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1524 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
abash
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embarrass
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abdicate
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renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)
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abject
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(of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology
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abjure
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renounce upon oath
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abnegation
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renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
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abrogate
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abolish
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abscission
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cutting off; separation
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abscond
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depart secretly and hide
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abstemious
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sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
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abstruse
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obscure; profound; difficult to understand
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abut
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border upon; adjoin
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accede
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agree
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acclivity
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sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity
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accoutre
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equip; N. accoutrement
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acetic
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vinegary
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acidulous
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slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic
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acrid
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bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent
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acrimonious
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stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior
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acrophobia
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fear of heights
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actuarial
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calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
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acuity
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sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
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acumen
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mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen
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addle
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make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)
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adjunct
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something attached to but holding an inferior position
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adjuration
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solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
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adjutant
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staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
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adroit
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skillful (in using mind or hand)
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adulterate
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make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances
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adventitious
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accidental; casual; happening by chance
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advert
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refer
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aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry)
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nest of a large bird of prey
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affront
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insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
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afterlife
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life after death; later part of one's life
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agog
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highly excited; intensely curious
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agrarian
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pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform
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alacrity
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cheerful promptness without reluctance
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alimentary
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supplying nourishment
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allay
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calm; pacify
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alloy
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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
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alluvial
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pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
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ambience
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environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature
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amble
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walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly
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ambrosia
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food of the gods
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ambulatory
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able to walk
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amenable
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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
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amicable
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peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement
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amity
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friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations
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amok(amuck)
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in a state of rage; Ex. run amok
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amulet
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charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck
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analgesia
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condition of being unable to feel pain
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analgesic
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causing insensitivity to pain; N.
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ancillary
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serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
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anemia
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condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic
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animadversion
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critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval
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animus
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hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition
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annals
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records arranged in yearly parts; history
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anneal
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reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)
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annuity
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yearly allowance
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anodyne
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drug that relieves pain or trouble; ┴°┼δ┴ª; opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement
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antecedents
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preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
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antediluvian
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antiquated; extremely ancient
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ape
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imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)
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aphasia
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loss of speech due to injury or illness
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apiarist
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person who keeps bees
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apiary
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a place where bees are kept
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apiculture
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bee-keeping
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aplomb
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poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence
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apocryphal
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(of a story) widely believed but untrue
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apogee
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highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee
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apologist
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one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia
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apoplexy
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stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain
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apostate
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one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
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apothecary
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druggist; pharmacist
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apothegm(apophthegm)
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pithy, compact saying
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apparition
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ghost; phantom
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apposite
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appropriate; fitting
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approbation
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approval
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appurtenances
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subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing
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apropos
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with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.
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aquiline
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curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose
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arable
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fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land
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arcade
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a covered passageway usually lined with shops
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arcane
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esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener
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ardor
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heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
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argot
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slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people
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aria
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operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
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armada
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fleet of warships
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array
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marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array
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arrears
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being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done
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arroyo
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gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater
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arsenal
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storage place for military equipment
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articulate
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effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints
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artless
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without guile; open and honest
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ascendancy
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controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant
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aseptic
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preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
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asinine
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stupid; Ex. asinine remarks
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askance
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with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at
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asperity
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sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
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aspersion
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slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on
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aspirant
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seeker after position or status
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assay
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analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)
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assiduous
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diligent
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asteroid
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small planet
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astigmatism
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eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism
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astringent
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binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism
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atavism
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resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic
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attrition
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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
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augury
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omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)
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august
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impressive; majestic
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aureole
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sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light
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auroral
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pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis
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auspicious
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favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices
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austere
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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
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autocratic
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having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy
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auxiliary
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offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant
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avarice
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greediness for wealth
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aver
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state confidently; declare as true
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averse
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reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work
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aviary
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enclosure for birds; large cage
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avocation
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secondary or minor occupation
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avuncular
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of or like an uncle
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awl
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pointed tool used for piercing
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azure
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sky blue
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bacchanal
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noisy party with a lot of drinking
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Bacchanalia
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the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus
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bacchanalian
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drunken
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badinage
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teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
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baleful
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evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look
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balmy
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soft and mild (of air); fragrant
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bandy
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discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with
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bane
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posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous
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bank
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heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a bank; tilt in turning
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bar
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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
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bard
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poet
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barefaced
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shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
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baroque
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highly ornate
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barrage
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barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism
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bastion
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stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
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bate
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let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate
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bauble
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trinket; cheap jewel; trifle
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bearing
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deportment; connection
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beatific
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giving or showing bliss; blissful
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beatitude
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blessedness; state of great happiness
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bedizen
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dress with vulgar finery
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bedraggle
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wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled
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beget
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father; become the father of; produce; give rise to
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begrudge
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envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success.
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beguile
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deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile
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beleaguer
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besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset
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belie
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contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.
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bellicose
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warlike
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bemoan
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lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of
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bemused
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confused; lost in thought; preoccupied
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benison
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blessing
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bequeath
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leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest
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bereavement
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state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
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beset
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harass or trouble from all directions; hem in
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besmirch
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soil; defile; make dirty
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betoken
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signify; indicate; be a sign of
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betroth
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become engaged to marry
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bevy
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large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets
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bilious
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suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated
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bilk
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swindle; cheat
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billowing
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swelling out in waves; surging
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bivouac
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temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.
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blandishment
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flattery
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blight
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plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy
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blighted
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suffering from a disease; destroyed
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blithe(blithesome)
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gay; joyous
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blowhard
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talkative boaster; braggart
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bluster
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blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale
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bode
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foreshadow; portend
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bohemian
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unconventional (in an artistic way)
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bombast
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grandiloquent, pompous speech
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boon
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blessing; benefit; something very helpful
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boor
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rude, insensitive person
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bouillon
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clear beef (or meat) soup
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bovine
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cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
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bowdlerize
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expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler
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brackish
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somewhat saline
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brandish
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wave around (a weapon); flourish
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brazen
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insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence
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bridle
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harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger
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brindled
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tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
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brocade
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rich, figured(patterned) fabric
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bromide
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platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement
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brooch
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ornamental clasp; pin
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brood
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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
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brook
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tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream
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brusque
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blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice
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buccaneer
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pirate
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bucolic
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rustic; pastoral
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buffet
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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
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bullion
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gold and silver in the form of bars
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bulwark
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strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
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bungle
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mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior
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buoyant
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able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market
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burlesque
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give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly
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burnish
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make shiny by rubbing; polish
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buttress
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support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress
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cabal
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small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
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cache
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hiding place; V.
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callow
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youthful; immature; inexperienced
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calorific
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heat-producing; N. calorie
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calumny
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malicious misrepresentation; slander
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cameo
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shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film
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CANAILLE
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a mob, a pack, the lowest class of people, the rabble
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canard
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unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
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canker
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any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer
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cant
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insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people
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cantankerous
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ill-humored; irritable
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cantata
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story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)
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canter
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slow gallop; V. CF. trot
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canto
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division of a long poem
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canvass
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determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N.
