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240 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
abominate
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(v) to have an intense dislike or hatred for
syn. loathe, abhor ant. relish, cherish |
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acculturation
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(n) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group of society
syn. adaptation |
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adventitious
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(adj) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential
syn. inciedental ant. essential, intrinsic |
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ascribe
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(v) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute
syn. impute, credit |
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circuitous
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(adj) roundabout, not direct
syn. indirect, winding ant. straight, direct |
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commiserate
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(v) to aympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress
syn. empathize, feel sorry for ant. feel no sympathy for |
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enjoin
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(v) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authorative way; to prohibit
syn. bid, charge, command ant. allow, permit |
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expedite
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(v) to mae easy, cause to progress faster
syn. accelerate, speed up ant. hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct |
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expiate
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(v) to make amends, make up for; to avert
syn. redeem, atone |
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ferment
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(n) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence
(v) to be in or work into such a state; to priduce alcohol by chemical action syn. commotion, turmoil ant. tranquility |
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inadvertent
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(adj) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental
syn. accidental ant. deliberate, intentional |
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nominal
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(adj) exsisting in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
syn. token, trifling ant. real, actual, excessive |
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noncommittal
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(adj) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no
syn. cagey, uninformative ant. positive, definite, commited |
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peculate
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(v) to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use
syn. embezzle, defraud |
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proclivity
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(n) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency
syn. penchant, propensity ant. inability or incapacity |
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sangfroid
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(n) composure or coolness, esp. in trying circumstances
syn. poise, equanimity ant. hysteria |
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seditious
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(adj) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
syn. rebellious ant. loyal, faithful, supportive |
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tenuous
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(adj) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported
syn. flimsy, vague, hazy ant. strong, solid, valid |
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vitriolic
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(adj) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting(like a strong acid)
syn. withering, mordant ant. bland, sugary |
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wheedle
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(v) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
syn. cajole, sweet-talk ant. intimidate, strong-arm |
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approbation
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(n) the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval
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assuage
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(v) to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench
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coalitoion
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(n) a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose
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decadence
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(n) decline, decay or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay
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elicit
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(v) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)
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expostulate
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(v)to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning
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hackneyed
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(adj)used so often as to lack freshness or originality
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hiatus
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(n)a gap, opening, break
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innuendo
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(n)a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference
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inercede
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(v) to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a go-between in a disagreement
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jaded
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(adj)wearied, worn-out, dulled
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lurid
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(adj) causing shock, horror, or revulsion:sensational,; pale or sallow in color
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meritorious
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(adj) worthy, deserving recognition and praise
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petulant
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(adj) peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated or upset
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prerogative
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(n) a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence
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provincial
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(adj)pertaining to an outlying area; narrow in mind or outlook
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simulate
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(v) to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of
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transcend
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(v) to rise above or beyond, exceed
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umbrage
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(n) shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influece or power
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unctuous
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(adj) excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness
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ameliorate
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(v) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming
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aplomb
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(n) poise, assurance, great self confidence
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bombastic
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(adj) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas
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callow
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(adj) without experience; immature, not fully developed
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drivel
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(n)saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense
(v) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle |
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epitome
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(n) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality
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exhort
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(v) to urge strongly, adivse earnestly
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ex officio
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(adj., adv) by virtue of holding a certain office
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infringe
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(v) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds
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ingratiate
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(v) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others
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interloper
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(n) one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be; intruder
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intrinsic
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(adj)belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part
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inveigh
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(v) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval
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lassitude
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(n) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy
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millennium
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(n) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy
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occult
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(adj) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view
(v) to hide, conceal (n) matters involving the supernatural |
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permeate
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(v) to spread through, penetrate, soak through
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precipitate
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(v) to fall down as moisture; to cause to bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height
(n)moisture; the product of an action or process |
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stringent
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(adj) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or biter to the taste
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surmise
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(v) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess
(n) likely idea that lacks definite proof |
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affable
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(adj) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to talk to
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aggrandize
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(v) to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear
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amorphous
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(adj) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity or cohesion
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aura
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(n) that which surrounds(as an atmosphere); a distinct air or personal quality
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contraband
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(n) illegal traffic, smuggled goods
(adj) illegal, prohibited |
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erudite
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(adj) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic
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gossamer
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(adj) thin, light, insubstantial
(n) a very thin, light cloth |
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infer
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(v) to find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint, suggest, imply
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inscrutable
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(adj) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically
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insular
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(adj) relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience
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irrevocable
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(adj) incapable of being changed or called back
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propensity
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(n) a natural inclination or predilecation toward
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querulous
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(adj) peevish, complaining, fretful
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remonstrate
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(v) to argue or plead with someone against something, protest against, object to
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repudiate
