁ¦; OP. solvent
precipitate
hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden
precipitous
steep; overhasty; precipitate
n pr\'ecis
abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text
precise
exact
preclude
make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate
precocious
advanced in development; N. precocity
precursor
forerunner; predecessor
predator
predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation
predecessor
former occupant of a post
predetermine
determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly
predicament
difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma
n predilection
preference; partiality
n predispose
give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition
preeminent
outstanding; superior
n preempt
prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive
n preen
make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune
prefatory
introductory; of a preface
n prehensile
capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
n prelate
church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
prelude
introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner
premeditate
plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder
premise
assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based
premonition
forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
premonitory
serving to warn
preponderance
superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant
preposterous
absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
prerogative
privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before
presage
foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
n prescience
ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient
presentiment
premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear
prestige
respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige
n presumptuous
going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties
s presume
take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption
n pretentious
ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art
s pretend
feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense
s pretension
pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
n preternatural
beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
pretext
excuse
n prevail
be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something
prevalent
widespread; generally accepted
n prevaricate
lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
prey
target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.
n prim
proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
n primogeniture
seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
primordial
existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary
n primp
groom oneself with care; adorn oneself
n pristine
unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition
n privation
lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive
n privy
secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private
probe
explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe
probity
uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility
s defalcate
embezzle
n problematic
causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic.
proclivity
inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)
procrastinate
postpone; delay or put off
procurement
obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another
n prod
poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding
prodigal
wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality
prodigious
enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory
prodigy
highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder
profane
violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things
n profligate
wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy
profound
deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity
profusion
great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant
progenitor
ancestor
n progeny
children; offspring; descendants
prognosis
forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic
prognosticate
predict (according to present indications)
prohibitive
so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax
projectile
missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)
proletarian
member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages)
proliferate
grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation
prolific
producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer
n prolixity
tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
prologue
introduction (to a poem or play)
s feud
bitter prolonged quarrel (usually between two peoples or families); V. CF. Romeo and Juliet; CF. feudal, feudalism
prolong
lengthen; extend; draw out
prominent
protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent
n promiscuous
mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity
promontory
headland
n promote
advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote a new product
n prompt
cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an actor); ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue
s cue
word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to
n promulgate
announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
prone
inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone
propagate
increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas
propellant(propellent)
substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)
propensity
natural inclination
prophetic
of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet
prophylactic
used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease
n propinquity
nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
n propitiate
appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
h 38
n propitious
favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign
s horoscope
diagram of the positions of stars at a given moment (eg. of a person's birth) used by astrologers
proponent
supporter; backer; opposite of opponent
propound
put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory
propriety
fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary
s usage
act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used
propulsive
driving forward; N. propulsion
n prosaic
lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose
n proscenium
part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
proscribe
prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
s outlaw
fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.
n proselytize
(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
n prosody
art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
s metrical
metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. metrical translation of Homer
s meter
arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by accentual rhythm)
prosperity
good fortune and financial success; physical well-being
s prosper
become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care
s prosperous
successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off
prostrate
stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength
n protean
able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will
prot\'eg\'e
person receiving protection and support from a patron
n protocol
diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport.
prototype
original work used as a model by others
protract
prolong; lengthen in time; draw out
protrude
stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth
n protuberance
protrusion; swelling; bulge
s bulge
protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude
n provenance
place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come
n provender
dry food for livestock; fodder
provident
providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident
s providence
quality of being provident; divine care; god's care; Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like providence that the doctor happened to be there; ADJ. providential: of divine providence; fortunate
provincial
pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated
provisional
tentative; temporary
proviso
stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
s provision
act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions of the agreement
provocative
arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation
n prowess
extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle
proximity
nearness; ADJ. proximate
proxy
authorized agent; authority to act for another
n prude
excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature); N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety
prudent
cautious; careful; prudential
prune
cut away; trim
n prurient
having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
n pry
inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying
s prize
pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)
pseudonym
pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous
psyche
soul; mind
psychiatrist
doctor who treats mental diseases
s psychic
of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers
psychopathic
pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder
psychosis
mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic
s psychosomatic
of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease)
n pterodactyl
extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger
n puerile
childish; immature; CF. puer: boy
pugilist
boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing
n pugnacity
combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature
n puissant
powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power
n pulchritude
beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous
n pulmonary
pertaining to the lungs
n pulsate
throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly
s pulse
rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate
pulverize
crush or grind into very small particles
n pummel
pommel; beat or pound with fists
punctilious
minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail
n pundit
authority on a subject; expert; learned person
pungent
stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency
n punitive
punishing; Ex. punitive measures
n puny
tiny; weak; insignificant
n purchase
secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing
purgatory
place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins
purge
remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or purify (esp. of sin, guilt, or defilement); N.
purport
intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general
purported
alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists
s rooster
cock; adult male chicken
s rabble
mob; noisy crowd
n purse
pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet
s pucker
gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold
n purveyor
furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide
n pusillanimous
cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted
n putative
supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child
n putrid
decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity
s putrefy
make or become putrid; N. putrefaction
s putrescent
becoming putrid; putrefying
s gangrene
decay of body tissue caused by insufficient blood supply (usually following injury); ADJ. gangrenous
pyromaniac
person with an insane desire to set things on fire
quack
charlatan; impostor
n quadruped
four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped
n quaff
drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); ²Ü²©²Ü²© ¸¶½Ã´Ù; CF. sip
n quagmire
bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself
s bog
soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud
n quail
cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart
quaint
odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque
qualified
limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify
n qualms
uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen.