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capacious
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spacious
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capillary
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having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity
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capitulate
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surrender; give up all resistance
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captious
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faultfinding; too critical
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carafe
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glass water bottle; decanter
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carapace
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shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)
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carat(karat)
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unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold
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cardinal
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chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order
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careen
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lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger
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career
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rush wildly; go at full speed
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carillon
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a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
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carousal
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drunken revel; V. carouse
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carping
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petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble
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carrion
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rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture
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castigation
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punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
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cataclysm
|
deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change
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catalyst
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agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis
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cataract
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great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)
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catcall
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shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
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catechism
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book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize
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catharsis
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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
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caucus
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private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston
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cauterize
|
burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection
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cavalcade
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procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry
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cavil
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quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily
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cede
|
yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession
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celerity
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speed; rapidity
|
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censor
|
(in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.
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censorious
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severely critical
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centripetal
|
tending toward the center
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centurion
|
Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)
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cerebration
|
thought; working of the brain
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cession
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yielding to another; ceding
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chaff
|
worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff
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chalice
|
goblet; consecrated cup
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chary
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cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold
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chase
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ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch
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chasten
|
discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate
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chisel
|
swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
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choleric
|
hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera
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churlish
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boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo
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ciliated
|
having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash
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cipher
|
nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
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circlet
|
small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)
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circuit
|
closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place
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cistern
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reservoir or water tank
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citadel
|
fortress
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clamber
|
climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble
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clangor
|
loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging
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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
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clapper
|
striker (tongue) of a bell
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clime
|
climate
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clipper
|
sailing vessel built for great speed
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cloister
|
monastery or convent
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clot
|
half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.
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clout
|
great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist
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cloying
|
distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
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coagulate
|
congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant
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coda
|
concluding section of a musical or literary composition
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coddle
|
treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs
|
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codicil
|
supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
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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
|
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coeval
|
living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age
|
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cog
|
tooth projecting from a wheel
|
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cognate
|
having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.
|
|
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
|
|
collation
|
a light meal; collating
|
|
collected
|
composed; calm; self-possessed
|
|
colloquy
|
informal discussion; conversation
|
|
collusion
|
conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude
|
|
comely
|
attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
|
|
comestible
|
something fit to be eaten
|
|
comity
|
courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations
|
|
commensurate
|
equal in extent; of the same size
|
|
commodious
|
spacious and comfortable
|
|
compendium
|
brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious
|
|
complaisant
|
trying to please; obliging; willing to please others
|
|
comport
|
bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment
|
|
compunction
|
remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt
|
|
concave
|
hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex
|
|
conclave
|
private secret meeting
|
|
concomitant
|
that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
|
|
concordat
|
formal agreement
|
|
condign
|
adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
|
|
condole
|
express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow
|
|
conflagration
|
great fire
|
|
confluence
|
flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together
|
|
congenital
|
existing at birth
|
|
conifer
|
pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen
|
|
conjugal
|
pertaining to marriage
|
|
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
|
|
connubial
|
pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
|
|
consanguineous(consanguine)
|
having a common ancestor
|
|
consanguinity
|
kinship; relationship by birth
|
|
conscript
|
draftee; person forced into military service; V.
|
|
consort
|
associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
|
|
consummate
|
complete; V.
|
|
contagion
|
infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air
|
|
continence
|
self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent
|
|
contrite
|
penitent; repentant; N. contrition
|
|
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)
|
|
conversant
|
familiar with; having knowledge of
|
|
conveyance
|
vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance
|
|
convivial
|
pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial
|
|
convoke
|
call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation
|
|
coquette
|
flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.
|
|
cordon
|
extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; (╛ε▒·┐í╝¡ ░▄╡σ╢√ ╣╪└╕╖╬ ░╔─í┤┬) └σ╜─ ╕«║╗; V.
|
|
cornice
|
projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars); ├│╕╢ └σ╜─
|
|
cornucopia
|
horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty
|
|
corpuscle
|
red or white cell in the blood
|
|
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
|
|
covey
|
a group of quail
|
|
cow
|
terrorize; intimidate
|
|
coy
|
shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer╕ª ╣▐╛╥└╗ ╢º
|
|
cozen
|
cheat; hoodwink; swindle
|
|
crabbed
|
sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting
|
|
craven
|
cowardly
|
|
credo
|
creed
|
|
credulity
|
belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet'e; ADJ. credulous
|
|
crestfallen
|
dejected; dispirited
|
|
crone
|
hag; ugly old woman
|
|
crypt
|
secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
|
|
cull
|
pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.
|
|
culvert
|
artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road
|
|
cupidity
|
greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
|
|
curb
|
chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain
|
|
curmudgeon
|
churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person
|
|
cynosure
|
object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor
|
|
dais
|
raised platform for speakers or other important people
|
|
dank
|
damp; unpleasantly wet
|
|
dappled
|
spotted
|
|
dawdle
|
loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing
|
|
deadpan
|
wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face
|
|
debar
|
bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services
|
|
debonair
|
(of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition
|
|
debutante
|
young woman making formal entrance into society
|
|
decant
|
pour off gently (wine or liquid)
|
|
declivity
|
downward slope
|
|
décolleté
|
(of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)
|
|
decorous
|
proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)
|
|
decry
|
express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films
|
|
defalcate
|
embezzle
|
|
defect
|
shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)
|
|
defoliate
|
destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant
|
|
defray
|
provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay
|
|
defrock
|
strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
|
|
deign
|
condescend; stoop
|
|
deleterious
|
harmful
|
|
delineate
|
portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation
|
|
delta
|
flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river
|
|
delusive
|
deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
|
|
demagogue
|
person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
|
|
demotic
|
of or pertaining to the people
|
|
demur
|
object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday
|
|
demure
|
(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure
|
|
denizen
|
(animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor
|
|
deposition
|
testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
|
|
depredation
|
plundering; destruction
|
|
derelict
|
negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person
|
|
dereliction
|
neglect of duty; abandonment
|
|
descry
|
catch sight of (something distant)
|
|
deserts
|
what someone deserves
|
|
desperado
|
reckless, desperate outlaw
|
|
despoil
|
plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village
|
|
desultory
|
aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
|
|
detraction
|
slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor
|
|
devolve
|
deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to
|
|
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
|
|
dictum
|
authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)
|
|
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
|
|
dilatory
|
delaying; tending to delay
|
|
dilettante
|
aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight
|
|
din
|
continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition
|
|
dinghy
|
small boat (often ship's boat)
|
|
dint
|
means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
|
|
disapprobation
|
disapproval; condemnation
|
|
disavowal
|
denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim
|
|
disclaim
|
disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer
|
|
discomfit
|
frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
|
|
discompose
|
disturb the composure of; confuse
|
|
disconsolate
|
hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
|
|
discursive
|
(of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)
|
|
disenfranchise
|
disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise
|
|
disgorge
|
surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge
|
|
disinclination
|
unwillingness
|
|
disinter
|
dig up; unearth; OP. inter
|
|
disjunction
|
act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive
|
|
dispatch
|
speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill
|
|
dispense
|
distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule
|
|
dispirited
|
lacking in spirit
|
|
disport
|
amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
|
|
disputatious
|
argumentative; fond of argument
|
|
disquietude
|
uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious
|
|
disquisition
|
formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report
|
|
dissemble
|
disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend
|
|
dissimulate
|
pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble
|
|
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
|
|
distrait
|
absentminded; distracted
|
|
diurnal
|
daily; occurring during the daytime
|
|
doctrinaire
|
unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties
|
|
doddering
|
shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder
|
|
doff
|
take off; OP. don
|
|
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
|
|
dolorous
|
sorrowful; N. dolor
|
|
dolt
|
slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull
|
|
dormer
|
window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room
|
|
dossier
|
file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back
|
|
dote
|
be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
|
|
dour
|
sullen; gloomy; stubborn
|
|
dowdy
|
untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman
|
|
dowse
|
use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals
|
|
draconian
|
extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician
|
|
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
|
|
drivel
|
nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense
|
|
droll
|
queer and amusing
|
|
dross
|
waste matter; worthless impurities
|
|
ductile
|
malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled
|
|
dynamo
|
generator for producing electricity; energetic person
|
|
dys-
|
abnormal; impaired
|
|
dysentery
|
inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract
|
|
dyspeptic
|
suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food
|
|
ebullient
|
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
|
|
ecclesiastic
|
ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
|
|
ecliptic
|
path of the sun and the planets
|
|
eddy
|
swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.
