{"abase":"lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect","abash":"embarrass","abate":"subside or moderate","abbreviate":"shorten","abdicate":"renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)","aberrant":"abnormal or deviant","aberration":"deviation from the normal; mental disorder","abet":"assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage","abeyance":"suspended action","abhor":"detest; hate","abide":"dwell; abide by: comply with; put up with; tolerate; Ex. abide by the rules; Ex. I can't abide rude people.","abject":"(of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology","abjure":"renounce upon oath","ablution":"washing","abnegation":"renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation","abode":"dwelling place; home","abolish":"cancel; put an end to","abominable":"detestable; extremely unpleasant","abominate":"loathe; hate","aboriginal":"being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine","abortive":"unsuccessful; fruitless","abrasive":"rubbing away; tending to grind down","abridge":"condense or shorten","abrogate":"abolish","abscission":"cutting off; separation","abscond":"depart secretly and hide","absolute":"complete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism","absolve":"pardon (an offense)","abstain":"refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote;","abstemious":"sparing in eating and drinking; temperate","abstinence":"restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote","abstract":"theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational","abstruse":"obscure; profound; difficult to understand","abusive":"coarsely insulting; physically harmful","abut":"border upon; adjoin","abysmal":"bottomless","abyss":"enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit","academic":"related to a school; not practical or directly useful","accede":"agree","accelerate":"move faster","accessible":"easy to approach; obtainable","accessory":"additional object; useful but not essential thing","acclaim":"applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise","acclimate":"adjust to climate or environment; adapt","acclivity":"sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity","accolade":"award of merit; strong praise and approval","accommodate":"oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging","accomplice":"partner in crime","accord":"agreement","accost":"approach and speak first to a person","accoutre":"equip; N. accoutrement","accretion":"growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete","accrue":"come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual","acerbity":"bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)","acetic":"vinegary","acidulous":"slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic","acknowledge":"recognize; admit","acme":"peak; pinnacle; highest point","acne":"skin disease (on the face)","acoustics":"science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in","acquiesce":"assent; agree passively; comply without protest","acquittal":"deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner","acrid":"bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent","acrimonious":"stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior","acrophobia":"fear of heights","actuarial":"calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics","actuary":"someone who advises insurance companies","actuate":"motivate; activate; cause to act","acuity":"sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)","acumen":"mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen","acute":"(of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain","adage":"wise saying; proverb","adamant":"hard; inflexible","adapt":"make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.","addendum":"addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book)","addiction":"compulsive habitual need","addle":"make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)","address":"direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one's efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech","adept":"expert at; very skilled","adhere":"stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality","adherent":"supporter; follower","adjacent":"adjoining; neighboring; close by","adjoin":"be next to","adjourn":"suspend until a later time; move from one place to another","adjunct":"something attached to but holding an inferior position","adjuration":"solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly","adjutant":"staff officer assisting the commander; assistant","admonish":"warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove","adore":"love deeply and respect highly","adorn":"decorate","adroit":"skillful (in using mind or hand)","adulation":"flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved","adulterate":"make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances","advent":"arrival","adventitious":"accidental; casual; happening by chance","adversary":"opponent; enemy","adverse":"going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile","adversity":"great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event","advert":"refer","advocacy":"support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something","advocate":"speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for","aegis":"shield; protection; defense","aerieaery,eyrie,eyry)":"nest of a large bird of prey","aesthetic":"artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics","affable":"easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly","affected":"artificial; pretended","affidavit":"written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)","affiliation":"joining; associating with","affinity":"feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages","affirmation":"positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination","affliction":"state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on","affluence":"abundance; wealth","affront":"insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally","afterlife":"life after death; later part of one's life","agape":"openmouthed","agenda":"items of business at a meeting","agglomeration":"collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass; heap","aggrandize":"make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement","aggregate":"sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars","aghast":"filled with great surprise or fear; horrified","agility":"nimbleness; ability to move quickly","agitate":"stir up; disturb","agnostic":"one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality","agog":"highly excited; intensely curious","agrarian":"pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform","airy":"of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal","alacrity":"cheerful promptness without reluctance","alchemy":"medieval chemistry","alcove":"nook; recess","alias":"an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias","alienate":"make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of","alimentary":"supplying nourishment","alimony":"payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce","allay":"calm; pacify","allege":"state without proof","allegiance":"loyalty","allegory":"story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable","alleviate":"relieve (pain)","alliteration":"repetition of beginning sound in poetry","allocate":"assign; set apart for a particular purpose","alloy":"mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness","allude":"refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference","allure":"entice; attract; tempt","alluvial":"pertaining to soil deposits left by running water","alms":"money or goods given to the poor","aloft":"upward; high up in the air","aloof":"apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.","altercation":"noisy quarrel","altruistic":"unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism","amalgam":"combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth","amalgamate":"(of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body","amass":"collect (gradually, in a very large amount)","amazon":"female warrior","ambidextrous":"capable of using either hand with equal ease","ambience":"environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature","ambiguous":"unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation","ambivalence":"the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions","amble":"walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly","ambrosia":"food of the gods","ambulatory":"able to walk","ambush":"act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V.","ameliorate":"improve","amenable":"obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests","amend":"correct; change ; generally for the better","amenities":"convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies","amiable":"agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly","amicable":"peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement","amiss":"wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.","amity":"friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations","amnesia":"loss of memory","amnesty":"pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)","amokamuck) ":"in a state of rage; Ex. run amok","amoral":"nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong","amorous":"moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances","amorphous":"formless; lacking shape or definition","amphibian":"able to live both on land and in water; N.","amphitheater":"oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena","ample":"enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space","amplify":"increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph","amputate":"cut off part of body; prune (a limb)","amulet":"charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck","anachronism":"an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic","analgesia":"condition of being unable to feel pain","analgesic":"causing insensitivity to pain; N.","analogous":"comparable; similar","analogy":"similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things","anarchist":"person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority","anarchy":"absence of governing body; state of disorder","anathema":"solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize","ancestry":"family descent; ADJ. ancestral","anchor":"secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage","ancillary":"serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.","anecdote":"short story of an amusing or interesting event","anemia":"condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic","anesthetic":"substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia","anguish":"acute pain; extreme suffering","angular":"sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner","animadversion":"critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval","animated":"lively; spirited","animosity":"active enmity","animus":"hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition","annals":"records arranged in yearly parts; history","anneal":"reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)","annex":"attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one","annihilate":"destroy","annotate":"comment; make explanatory notes","annuity":"yearly allowance","annul":"make void","anodyne":"drug that relieves pain or trouble;opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement","anoint":"consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)","anomalous":"abnormal; irregular","anomaly":"irregularity","anonymity":"state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous","antagonism":"hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist","antecede":"precede","antecedents":"preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background","antediluvian":"antiquated; extremely ancient","anthem":"song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem","anthology":"book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus","anthropoid":"manlike; resembling a human being; N.","anthropologist":"student of the history and science of humankind","anthropomorphic":"having human form or characteristics","anticlimax":"letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting","antidote":"remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles","antipathy":"aversion; dislike or opposition","antiquated":"obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated","antique":"made in an earlier period and usu. valuable; N: object that was made in an earlier period and that is rare or valuable","antiquity":"quality of being very old; ancient times;","antiseptic":"substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.","antithesis":"contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical","antler":"bony growth on the head of a deer","anvil":"iron block used in hammering out metals","apathy":"lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic","ape":"imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)","aperture":"opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light","apex":"tip; summit; climax; highest point","aphasia":"loss of speech due to injury or illness","aphorism":"pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic","apiarist":"person who keeps bees","apiary":"a place where bees are kept","apiculture":"bee-keeping","aplomb":"poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence","apocalyptic":"prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse","apocryphal":"(of a story) widely believed but untrue","apogee":"highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee","apolitical":"having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs","apologist":"one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia","apoplexy":"stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain","apostate":"one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy","apothecary":"druggist; pharmacist","apothegmapophthegm)":"pithy, compact saying","apotheosis":"elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something","appall":"dismay; shock deeply","apparent":"evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement","apparition":"ghost; phantom","appease":"pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement","appellation":"name; title","append":"attach","application":"diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself","apposite":"appropriate; fitting","appraise":"estimate value of; N. appraisal","appreciate":"be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference","apprehend":"arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension","apprehensive":"fearful; discerning","apprise":"inform","approbation":"approval","appropriate":"acquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate","appurtenances":"subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing","apropos":"with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.","aptitude":"fitness; talent","aquiline":"curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose","arable":"fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land","arbiter":"person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware","arbitrary":"unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler","arbitrate":"act as judge (at the request of both sides)","arboreal":"of or living in trees","arboretum":"place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited","arcade":"a covered passageway usually lined with shops","arcane":"esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener","arch":"chief; first; Ex. archbishop","archaeology":"study of artifacts and relics of early mankind","archaic":"antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.","archetype":"prototype; primitive pattern","archipelago":"group of closely located islands","archives":"public records; place where public records are kept","ardor":"heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent","arduous":"hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work","argot":"slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people","aria":"operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio","arid":"(of land) dry; barren; unproductive","aristocracy":"hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat","armada":"fleet of warships","aromatic":"fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell","arraign":"charge in court; indict","array":"marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array","arrears":"being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done","arrhythmic":"lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia","arrogance":"pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in one's own importance and a lack of respect for other people)","arroyo":"gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater","arsenal":"storage place for military equipment","artery":"blood-vessel; CF. vein","artful":"exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice","articulate":"effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints","artifacts":"object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced","artifice":"deception; trickery","artisan":"a manually skilled worker","artless":"without guile; open and honest","ascendancy":"controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant","ascertain":"find out for certain; make certain","ascetic":"practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism","ascribe":"refer; attribute; assign","aseptic":"preventing infection; having a cleansing