n quandary
dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go.
n quarantine
isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine
n quarry
person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey
n quarry
dig into (to get stone); N: mine; ä¼®Àå
s bank
heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a bank; tilt in turning
h 39
n quash
crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court
s squash
crush; quash; suppress
quay
dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)
n queasy
experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy
n quell
suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion'' in newspaper; CF. kill
n quench
assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress
s squelch
produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); crush; squash; CF. ÁøÈëÀ» À§¿¡¼­ ¹âÀ» ¶§
n querulous
given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining
s whine
complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication)
query
inquiry; question; V.
queue
line (of waiting people or vehicles)
n quibble
minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil
n quiescent
dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence
quietude
tranquillity; calmness
n quintessence
purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence
n quip
taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.
s taunt
deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.
n quirk
sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate
n quisling
traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
n quiver
case for arrows
n quiver
tremble; shake; N.
s leash
restraining rope fastened to the collar of an animal (to control it); Ex. a dog on a leash
n quixotic
idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote
n quizzical
curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance
n quorum
minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
n quotidian
daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine
n rabid
of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia
n raconteur
story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill
n ragamuffin
dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes
s tatter
torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes
n rail
complain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing against injustices
n raiment
clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear.
n rakish
jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.
s rake
angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular
s rake
immoral or dissolute person
rally
come or bring together; call up or summon (forces, vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate (after illness or difficulty); N: act of rallying; mass gathering
ramble
wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress
ramification
branching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; one of the results following from an action or decision; Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision
ramify
branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions
n ramp
slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)
n rampant
growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed
rampart
defensive mound of earth
n ramshackle
(of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart
s rickety
(of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D
s ransack
search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.
n rancid
having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank
s rank
offensive in odor or flavor
n rancor
long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous
random
without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random
s lot
object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land
s draw
choosing of a lot or card
s lottery
contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots
s raffle
lottery; V: award as a prize in a raffle; Ex. raffle off a new car
n rankle
irritate; fester; annoy
n rant
speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil.
n rapacious
voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds
rapport
close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony
n rapt
engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener
n rarefied
made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less dense; N. rarefaction
s rare
(of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains
n raspy
making a harsh noise; grating; harsh
s rasp
(of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something rough; Ex. The cat's tongue rasped my hand.
ratify
approve formally; confirm; verify
n ratiocination
reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically
rationale
fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action
rationalize
make rational; devise false reasons for (one's behavior); offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action in place of a true, less admirable ones; N. rationalization
s rational
(of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical
s ration
fixed portion; V: distribute as rations
n raucous
(of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts
ravage
devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms
s maraud
move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army
n rave
overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic
ravel
fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist
n ravenous
extremely hungry; voracious
n ravine
narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon
raze
destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground
reactionary
strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical
s reinstate
restore to a previous condition or position
realm
kingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the realms of possibility
reaper
one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop
rebate
return of part of a payment; discount; V.
n rebuff
reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N.
s snub
ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion but she snubbed me; N.
rebuke
scold harshly; criticize severely
n rebus
representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. ``R U 18'' is a rebus for ``Are you 18''.
n rebuttal
refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: refute; disprove
n recalcitrant
disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child
recant
disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement
recapitulate
summarize
n recast
reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again
s fashion
give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay
receptive
quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal
recession
withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity
s recess
pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive
recidivism
habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist
recipient
receiver
reciprocal
mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement
n reciprocate
do or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move backwards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights
recluse
hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive
reconcile
make friendly again (after quarrel); make consistent (two ideas in opposition); correct inconsistencies; Ex. reconcile one's political principles with one's religious beliefs
recondite
abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret
reconnaissance
survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information)
n recount
narrate or tell (a story); count over again
recourse
resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to
s resort
turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.
s makeshift
temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter
s recreant
disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person
recrimination
countercharges; V. recriminate
rectify
set right; correct; CF. rect-: right
n rectitude
moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment
recumbent
reclining; lying down completely or in part
s recline
lie down
recuperate
recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses
recurrent
occurring again and again
h 40
redolent
odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery
n redoubtable
formidable; causing fear
n redress
remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for
redundant
superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious
n reek
emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench
s stench
strong foul odor; reek; stink
s stink
stench; V: emit a strong foul odor
n refectory
dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school)
refraction
bending of a ray of light
n refractory
unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse
n refrain
abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus
s chorus
phrase repeated throughout a song or poem
refulgent
effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. refulgent moon
s gleam
brief flash of light; glow; V.
n refurbish
renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish
refute
disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation
regal
royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner
n regale
entertain
n regatta
boat or yacht race
regeneration
spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually
s penology
study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
regicide
murder of a king or queen
regime
method of system or government
n regimen
prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer
n regiment
military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society
rehabilitate
restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of
reimburse
repay; pay back
reiterate
repeat
n rejoinder
reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply
s comeback
retort; quick clever reply; return to former status
rejuvenate
make young again
n relegate
put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children's room; Ex. relegated to the second division
relent
become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. relentless: unyielding; continuously severe
relevant
having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy
n relic
surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X.
relinquish
give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm
n relish
enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest
remediable
reparable
reminiscence
recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past
s reminiscent
suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence
remiss
negligent; careless about a duty
remission
temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins.