|
|
edifice
|
building (of imposing size)
|
|
edify
|
instruct; correct morally
|
|
efface
|
rub out; remove the surface of
|
|
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
|
|
effluvium
|
noxious(harmful) smell
|
|
effrontery
|
rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek
|
|
effulgent
|
shining brightly; brilliant
|
|
egregious
|
notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
|
|
egress
|
exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress
|
|
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
|
|
elysian
|
relating to paradise; blissful
|
|
Elysium
|
place or condition of bliss
|
|
embargo
|
ban on commerce or other activity
|
|
embed(imbed)
|
enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass
|
|
embitter
|
make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.
|
|
emblazon
|
ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment
|
|
emend
|
correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
|
|
emetic
|
substance causing vomiting; ADJ.
|
|
emollient
|
soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
|
|
emolument
|
salary; payment for an office; compensation
|
|
encipher
|
encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher
|
|
enclave
|
territory enclosed within an alien land
|
|
encumber
|
burden; N. encumbrance
|
|
endearment
|
fond word or act; expression of affection
|
|
endemic
|
prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic
|
|
endue
|
provide with some quality; endow
|
|
enervate
|
weaken; take away energy from
|
|
enfranchise
|
admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
|
|
engender
|
cause; produce; give rise to
|
|
enjoin
|
command; order; forbid
|
|
enmity
|
ill will; hatred; hostility
|
|
enormity
|
hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous
|
|
ensconce
|
settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
|
|
enthrall
|
capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound
|
|
entourage
|
group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround
|
|
environ
|
enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)
|
|
epaulet(epaulette)
|
ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)
|
|
Epicurean
|
believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; 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
|
|
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
|
|
equable
|
tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform
|
|
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
|
|
erudite
|
(of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition
|
|
eschew
|
avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks
|
|
ethnology
|
study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology
|
|
ethos
|
underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos
|
|
evanescent
|
fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce
|
|
evince
|
show clearly
|
|
ewe
|
female sheep
|
|
exact
|
demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from him; N. exaction
|
|
exceptionable
|
objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable
|
|
exchequer
|
treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer
|
|
excoriate
|
scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
|
|
exculpate
|
clear from blame or guilt
|
|
execrable
|
very bad; detestable
|
|
execrate
|
curse; express abhorrence for; detest
|
|
exhume
|
dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
|
|
exigency
|
urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
|
|
exiguous
|
small in amount; minute
|
|
expansive
|
(of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size
|
|
expatiate
|
talk at length; speak or write in detail
|
|
expeditious
|
done with speed; quick; N. expedition
|
|
expostulation
|
protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate
|
|
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
|
|
extenuate
|
weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)
|
|
extradition
|
surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite
|
|
extrude
|
force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die
|
|
exult
|
rejoice
|
|
facet
|
small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side
|
|
facetious
|
joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous
|
|
faction
|
party; clique (within a large group); dissension
|
|
factious
|
inclined to form factions; causing dissension
|
|
factitious
|
artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears
|
|
factotum
|
handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything
|
|
fallow
|
(of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated
|
|
fancier
|
breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal
|
|
fastidious
|
difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky
|
|
fatalism
|
belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death
|
|
fatuous
|
smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness
|
|
fauna
|
animals of a period or region; CF. flora
|
|
faze
|
disconcert; dismay; embarrass
|
|
febrile
|
feverish
|
|
fecundity
|
fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young
|
|
feint
|
trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.
|
|
felicitous
|
(of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
|
|
felicity
|
happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous
|
|
fell
|
cruel; (of a disease) deadly
|
|
feral
|
(of an animal) not domestic; wild
|
|
ferment
|
agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)
|
|
fermentation
|
chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation
|
|
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
|
|
fervid
|
ardent; zealous; hot
|
|
fete (fête)
|
honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast
|
|
fetid(foetid)
|
malodorous; foul
|
|
fetish(fetich)
|
object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism
|
|
fetter
|
shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot
|
|
fiat
|
command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done
|
|
filch
|
steal (things of small value)
|
|
filial
|
pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect
|
|
filigree
|
delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork
|
|
finery
|
beautiful clothes for a special occasion
|
|
firebrand
|
piece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person who stirs up trouble
|
|
flag
|
droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging
|
|
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
|
|
flay
|
strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly
|
|
fleece
|
wool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob by a trick; swindle; plunder
|
|
flit
|
fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower
|
|
floe
|
flat mass of floating ice
|
|
florescence
|
condition or period of flowering
|
|
florid
|
ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose
|
|
flotsam
|
drifting wreckage
|
|
fluster
|
confuse; make nervous and confused; 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
|
|
flutter
|
(of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings) lightly, rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or erratically; fly by waving quickly; flitter; N.
|
|
fodder
|
coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for livestock; CF. food
|
|
foible
|
small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble
|
|
foil
|
contrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinctive characteristics of another
|
|
foist
|
insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist
|
|
foment
|
stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant)
|
|
foolhardy
|
rash; reckless; foolishly daring
|
|
foppish
|
vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance
|
|
forbearance
|
patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison
|
|
ford
|
place where a river can be crossed on foot; V.
|
|
forensic
|
suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic science/medicine
|
|
forswear
|
renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure
|
|
fortuitous
|
accidental; by chance; N. fortuity
|
|
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
|
|
fracas
|
brawl(noisy quarrel or fight) in which a number of people take part; melee
|
|
fractious
|
unruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex. fractious horse
|
|
franchise
|
right or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory
|
|
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
|
|
freebooter
|
pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich
|
|
fresco
|
painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)
|
|
frieze
|
ornamental horizontal band on a wall
|
|
frock
|
long loose garment (worn by monks)
|
|
frond
|
fern leaf; palm or banana leaf
|
|
fructify
|
bear fruit; produce fruit
|
|
fuddle
|
make stupid or confused as with alcholic drink; N. in a fuddle: confused
|
|
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
|
|
fulgurant
|
resembling lightning
|
|
fulminate
|
thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation
|
|
fulsome
|
disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire
|
|
functionary
|
official (who performs a particular function)
|
|
funereal
|
sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral
|
|
furrow
|
long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle in the skin; V.