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(v) to disown, reject, or deny the validity of
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resilient
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(adj) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly
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reverberate
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(v) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly
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scurrilous
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(adj) coarsely abusive, vulgar or low, foul-mouthed
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sedulous
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(adj) persistent, showing industry and determination
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sleazy
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(adj) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable
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amnesty
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(n) a general pardon for an offense agains a government in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution
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autonomy
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(n) self-government, political control
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axiomatic
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(adj) self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle of rule
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blazon
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(v) to adorn or embellish; to display conspicuously; to publish or proclaim widely
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caveat
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(n) a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior
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equitable
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(adj) fair, just, embodying principle of justice
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extricate
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(v) to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort
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filch
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(v) to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts
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flout
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(v) to mock, treat with contempt
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fractious
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(adj) tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable
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precept
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(n) a rule of conduct or action
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salutary
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(adj) beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome
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scathing
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(adj) bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm
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scourge
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(v) to whip, punish severly
(n) a cause of affliction or suffereing; a source of severe punishment or criticism |
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sepulchral
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(adj) funereal, typical of the tomb; extremely gloomy or dismal
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soporific
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(adj) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy
(n) something that induces sleep |
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straitlaced
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(adj) extremely strict in regard to moral standards and conduct; prudish, puritancial
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transient
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(adj) lasting only a short time fleeting
(n) one who stays only a short time |
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unwieldy
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(adj) not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity
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vapid
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(adj) dull, uniteresting, tiresoem; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force
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anomalous
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adj. abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual
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aspersion
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n. a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming
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bizarre
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adj. extremely strange, unusual, atypical
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brusque
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adj. abrupt, blunt, with no formalities
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cajole
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v. to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to decieve with soothing thoughts or false promises
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castigate
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v. to punish severely; to criticize severely
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contrive
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v. to plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about a the result of a scheme or plan
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demagogue
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n. a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
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disabuse
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v. to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking
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ennui
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n. weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom
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fetter
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n. a chain or shackle placed on the feet
v. to chain or shakcle; to render helpless or impotent |
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heinous
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adj. very wicked, offensive, hateful
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immutable
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adj. not subject to change, constant
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insurgent
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n. one who rebels or rises against authority
adj. rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on |
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megalomania
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n. a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality
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sinecure
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n. a position requiring litle or no work; an easy job
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surreptitious
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adj. stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud
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transgress
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v. to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law
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transmute
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v. to change from one nature, substance or form to another
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vicarious
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adj. performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another
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austere
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(adj) severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury, simple, plain; harsh or sour in flavor
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beneficent
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(adj) performing acts of kindness or charity; conferring benefits, doing good
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cadaverous
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(adj) pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse
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concoct
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(v) to prepare by combining ingredients, make up (as a dish); to devise, invent, fabricate
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crass
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(adj) coarse, unfeeling; stupid
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debase
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(v) to lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade, adulterate,; to cause to deteriorate
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desecrate
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(v) to commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently; to contaminate, pollute
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disconcert
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(v) to confuse; to disturb the composure of
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grandiose
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(adj) grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated
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inconsequential
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(adj) trifling, unimportant
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infraction
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(n) a breaking of a law or obligation
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mitigate
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(v) to make milder or softer, to moderate in force or intensity
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pillage
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(v) to rob of goods by open force(as in war), plunder
(n) the act of looting; booty |
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prate
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(v) to talk a great deal in a foolish or aimless fashion
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punctilious
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(adj) very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety
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redoubtable
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(adj) inspiring fear or awe; illustrious, eminent
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reprove
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(v) to find fault with, scold, rebuke
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restitution
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(n) and act of restoring someone or something to the rightful owner or to a former state of position; making good on a loss or damage
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stalwart
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(adj) strong and sturdy; brave; resolute
(n) a brave, strong person; a stron supporter; one who takes an uncompromising position |
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vulnerable
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(adj) open to attack; capable of being wounded or damaged; unprotected
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acrimonious
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(adj) stinging, bitter in temper or tone
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bovine
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(adj) resembling a cow or ox; sluggish, unresponsive
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consternation
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(n) dismay, confusion
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corpulent
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(adj) fat; having a large, bulky body
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disavow
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(v) to deny responsibility for or connection with
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dispassionate
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(adj) impartial; calm, free from emotion
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dissension
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(n) disagreement, sharp difference of opinion
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dissipate
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(v) to cause to disappear; to scatter, dispel; to spend foolishly, squander; to be sxtravagant in pusuit of pleasure
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expurgate
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(v) to remove objectionable passages or words from a written text; to cleanse, purify
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gauntlet
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(n) an armored or protective glove; a challenge; two lines of men armed with weapons with which to beat a person forced to run between them; an ordeal
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hypothetical
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(adj) based on an assumption or guess; used as a probisional or tentative idea to guide or direct investigation
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ignoble
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(adj) mean, low, base
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impugn
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(v) to call into question; to attack as false
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intemperate