s remit
transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment
s remittance
remitting of money; amount of money remitted
remnant
remainder
remonstrate
protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest
remorse
deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach
remunerative
(of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble
rend
split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow
render
give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully
rendezvous
meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V.
rendition
rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc
n renegade
deserter; traitor; ADJ.
n renege
break a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege on the contract/paying off the debt
renounce
abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's religion; N. renunciation
renovate
restore to good condition; renew
renown
fame; ADJ. renowned
s herald
messenger; sign of something to come; V: announce; proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher
n rent
tear made by rending; rip; split
reparable
capable of being repaired
n reparation
compensation (for loss or wrong); amends; Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair
repartee
quick clever reply
n repast
meal; feast; banquet
repeal
revoke; annul
repel
drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion
repellent
driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N.
repercussion
rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion
repertoire
list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present; CF. repertory
n repine
fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work
replenish
fill up again
replete
fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors
s memoir
memoirs; autobiography; biography
s brim
uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a hat); Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the brim
replica
copy
replicate
reproduce; duplicate
repository
storehouse
s repose
resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single man
reprehensible
deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame
repress
hold back (the natural expression of); restrain; crush; oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion
reprieve
postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of
reprimand
reprove severely; rebuke; N.
reprisal
retaliation
n reprise
musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the finale; Ex. constant reprises
reproach
blame (not angrily but sadly); express disapproval or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful
n reprobate
morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ?
reprobation
severe disapproval; CF. approbation
reprove
censure; rebuke; N. reproof
repudiate
disown; disavow; deny
repugnance
disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive
repulsion
distaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. repulsive: causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel (not `repulse')
s repulse
reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $\neq$ cause repulsion
reputable
respectable; having a good reputation
reputed
supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem
requiem
mass for the dead; dirge
s mass
Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony of the Eucharist
requisite
necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary
s requisition
formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V.
n requite
make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal
h 41
rescind
repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)
resentment
indignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. resent: feel anger about
reserve
self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative
residue
remainder; balance
s residual
remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue
resignation
patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent
s resign
give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively
resilient
elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune)
s elastic
able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material
resolution
determination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute: firm or determined in purpose
resolve
determination; resolution; firmness of purpose
resolve
decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision; N. resolution
resonant
(of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance
s resound
(of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter
respiration
breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory
n respite
time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve
resplendent
brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious
responsiveness
state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment
n restitution
returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury
n restive
impatiently restless (induced by external coercion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not a general synonym for `restless'
restraint
moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction
resumption
taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats.
n resurge
rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again
s resurrect
revive
resuscitate
revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child
retain
keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor
retaliate
repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate
n retentive
holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the mind); having a good memory
n reticent
inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence
retinue
following; attendants
n retiring
shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality
retort
quick sharp reply; V.
retract
withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile
n retrench
cut down; cut down expenses; economize
n retribution
deserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF. pay back
retrieve
recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation
n retroactive
taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future
s enact
make (a bill) into law
n retrograde
go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.
retrospective
looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect
n revelry
boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration
n reverberate
echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated across the valley.
reverent
respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect
s reverend
deserving reverence; N: priest
n reverie
daydream; abstracted musing
revert
relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion
s relapse
return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N.
s backslide
revert (to bad habits); N. reverter
n revile
attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)
revoke
cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable
n revulsion
sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture
n rhapsodize
speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery
s rhapsody
excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it)
n rhetoric
art of effective communication; art of using language effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric; ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is expected as ``Who knows it ?''
n ribald
marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke
n riddle
pierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout; Ex. The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex. The whole report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve (separating earth from stone)
n rider
amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
n rife
(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current
n rift
narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation
n rig
fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election
s rig
arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails
rigid
hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule
rigor
severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter
n rile
irritate; vex; muddy
n riveting
holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing
s rivet
metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; V: fasten with a rivet; engross
n rivulet
small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river
robust
strong; vigorous
rococo
ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century
n roil
make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb
n roseate
rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views
n roster
list (of names)
n rostrum
raised platform for speech-making; pulpit
s pulpit
raised platform used in preaching (in a church)
n rote
repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote
n rotunda
circular building or hall covered with a dome
n rotundity
roundness; sonorousness of speech
s rotund
(of a person) fat and round
n rousing
lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up
rout
put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat
s stampede
sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede before the price rises
rubble
fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)
s mason
one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork
n rubric
title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol
n ruddy
reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking
rudimentary
elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language
n rue
regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful
n ruffian
violent scoundrel; bully
n ruminate
chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); mull over(ponder)
s ruminant
animal that ruminates; ADJ.
rummage
ransack; thoroughly search
n runic
mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N. rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm
n ruse
trick to deceive; stratagem
rustic
pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person
rusticate
banish to the country; dwell in the country
ruthless
pitiless; merciless; cruel
saboteur
one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly)
saccharine
cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin
sacrilegious
desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred
n sacrosanct
invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable
h 42
n sadistic
inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty
saga
Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative
n sagacious
wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity
n sage
person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise
n salacious
lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk
n salient
prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features
saline
salty
n sallow
(of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice
n salubrious
healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health
n salutary
tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health
salvage
rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved
n sanctimonious
displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety
sanction
approve; ratify; N: permission; penalty intended to enforce compliance
sanctuary
place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.
sanguinary
bloody; with much bloodshed
sanguine
optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red
n sap
diminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of (a fortification); Ex. The element kryptonite sapped his strength.