|
|
furtive
|
stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance
|
|
fusillade
|
simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)
|
|
gaffe
|
social blunder
|
|
gainsay
|
deny
|
|
gait
|
manner of walking or running; speed
|
|
gale
|
windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughters, tears); Ex. gale of laughter
|
|
gall
|
annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation
|
|
gall
|
bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; ┤π┴≤(bile); CF. gall bladder
|
|
galleon
|
large three-masted sailing ship
|
|
galley
|
low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves)
|
|
gallows
|
framework from which a noose is suspended (used for execution by hanging)
|
|
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
|
|
galvanize
|
stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity
|
|
gambit
|
opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage
|
|
gambol
|
romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N.
|
|
gangrene
|
decay of body tissue caused by insufficient blood supply (usually following injury); ADJ. gangrenous
|
|
garish
|
overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy
|
|
garrulous
|
loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity
|
|
gastronomy
|
art and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome
|
|
gauche
|
clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth
|
|
genuflect
|
bend the knee as in worship
|
|
genus
|
division of animals or plants, below a family and above a species
|
|
germane
|
pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate
|
|
germinal
|
pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea
|
|
gerontocracy
|
government ruled by old people
|
|
gestate
|
evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period of development from conception until birth
|
|
gibe
|
mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks
|
|
gild
|
cover with a thin layer of gold
|
|
glacial
|
like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. glacial epoch; CF. iceberg
|
|
glamour
|
compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous
|
|
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
|
|
gloss
|
brief explanation note or translation of a difficult expression; V.
|
|
glower
|
scowl; glare; look or stare angrily
|
|
glut
|
overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to excess; N: oversupply
|
|
gnarl
|
protruding knot on a tree; V.
|
|
gnarled
|
twisted
|
|
gossamer
|
sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb
|
|
grandiloquent
|
(of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic
|
|
grim
|
causing great fear; unrelenting; determined in spite of fear; Ex. grim smile
|
|
grisly
|
ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies
|
|
groom
|
man employed to take care of horses; V: make neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal)
|
|
grotto
|
small cavern
|
|
grouse
|
complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike game bird
|
|
gruel
|
thin liquid porridge
|
|
guffaw
|
boisterous laughter; V.
|
|
guileless
|
without deceit
|
|
gustatory
|
affecting or relating to the sense of taste
|
|
guy
|
cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide
|
|
gyroscope
|
apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc.
|
|
hackles
|
hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make someone's hackles rise
|
|
hackneyed
|
commonplace; trite
|
|
haggard
|
wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners
|
|
halcyon
|
calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days
|
|
hale
|
healthy
|
|
hap
|
chance; luck
|
|
hapless
|
unfortunate; luckless
|
|
harangue
|
long, passionate, and vehement speech; V.
|
|
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
|
|
hermetic
|
sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight
|
|
hermetic
|
concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult
|
|
herpetologist
|
one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians
|
|
heterodox
|
(of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional
|
|
hew
|
cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N.
|
|
hibernal
|
wintry; wintery; of or like winter
|
|
high-flown
|
highly pretentious or inflated
|
|
hinterlands
|
back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland
|
|
hireling
|
one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician
|
|
hirsute
|
hairy; having a lot of hair
|
|
hoary
|
white with age
|
|
homespun
|
domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy
|
|
homily
|
sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic
|
|
hortatory
|
encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort
|
|
hovel
|
shack; small wretched house
|
|
hue_and_cry
|
outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule
|
|
hummock
|
small hill; hillock
|
|
humus
|
substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil
|
|
husband
|
use sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband one's energy; CF. house holder
|
|
husbandry
|
frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman
|
|
hybrid
|
mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize
|
|
hydrophobia
|
fear of water; rabies
|
|
ichthyology
|
study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
idyllic
|
charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene
|
|
igneous
|
produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite
|
|
ignominy
|
deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominous defeat
|
|
illicit
|
illegal
|
|
illimitable
|
infinite; limitless
|
|
imbroglio
|
complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil
|
|
immolate
|
offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)
|
|
immure
|
imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall
|
|
impassive
|
without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face
|
|
impecunious
|
without money
|
|
impenitent
|
not repentant
|
|
imperial
|
like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism
|
|
imperious
|
domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor
|
|
impertinent
|
insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence
|
|
impetuous
|
violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision
|
|
impinge
|
infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.
|
|
implacable
|
incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy
|
|
implement
|
put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument
|
|
impolitic
|
not wise; not expedient; not politic
|
|
imponderable
|
weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound
|
|
importune
|
beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way)
|
|
imposture
|
assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor
|
|
imprecate
|
curse; express abhorrence for; detest
|
|
imprecation
|
curse; swearword
|
|
impregnate
|
make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate
|
|
improvident
|
thriftless; not providing for the future
|
|
impudence
|
impertinence; insolence
|
|
impugn
|
dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight
|
|
impuissance
|
powerlessness; feebleness
|
|
impute
|
attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation
|
|
inamorata
|
woman whom a man loves
|
|
incandescent
|
strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle
|
|
incantation
|
singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant
|
|
incarnation
|
act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation
|
|
incendiary
|
arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb
|
|
incipient
|
beginning; in an early stage
|
|
incommodious
|
not spacious; inconvenient
|
|
incredulity
|
tendency to disbelief
|
|
incrustation
|
hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust
|
|
incubus
|
burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus
|
|
indefatigable
|
tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired
|
|
indelible
|
not able to be erased
|
|
indemnify
|
make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured
|
|
indigence
|
poverty
|
|
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.
|
|
indissoluble
|
permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate
|
|
indite
|
write; compose
|
|
ineluctable
|
irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable
|
|
ingenue
|
ing'enue; young innocent girl
|
|
ingenuous
|
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid
|
|
ingrate
|
ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)
|
|
ingratiate
|
become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss
|
|
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
|
|
inordinate
|
beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive; Ex. inordinate demands
|
|
insalubrious
|
unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place
|
|
inscrutable
|
difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious
|
|
insensate
|
without feeling; lacking sense; foolish
|
|
insensible
|
unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible
|
|
insipid
|
lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character
|
|
insolence
|
impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude
|
|
insouciant
|
without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent
|
|
insularity
|
narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula
|
|
insuperable
|
insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties
|
|
insurrection
|
rebellion; uprising
|
|
intelligentsia
|
intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily)
|
|
inter
|
bury; N. interment
|
|
interloper
|
intruder; one who interferes
|
|
internecine
|
mutually destructive
|
|
interpolate
|
insert between
|
|
interregnum
|
period between two successive reigns or governments
|
|
interstice
|
narrow space between things
|
|
intractable
|
unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child
|
|
intransigence
|
refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
|
|
intrepid
|
fearless
|
|
inured
|
accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; CF. unfeeling
|
|
inveigh
|
denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink
|
|
inveigle
|
deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly
|
|
inveterate
|
deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old
|
|
invidious
|
designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison
|
|
invocation
|
prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking
|
|
irascible
|
irritable; easily angered
|
|
irresolute
|
uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution
|
|
irreverence
|
lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent
|
|
isotope
|
varying from of an element
|
|
isthmus
|
narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land
|
|
itinerant
|
wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher
|
|
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
|
|
jaundiced
|
yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful) from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye
|
|
jaunty
|
cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat
|
|
jetsam
|
things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship)
|
|
jettison
|
throw overboard (from a ship or plane)
|
|
jibe
|
agree; be in harmony with; gibe
|
|
jocose
|
given to(having a tendency of) joking
|
|
jocund
|
merry
|
|
jollity
|
gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay
|
|
juggernaut
|
irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path
|
|
junket
|
trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense
|
|
junta
|
group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force)
|
|
juridical
|
of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary
|
|
jurisprudence
|
science of law
|
|
ken
|
range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken
|
|
killjoy
|
grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others
|
|
kismet
|
fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.