effect","ashen":"ash-colored; deadly pale","asinine":"stupid; Ex. asinine remarks","askance":"with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at","askew":"crookedly; slanted; at an angle","asperity":"sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter","aspersion":"slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on","aspirant":"seeker after position or status","aspire":"seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership","assail":"assault","assay":"analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)","assent":"agree; accept; N. assessment","assert":"state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence","assiduous":"diligent","assimilate":"absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)","assuage":"mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)","assumption":"something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume","assurance":"firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assuranc","asteroid":"small planet","astigmatism":"eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism","astral":"relating to the stars","astringent":"binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism","astronomical":"enormously large or extensive","astute":"wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage","asunder":"into parts; apart; V. sunder","asylum":"place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)","asymmetric":"not identical on both sides of a dividing central line","atavism":"resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic","atheistic":"denying the existence of God; N. atheism","atone":"make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for","atrocity":"brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious","atrophy":"wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)","attentive":"alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady; N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration","attenuate":"make thin; weaken","attest":"testify; bear witness","attire":"clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel","attribute":"essential quality; V: ascribe; explain","attrition":"rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition","atypical":"not normal; not typical","audacious":"daring; bold; N. audacity","audit":"examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.","augment":"increase; add to","augury":"omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)","august":"impressive; majestic","aureole":"sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light","auroral":"pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis","auspicious":"favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices","austere":"forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity","authenticate":"prove genuine","authoritarian":"subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father","authoritative":"having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive","autocratic":"having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy","automaton":"mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself","autonomous":"self-governing; N. autonomy","autopsy":"examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.","auxiliary":"offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant","avalanche":"great mass of falling snow and ice","avantgarde":"group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard","avarice":"greediness for wealth","avenge":"take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy.","aver":"state confidently; declare as true","averse":"reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work","aversion":"firm dislike","avert":"prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight.","aviary":"enclosure for birds; large cage","avid":"greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity","avocation":"secondary or minor occupation","avow":"declare openly; N. avowal","avuncular":"of or like an uncle","awe":"solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome","awful":"terrible; very bad","awl":"pointed tool used for piercing","awry":"distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.","axiom":"self-evident truth requiring no proof","azure":"sky blue","babble":"chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like \n water running gently over rounded stone; N.","bacchanal":"noisy party with a lot of drinking","bacchanalia":"the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus","bacchanalian":"drunken","backslide":"revert (to bad habits); N. reverter","backwards":"and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting \n him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange \n of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading \n rights","badger":"pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by \n asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into \n taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal","badinage":"teasing conversation; banter; joking talk","baffle":"frustrate; perplex","bait":"harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food \n or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals","baleful":"evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having \n a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; \n Ex. baleful look","balk":"stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse \n to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate","ballast":"heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. \n supply with ballast","balm":"something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant \n smell from trees","balmy":"soft and mild (of air); fragrant","banal":"hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; \n clich\\'ed","bandy":"discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; \n exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with","bane":"posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous","bank":"heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as \n of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a \n bank; tilt in turning","bantering":"joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter","bar":"railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical \n line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner \n at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; \n CF. barrister","barb":"sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; \n openly cutting remark","bard":"poet","barefaced":"shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; \n having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie","bargain":"agreement between two groups or people; something for \n sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; \n trade; Ex. bargaining power","baroque":"highly ornate","barrage":"barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; \n large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage \n of criticism","barrister":"counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; \n CF. bar","barterer":"trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods \n rather than money","base":"contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; \n Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron","bask":"luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth","bastard":"illegitimate child","bastion":"stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; \n Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism","bate":"let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; \n Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate","battalion":"army unit made up of four or more companies","bauble":"trinket; cheap jewel; trifle","bawdy":"indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. \n bawd","bearing":"deportment; connection","beatific":"giving or showing bliss; blissful","beatitude":"blessedness; state of great happiness","bedizen":"dress with vulgar finery","bedraggle":"wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled","beeline":"direct quick route","befuddle":"confuse thoroughly","beget":"father; become the father of; produce; give rise to","begrudge":"envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't \n begrudge him his success.","beguile":"deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; \n charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile","behemoth":"huge creature; something of monstrous size or power","beholden":"obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted \n from gratitude","behoovebehove) ":"be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; \n Ex. It behooves one to do.","belabor":"harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively \n or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; \n attack physically","belated":"delayed","beleaguer":"besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset","belie":"contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. \n The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies \n her true feeling of displeasure.","belittle":"disparage; depreciate","bellicose":"warlike","belligerent":"quarrelsome","bemoan":"lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of","bemused":"confused; lost in thought; preoccupied","benediction":"blessing","benefactor":"gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives \n money for a good purpose","beneficent":"kindly; doing good","beneficial":"helpful; useful; advantageous","beneficiary":"person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance \n policy or will","benefit":"advantage; anything that brings helpl, advantage, or \n profit; money provided by the government to the people; \n fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; \n V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits","benevolent":"generous; charitable; having a wish to do good","benign":"kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign \n tumor","benison":"blessing","bent":"determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; \n N: natural talent or inclination","bequeath":"leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his \n will; N. bequest","berate":"scold strongly","bereaved":"deprived of (someone beloved through death)","bereavement":"state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; \n state of being bereaved or bereft","bereft":"deprived of (something valuable); lacking","berserk":"mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited","beseech":"beg; plead with","beset":"harass or trouble from all directions; hem in","besiege":"surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); \n annoy continually","besmirch":"soil; defile; make dirty","bestial":"beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel","bestow":"confer","betoken":"signify; indicate; be a sign of","betray":"be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); \n Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.","betroth":"become engaged to marry","bevy":"large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets","beware":"be cautious (of)","bewitch":"cast a spell over; captivate completely","bicameral":"two-chambered as a legislative body","bicker":"quarrel","bid":"command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N: offer \n of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain something; \n Ex. bid for freedom","biennial":"every two years","bifurcated":"divided into two branches; forked","bigot":"one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)","bigotry":"stubborn intolerance","bilious":"suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much \n bile; irritable; easily irritated","bilk":"swindle; cheat","billow":"large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); \n V: surge, swell, roll in billows","billowing":"swelling out in waves; surging","biting":"sharply painful to the body or mind; Ex. biting wind/remarks","bitter":"having a sharp biting taste; 敬; causing sharp pain \n to the body or mind; filled with resentment, disappointment, \n or other unpleasant feelings; Ex. bitter wind/sorrow/tears","bivouac":"temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.","bizarre":"fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly \n unconventional","blackball":"vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative \n vote","blanch":"bleach; whiten; make white or pale","bland":"soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble \n or offence","blandishment":"flattery","blare":"loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light","blase":"bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or \n bored","blasphemy":"irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about \n God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. \n sacrilege","blatant":"extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; \n Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy","bleak":"cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; \n depressing","blemish":"mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or \n defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the \n crystal; CF. unblemished","blight":"plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy","blighted":"suffering from a disease; destroyed","bliss":"complete happiness; ADJ. blissful","blitheblithesome)":"gay; joyous","bloated":"(unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air","blotch":"spot; blot; CF. blot+botch","blowhard":"talkative boaster; braggart","bludgeon":"club; heavy-headed weapon; V.","blue":"gloomy; depressed","blues":"state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful \n music (evolved from southern Black American songs)","bluff":"pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: \n rough but good-natured","blunder":"error; stupid mistake","blunt":"having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; \n brusque; V: make or become blunt","blurt":"utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement","blush":"become red in the face (from embarrassment or shame); \n become red or rosy; N.","bluster":"blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak \n in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale","bode":"foreshadow; portend","bog":"soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged \n down in the mud","bogus":"counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. \n bogus interview","bohemian":"unconventional (in an artistic way)","boisterous":"violent; rough; noisy","bolster":"support; reinforce","bolt":"door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; \n large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a | \n door); gobble down","bombardment":"attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard","bombast":"grandiloquent, pompous speech","bombastic":"pompous; using inflated language","bookish":"fond of books and reading","boon":"blessing; benefit; something very helpful","boor":"rude, insensitive person","boorish":"rude; insensitive","boost":"lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: \n push upward; increase","botch":"mismanage; blow","bouillon":"clear beef (or meat) soup","bound":"leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit \n of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; \n ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or \n morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; \n Ex. I am bound to","bountiful":"generous; graciously generous; showing bounty","bourgeois":"middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested \n in material possessions","bout":"match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling \n bout; bout of drinking/flu","bovine":"cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm","bowdlerize":"expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler","brackish":"somewhat saline","brag":"boast","braggadocio":"boasting","braggart":"boaster; bragger","braid":"plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving \n strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)","brand":"trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark \n burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; \n V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; \n Ex. The press branded him a liar.","brandish":"wave around (a weapon); flourish","bravado":"swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery","brave":"face courageously; Ex. brave the storm","brawl":"noisy quarrel","brawn":"human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness","brawny":"muscular; having well-developed muscles","brazen":"insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face \n with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence","breach":"breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; \n V.","breadth":"width; extent","breed":"produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable \n condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant","brevity":"conciseness; shortness of duration","bridle":"harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); \n curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; \n show anger","brim":"uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a hat); \n Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the \n brim","brindled":"tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)","brink":"edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the \n Grand Canyon","brisk":"quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor","bristle":"short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly","bristling":"rising like