sarcasm
cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic
n sardonic
scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile
n sartorial
pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor
n sate
satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy
s doze
sleep lightly; nap
satellite
small body revolving around a larger one
satiate
satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated
satire
form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly
satirical
using satire; mocking
saturate
soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity
n saturnine
morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance.
n satyr
half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man
n saunter
stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.
n savant
scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know
n savor
enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality
n savory
pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable; Ex. savory reputation
n scabbard
case for a sword blade; sheath
n scad
a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes
n scaffold
temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution
scale
climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of musical tones
scanty
meager; insufficient
n scapegoat
someone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy; CF. escape+goat
n scavenge
hunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion
s refuse
anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash
scenario
plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); opera libretto; outline of possible future events
schematic
of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline
s scheme
systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance scheme; Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color scheme; Ex. a story with no scheme; V: contrive a scheme
n schism
division into factions (esp. within a religious body); split
n scintilla
trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark
n scintillate
sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation
n scoff
laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats
n scotch
stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. È°µ¿À» ÁÙÀÌ´Â ÀǹÌ
s score
number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal score; Ex. Don't worry on that score; V: mark with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold
s stamp
step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; N. stamping; implement used to stamp; impression stamped; mark; Ex. Her remarks bear the stamp of truth.
n scourge
lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict
n scruple
hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience
scrupulous
conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker
scrutinize
examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny
n scuffle
struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ?
s shuffle
mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N.
n scurrilous
abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark
n scurry
move hastily; hurry; move briskly
n scurvy
contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C
n scuttle
sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull
s hull
husk; dry outer covering of a seed; frame or body of a ship
n seamy
sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life
s base
contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron
n sear
burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither
s char
make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion
s scorch
sear; N.
s brand
trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.
s hide
skin of an animal
seasoned
experienced
s season
enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning
s seasonal
of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment
s seasonable
occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute
secession
withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership
seclusion
isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate
n secrete
conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism; CF. secretive
sect
separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group
s sectarian
of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person
s denomination
religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic
secular
worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal
n sedate
composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative
sedentary
requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population
sedition
conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious
n sedulous
diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity
n seedy
run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel
s run-down
(of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted
n seemly
(of behavior) proper; appropriate
n seep
pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage
n seethe
be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.
n seine
seine net; net for catching fish
seismic
pertaining to earthquakes
n semblance
outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.
seminal
related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development; influencing future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new field
n seminary
school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women
senility
old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia
s feebleminded
deficient in intelligence; very stupid
n sensitization
process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive
sensual
devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips
s voluptuous
sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
sensuous
giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin
n sententious
pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic
n sentient
capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience
sentinel
sentry; lookout
s lookout
act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide view; person who keeps watch
n septic
of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)
n sepulcher
tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral
h 43
n sequester
isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life
n sere
sear; parched; dry
n serendipity
gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip
serenity
calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene
n serpentine
winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake
n serrated
having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf
servile
slavish; cringing; N. servility
servitude
slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment
n sever
separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra pay given an employee upon leaving a position
severity
harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense
n sextant
navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)
n shackle
chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.
n sham
pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; impostor; pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham.
n shambles
(place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles.
n shard
fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay bowl, or cup)
n shaving
very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade)
s plane
carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat
n sheaf
bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together
n sheathe
place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade
n sherbet
flavored dessert ice
n shimmer
shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N.
n shirk
avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger
n shoddy
made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick
n shrew
scolding woman; very small mouselike animal
shrewd
clever; astute
n shun
keep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has been shunned by her neighbors.
n shunt
move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N.
s sidetrack
switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track
n shyster
lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner
sibling
brother or sister
n sibylline
prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)
n sidereal
relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day
n silt
sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)
n simian
monkeylike; N: ape or monkey
simile
comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as
n simper
smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly
simplistic
oversimplified
simulate
feign; imitate
n sinecure
well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif
n sinewy
(of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone
singular
being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior
sinister
evil; ominous
n sinuous
twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest
skeptic
sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism
n skiff
small light sailboat or rowboat
n skimp
provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly
n skinflint
miser; stingy person
skirmish
minor fight; minor battle in war; V.
n skittish
inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit
s frisk
move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful
n skulduggery(skullduggery)
dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election
n skulk
move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city.
n slacken
slow up; loosen; make or become slack
s slack
moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one's work; N. V.
n slag
glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter
slake
satisfy (thirst); quench; sate
slander
defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; V. ADJ. slanderous
n slapdash
hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)
n sleazy
shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric
n sleeper
one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable
sleight
dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks
n slew
large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left
n slight
insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance
n slipshod
slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work
n slither
slip or slide
sloth
slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent
n slough
(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed
n slovenly
untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless
s sledge
large sled drawn by work animals
s sleigh
large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice
n sluggard
lazy person
sluggish
lazy; slow; inactive; lethargic; CF. slug: nail with no shell
n sluice
artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)
n slur
slander; insult to one's character or reputation; V.
n slur
pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble
n smattering
slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German
n smelt
melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition
n smirk
conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile (often at someone else's misfortune); V.
n smolder
smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger
n snicker
half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.
n snivel
complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me.