|
|
knave
|
untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery
|
|
knell
|
tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.
|
|
knoll
|
little round hill; hillock
|
|
knotty
|
intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot
|
|
labile
|
likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability
|
|
lachrymose
|
producing tears; tearful
|
|
lancet
|
small surgical tool for making incisions
|
|
languid
|
lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless
|
|
languish
|
lose animation or strength
|
|
languor
|
lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression
|
|
larceny
|
theft; Ex. petit larceny
|
|
larder
|
pantry; place where food is kept
|
|
largess
|
generous gift (given to people who do not have enough)
|
|
lascivious
|
lustful
|
|
lassitude
|
languor; weariness; listlessness
|
|
lavish
|
liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; V. give in abundance
|
|
leery
|
(of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious
|
|
legato
|
(of music) played smoothly
|
|
legerdemain
|
sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand
|
|
leonine
|
like a lion
|
|
levity
|
lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner
|
|
libel
|
defamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a person's character; V. ADJ. libelous
|
|
libertine
|
debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou'e; CF. free
|
|
lien
|
legal claim or right on a property
|
|
ligneous
|
like wood
|
|
lilliputian
|
extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels
|
|
limbo
|
region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo
|
|
limn
|
draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?
|
|
limpid
|
crystal clear
|
|
lineaments
|
features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line
|
|
lionize
|
treat (a person) as a celebrity
|
|
list
|
tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)
|
|
litany
|
supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words
|
|
lithe
|
flexible; supple; CF. limber
|
|
litotes
|
understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty good)''
|
|
livid
|
lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry
|
|
loath
|
reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go.
|
|
lode
|
metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)
|
|
log
|
record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V.
|
|
loll
|
lounge about
|
|
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
|
|
lope
|
gallop slowly
|
|
lot
|
object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land
|
|
lout
|
clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides ?
|
|
low
|
moo; make the sound of a cow
|
|
lucre
|
money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre
|
|
lugubrious
|
mournful; sorrowful
|
|
lumen
|
unit of light energy (one candle's worth)
|
|
lurid
|
wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder
|
|
luxuriant
|
abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate
|
|
macabre
|
gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death
|
|
mace
|
ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike medieval weapon
|
|
macerate
|
soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper
|
|
Machiavellian
|
crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power
|
|
maculated
|
spotted; stained; CF. immaculate
|
|
madrigal
|
pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments
|
|
maelstrom
|
violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. stream
|
|
magnanimity
|
generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous
|
|
magnate
|
person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate
|
|
magniloquent
|
boastful; pompous
|
|
maladroit
|
clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling
|
|
malaise
|
uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any particular pain or appearance of disease)
|
|
malapropism
|
comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop
|
|
malediction
|
curse
|
|
maleficient
|
doing evil; N. maleficience
|
|
malevolent
|
wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence
|
|
malfeasance
|
wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official)
|
|
malingerer
|
one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work
|
|
manacle
|
restrain; handcuff; N.
|
|
mange
|
skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair
|
|
mangy
|
shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance
|
|
mannered
|
affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech
|
|
mantle
|
loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core
|
|
manumit
|
emancipate; free from slavery or bondage
|
|
maraud
|
move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army
|
|
maroon
|
leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown
|
|
marred
|
damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure
|
|
marshal
|
put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military officer; official
|
|
martinet
|
strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet
|
|
masochist
|
person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism
|
|
masticate
|
chew
|
|
matrix
|
point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization
|
|
maudlin
|
effusively sentimental
|
|
maul
|
handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer
|
|
mauve
|
pale purple
|
|
mawkish
|
mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental
|
|
mayhem
|
injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. maim
|
|
mealymouthed
|
indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive
|
|
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
|
|
megalomania
|
mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance
|
|
mellifluous
|
(of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune
|
|
menagerie
|
collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo
|
|
mendacious
|
lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity
|
|
mendicant
|
beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar
|
|
mercantile
|
concerning trade or merchants
|
|
mercurial
|
capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood
|
|
meretricious
|
flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute
|
|
mete
|
measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment
|
|
mettle
|
courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome
|
|
miasma
|
swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence
|
|
militate
|
work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier
|
|
minatory
|
menacing; threatening
|
|
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
|
|
minion
|
servile dependent; obsequious follower
|
|
mire
|
entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire
|
|
misadventure
|
mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure
|
|
mischance
|
ill luck
|
|
miscreant
|
wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe
|
|
missive
|
letter; written statement; CF. sent
|
|
mite
|
very small object or insect-like creature; small coin
|
|
mnemonic
|
pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid
|
|
modish
|
fashionable; conforming to the current fashion
|
|
molecule
|
the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance
|
|
mollify
|
soothe an angry person
|
|
mollycoddle
|
pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively
|
|
molt(moult)
|
periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)
|
|
mongrel
|
plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ.
|
|
monolithic
|
solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone
|
|
mordant
|
biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit
|
|
moribund
|
dying; at the point of death; CF. death
|
|
morose
|
ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy
|
|
mortar
|
vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle
|
|
mote
|
small speck (esp. of dust)
|
|
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)
|
|
mottled
|
blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors
|
|
mountebank
|
charlatan; boastful pretender
|
|
mulct
|
defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the boy of his legacy
|
|
munificent
|
very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience
|
|
musky
|
having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer
|
|
mutinous
|
unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer
|
|
natation
|
swimming
|
|
natty
|
neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser
|
|
nebula
|
diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy
|
|
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
|
|
nefarious
|
very wicked
|
|
neologism
|
new or newly coined word or phrase
|
|
neophyte
|
recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant
|
|
nether
|
lower; Ex. nether garments/regions
|
|
nettle
|
irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome
|
|
nexus
|
connection
|
|
nib
|
beak(bill); pen point
|
|
nicety
|
precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties
|
|
noisome
|
foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome
|
|
nonplus
|
put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more
|
|
nostrum
|
questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy)
|
|
nova
|
star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness
|
|
nubile
|
marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial
|
|
nugatory
|
worthless; futile
|
|
numismatist
|
person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals
|
|
nuptial
|
of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials; wedding ceremony
|
|
oath
|
solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. ``For Christ's sake''
|
|
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
|
|
obfuscate
|
confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand
|
|
obloquy
|
slander; disgrace; infamy
|
|
obsequious
|
slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic
|
|
obsequy
|
funeral ceremony
|
|
obstreperous
|
boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable
|
|
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
|
|
obviate
|
make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need
|
|
occlude
|
shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery.