bristles; showing irritation","brittle":"hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle \n situation","broach":"introduce as a subject; moot; open up","brocade":"rich, figured(patterned) fabric","brochure":"pamphlet","broil":"cook by direct heat; N.","bromide":"platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement","brooch":"ornamental clasp; pin","brood":"sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; \n N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds \n hatched at one time","brook":"tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small \n stream","browbeat":"bully; intimidate","browse":"graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually","bruise":"injure without breaking the skin; N.","brunt":"main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt \n of the argument","brusque":"blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being \n nice","buccaneer":"pirate","bucolic":"rustic; pastoral","buffet":"strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table \n with food set out for people to server themselves; meal \n at which people help themselves to food that's been set","buffoon":"stupid person; clown","buffoonery":"clowning","bugaboo":"bugbear; object of baseless terror","bulge":"protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple \n made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude","bulk":"size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. \n The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: \n having great size","bullion":"gold and silver in the form of bars","bully":"one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.","bulwark":"strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong \n defense; person who defends","bump":"hit or knock against with force; N.","bungle":"mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior","buoyant":"able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; \n Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market","bureaucracy":"overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; \n ADJ. bureaucratic","burgeon":"grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning \n computer industry; CF. bludgeon","burlesque":"give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly","burnish":"make shiny by rubbing; polish","bust":"piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, \n and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster","buttress":"support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support \n wall; Ex. flying buttress","buxom":"full-bosomed; plump; jolly","cabal":"small group of persons secretly united to promote their \n own interests","cache":"hiding place; V.","cacophonous":"discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant \n mixture of loud sounds","cadaver":"corpse; dead human body","cadaverous":"like a corpse; pale","cadence":"rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; \n regular beat of sound; rhythm","cadet":"student at a military school","cajole":"persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle","calamity":"disaster; misery","calculated":"deliberately planned; likely","caldroncauldron)":"large kettle","caliber":"ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round \n cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber","calligraphy":"beautiful writing; excellent penmanship","callous":"hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings \n of others; unkind","callow":"youthful; immature; inexperienced","callus":"area of thick hard skin","calorific":"heat-producing; N. calorie","calumny":"malicious misrepresentation; slander","camaraderie":"good-fellowship; CF. comrade","cameo":"shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance \n in a minor role in a film","camp":"group sharing a common cause or opinion","canard":"unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report","candor":"frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid","canine":"related to dogs; doglike","canker":"any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer","canny":"shrewd in money matters; thrifty","cant":"insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of \n thieves; special words used by a particular group of people","cantankerous":"ill-humored; irritable","cantata":"story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter \n than an oratorio)","canter":"slow gallop; V. CF. trot","canto":"division of a long poem","canvass":"determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through \n (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; \n N.","capacious":"spacious","capacity":"mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; \n ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president","capillary":"having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and \n slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike \n tube; CF. capillarity","capitulate":"surrender; give up all resistance","caprice":"whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause","capricious":"unpredictable; fickle","capsize":"(of a boat) turn over","caption":"title; chapter heading; text under illustration","captious":"faultfinding; too critical","carafe":"glass water bottle; decanter","carapace":"shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, \n etc.)","caratkarat) ":"unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the \n purity of gold","carcinogenic":"causing cancer; N. carcinogen","cardinal":"chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: \n number that shows quantity rather thatn order","cardiologist":"doctor specializing in ailments of the heart","careen":"lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular \n swinging movement; stagger","career":"rush wildly; go at full speed","carefree":"free from worries; having no problems","caricature":"distortion; burlesque","carillon":"a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being \n played","carnage":"destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers \n of people or animals","carnal":"fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body","carnivorous":"meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore","carousal":"drunken revel; V. carouse","carping":"petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; \n quibble","carrion":"rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture","cartographer":"map-maker","cascade":"small waterfall","caste":"one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social \n stratification; prestige","castigation":"punishment; severe criticism or disapproval","castrate":"remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)","casual":"happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; \n showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark","casualty":"serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded \n in an accident or battle","cataclysm":"deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event \n or change","catalyst":"agent which brings about a chemical change while it \n remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis","catapult":"slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult","cataract":"great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual \n loss of eyesight)","catastrophe":"calamity ; disaster","catcall":"shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater \n or a sports match); boo; V.","catechism":"book for religious instruction in question-and-answer \n form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. \n catechize","categorical":"without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; \n unqualified; absolute","cater":"provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy \n (desires of a bad kind)","catharsis":"purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging \n and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing \n a dramatic work of art","cathartic":"purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; \n ADJ.","catholic":"(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; \n including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; \n Ex. catholic opinions/tastes","caucus":"private meeting of a group of people in a political \n party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the \n Caucus club of Boston","caulkcalk) ":"make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)","causal":"implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality","caustic":"burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; \n sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; \n harmful; OP. harmless","cauterize":"burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or \n caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection","cavalcade":"procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; \n CF. cavalry","cavalier":"casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight","cavil":"quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily","cede":"yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a \n war); surrender formally; N. cession","celerity":"speed; rapidity","celestial":"heavenly","celibate":"abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy","cemetery":"place for burying the dead","censor":"(in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the \n census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.","censorious":"severely critical","censure":"blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe \n criticism; strong disapproval","centaur":"mythical figure, half man and half horse","centigrade":"denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically \n same as Celsius)","centrifugal":"radiating; departing from the center","centrifuge":"machine that separates substances by whirling them","centripetal":"tending toward the center","centurion":"Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 \n soldiers)","cerebral":"pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual \n rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum","cerebration":"thought; working of the brain","ceremonious":"marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. \n ceremony: conventional social courtesy","certitude":"certainty","cessation":"stoppage","cession":"yielding to another; ceding","chafe":"warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.","chaff":"worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed \n cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from \n the chaff","chaffing":"bantering; joking","chagrin":"annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation \n or injured pride)","chalice":"goblet; consecrated cup","chameleon":"lizard that changes color in different situations","champion":"support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights \n for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, \n etc.)","championship":"position of champion; defense or support; competition \n held to determine a champion","chancellor":"legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): \n position of a chancellor","chant":"tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on \n the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in \n the manner of a chant","chaotic":"in utter disorder","chapel":"small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)","chaperon":"older person who accompanies and supervises a young \n unmarried woman","chaplain":"clergyman attached to a chapel","char":"make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced \n to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning \n wood) by incomplete combustion","charisma":"divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism","charlatan":"quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)","charm":"quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought \n to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell \n on; bewitch","chary":"cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained \n about giving; OP. bold","chase":"ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly \n to catch","chasm":"abyss; very deep crack","chassis":"framework and working parts of an automobile; framework \n to which components are attached","chaste":"morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual \n acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly \n decorated; austere","chasten":"discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate","chastise":"punish as by beating; criticize severely","chauvinist":"blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, \n cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas \n Chauvin","check":"stop motion; curb or restrain","checkeredchequered)":"marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes \n of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares","cherubic":"angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged \n angel of the highest order","chicanery":"trickery; deception","chide":"scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)","chimerical":"fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: \n unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature","chip":"lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small \n piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp","chisel":"swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting","chivalrous":"courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry","choice":"delicate; of very fine quality","choir":"group of people who sing together (esp. during religious \n services); place for choir","choleric":"hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; \n CF. cholera","chore":"daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and \n shopping); unpleasant task","choreography":"art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement \n of dances","chortle":"chuckle with delight; N.","chorus":"phrase repeated throughout a song or poem","chronic":"long established as a disease","chronicle":"report; record (in chronological order)","chuckle":"laugh quietly","churlish":"boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo","ciliated":"having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash","cipher":"nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret \n code; V.","circlet":"small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn \n on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)","circuit":"closed circular line around an area; circumference; \n regularly repeated journey from place to place","circuitous":"roundabout","circumlocution":"indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily \n large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering \n a difficult question directly)","circumscribe":"limit; confine; draw a line around","circumspect":"prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought","circumvent":"outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; \n baffle; avoid; get around","cistern":"reservoir or water tank","citadel":"fortress","cite":"quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official \n record","civil":"having to do with citizens; not military or religious; \n courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; \n Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic","clairvoyant":"having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance","clamber":"climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble","clamor":"loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint \n made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express \n (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous","clandestine":"secret","clangor":"loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging","clap":"strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden \n explosive sound; come together suddenly with a sharp sound; \n put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in jail; N: clapping; \n loud or explosive sound; CF. applause","clapper":"striker (tongue) of a bell","clarion":"shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in \n former times","clasp":"hold firmly within arms","claustrophobia":"fear of being locked in","clavicle":"collarbone","cleave":"split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; \n ADJ. cloven","cleft":"N: split","clemency":"disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; \n mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement","cliche ":"phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; \n ADJ. clich\\'ed","clientele":"body of customers","climactic":"relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic","clime":"climate","clip":"cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off \n (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener","clipper":"sailing vessel built for great speed","clique":"small exclusive group of people","cloister":"monastery or convent","clot":"half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.","clout":"great influence (especially political or social); hard \n blow with fist","clown":"act stupidly; play the fool; N.","cloying":"distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet \n or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too \n much sweetness or excess","coagulate":"congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant","coalesce":"combine; fuse; N. coalescence","coalition":"partnership; league; union of separate political parties","coax":"persuade by flattery","coda":"concluding section of a musical or literary composition","coddle":"treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; \n baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled \n eggs","codicil":"supplement to the body of a will; later addition to \n a will","codify":"arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: \n system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection \n of laws, rules, established social customs","coercion":"use of force to get someone to object; compelling; \n V. coerce","coeval":"living at the same time as; existing during the same \n period of time; contemporary; of the same age","cog":"tooth projecting from a wheel","cogent":"convincing","cogitate":"think over; ponder","cognate":"having a common origin; related linguistically; allied \n by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; \n N.","cognitive":"having to do with knowing or perceiving related to \n the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process \n of knowing","cognizance":"knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware","cohabit":"live together","cohere":"stick together","cohesion":"tendency to keep together","cohorts":"group of people who share some common quality; armed \n band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one \n commander (in the ancient Rome)","coiffure":"hairstyle","coin":"make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); \n N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented","coincidence":"the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or \n more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at \n the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental","colander":"utensil with perforated bottom used for straining","collaborate":"work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy","collage":"work of art put together from fragments","collate":"examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; \n arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are \n bound)","collateral":"security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended \n from the same person but through different sons or daughters","collation":"a light meal; collating","collected":"composed; calm; self-possessed","colloquial":"pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; \n N. colloquialism: colloquial expression","colloquy":"informal discussion; conversation","collusion":"conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive \n others; V. collude","colossal":"huge","colossus":"gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance","coma":"deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, \n or a severe blow","comatose":"in a coma; extremely sleepy","combustible":"easily burned; N. CF. combustion","comeback":"retort; quick clever reply; return to former status","comely":"attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance","comestible":"something fit to be eaten","comeuppance":"deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke","comity":"courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations","commandeer":"take (private property) for military use without needing \n permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes","commemorate":"honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate \n the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war","commemorative":"remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative \n stamp","commensurate":"equal in extent; of the same size","commiserate":"feel or express pity or sympathy for","commodious":"spacious and comfortable","commonplace":"ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark","commonwealth":"nation governed by the people; republic; people of \n a nation","communal":"held in common; public; of a group of people; of a \n commune","commune":"small (often rural) community whose members share work \n and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune \n with nature","compact":"agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; \n concise; Ex. compact statement","compartment":"one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided","compassion":"sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate","compatible":"harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together","compelling":"overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's \n attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling \n adventure story; V. compel","compendium":"brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious","compensatory":"making up for; repaying","compilation":"listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling","compile":"assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) \n from facts and information found in various places; Ex. \n compile a dictionary","complacency":"self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent","complaisant":"trying to please; obliging; willing to please others","complement":"complete; consummate; make perfect; N.","complementary":"serving to complete something","compliance":"conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to \n yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply","compliant":"readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or \n the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements","complicity":"participation; involvement (in a questionable act or \n a crime)","component":"element; ingredient","comport":"bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment","compost":"mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; \n V: put or make compost","composure":"mental calmness","compound":"combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse \n by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an \n error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination \n of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing \n a group of buildings;","comprehend":"include; understand","comprehensive":"broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive","compress":"force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into \n fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of \n the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.","comprise":"include; consist of","compromise":"adjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger \n the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, \n or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one's principle; \n N.","compulsion":"compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; \n irresistible impulse","compulsive":"resulting from compulsion","compulsory":"obligatory; that must be done","compunction":"remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt","compute":"reckon; calculate","concatenate":"link as in a chain","concave":"hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex","concede":"admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); \n yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal","conceit":"vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own \n value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)","concentric":"having a common center","conception":"beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: \n form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. \n inception","concerted":"mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. \n concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together","concession":"an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; \n point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining \n a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in \n the North sea; CF. concessionaire","conciliatory":"reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; \n win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)","concise":"brief and compact","conclave":"private secret meeting","conclusive":"decisive; ending all debate","concoct":"prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; \n devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct \n an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction","concomitant":"that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant \n of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something \n else","concord":"harmony; accord","concordat":"formal agreement","concur":"agree; coincide; happen at the same time","concurrent":"happening at the same time; in agreement","condescend":"(derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend \n to the level of one considered inferior","condign":"adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved","condiments":"seasonings; spices","condole":"express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone \n who has experienced great sorrow","condone":"overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse","conducive":"helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards","conduit":"aqueduct; passageway for fluids","confidantconfidante)":"trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)","confide":"tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident \n about","confidence":"self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong \n belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability \n of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; \n something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; \n Ex. I'm telling yo","confidential":"spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; \n Ex. confidential secretary","confine":"shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; \n N. confinement","confiscate":"seize; take possession of (private property) by official \n order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer","conflagration":"great fire","confluence":"flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; \n crowd; gathering together","conformist":"person who uncritically conforms to the customs of \n a group; OP. nonconformist: one who does not conform to \n accepted beliefs of norms","conformity":"harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; \n similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: \n be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the \n rule; CF. conformance","confound":"confuse; puzzle","congeal":"freeze; coagulate","congenial":"pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes \n and nature; Ex. congenial weather","congenital":"existing at birth","conglomerate":"corporation made up of several different companies \n in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered \n together; rock consisting of small stones held together \n by clay; V.","conglomeration":"mass of material sticking together","congruence":"correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. \n congruity","congruent":"in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding \n exactly; CF. congruous","conifer":"pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. \n coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen","conjecture":"surmise; guess; V.","conjugal":"pertaining to marriage","conjure":"cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) \n by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement \n of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; \n Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.","connivance":"pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; \n permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of \n a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire","connoisseur":"person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose \n judgments are respected); a lover of an art","connotation":"suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote","connubial":"pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state","consanguineousconsanguine)":"having a common ancestor","consanguinity":"kinship; relationship by birth","conscientious":"scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious \n worker","conscript":"draftee; person forced into military service; V.","consecrate":"dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate \n one's life to helping the poor","consensus":"general agreement; opinion reached by a group","consequential":"self-important; significant; consequent; following \n as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent","conservatoryconservatoire)":"school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); \n glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy","consign":"send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; \n entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for \n a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee","consistency":"absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness \n or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous","console":"lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay \n the sorrow of; N. consolation","consolidation":"unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; \n V. consolidate: merge; strengthen","consonance":"harmony; agreement","consonant":"harmonious; in agreement; N.","consort":"associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or \n a ruler)","conspiracy":"treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two \n or more people)","conspire":"take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; \n combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.","consternation":"great shock; dismay","constituency":"voters represented by an elected official; district \n so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)","constituent":"supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component","constitution":"constituting; system of laws; composition of something; \n physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with \n strong constitutions","constraint":"restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; \n V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine \n forcibly; imprison","construe":"explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning \n that she agreed; CF. misconstrue","consummate":"complete; V.","contagion":"infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: \n that can be passed by infection in the air","contaminate":"pollute","contempt":"scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible","contend":"struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly","contention":"assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition","contentious":"quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments","contest":"dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; \n try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest \n a seat in Parliament; N.","context":"writings preceding and following the passage quoted; \n circumstance in which an event occurs","contiguous":"adjacent to; touching upon","continence":"self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; \n voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. \n continent","contingent":"dependent on something uncertain or in the future; \n conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group \n of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: \n future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. \n prepare for every contingency","contortions":"twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently \n out of shape; CF. contortionist","contraband":"illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.","contravene":"contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); \n N. contravention","contrite":"penitent; repentant; N. contrition","contrivance":"something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful \n plan; scheme","contrive":"invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); \n manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention","contrived":"unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.","controvert":"oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; \n ADJ. controversial; N. controversy","contumacious":"stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. \n disobedient to an order made by a court)","contusion":"bruise","conundrum":"riddle; difficult problem","convene":"come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene \n the council","convention":"social or moral custom; established practice; formal \n meeting; international agreement","conventional":"ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons","converge":"approach; tend to meet; come together","conversant":"familiar with; having knowledge of","converse":"opposite; ADJ.","convert":"one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; \n V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular \n religion or belief","convex":"curving outward","conveyance":"vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance","conviction":"judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly \n held belief","convivial":"pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized \n by joviality; jovial","convoke":"call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation","convoluted":"coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; \n complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds \n of the surface of the brain","convulsion":"violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by \n illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive","copious":"plentiful","coquette":"flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract \n the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.","cordial":"warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome","cordon":"extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access \n or egress; V.","cornice":"projecting molding on building (usually above columns \n or pillars);","cornucopia":"horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit \n and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty","corollary":"natural consequence (which naturally follows from something \n else)","coroner":"public official who investigates any death thought \n to be of other than natural causes","corporeal":"bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; \n tangible","corpulent":"very fat; N. corpulence","corpus":"collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus \n of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse","corpuscle":"red or white cell in the blood","correlate":"either of the correlated things; V.","correlation":"mutual relationship","corroborate":"confirm; support; strengthen","corrode":"destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over \n a long period)","corrosive":"eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) \n fierce","corrugated":"wrinkled; ridged","cosmic":"pertaining to the universe; vast","coterie":"group that meets socially; select circle; close group \n of people with shared interests","countenance":"approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude \n behavior; N: face; appearance","countermand":"cancel; revoke (an order)","counterpart":"thing that completes another; things very much alike; \n thing that has the same purpose in a different system","coup":"highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) \n d'\\'etat; CF. coup de gr\\^ace: deathblow or shot which \n kills","couple":"join; unite; OP. uncouple","courier":"messenger","court":"attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; \n attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster","covenant":"binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; \n V: enter into a covenant; promise","covert":"secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt","covetous":"avaricious; desirous of (someone else's possessions); \n V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else's possessions)","cow":"terrorize; intimidate","cower":"shrink quivering as from fear; cringe","coy":"shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of \n self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer","cozen":"cheat; hoodwink; swindle","crabbed":"sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting","craft":"skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; \n guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning","crass":"very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; \n Ex. crass behavior","crave":"desire; want intensely","craven":"cowardly","credence":"belief","credential":"evidence concerning one's authority; written proof \n of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented \n his credentials to the court.","credo":"creed","credulity":"belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\\'e; \n ADJ. credulous","creed":"system of religious or ethical belief","creep":"move with body close to the ground; move stealthily \n or slowly; N.","cremate":"incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium","crescendo":"increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical \n passage; climax; CF. crescent","crest":"top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head \n of a bird","crestfallen":"dejected; dispirited","crevice":"crack; fissure","cringe":"shrink back as if in fear; cower","crinkle":"wrinkle","criteria":"standards used in judging; CF. criterion","crochet":"make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with \n a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet","crone":"hag; ugly old woman","cross":"bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry","crossbreed":"hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. inbreed","crotchety":"(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; \n N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion","crust":"hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)","crux":"essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; \n ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance","crypt":"secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground \n room (under a church)","cryptic":"mysterious; hidden; secret","cubicle":"small chamber used for sleeping or work","cue":"word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's \n speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to","cuisine":"style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine","culinary":"relating to cooking or kitchen","cull":"pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); \n reject; select; collect (information); N.","culmination":"highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest \n point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating \n in war","culpable":"deserving blame; blameworthy","culprit":"one guilty of a crime","culvert":"artificial channel for water; drain crossing under \n a road","cumbersome":"heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. \n cumbersome parcel/uniform","cumulative":"growing by addition; accumulative","cunning":"clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in deceiving; \n deceit","cupidity":"greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid","curator":"superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a \n library)","curb":"chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; \n something that checks; V: check; restrain","curfew":"regulation requiring all people to leave the streets \n at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour \n of a curfew","curmudgeon":"churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person","cursive":"(of writing) flowing; running; having the successive \n letters joined","cursory":"casual; hastily done with little attention to detail","curtail":"shorten; reduce","cynical":"skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; \n CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated \n by selfishness","cynosure":"object of general attention; person or thing that is \n a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor","dabble":"work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move \n noisily in a liquid","dainty":"delicate; delicately beautiful; fastidious; not easy \n to please; Ex. dainty movement/dress","dais":"raised platform for speakers or other important people","dally":"trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary \n seriousness; procrastinate; waste time","damn":"condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting \n punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation","dank":"damp; unpleasantly wet","dapper":"neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat \n in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry","dappled":"spotted","dart":"move or throw suddenly and quickly","daub":"smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; \n Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of \n sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint","daunt":"intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten","dauntless":"bold; fearless","dawdle":"loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing","daze":"stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.","dazzle":"make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze; fill \n with wonder","deadlock":"standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting \n forces; stalemate","deadpan":"wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an \n expressionless face","dearth":"scarcity","debacle":"sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster","debar":"bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services","debase":"degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower \n in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement","debauch":"corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: \n wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)","debilitate":"weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble","debonair":"(of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; \n aiming to please; CF. of good disposition","debris":"rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken \n or destroyed","debunk":"expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule","debut":"d\\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation \n of a young woman to society","debutante":"young woman making formal entrance into society","decadence":"decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, \n or art); ADJ. decadent","decant":"pour off gently (wine or liquid)","decapitate":"behead","decelerate":"slow down","deciduous":"falling off at a specific season or stage of growth \n as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth","decimate":"kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy \n or kill a large part of","decipher":"decode; CF. indecipherable","declivity":"downward slope","decollete":"(of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\\'ecolletage: \n low neckline (on a dress)","decomposition":"decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into \n simple parts","decorous":"proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)","decorum":"propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness \n of behavior or conduct","decoy":"lure or bait; V.","decree":"authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of \n law; V: order or judge by decree","decrepit":"weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; \n Ex. decrepit old chair/man","decrepitude":"state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or \n old age","decry":"express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something \n dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence \n of modern films","deducible":"derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning","deface":"mar; disfigure","defalcate":"embezzle","defame":"harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; \n N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory","default":"failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; \n V.","defeatist":"resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or \n failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism","defect":"shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite \n one)","defection":"desertion","defer":"give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt \n temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, \n courteous","deference":"courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding \n to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; \n OP. effrontery","defiance":"refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant","defile":"pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; \n desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains","definitive":"most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot \n be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive \n decision by the supreme court","deflect":"turn aside; turn away from a straight course","defoliate":"destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); \n N. defoliant","defray":"provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; \n pay","defrock":"strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock","deft":"neat; skillful","defunct":"dead; no longer in use or existence","degenerate":"become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become \n worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt \n person","degradation":"humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: \n debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; \n demote (someone); reduce in rank","dehydrate":"remove water from; dry out","deify":"turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings \n were deified; CF. deity","deign":"condescend; stoop","delete":"erase; strike out","deleterious":"harmful","deliberate":"consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow","delineate":"portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation","delirium":"mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; \n ADJ. delirious","delta":"flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river","delude":"deceive","deluge":"flood; rush; V.","delusion":"false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions \n of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that","delusive":"deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain \n hopes; Ex. delusive promises","delve":"dig; search deeply; investigate","demagogue":"person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader \n of people; CF. demagoguery","demean":"disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave","demeanor":"behavior; bearing","demented":"insane","demerit":"fault; bad quality","demise":"death","demographic":"related to population balance; N. demography: statistical \n study of human population","demolition":"destruction; V. demolish","demoniacdemoniacal)":"fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; \n devil","demotic":"of or pertaining to the people","demur":"object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection \n (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working \n on Sunday","demure":"(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; \n pretending to be demure","denigrate":"blacken; defame","denizen":"(animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of \n a particular place; regular visitor","denomination":"religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; \n CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic","denotation":"meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; \n refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation","denouement":"final outcome; final development of the plot of a play \n or other literary work; the end of a story when everything \n is explained","denounce":"condemn; criticize; N. denunciation","depict":"portray","deplete":"reduce; exhaust","deplore":"regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something \n bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: \n very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable \n living condition","deploy":"spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle \n line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or \n strategically","deport":"send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment","depose":"dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify","deposition":"testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning","depravity":"extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave","deprecate":"express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; \n ADJ. deprecatory","depreciate":"lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value","depredation":"plundering; destruction","deputize":"work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who \n has the power to take charge when the leading person is \n away","deranged":"insane","derelict":"negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) \n deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; \n homeless or vagrant person","dereliction":"neglect of duty; abandonment","deride":"ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect","derision":"ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory","derivation":"deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation \n of the word","derivative":"unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative \n prose style; N.","dermatologist":"one who studies the skin and its diseases","derogatory":"expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: \n detract; disparage","descry":"catch sight of (something distant)","desecrate":"profane; violate the sanctity of","deserts":"what someone deserves","desiccate":"dry up","desolate":"make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert","desperado":"reckless, desperate outlaw","desperate":"having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent \n because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last \n resort","despise":"look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; \n ADJ. despicable: contemptible","despoil":"plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village","despondent":"without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: \n loss of hope with gloom; dejection","despot":"tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism","destitute":"extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly \n lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience","desultory":"aimless; haphazard; digressing at random","detached":"emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; \n calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; \n CF. attachment","detain":"keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention","determinate":"having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; \n invariable; fixed; conclusive; final","determination":"resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; \n decision","deterrent":"something that discourages or deters","detonation":"explosion","detraction":"slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor","detrimental":"harmful; damaging; N. detriment","deviate":"turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from \n