s snuffle
sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)
sobriety
moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness
s sober
serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober
n sodden
thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink
n sojourn
temporary stay; V: stay for a time
n solace
comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble
n solder
repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts
n solecism
nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette
solemnity
seriousness; gravity
solicit
entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer
n solicitous
anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude
soliloquy
talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation)
solitude
state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof
solstice
point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator
soluble
able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved
solvent
able to pay all depths; N. solvency
solvent
substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance
somatic
pertaining to the body; bodily; physical
h 44
n somber
dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow
somnambulist
sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism
n somnolent
half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence
n sonorous
resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound
s sonic
of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic
s sonnet
14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern
sophist
teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument
sophisticated
worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate
sophistry
seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism
n sophomoric
immature; half-baked; like a sophomore
n soporific
sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy
n sordid
filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story
n spangle
small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
sparse
not thick; thinly scattered; scanty
n spartan
without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life
n spasmodic
fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion
n spat
squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel
n spate
sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents
spatial
relating to space
n spatula
broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing
spawn
lay eggs (in large numbers); produce offspring (in large numbers); N: eggs of aquatic animals
specious
seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)
spectral
ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom
spectrum
colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism; broad and continuous range; Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts
n spendthrift
someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth
n sphinx-like
enigmatic; mysterious
n splice
join together end to end to make one continuous length; fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of tape; N.
spontaneity
lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint; ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated; unpremeditated; happening without being planned
n spoonerism
accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; Ex. ``Let me sew you to your sheet'' for ``Let me show you to your seat''; CF. William Spooner
s transpose
reverse the order or position of
sporadic
occurring irregularly; intermittent
n sportive
playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike
n spruce
neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for your job interview; V.
n spry
(esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble
s nimble
quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. nimble climber/mind
n spurious
false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments
n spurn
reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help.
n squabble
minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children
n squalor
condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story
squander
waste; spend foolishly
n squat
short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.
n staccato
played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause
s legato
(of music) played smoothly
stagnant
(of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial output
n staid
serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony
stalemate
deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked
n stalwart
physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower
stamina
power of endurance; strength; staying power
n stanch
stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound
n stanza
division of a poem (composed of two or more lines)
static
having no motion; unchanging; lacking development; N. stasis: stable state
statute
law enacted by the legislature
statutory
created by statute or legislative action; regulated by statute; Ex. statutory age limit
n steadfast
steadily loyal; unswerving; steady
stealth
action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy
n steep
soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous
stellar
pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance
n stem
stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk
stem_from
arise from; originate from
n stentorian
(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad
stereotype
one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to stereotype people; Ex. stereotyped answer
n stickler
perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right
n stifle
suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate
s smother
kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly; Ex. smothered in little stickers
s suffocate
die or kill from lack of air; suppress
n stigma
token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful
n stilted
bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal
n stint
set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings
n stint
supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint
n stipend
pay for services
n stipple
paint or draw with dots or short strokes
stipulate
state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance
n stock
standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique
n stockade
wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier
s pen
fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose
n stodgy
dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book
stoic
stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism
n stoke
stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully
n stolid
dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected
stratagem
deceptive scheme; clever trick
stratified
divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify
stratum
layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata
n strew
spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals
n striated
marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved; Ex. striated rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line
n stricture
severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction
n strident
loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency
stringent
(of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions
n strut
pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner
n strut
supporting bar; CF. airplane wingÀ̳ª building µîÀ» support
n studied
carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark
n stultify
make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression
n stupefy
stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze
n stupor
state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness
s stun
make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; astound
s daze
stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.
n stygian
unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead
n stymie
thwart; present an obstacle; stump
s stump
base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle
n suavity
urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous
n subaltern
subordinate
subdue
less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue one's anger
subjective
influenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal; Ex. subjective sensation of the ghostly presence
subjugate
conquer; bring under control
sublimate
refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state
sublime
causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter
h 45
subliminal
below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement
submissive
willing to obey orders; yielding; timid
subordinate
occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class
n suborn
persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation
n subpoena
writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena
subsequent
following in time or order; later
subservient
behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate; N. subservience
subside
sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate
subsidiary
serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N.
subsidy
direct financial aid by government, etc.; V. subsidize: assist with a subsidy
subsistence
existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level)
substantial
of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy
substantiate
support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify
n substantive
substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues
n subsume
include (as a member of a group); encompass
n subterfuge
stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge
subtlety
perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. subtle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle mind/differences in meaning
n subversive
tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ?
succor
assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N.
n succulent
juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus
succumb
yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness
n suffragist
advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); CF. suffrage
n suffuse
spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
n sully
defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one's hands in menial labor
s tarnish
make or become dull or discolored; N.
sultry
(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous
summation
act of finding the total; summing-up; summary (esp. one given by the judge at the end of a trial)
n sumptuous
grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast
n sunder
separate; part; CF. asunder
n sundry
miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items
n superannuated
retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete
supercilious
haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium
n supererogatory
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
superficial
of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge
superfluous
excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity
superimpose
place over something else
n supernumerary
person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number
supersede
replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession
n supine
lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision
supplant
take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace
supple
flexible; limber; pliant
suppliant
entreating; beseeching; N.
supplicate
petition humbly; pray to grant a favor
s supplicant
one who supplicates; ADJ.
supposition
assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose
n supposititious
assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
suppress
put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from being published or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; Ex. suppress the magazine/truth
n surfeit
satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food
n surly
bad-tempered; rude; cross
s cross
bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry
surmise
guess; N.