|
|
odious
|
arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile
|
|
odium
|
detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)
|
|
officious
|
meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy
|
|
oligarchy
|
government by a privileged few
|
|
onerous
|
burdensome
|
|
opalescent
|
iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence
|
|
opprobrium
|
infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous
|
|
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
|
|
oratorio
|
dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata
|
|
ordain
|
decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination
|
|
ornithologist
|
scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds
|
|
orthography
|
correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics
|
|
osseous
|
made of bone; bony
|
|
ostensible
|
apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition
|
|
ostentatious
|
showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display
|
|
outmoded
|
no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned
|
|
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
|
|
overweening
|
arrogant; presumptuous
|
|
overwrought
|
nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
|
|
ovoid
|
egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate
|
|
pachyderm
|
thick-skinned animal
|
|
padre
|
chaplain (in the armed forces)
|
|
paean
|
song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
|
|
palatial
|
of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
|
|
paleontology
|
study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents
|
|
palimpsest
|
parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
|
|
pall
|
become boring; grow tiresome
|
|
pallet
|
small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
|
|
palliate
|
ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
|
|
pallid
|
pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
|
|
panache
|
flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. └▄ ╛╞╖í╖╬ ├╡└╗ ╗⌐│╗┤┬ ╝╪╛╛
|
|
panoramic
|
denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area
|
|
paragon
|
model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
|
|
paramount
|
foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal
|
|
paramour
|
illicit lover
|
|
pariah
|
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
|
|
parity
|
equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
|
|
parlance
|
language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
|
|
parley
|
conference (between opponents); CF. speak
|
|
parochial
|
narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
|
|
parody
|
humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.
|
|
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. ╕╖┤┬┤┘┤┬ ░││Σ└╠ ╛╞┤╘
|
|
parsimony
|
stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious
|
|
parvenu
|
upstart; newly rich person
|
|
pastiche
|
imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
|
|
patent
|
obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
|
|
patina
|
green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
|
|
patois
|
local or provincial dialect
|
|
patrician
|
noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian
|
|
patrimony
|
property inherited from a father
|
|
pauper
|
very poor person
|
|
peccadillo
|
slight offense or fault; CF. sin
|
|
pecuniary
|
pertaining to money
|
|
pedant
|
scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities
|
|
pedantic
|
bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry
|
|
peddle
|
travel about selling (wares); CF. foot
|
|
pell-mell
|
in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
|
|
pellucid
|
transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
|
|
pendant(pendent)
|
hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)
|
|
pendulous
|
hanging; suspended
|
|
penitent
|
repentant; N.
|
|
penology
|
study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
|
|
penumbra
|
partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
|
|
penury
|
extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
|
|
peon
|
landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage
|
|
peregrination
|
journey; V. peregrinate
|
|
peremptory
|
demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
|
|
perfidious
|
treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
|
|
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
|
|
peripatetic
|
walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy
|
|
peroration
|
conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
|
|
perquisite(perk)
|
any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car
|
|
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
|
|
pert
|
(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
|
|
pertinacious
|
holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
|
|
pestilential(pestilent)
|
causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)
|
|
pestle
|
tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
|
|
petulant
|
touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
|
|
phalanx
|
formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
|
|
pharisaical
|
pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
|
|
pharisee
|
Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
|
|
philatelist
|
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
|
|
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
|
|
phlegmatic
|
calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
|
|
phylum
|
major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division
|
|
physiognomy
|
face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
|
|
piebald
|
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
|
|
pied
|
piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
|
|
pilfer
|
steal things of small value; filch; snitch
|
|
pillory
|
punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.
|
|
pinion
|
restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing
|
|
pinnace
|
small boat
|
|
piquant
|
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
|
|
pique
|
irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
|
|
piscatorial
|
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
|
|
pith
|
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
|
|
pithy
|
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
|
|
plait
|
braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair or fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail
|
|
plaudit
|
praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
|
|
plebiscite
|
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
|
|
plenary
|
(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
|
|
pluck
|
courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave
|
|
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
|
|
plutocracy
|
society ruled by the wealthy
|
|
politic
|
prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
|
|
polity
|
(particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity
|
|
polyglot
|
speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.
|
|
ponderous
|
having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
|
|
pontifical
|
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
|
|
pore
|
study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
|
|
potable
|
suitable for drinking; drinkable
|
|
potentate
|
monarch; sovereign
|
|
poultice
|
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
|
|
practicable
|
feasible
|
|
prate
|
talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
|
|
prattle
|
talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
|
|
precinct
|
division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college
|
|
precipitant
|
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; ─º└ⁿ┴ª; 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
|
|
précis
|
abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text
|
|
precocious
|
advanced in development; N. precocity
|
|
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
|
|
prehensile
|
capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
|
|
prelate
|
church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
|
|
premonitory
|
serving to warn
|
|
prepossessing
|
attractive; CF. preoccupying ?
|
|
prerogative
|
privilege; unquestionable or exclusive right; CF. ask before
|
|
presage
|
foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
|
|
prescience
|
ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient
|
|
preternatural
|
beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
|
|
prevail
|
be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something
|
|
prevaricate
|
lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
|
|
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)
|
|
prize
|
pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)
|
|
probity
|
uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility
|
|
prodigal
|
wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality
|
|
prodigious
|
enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory
|
|
profligate
|
wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy
|
|
progenitor
|
ancestor
|
|
progeny
|
children; offspring; descendants
|
|
prognosticate
|
predict (according to present indications)
|
|
prolixity
|
tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
|
|
promontory
|
headland
|
|
promulgate
|
announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
|
|
propinquity
|
nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
|
|
propitiate
|
appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
|
|
propitious
|
favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign
|
|
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
|
|
prosaic
|
lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose
|
|
proscenium
|
part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
|
|
proscribe
|
prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
|
|
proselytize
|
(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
|
|
prosody
|
art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
|
|
protean
|
able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will
|
|
protract
|
prolong; lengthen in time; draw out
|
|
protuberance
|
protrusion; swelling; bulge
|
|
provenance
|
place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come
|
|
provender
|
dry food for livestock; fodder
|
|
provident
|
providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident
|
|
provincial
|
pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated
|
|
proviso
|
stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
|
|
proxy
|
authorized agent; authority to act for another
|
|
prurient
|
having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
|
|
puerile
|
childish; immature; CF. puer: boy
|
|
pugnacity
|
combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature
|
|
puissant
|
powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power
|
|
pulchritude
|
beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous
|
|
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
|
|
pundit
|
authority on a subject; expert; learned person
|
|
purchase
|
secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing
|
|
purveyor
|
furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide
|
|
pusillanimous
|
cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted
|
|
putative
|
supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child
|
|
putrescent
|
becoming putrid; putrefying
|
|
quaff
|
drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); ▓▄▓⌐▓▄▓⌐ ╕╢╜├┤┘; CF. sip
|
|
quagmire
|
bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself
|
|
quail
|
cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart
|
|
quarry
|
dig into (to get stone); N: mine; ├ñ╝«└σ
|
|
quarry
|
person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey
|
|
quay
|
dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)
|
|
querulous
|
given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining
|
|
quicksilver
|
mercury
|
|
quietude
|
tranquillity; calmness
|
|
quintessence
|
purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence
|
|
quip
|
taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.
|
|
quisling
|
traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
|
|
quixotic
|
idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote
|
|
quorum
|
minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
|
|
rabble
|
mob; noisy crowd
|
|
raconteur
|
story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill
|
|
raiment
|
clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear.