an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; \n Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism","devious":"roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; \n not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious \n route","devise":"think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest","devoid":"empty; lacking","devolve":"deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, \n or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to","devotee":"enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach","devout":"pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout \n hope","dexterous":"skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity","diabolical":"diabolic; devilish; fiendish","diadem":"crown","dialectical":"relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; \n Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving \n at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments","diaphanous":"sheer; transparent","diatribe":"bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse","dichotomy":"division into two opposite parts; split; branching \n into two parts (especially contradictory ones)","dictum":"authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge \n in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, \n nonbinding remark (something said in passing)","didactic":"(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; \n teaching; instructional; N. didacticism","die":"metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device \n for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice","diffidence":"shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident","diffuse":"wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); \n V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; \n CF. suffuse","dignitary":"person of high rank or position","digression":"wandering away from the subject; V. digress","dilapidated":"falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because \n of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation","dilate":"expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on \n (a subject)","dilatory":"delaying; tending to delay","dilemma":"situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable \n options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives","dilettante":"aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge \n (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight","diligence":"steadiness of effort; persistent hard work","dilute":"make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; \n Ex. dilute the influence of the president","diminution":"lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish","din":"continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying \n repetition","dinghy":"small boat (often ship's boat)","dingy":"(of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain","dint":"means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work","diorama":"life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; \n three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a \n painted background","dire":"warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) \n very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food","dirge":"funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over \n a dead person)","disabuse":"correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a \n wrong belief","disaffected":"disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to \n lose affection or loyalty","disapprobation":"disapproval; condemnation","disarray":"state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. \n with her clothes in disarray","disavowal":"denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; \n CF. disclaim","disband":"dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; \n Ex. The club has disbanded.","disbar":"make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profession","disburse":"pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse","discernible":"distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement","discerning":"mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; \n able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive","disclaim":"disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer","disclose":"reveal; N. disclosure","discombobulated":"discomposed; confused","discomfit":"frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; \n perturb","discompose":"disturb the composure of; confuse","disconcert":"confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb","disconsolate":"hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)","discord":"conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical \n notes are played)","discordant":"not harmonious; conflicting","discount":"disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; \n deduct from a cost","discourse":"serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion \n (either written or spoken); conversation; V.","discredit":"defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; \n N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful","discrepancy":"lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; \n difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions","discrete":"separate; unconnected","discretion":"prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; \n freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary","discriminate":"distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference","discriminating":"able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. \n discrimination","discursive":"(of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without \n any clear plan)","disdain":"treat with scorn or contempt","disembark":"debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from \n a ship; CF. embark","disenfranchise":"disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise","disengage":"uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. \n engage","disfigure":"mar the appearance of; spoil","disgorge":"surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge","disgruntle":"make discontented","dishearten":"discourage","disheveled":"untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel","dishonor":"disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable","disinclination":"unwillingness","disingenuous":"not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; \n OP. ingenuous","disinter":"dig up; unearth; OP. inter","disinterested":"unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective","disjointed":"disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; \n disjoin","disjunction":"act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: \n expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; \n CF. conjunctive","dislodge":"remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge \n the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge","dismantle":"take apart; disassemble","dismember":"cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from \n limb","dismiss":"eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put \n out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge \n from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. \n dismissal","disparage":"belittle","disparate":"basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated","disparity":"difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity","dispassionate":"calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings","dispatch":"speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all \n due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish \n promptly; kill","dispel":"scatter; drive away; cause to vanish","dispense":"distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: \n dispensing; religious system; official exemption from \n an obligation or a rule","disperse":"scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd","dispirited":"lacking in spirit","disport":"amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert","disproportion":"lack of proportion (between the parts); ADJ. disproportionate","disputatious":"argumentative; fond of argument","disquietude":"uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious","disquisition":"formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results \n of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report","dissection":"analysis; cutting apart in order to examine","dissemble":"disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend","disseminate":"distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)","dissension":"disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group","dissent":"disagree","dissertation":"formal essay; treatise","dissident":"dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); \n rebellious; N.","dissimulate":"pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble","dissipate":"squander; waste foolishly; scatter","dissolution":"disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness \n in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: \n lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life","dissonance":"discord","dissuade":"persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion","distant":"reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; \n ADV. distantly","distend":"expand; swell out","distill":"refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); \n concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. \n distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew","distinct":"clearly different; clearly noticed","distinction":"honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; \n Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction","distinctive":"clearly different from others of the same kind","distort":"twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; \n N. distortion","distract":"take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; \n make anxious; ADJ. distracted","distrait":"absentminded; distracted","distraught":"upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled \n almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry","diurnal":"daily; occurring during the daytime","diva":"operatic singer; prima donna","diverge":"vary; go in different directions from the same point; \n ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating","diverse":"differing in some characteristics (from each other); \n various; N. diversity: | variety; dissimilitude; lack \n of resemblance","diversion":"act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside \n from a course; distract; amuse","divest":"strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; \n N. divestiture(divestment)","divine":"perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee \n the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination","divulge":"reveal","docile":"obedient; easily managed; submissive","docket":"program as for trial; book where such entries are made; \n list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package \n listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket","doctrinaire":"unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; \n unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine \n without regard to its practical difficulties","doctrine":"teachings in general; particular principle (religious, \n legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal","document":"provide written evidence (for a claim); record with \n documents; N.","doddering":"shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder","doff":"take off; OP. don","dogged":"determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; \n Ex. Inspector Javert's dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean","doggerel":"poor verse","dogmatic":"opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; \n doctrinal","doldrums":"blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy); slack(inactive) \n period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator \n where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. \n in the doldrums","dolorous":"sorrowful; N. dolor","dolt":"slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull","domicile":"home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. \n He is domiciled in Britain.","dominant":"exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; \n stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive","dominate":"control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook \n from a height; 郴妨促焊促","domineer":"rule over tyrannically","don":"put on; OP. doff","doom":"condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. \n a tragic or ruinous one); V.","dormant":"sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent","dormer":"window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room","dorsal":"relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin","dossier":"file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. \n bundle of papers labeled on the back","dotage":"senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's \n dotage","dote":"be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline","dour":"sullen; gloomy; stubborn","douse":"plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; \n wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse","dowdy":"untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in \n an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman","downcast":"disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward","dowry":"money or property brought by a bride to her husband \n at marriage","dowse":"use a divining rod to search for underground water \n or minerals","doze":"sleep lightly; nap","drab":"dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life","draconian":"extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: \n Athenian politician","draft":"first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a \n draft of; conscript","drama":"prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; \n play; exciting and unusual situation","drastic":"strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures","draught":"current of air (through a room or to a fire); act of \n pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of liquid \n swallowed at a time","draw":"choosing of a lot or card","dregs":"sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue","dribble":"flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from \n the mouth; move a ball; N.","drip":"fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or \n sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops","drivel":"nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense","droll":"queer and amusing","drone":"talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.","droop":"bend or hang downward; become weakened; Ex. His shoulders \n drooped with tiredness; N.","dross":"waste matter; worthless impurities","drudge":"do drudgery; N: person who drudges","drudgery":"hard unpleasant work; menial work","dubious":"questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) \n filled with doubt; N. dubiety","ductile":"malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into \n shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled","dulcet":"sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious","dull":"(of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; \n boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; \n slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.","dumbfounddumfound)":"astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, \n dumbstruck","dummy":"imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy","dupe":"someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive","duplicity":"double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; \n ADJ. duplicitous","duration":"length of time something lasts","duress":"forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion \n by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under \n duress","dutifulduteous)":"(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient \n (filled with a sense of duty)","dwindle":"shrink; reduce gradually","dynamic":"energetic; vigorously active","dynamo":"generator for producing electricity; energetic person","dys":"abnormal; impaired","dysentery":"inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract","dyslexia":"word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment \n of the ability to read","dyspeptic":"suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; \n difficulty in digesting food","earmark":"set aside (money or time) for a particular purpose","earn":"gain for the performance of service or labor; gain \n (something that one deserves); deserve","earthly":"of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; \n Ex. no earthly reason","earthy":"unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. \n ethereal","ebb":"(of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: \n rise of tide","ebullient":"showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; \n N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling","eccentric":"irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; \n not concentric","eccentricity":"oddity; idiosyncrasy","ecclesiastic":"ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; \n priest; cleric; clergyman","eclectic":"selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate \n sources; selecting individual elements from a variety \n of sources; N. eclecticism","eclipse":"darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse","ecliptic":"path