surmount
overcome
surpass
exceed
surreptitious
done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden
n surrogate
substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.
surveillance
close observation of a person (esp. one under suspicion); watching; guarding
n susceptible
impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. susceptibility
sustain
suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners
sustenance
sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food
n suture
stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound
n swarthy
(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ?
n swathe
swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages
n swelter
(of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat
n swerve
deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course; Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car swerved to the right.
n swill
drink greedily
swindler
cheater
n sybarite
lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
sycophant
servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic
syllogism
logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument
n sylvan
pertaining to the woods or the country
n symbiosis
interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life
symmetry
arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity; ADJ. symmetrical
s lopsided
heavier or larger on one side than the other; Ex. lopsided way of walking
synchronous
similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize
synoptic
providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis
synthesis
combining parts or separate things into a whole; the whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthesize
synthetic
not natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis; Ex. synthetic fiber; N.
tacit
understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement
n taciturn
habitually silent; talking little
tactile
pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
s tact
skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence
n taint
contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch
n talisman
charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer
n talon
claw of bird
n tangential
only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent
tangible
able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof
n tanner
person who turns animal hides into leather
s tan
convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure to the sun
n tantalize
tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure
n tantamount
equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount
h 46
n tantrum
fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.
n taper
very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end
n tarantula
venomous spider
n tarry
linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle
n taut
tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack
n tautological
needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true
n tawdry
cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry
taxonomist
specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification
tedium
boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious
n teetotalism
practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total
temerity
boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work
temper
moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling
temperament
characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress
temperate
moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance society
n tempestuous
stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm
tempo
speed of music
n temporal
of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly
n temporize
gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself
tenacious
holding fast (as to a belief); persistent
tenacity
firmness; persistence
n tendentious
promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction
tender
offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound
tenet
doctrine; dogma
n tensile
capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber
s tension
stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people
n tentative
not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply
n tenuous
thin; slim; rare
tenure
holding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held
n tepid
lukewarm; slightly warm; ¹ÌÁö±ÙÇÑ; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter
termination
end; V. terminate
terminology
terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature
n terminus
last stop of railroad; end
s terminal
part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer
terrestrial
on or relating to the earth
terse
concise; abrupt; pithy
n tertiary
third in order or rank
n tessellated
mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
n testator
maker of a will; CF. testatrix
n testy
irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness
n tether
tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one's endurance; Ex. the end of one's tether
thematic
of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea
theocracy
government run by religious leaders
theoretical
based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical
therapeutic
curative; N. therapy
n thermal
pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air
n thespian
pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress
s drama
prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation
n thrall
slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall
n threadbare
worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses
thrifty
careful about money; economical; N. thrift
thrive
prosper; flourish
throes
violent anguish
n throng
crowd (of people or things); V.
n throttle
strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?
s strangle
kill by choking or suffocating; suppress
thwart
block or hinder; baffle; frustrate
n tightwad
miser; excessively frugal person
n tiller
handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)
n timbre
quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)
timidity
lack of self-confidence or courage
timorous
fearful; timid; demonstrating fear
n tipple
drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink
n tirade
long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation
s tardy
slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival
titanic
gigantic; N. titan
n tithe
tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe
n titillate
tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it
s tickle
touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please
title
name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General); right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate
n titter
nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
n titular
of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
n toady
servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
n toga
Roman outer robe
tome
large volume; book
s handsome
large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome reward
h 47
n tonsure
shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
n topography
physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place
s torpedo
underwater explosive apparatus; V.
torpor
lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating
n torque
twisting force; force producing rotation
n torrent
rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.
n torrid
(of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs
n torso
trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
s trunk
main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant
n tortuous
winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road
n totter
shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall
touchstone
stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard
n touchy
oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation
n tout
promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise
toxic
poisonous; N. toxicity
n tract
propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract
tractable
docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability
traduce
expose to slander
trajectory
path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet
s elevation
elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the house
tranquillity
calmness; peace
transcendent
exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy
s transcendental
going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism
transcribe
copy; write a copy of; N. transcription
transgression
violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong
transient
staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient
transition
going from one state of action to another
transitory
transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness
translucent
partly transparent
transmute
transform; change; convert to something different
transparent
permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie
n transpire
(of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores
n transport
strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture
n trappings
outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)
n traumatic
(of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage
n travail
strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
traverse
go through or across
n travesty
copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon
treatise
article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
n trek
travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey
tremor
trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)
tremulous
trembling; wavering
trenchant
cutting; incisive; keen
s furrow
long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle in the skin; V.
trepidation
fear; nervous apprehension
n tribulation
suffering; ordeal; distress; trial
n tribunal
court of justice
s tribune
official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
tribute
tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to
n trident
three-pronged spear
s prong
pointed projecting part
trifling
trivial; unimportant
s trifle
something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt
trigger
set off; start
n trilogy
group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)
n trinket
knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry
trite
hackneyed; commonplace
trivia
trifles; unimportant matters
n troth
pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth
n trough
long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves
n truculence
aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce
n truism
self-evident truth
truncate
cut the top off; shorten
n tryst
meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
n tumid
(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous
n overblown
inflated; exaggerated
n tumult
commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly
tundra
rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America
s rolling
(of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution of power to local governments
n turbid
(of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick
turbulence
state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed
n tureen
deep dish for serving soup
n turgid
swollen; distended (as from liquid)
n turmoil
extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil
n turncoat
traitor
n turpitude
depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude
n tutelage
guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction
n tutelary
protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities
n tycoon
wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon
typhoon
tropical hurricane or cyclone
tyranny
oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress
tyro
beginner; novice
ubiquitous
being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity
s wade
walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes movement
h 48
n ulterior
intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive
ultimate
final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.