|
|
rake
|
immoral or dissolute person
|
|
rake
|
angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular
|
|
rakish
|
jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.
|
|
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
|
|
rampart
|
defensive mound of earth
|
|
rankle
|
irritate; fester; annoy
|
|
rapacious
|
voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds
|
|
rare
|
(of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains
|
|
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.
|
|
ravel
|
fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist
|
|
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
|
|
rebuff
|
reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; 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''.
|
|
recalcitrant
|
disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child
|
|
recidivism
|
habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist
|
|
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
|
|
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)
|
|
recreant
|
disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person
|
|
recrimination
|
countercharges; V. recriminate
|
|
rectitude
|
moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment
|
|
recumbent
|
reclining; lying down completely or in part
|
|
redolent
|
odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery
|
|
redoubtable
|
formidable; causing fear
|
|
redress
|
remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for
|
|
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
|
|
refectory
|
dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school)
|
|
refractory
|
unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse
|
|
refulgent
|
effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. refulgent moon
|
|
regale
|
entertain
|
|
regatta
|
boat or yacht race
|
|
regent
|
a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
|
|
regicide
|
murder of a king or queen
|
|
rejoinder
|
reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply
|
|
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.
|
|
remit
|
transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment
|
|
remittance
|
remitting of money; amount of money remitted
|
|
remonstrate
|
protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest
|
|
remunerative
|
(of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble
|
|
rent
|
tear made by rending; rip; split
|
|
repast
|
meal; feast; banquet
|
|
repine
|
fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work
|
|
replete
|
fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors
|
|
reprisal
|
retaliation
|
|
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
|
|
requisition
|
formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V.
|
|
requite
|
make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal
|
|
residue
|
remainder; balance
|
|
resolve
|
decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision; N. resolution
|
|
resplendent
|
brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious
|
|
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'
|
|
retain
|
keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor
|
|
reticent
|
inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence
|
|
retinue
|
following; attendants
|
|
retiring
|
shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality
|
|
retrench
|
cut down; cut down expenses; economize
|
|
revelry
|
boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration
|
|
reverie
|
daydream; abstracted musing
|
|
revile
|
attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)
|
|
rhapsodize
|
speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery
|
|
ribald
|
marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke
|
|
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)
|
|
rider
|
amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
|
|
rife
|
(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current
|
|
rig
|
arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails
|
|
rococo
|
ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century
|
|
roil
|
make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb
|
|
roseate
|
rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views
|
|
rostrum
|
raised platform for speech-making; pulpit
|
|
roué
|
lecherous man
|
|
rubric
|
title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol
|
|
ruddy
|
reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking
|
|
rue
|
regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful
|
|
ruminant
|
animal that ruminates; ADJ.
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
sacrosanct
|
invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable
|
|
sadistic
|
inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty
|
|
salacious
|
lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk
|
|
sallow
|
(of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice
|
|
salubrious
|
healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health
|
|
salutary
|
tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health
|
|
sanctimonious
|
displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety
|
|
sanguinary
|
bloody; with much bloodshed
|
|
sanguine
|
optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red
|
|
sartorial
|
pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor
|
|
saturnine
|
morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance.
|
|
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
|
|
scabbard
|
case for a sword blade; sheath
|
|
scintilla
|
trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark
|
|
scintillate
|
sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation
|
|
scion
|
detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant
|
|
scoff
|
laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats
|
|
scotch
|
stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. ╚░╡┐└╗ ┴┘└╠┤┬ └╟╣╠
|
|
scourge
|
lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict
|
|
scruple
|
hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience
|
|
scurrilous
|
abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark
|
|
scurvy
|
contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C
|
|
scuttle
|
sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull
|
|
seamy
|
sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life
|
|
secession
|
withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership
|
|
sedate
|
composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative
|
|
sedition
|
conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious
|
|
sedulous
|
diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity
|
|
seemly
|
(of behavior) proper; appropriate
|
|
seethe
|
be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.
|
|
seine
|
seine net; net for catching fish
|
|
seismic
|
pertaining to earthquakes
|
|
seminal
|
related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development; influencing future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new field
|
|
sensuous
|
giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin
|
|
sententious
|
pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic
|
|
sentinel
|
sentry; lookout
|
|
septic
|
of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)
|
|
sepulcher
|
tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral
|
|
sere
|
sear; parched; dry
|
|
sextant
|
navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)
|
|
Shangri-la
|
imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon
|
|
sheaf
|
bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together
|
|
shoot
|
new growth from a plant
|
|
shrew
|
scolding woman; very small mouselike animal
|
|
shunt
|
move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N.
|
|
shyster
|
lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner
|
|
sibylline
|
prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)
|
|
sidereal
|
relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day
|
|
silt
|
sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)
|
|
simper
|
smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly
|
|
sinecure
|
well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif
|
|
sinewy
|
(of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone
|
|
sinuous
|
twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest
|
|
skiff
|
small light sailboat or rowboat
|
|
skimp
|
provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly
|
|
skinflint
|
miser; stingy person
|
|
skittish
|
inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit
|
|
skulduggery(skullduggery)
|
dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election
|
|
skulk
|
move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city.
|
|
slag
|
glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter
|
|
slake
|
satisfy (thirst); quench; sate
|
|
slapdash
|
hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)
|
|
sledge
|
large sled drawn by work animals
|
|
sleight
|
dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks
|
|
slink
|
move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky (as in ambush)
|
|
slough
|
(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed
|
|
sluice
|
artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)
|
|
smelt
|
melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition
|
|
snivel
|
complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me.
|
|
snub
|
ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion but she snubbed me; N.
|
|
snuffle
|
sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)
|
|
sodden
|
thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink
|
|
sojourn
|
temporary stay; V: stay for a time
|
|
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
|
|
solecism
|
nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette
|
|
solicitor
|
lawyer in the lower court of law
|
|
solicitous
|
anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude
|
|
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
|
|
somatic
|
pertaining to the body; bodily; physical
|
|
somnambulist
|
sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism
|
|
somnolent
|
half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence
|
|
sonnet
|
14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern
|
|
soporific
|
sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy
|
|
sordid
|
filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story
|
|
spangle
|
small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
|
|
spartan
|
without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life
|
|
spate
|
sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents
|
|
spectral
|
ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom
|
|
spendthrift
|
someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth
|
|
sphinx-like
|
enigmatic; mysterious
|
|
spoilsport
|
one who spoils the pleasure of others
|
|
sportive
|
playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike
|
|
spry
|
(esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble
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|
squat
|
short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.
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|
stalwart
|
physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower
|
|
stanch
|
stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound
|
|
stem
|
stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk
|
|
stentorian
|
(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad
|
|
stigma
|
token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful
|
|
stilted
|
bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal
|
|
stint
|
supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint
|
|
stint
|
set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings
|
|
stipple
|
paint or draw with dots or short strokes
|
|
stockade
|
wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier
|
|
stolid
|
dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected
|
|
stout
|
rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter
|
|
stratagem
|
deceptive scheme; clever trick
|
|
stratum
|
layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata
|
|
stricture
|
severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction
|
|
strident
|
loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency
|
|
strut
|
supporting bar; CF. airplane wing└╠│¬ building ╡ε└╗ support
|
|
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
|
|
stygian
|
unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead
|
|
subaltern
|
subordinate
|
|
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
|
|
suborn
|
persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation
|
|
subside
|
sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate
|
|
subversive
|
tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ?