of the sun and the planets","ecologist":"person concerned with the interrelationship between \n living organisms and their environment; person concerned \n with the detrimental effects of human civilization on \n the environment; CF. ecology","economy":"efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty \n management of resources","ecosystem":"ecological community together with its environment","ecstasy":"rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; \n any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing \n ecstasy","eddy":"swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.","edict":"decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official \n command","edifice":"building (of imposing size)","edify":"instruct; correct morally","eerie":"weird; causing fear because strange","efface":"rub out; remove the surface of","effective":"effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in \n operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph","effectual":"able to produce a desired effect; valid","effectuate":"effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation","effeminate":"having womanly traits","effervescence":"inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; \n emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation \n or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce","effete":"having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; \n exhausted","efficacy":"power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: \n effectual","effigy":"dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or \n stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President","effluvium":"noxious(harmful) smell","effrontery":"rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; \n presumptousness; nerve; cheek","effulgent":"shining brightly; brilliant","effusion":"pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; \n V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing","ego":"one's opinion of oneself; self-esteem","egoism":"excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should \n be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; \n ADJ. egoistic, egoistical","egotism":"tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; \n conceit; self-importance","egotistical":"egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; \n conceited","egregious":"notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking","egress":"exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. \n ingress","ejaculation":"exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); \n V. ejaculate","elaborate":"work out carefully; add more detail or information; \n ADJ.","elaboration":"addition of details; intricacy","elastic":"able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as \n from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic \n plans; N: elastic material","elated":"filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high \n spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; \n N. elation","elegy":"poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); \n ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac","elevation":"elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side \n of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation \n of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the \n house","elicit":"draw out fact or information (by discussion or from \n someone)","elixir":"cure-all; panacea; something invigorating","ellipsis":"omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate \n an omission (when the meaning can be understood without \n them); PL. ellipses","elliptical":"elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; \n ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been \n left out","elope":"run away secretly with the intention of getting married","eloquence":"expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly \n expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers \n can be influeneced","elucidate":"explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid","elusive":"evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, \n or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding \n or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes \n me.","elysian":"relating to paradise; blissful","elysium":"place or condition of bliss","emaciated":"thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)","emanate":"issue forth; come out","emancipate":"set free; liberate","emasculate":"weaken; castrate","embargo":"ban on commerce or other activity","embark":"commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey","embedimbed) ":"enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding \n mass","embellish":"adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious \n details)","embezzlement":"taking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing \n (of money placed in one's care)","embitter":"make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; \n make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.","emblazon":"ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment","embody":"give a bodily form to; incorporate; include","emboss":"produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a \n raised design","embrace":"hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept \n readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; \n Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet","embroider":"decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy \n or fictitious details; embellish","embroil":"throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or \n quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio","embryonic":"undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the \n early stage of development","emend":"correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction \n of errors; improvement","emetic":"substance causing vomiting; ADJ.","eminent":"rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. \n eminent position","emissary":"agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger","emollient":"soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.","emolument":"salary; payment for an office; compensation","empathy":"ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, \n etc.; identification with and understanding of another's \n feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy","empirical":"based on experience","emulate":"imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)","enact":"make (a bill) into law","enamored":"in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: \n inspire with love","encipher":"encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher","encircle":"surround","enclave":"territory enclosed within an alien land","encomiastic":"praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; \n eulogy","encompass":"surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing \n and computers.","encroachment":"gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments \n on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another's possessions \n or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach \n on/upon","encumber":"burden; N. encumbrance","endear":"make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: \n loved; cherished; high-priced","endearment":"fond word or act; expression of affection","endemic":"prevailing among a specific group of people or in a \n specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region \n or people; CF. pandemic","endorse":"approve; support; write one's signature on the back \n of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal","endue":"provide with some quality; endow","enduring":"lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) \n for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); \n last; survive","energize":"invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active","enervate":"weaken; take away energy from","enfranchise":"admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the \n right to vote); CF. franchise","engage":"attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; \n enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; \n N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet \n someone or to do something; battle","engaged":"employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict","engaging":"charming; attractive","engender":"cause; produce; give rise to","engross":"occupy fully; absorb","engulf":"surround and swallow up","enhance":"increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or \n usefulness); improve","enigma":"puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling","enjoin":"command; order; forbid","enlist":"(cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, \n or support)","enliven":"make lively or spirited; animate","enmity":"ill will; hatred; hostility","ennui":"boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting \n from lack of interest; CF. annoy","enormity":"hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. \n enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous","enrapture":"please intensely; fill with rapture and delight","ensconce":"settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure \n place)","ensue":"follow (as a result)","entail":"make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit \n the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession \n of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B","enterprise":"willingness to take new ventures; initiative; business \n organization; plan (that is difficult or daring); Ex. \n their latest enterprise to sail round the world in a small \n boat","enterprising":"full of initiative; showing enterprise","enthrall":"capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention \n of (as if magic); hold spellbound","entice":"lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt","entity":"real being","entomology":"study of insects","entourage":"group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround","entrance":"put under a spell(condition caused by magical power); \n carry away(fill with strong feeling) with emotion; put \n into a trance; fill with delight","entreat":"plead; ask earnestly","entreeentr\\'ee)":"entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a \n meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle","entrepreneur":"businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business \n venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial","enumerate":"list; mention one by one","enunciate":"announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; \n pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first \n enunciated by him.","environ":"enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as \n of a city)","eonaeon) ":"long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic \n time containing two or more eras","epauletepaulette)":"ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)","ephemeral":"short-lived; fleeting","epic":"long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating \n the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling \n an epic; grand","epicure":"connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; \n CF. Epicurus","epicurean":"believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad \n and should be avoided; N.","epigram":"witty thought or saying, usually short","epilogue":"short speech at conclusion of dramatic work","episodic":"(of a story or play) loosely connected; made up of \n separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident \n in the course of an experience","epistemologist":"philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. \n epistemology","epitaph":"inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone)","epithet":"word or phrase characteristically used to describe \n a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize \n a person (often contemptous)","epitome":"perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome \n of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be \n an epitome of; embody","epoch":"period of time","equable":"tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; \n uniform","equanimity":"calmness of temperament; composure","equestrian":"rider on horseback; ADJ.","equilibrium":"balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity","equine":"resembling a horse; Ex. equine face","equinox":"period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring \n and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial","equipoise":"balance; balancing force; equilibrium","equitable":"fair; impartial; OP. inequitable","equity":"fairness; justice; OP. inequity","equivocal":"(of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; \n (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal","equivocate":"use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; \n attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation","erode":"eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The \n sea erodes the rocks.","erotic":"pertaining to passionate love or sexual love","errant":"wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from \n proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant","erratic":"odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable","erroneous":"mistaken; wrong; incorrect","erudite":"(of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; \n N. erudition","escapade":"prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys \n rules","eschew":"avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks","esoteric":"hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. \n initiates; N. esoterica","espionage":"spying","espouse":"adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal","esteem":"respect; value; judge; N.","estimable":"(of a person) worthy of esteem; admirable; deserving \n esteem; possible to estimate","estranged":"separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people \n in a family); N. estrangement","ethereal":"like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; \n unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. \n ether: upper air","ethnic":"relating to races","ethnology":"study of humankind; study of the different races of \n human beings; CF. anthropology","ethos":"underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character \n or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; \n Ex. the company ethos","etymology":"study of word parts; study of the origins of words","eugenic":"pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: \n study of hereditary improvement of the human race","eulogistic":"praising; full of eulogy","eulogy":"expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's \n death; V. eulogize","euphemism":"mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. \n euphemistic","euphony":"sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious","euphoria":"feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) \n well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when \n unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric","euthanasia":"mercy killing","evanescent":"fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce","evasive":"not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; \n V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from \n by deceit","evenhanded":"impartial; fair","eventual":"happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory","evince":"show clearly","evocative":"tending to call up (emotions, memories)","evoke":"call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked \n memories of my childhood; N. evocation","ewe":"female sheep","exacerbate":"worsen; aggravate; embitter","exact":"demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from \n him; N. exaction","exacting":"extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety","exalt":"raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. \n exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation","exasperate":"vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)","except":"exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: \n unusual; of unusually high quality","exceptionable":"objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; \n CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable","excerpt":"selected passage (written or musical) taken from a \n longer work; V.","exchequer":"treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer","excise":"cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced \n and used inside a country; N. excision","exclaim":"cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory","excoriate":"scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip \n the skin off","exculpate":"clear from blame or guilt","execrable":"very bad; detestable","execrate":"curse; express abhorrence for; detest","execute":"put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; \n N. execution","executioner":"person administering capital punishment","executive":"person having administrative authority; one branch \n of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing","executor":"person designated to execute the terms of a will;","exegesis":"explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages","exemplary":"serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; \n N. exemplar: typical example; model","exemplify":"show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example \n