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(adj) immoderate, lacking in self-control; inclement
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odium
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(n) hatred, contempt; disgrace or infamy resulting from hateful conduct
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perdify
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(n) faithlessness, treachery
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relegate
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(v) to place in a lower position; to assign, refer, turn over; to banish
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squeamish
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(adj) inclined to nausea; easily shocked or upset; excessively fastidious or refined
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subservient
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(adj) subordinate in capacity or role; submissively obedient; serving to promote some end
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susceptible
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(adj) open to; easily influenced; lacking in resistance
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abate
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(v) to make less in amount; to subside, become less
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adulation
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(n) praise or flattery that is excessive
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anathema
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(n) an object of intense dislike
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astute
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(adj) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom
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avarice
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(n) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth
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culpable
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(adj) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation
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dilatory
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(adj) tending to delay or procrastinate
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egregious
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(adj) conspicuous, standing out from the mass
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equivocate
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(v) to speak or act in a way that allows for more then one interpretation
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evanescent
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(adj) vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy
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irresolute
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(adj) unable to make up one's mind
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nebulous
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(adj) cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color; vague
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novice
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(n) one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience
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penury
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(n) extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency
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pretentious
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(adj) done for show, striving to make a big impression
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recapitulate
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(v) to review a series of facts; to sum up
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resuscitate
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(v) to revive, bring back to conciousness
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slovenly
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(adj) untidy, dirty, careless
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supposition
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(n) something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
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torpid
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(adj) inactive, sluggish, dull
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accrue
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(v) to grow or accumulate over time
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annotation
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(n) a critical or explantory note or comment
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bedlam
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(n) a state or scene of uproar and confusion
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covert
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(adj) hidden, diguised
(n) a sheltered place, a hiding place |
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debonair
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(adj) pleasant, courteous, lighthearted
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dun
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(v) to demand insistently
(n) a creditor (adj) dark, dull, drab, dingy |
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efficacious
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(adj) effective, producing results
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equanimity
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(n) calmness, composure, refusal to panic
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fortuitous
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(adj) accidental, occuring by a happy chance
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gist
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(n) the essential part, main point
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gratuitous
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(adj) freely given; unwarrented
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imperious
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(adj) averbearing, arrogant
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invective
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(n) abusive language
(adj) abusive, vituperative |
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motley
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(adj) showing great variety
(n) a jester's costume; a jester |
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munificent
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(adj) extremely generous, lavish
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procrastinate
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(v) to delay, put off until later
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provocative
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(adj) tending to produce a stong feeling or response
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recondite
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(adj) exceeding ordinary knowledge and understanding
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reprobate
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(n) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person
(v) to disapprove of, condem |
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sedentary
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(adj) characterized by or calling for continued sitting
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abstemious
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(adj) moderate, sparing
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censurable
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(adj) deserving blame or correction
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contingent
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(adj) likely but not certain to happen
(n) a representative group forming part of a larger body |
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corroborate
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(v) to confirm, make for certain
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denizen
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(n) adn inhabitant, resident
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discursive
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(adj) passing aimlessly from place to another
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disseminate
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(v) to scatter or spread widely
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dowdy
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(adj) poorly dressed, shabby
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florid
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(adj) highly colored; excessively ornate
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foist
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(v) to impose by fraud; to pass off as worthy or genuine
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gauche
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(adj) awkward, lacking in social graces
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heresy
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(n) an opinion different from accepted belief
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inculcate
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(v) to impress on the mind by repetition
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palpable
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(adj) capable of being touched or felt
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perceptive
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(adj) having sympathetic insight or understanding
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pernicious
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(adj) extremely harmful; deadly, fatal
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salient
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(adj) leaping, jumping, springing forth
(n) a projection or bulge |
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satiate
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(v) to satisfy completely
(adj) full, satisfied |
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sear
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(v) to make or become dry and withered
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specious
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(adj) deceptive, apparently good or valid but lacking realy merit
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absolve
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(v) to clear from blame
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caricature
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(n) a representation in which the characteristic features are deliberately exaggerated
(v) to present someone with something in a deliberately distorted way |
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clangor
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(n) a loud, ringing sound
(v) to make a loud ringing noise |
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contiguous
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(adj) side by side, touching
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cupidity
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(n) an eager desire for something; greed
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deleterious
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(adj) harmful, injurious
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enhance
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(v) to raise to a higher degree
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enthrall
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(v) to captivate, charm, hold spellbound
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extenuate
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(v) to lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offense by making partial excuses
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implicit
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(adj) implied or understood though unexpressed
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incisive
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(adj) sharp, keen, penetrating
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ostentatious
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(adj) marked by conspicuous or pretentious disply, showy
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paragon
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(n) a model of excellence or perfection
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paraphrase
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(v) to restate in other words
(n) a statement that presents a given idea in new language |
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politic
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(adj) prudent, shrewdly concieved and developed
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prosaic
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(adj) dull, lakcing in distiction or originality
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redudant
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(adj) extra, excess, more than is needed
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sanctimonious
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(adj) making a show of virtue or righteousness
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scintillating
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(adj) sparkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant
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winsome
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(adj) charming, attractive, pleasing
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