s eventual
happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory
n ultimatum
last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum.
n umbrage
resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness
unaccountable
unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious
unanimity
complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous
unassailable
not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question
unassuaged
unsatisfied; not soothed
n unassuming
modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner
n unbridled
violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed
s bridle
harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger
n uncanny
strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack
s knack
special talent; art
n unconscionable
unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand
n uncouth
boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish
n unction
the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction
n unctuous
oily; bland; insincerely suave
underlying
lying below; fundamental
undermine
weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath
underscore
underline; emphasize
undulating
moving with a wavelike motion; V. undulate; CF. und: wave
n unearth
dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching; Ex. He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal
n unearthly
not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly
s weird
eerie; strange; unnatural
unequivocal
plain; clear; obvious
unerringly
infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes
n unexceptionable
entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism
unfaltering
steadfast; firm; not changing
unfeigned
genuine; real
unfetter
liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter
s hostage
person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy so that the other side will do what the enemy demands
n unfledged
immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling
unfrock
defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority
s disbar
make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profession
s debar
bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services
s bar
railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister
s bastard
illegitimate child
n ungainly
(of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument
n unguent
ointment
uniformity
sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over
n unilateral
one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration
n unimpeachable
that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary
uninhibited
unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings
unintimating
unfrightening
unique
without an equal; single in kind
n unison
unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison.
s choir
group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir
universal
characterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic; Ex. universal agreement; Ex. a subject of universal interest
n unkempt
disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb
n unmitigated
(of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster
n unobtrusive
inconspicuous; not blatant
unprecedented
having no previous example; novel; unparalleled
n unprepossessing
unattractive
s prepossessing
attractive; CF. preoccupying ?
unravel
disentangle; solve
unrequited
not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love
unruly
disobedient; lawless; difficult to control
unsavory
distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation
n unscathed
unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed
n unseemly
unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste
n unsightly
ugly; unpleasant to look at
n unsullied
untarnished; CF. sully
n untenable
(of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained
n untoward
unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter
unwarranted
unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved
unwieldy
awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable
n unwitting
not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know
n unwonted
unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.
n upbraid
reprimand; severely scold
s braid
plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)
n uproarious
marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny
s uproar
noisy confusion
n upshot
outcome; final result
n urbane
suave; refined in manner; elegant
n urchin
mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin
ursine
bearlike; pertaining to a bear
n usurp
seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use
n usury
lending money at illegal high rates of interest
utopia
ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian
s Shangri-la
imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon
n uxorious
excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife
n vacillate
waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation
n vacuous
empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity
vagabond
wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp
s tramp
walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking
s trample
step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet
s tread
walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step
n vagary
capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander
vagrant
wandering from place to place; roving; stray; moving in a random fashion; Ex. vagrant thoughts; N. vagrancy
vagrant
homeless wanderer
n vainglorious
boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity
valedictory
pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)
s valediction
saying farewell; expression of leave-taking
s leave-taking
farewell or departure
valid
logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport
s sound
in good condition; showing good judgment or good sense; thorough; complete; Ex. sound mind/investment/training
validate
make valid; confirm; ratify
valor
bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave
vampire
ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living
n vanguard
forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard
s avantgarde
group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard
vantage
position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint
n vapid
lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
vaporize
turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)
n variegated
(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored
s variegate
change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)
n vassal
in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent
n vaunted
boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag
n veer
change in direction; swerve
n vegetate
live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan
vehement
forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence
h 49
velocity
speed
n venal
capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
n vendetta
blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams
vendor
seller
n veneer
thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V.
n venerable
deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get
n venerate
revere; treat with great respect
n venial
(of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial
n venison
meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb
n venom
poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous
n vent
small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair.
n vent
release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.
s ventilate
admit fresh air into to replace stale air
n ventral
abdominal
ventriloquist
someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy
venture
risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.
s brave
face courageously; Ex. brave the storm
venturesome
(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky
n venue
location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come
n veracious
(of a person) truthful
n veracity
truthfulness; adherence to the truth
verbalize
put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb
verbatim
word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly
verbiage
pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness
verbose
wordy; N. verbosity
n verdant
green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows
s lush
(of a plant or grass) growing very well
n verdigris
green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather
verge
border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: very near to; V: border on
n verisimilar
having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible
n verisimilitude
appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth
n veritable
being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary
verity
quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities
n vernacular
living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular
n vernal
pertaining to spring
versatile
having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility
vertex
summit; highest point; PL. vertices
vertigo
severe dizziness; giddiness
n verve
enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor
vestige
trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion
s veto
vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
vex
annoy; distress
viable
capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme
n viand
food; CF. live
n vicarious
experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ
s vicar
parish priest; representative
n vicissitude
change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
n victuals
food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
vie
contend; compete
vigilant
watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance
s vigil
keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil
s vigilante
one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers
vigor
active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous
n vignette
small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
n vilify
slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
n vindicate
clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate one's claim; CF. vindicator
n vindictive
disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak
n vintner
wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
viper
poisonous snake
virile
manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength
virtual
in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space
virtue
goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity
n virtuoso
highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso
n virulent
(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom
virus
disease communicator
n visage
face; appearance
n visceral
felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
n viscid
adhesive; gluey
viscous
(of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency
n vise
vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device
n visionary
produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas
s vision
eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural
vital
full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize
s vibrant
full of vigor or energy; vibrating
n vitiate
spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
n vitreous
of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
n vitriolic
causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass
n vituperative
abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
n vivacious
lively or animated; sprightly
s sprightly
lively
vivisection
act of dissecting living animals
n vixen
female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew
vociferous
clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
n vogue
popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.