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|
succor
|
assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N.
|
|
suffragist
|
advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); CF. suffrage
|
|
suffuse
|
spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
|
|
sullen
|
silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy
|
|
sultry
|
(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous
|
|
sumptuous
|
grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast
|
|
sunder
|
separate; part; CF. asunder
|
|
superannuated
|
retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete
|
|
supercilious
|
haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium
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|
supererogatory
|
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
|
|
supernumerary
|
person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number
|
|
supine
|
lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision
|
|
suppliant
|
entreating; beseeching; N.
|
|
supplicant
|
one who supplicates; ADJ.
|
|
supplicate
|
petition humbly; pray to grant a favor
|
|
supposititious
|
assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
|
|
surfeit
|
satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food
|
|
surreptitious
|
done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden
|
|
swarthy
|
(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ?
|
|
swathe
|
swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages
|
|
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
|
|
synoptic
|
providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis
|
|
tactile
|
pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
|
|
talisman
|
charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer
|
|
tanner
|
person who turns animal hides into leather
|
|
taper
|
very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end
|
|
tarry
|
linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle
|
|
tawdry
|
cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry
|
|
tawny
|
brownish yellow
|
|
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
|
|
temporize
|
gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself
|
|
tenancy
|
possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy
|
|
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
|
|
tensile
|
capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber
|
|
tenuous
|
thin; slim; rare
|
|
tepid
|
lukewarm; slightly warm; ╣╠┴÷▒┘╟╤; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter
|
|
terminology
|
terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature
|
|
tessellated
|
mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
|
|
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
|
|
thrall
|
slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall
|
|
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.
|
|
threadbare
|
worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses
|
|
thresh
|
beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw
|
|
tiller
|
handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)
|
|
timorous
|
fearful; timid; demonstrating fear
|
|
tipple
|
drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink
|
|
tithe
|
tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe
|
|
titter
|
nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
|
|
titular
|
of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
|
|
toady
|
servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
|
|
tome
|
large volume; book
|
|
tonsure
|
shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
|
|
torpor
|
lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating
|
|
torque
|
twisting force; force producing rotation
|
|
torrent
|
rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.
|
|
torrid
|
(of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs
|
|
tortuous
|
winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road
|
|
touchstone
|
stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard
|
|
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
|
|
tramp
|
walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking
|
|
transport
|
strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture
|
|
trappings
|
outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)
|
|
travail
|
strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
|
|
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
|
|
trenchant
|
cutting; incisive; keen
|
|
tribune
|
official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
|
|
trident
|
three-pronged spear
|
|
troth
|
pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth
|
|
trough
|
long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves
|
|
truculence
|
aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce
|
|
tryst
|
meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
|
|
tumid
|
(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous
|
|
turbid
|
(of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick
|
|
tureen
|
deep dish for serving soup
|
|
turgid
|
swollen; distended (as from liquid)
|
|
turncoat
|
traitor
|
|
turpitude
|
depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude
|
|
tutelary
|
protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities
|
|
tyro
|
beginner; novice
|
|
ubiquitous
|
being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity
|
|
unction
|
the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction
|
|
unexceptionable
|
entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism
|
|
unfetter
|
liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter
|
|
unfledged
|
immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling
|
|
unfrock
|
defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority
|
|
ungainly
|
(of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument
|
|
unguent
|
ointment
|
|
unintimating
|
unfrightening
|
|
unprepossessing
|
unattractive
|
|
unregenerate
|
making no attempt to change one's bad practices
|
|
untoward
|
unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter
|
|
unwonted
|
unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.
|
|
upbraid
|
reprimand; severely scold
|
|
urchin
|
mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin
|
|
ursine
|
bearlike; pertaining to a bear
|
|
usury
|
lending money at illegal high rates of interest
|
|
uxorious
|
excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife
|
|
vagary
|
capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander
|
|
vainglorious
|
boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity
|
|
valediction
|
saying farewell; expression of leave-taking
|
|
valedictory
|
pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)
|
|
vassal
|
in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent
|
|
vaunted
|
boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag
|
|
venal
|
capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
|
|
vendetta
|
blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams
|
|
veneer
|
thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fac{c}ade; V.
|
|
venerate
|
revere; treat with great respect
|
|
venial
|
(of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial
|
|
venison
|
meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb
|
|
ventral
|
abdominal
|
|
venturesome
|
(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky
|
|
veracious
|
(of a person) truthful
|
|
verdant
|
green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows
|
|
verdigris
|
green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather
|
|
verisimilar
|
having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible
|
|
vernal
|
pertaining to spring
|
|
vertex
|
summit; highest point; PL. vertices
|
|
verve
|
enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor
|
|
vestige
|
trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion
|
|
viand
|
food; CF. live
|
|
vicar
|
parish priest; representative
|
|
vicissitude
|
change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
|
|
vigil
|
keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil
|
|
vignette
|
small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
|
|
vintner
|
wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
|
|
virile
|
manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength
|
|
visceral
|
felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
|
|
viscid
|
adhesive; gluey
|
|
vise
|
vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device
|
|
vitiate
|
spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
|
|
vitreous
|
of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
|
|
vituperative
|
abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
|
|
vixen
|
female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew
|
|
vociferous
|
clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
|
|
volley
|
simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
|
|
voluble
|
fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility
|
|
vortex
|
whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged
|
|
vulpine
|
like a fox; crafty
|
|
waft
|
move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window
|
|
wag
|
shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit
|
|
waggish
|
humorous; mischievous; tricky
|
|
waif
|
homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays
|
|
wan
|
having a pale or sickly color; pallid
|
|
wangle
|
achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.
|
|
wanton
|
unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause
|
|
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
|
|
warren
|
tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live
|
|
wastrel
|
waster; profligate
|
|
welter
|
wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.
|
|
wheedle
|
deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her
|
|
whelp
|
young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family); young wolf, dog, tiger, etc.
|
|
whet
|
sharpen; stimulate; Ex. whet someone's appetite
|
|
whinny
|
neigh like a horse; CF. neigh: make the sound which horses make
|
|
whit
|
small amount; smallest speck; Ex. not a whit of
|
|
whorl
|
ring of leaves around stem; ring; circular arrangement; Ex. whorls on the fingers
|
|
willowy
|
flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow
|
|
wily
|
crafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem
|
|
windfall
|
fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event
|
|
winnow
|
sift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; separate good parts from bad; CF. wind
|
|
winsome
|
charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gracious; engaging
|
|
wistful
|
sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories); sadly pensive; vaguely longing
|
|
wont
|
(the stated person's) habit or custom; habitual procedure; ADJ. wonted: customary
|
|
wrest
|
obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp
|
|
writ
|
written command issued by a court (telling someone to do or not to do something)
|
|
wrongheaded
|
stubbornly wrong
|
|
wry
|
(esp. of an expression of the face) twisted; with a humorous twist (expressing displeasure)
|
|
yen
|
strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel
|
|
yeoman
|
man or farmer owning small estate; middle-class farmer
|
|
zephyr
|
gentle breeze; west wind
|
|
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
|