h 50
n volatile
changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street
volition
act of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.
voluble
fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility
s volley
simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
voluminous
having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large
s bulk
size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size
s voodoo
religion practiced chiefly in Haiti
voracious
ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader
vortex
whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged
n vouchsafe
grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
s vouch
give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher
n voyeur
Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others
vulnerable
susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability
n vulpine
like a fox; crafty
s craft
skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning
s vulture
carrion-eating birds
s vying
contending; CF. vie
n waffle
speak equivocally about an issue; N.
n waft
move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window
n waggish
humorous; mischievous; tricky
s wag
shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit
n waif
homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays
waive
give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim
n wake
trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war
n wallow
roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury
n wan
having a pale or sickly color; pallid
n wanderlust
strong longing to travel
n wane
decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N.
n wangle
achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.
s wiggle
wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions
s fake
not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor; sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/the signature
n wanton
unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause
n warble
(of a bird) sing; babble; N.
s warp
twist out of shape; N.
warranted
justified; authorized
s warrant
justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; guarantee
warranty
guarantee; assurance by seller
n warren
tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live
wary
very cautious; watchful
n wastrel
waster; profligate
n wax
increase gradually (as the moon); grow
n waylay
ambush; lie in wait for and attack
s ambush
act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V.
n wean
accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes
n weather
pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces
n welt
raised mark from a beating or whipping
n welter
confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data
n welter
wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.
n wheedle
deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her
n whelp
young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family); young wolf, dog, tiger, etc.
n whet
sharpen; stimulate; Ex. whet someone's appetite
n whiff
puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); short-lasting smell; hint; Ex. whiff of perfume/scandal
n whimsical
capricious; fanciful; amusingly strange
s whim
sudden capricious idea; fancy
s whimsy
whim; tendency to behave amusingly strangely; Ex. story full of whimsy
n whinny
neigh like a horse; CF. neigh: make the sound which horses make
n whit
small amount; smallest speck; Ex. not a whit of
n whittle
pare; cut away thin bits (from wood); fashion in this way; reduce gradually; trim
s pare
cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a knife); trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses
n whorl
ring of leaves around stem; ring; circular arrangement; Ex. whorls on the fingers
willful
wilful; intentional; headstrong
s wilt
loose freshness; droop
wily
crafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem
n wince
move back suddenly; shrink back; flinch; Ex. She winced as she touched the cold body.
s start
move suddenly or involuntarily; Ex. start at the sight of a snake
n windfall
fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event
n winnow
sift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; separate good parts from bad; CF. wind
s sift
put through a sieve to separate fine from coarse particles; sort or examine carefully
n winsome
charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gracious; engaging
n wispy
thin; slight; barely discernible
s wisp
small bunch (of hair); faint streak (of smoke)
n wistful
sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories); sadly pensive; vaguely longing
n withdrawn
introverted; retiring; remote
s remote
distant in manner; aloof
n wither
(of a plant) dry up from loss of moisture; lose freshness; shrivel; decay
s shrivel
make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often by drying)
n withhold
refuse to give; hold back; Ex. withholding tax
withstand
stand up against; resist successfully
witless
lacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic
n witticism
witty saying; wisecrack(clever joking remark)
wizardry
sorcery; magic
n wizened
shriveled; withered; Ex. wizened apple/old lady
woe
great sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction; suffering; Ex. financial woes
s woeful
sad; (of something bad) deplorable; deplorably bad; Ex. woeful housing conditions
n wont
(the stated person's) habit or custom; habitual procedure; ADJ. wonted: customary
worldly
engrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual; of the material world
n wrangle
quarrel noisily; obtain through arguing; herd cattle; N.
s herd
group of animals; crowd; one who looks after a herd; Ex. shepherd/goatherd; Ex. herd instinct; Ex. herdsman; V: come together in a herd; look after a herd; Ex. herd cattle
wrath
anger; fury
n wreak
inflict; Ex. wreak one's vengeance on
wrench
twist; pull; strain; Ex. He wrenched the gun out of her hands.
n wrest
obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp
n writ
written command issued by a court (telling someone to do or not to do something)
n writhe
twist in coils; contort in pain
n wry
(esp. of an expression of the face) twisted; with a humorous twist (expressing displeasure)
xenophobia
fear or hatred of foreigners; N. xenophobe
n yen
strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel
n yeoman
man or farmer owning small estate; middle-class farmer
yield
amount produced; crop; income on investment; profit obtained from an investment; V: produce; give in; surrender
n yoke
join together; unite; N: crossbar used to joining two draft animals
n yokel
rustic; country bumpkin; Ã̳ð
n yore
time long past; Ex. in the days of yore
n zany
comic; crazy; N: clown; comical person (given to outlandish behavior)
zeal
eager enthusiasm (to a cause or ideal); ADJ. zealous
zealot
one who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal
zenith
point directly overhead in the sky; summit; acme; highest point
n zephyr
gentle breeze; west wind