of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.","exempt":"not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; \n V.","exertion":"effort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert \n oneself: make a great effort","exhale":"breathe out; OP. inhale","exhilarating":"invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: \n make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride \n in the sports car","exhort":"urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general \n exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation","exhume":"dig out of the ground; remove from a grave","exigency":"urgent situation; ADJ. exigent","exiguous":"small in amount; minute","existential":"pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy \n of existentialism","exodus":"departure (of a large number of people)","exonerate":"acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt","exorbitant":"(of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable \n bounds","exorcise":"drive out evil spirits","exotic":"not native; from another part of the world; strange; \n intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress","expansive":"(of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; \n able to increase in size","expatiate":"talk at length; speak or write in detail","expatriate":"exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; \n V: exile; banish; leave one's country","expedient":"suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily \n morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something \n expedient","expedite":"hasten; make go faster","expeditious":"done with speed; quick; N. expedition","expenditure":"payment or expense; expending; something expended; \n output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure \n of all the energy","expertise":"specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert \n skill","expiate":"make amends for (a sin)","expletive":"meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word","explicate":"explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable","explicit":"totally clear; definite; outspoken","exploit":"make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation","expose ":"public revelation of something discreditable","expository":"explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; \n exhibition","expostulation":"protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct \n or dissuade; V. expostulate","exposure":"risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to \n the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; \n Ex. exposure of governmental corruption","expound":"explain","expropriate":"take possession of (often for public use and without \n payment)","expunge":"cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); \n erase","expurgate":"clean; remove offensive parts of a book","exquisite":"delicate; very finely made; extremely beautiful; Ex. \n exquisite piece of jewelry","extant":"(of something written or painted) still in existence","extemporaneous":"not planned; impromptu; extempore","extenuate":"weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)","extirpate":"root up; uproot; destroy completely","extol":"praise very highly; glorify","extort":"wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force \n or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant","extradition":"surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. \n extradition treaty; V. extradite","extraneous":"not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming \n from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the \n subject","extrapolation":"projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown \n information) from known information","extricate":"free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle","extrinsic":"external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. \n intrinsic","extrovert":"person interested mostly in external objects and actions","extrude":"force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) \n by forcing through a die","exuberance":"overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; \n lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; \n growing abundantly and strongly","exude":"flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; \n N. exudation","exult":"rejoice","kaleidoscope":"tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors \n of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical \n effects; series of changing events; Ex. kaleidoscope of \n European history; CF. beautiful","ken":"range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken","kernel":"central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)","killjoy":"grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the \n pleasure of others","kindle":"start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse","kindred":"related; belonging to the same group; similar in nature \n or character; Ex. kindred languages; N: relative; kin; \n kinship","kinetic":"producing motion; of motion","kismet":"fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.","kleptomaniac":"person who has a compulsive desire to steal","knack":"special talent; art","knave":"untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery","knead":"mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with \n the hands); Ex. knead dough","kneel":"go down on one's knee(s)","knell":"tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, \n disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.","knit":"contract into wrinkles; grow together; join together \n closely; make (a fabric or garment) by interwining yarn \n or thread; Ex. knit the brow; Ex. The bones should knit \n together in a few weeks.","knoll":"little round hill; hillock","knotty":"intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot","kudos":"honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement","oaf":"stupid awkward person; CF. elf","oath":"solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to \n express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. ``For Christ's \n sake''","oatmeal":"crushed oats used for making porridge","obdurate":"stubborn; refusing to change one's belief","obeisance":"bow (to show respect and obedience)","obelisk":"tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward \n the end) and ending in a pyramid","obese":"excessively fat; N. obesity","obfuscate":"confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; \n make so confused as to be difficult to understand","obituary":"death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ.","objective":"not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim","obligatory":"binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; \n make grateful; do a favor; accommodate","oblique":"indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular \n or from a straight line); Ex. oblique reference","obliterate":"destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village","oblivion":"obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; \n forgetfulness","oblivious":"inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; \n forgetful(having the habit of forgetting)","obloquy":"slander; disgrace; infamy","obnoxious":"offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell","obscure":"dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; \n V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning","obsequious":"slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; \n sycophantic","obsequy":"funeral ceremony","obsessive":"related to thinking about something constantly; of \n an obsession; preoccupying; N. obsession: compulsive preoccupation \n with a fixed idea; compulsive idea; V. obsess: preoccupy \n the mind of excessively","obsidian":"black volcanic rock","obsolete":"outmoded; no longer used","obstetrician":"physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving \n birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife","obstinate":"stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; \n N. obstinacy","obstreperous":"boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable","obtrude":"push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose \n (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out \n or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; \n N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive","obtuse":"blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding","obviate":"make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need","occident":"the West","occlude":"shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an \n artery.","occult":"mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; \n CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare","oculist":"physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes","odds":"chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are \n that it will rain. Ex. at odds with","odious":"arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile","odium":"detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; \n disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)","odoriferous":"giving off an odor","odorous":"having an odor","odyssey":"long, eventful, adventurous journey","offensive":"attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; \n hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating \n of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense","offhand":"casual; done without prior thought or preparation","officious":"meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; \n overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; \n Ex. officious bellboy","ogle":"look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men ogling \n young girls","olfactory":"concerning the sense of smell","oligarchy":"government by a privileged few","ominous":"threatening; of an evil omen","omnipotent":"all-powerful; having unlimited power","omnipresent":"universally present; ubiquitous","omniscient":"all-knowing","omnivorous":"eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything","onerous":"burdensome","onomatopoeia":"words formed in imitation of natural sounds","onslaught":"vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught \n of the enemy","onus":"burden; responsibility","ooze":"(of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or \n thick liquid as at the bottom of a river","opalescent":"iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence","opaque":"dark; not transparent; N. opacity","opiate":"medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something \n that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing \n drug containing opium","opportune":"timely; well-chosen","opportunist":"individual who sacrifices principles for expediency \n by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism","opprobrium":"infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); \n scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. \n opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous","optician":"maker and seller of eyeglasses","optimist":"person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism","optimum":"most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition","optional":"not compulsory; left to one's choice; N. option: act \n of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something \n available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options","optometrist":"one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects","opulence":"extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: \n possessing great wealth; abundant","opus":"work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; \n CF. opera","oracular":"of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine \n authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; \n N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle","orator":"public speaker","oratorio":"dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with \n singing but without acting; CF. cantata","ordain":"decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install \n as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination","ordeal":"severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test \n of patience or endurance); affliction","ordinance":"decree; authoritative order","ordination":"ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining \n a priest","orgy":"wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an \n activity; Ex. orgy of shopping","orient":"get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; \n orientate","orientation":"act of finding oneself in society; orienting","orifice":"mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern \n or passage of the body); CF. mouth","ornate":"excessively or elaborately decorated","ornithologist":"scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific \n study of birds","orthodox":"traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering \n to an established doctrine","orthography":"correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. \n orthodontics","oscillate":"vibrate pendulumlike; waver","osseous":"made of bone; bony","ossify":"change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging \n in one's ideas","ostensible":"apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); \n pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition","ostentatious":"showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. \n ostentation: showy display","ostracize":"banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; \n Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism","oust":"expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting","outcast":"one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.","outfit":"clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy \n outfit","outgoing":"sociable; eager to mix socially with others","outlandish":"bizzare; peculiar; unconventional","outlaw":"fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); \n V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection \n of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.","outlook":"point of view; view from a particular place; expectation \n for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing \n outlook; Ex. weather outlook","outmoded":"no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned","outrage":"act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; \n V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: \n offensive","outskirts":"fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts \n of Boston","outspoken":"candid; blunt","outstrip":"outrun; surpass; outdo","outwit":"outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly","ovation":"enthusiastic applause","overbearing":"bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; \n Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate","overblown":"inflated; exaggerated","oversee":"watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional \n failure to notice or do something; supervision","overt":"open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert","overthrow":"topple; N.","overture":"musical introduction to a long musical piece; first \n offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching \n an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace","overturn":"turn over; capsize; topple","overweening":"arrogant; presumptuous","overwhelm":"(of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much \n greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief","overwrought":"nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; \n wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done","ovoid":"egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate","macabre":"gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death","mace":"ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike \n medieval weapon","macerate":"soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate \n powdered wood to make paper","machiavellian":"crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of \n Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified \n in pursuing political power","machinations":"evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve \n an evil end; V. machinate","maculated":"spotted; stained; CF. immaculate","madrigal":"pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments","maelstrom":"violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. \n stream","magisterial":"authoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; \n Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex. magisterial manner","magistrate":"official with power to administer the law","magnanimity":"generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous","magnate":"person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential \n person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate","magniloquent":"boastful; pompous","magnitude":"greatness (in size or extent); extent","maim":"mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed \n for life","makeshift":"temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent \n need); Ex. makeshift shelter","maladroit":"clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling","malady":"illness","malaise":"uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any \n particular pain or appearance of disease)","malapropism":"comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop","malapropos":"inappropriate; ADV.","malcontent":"person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; \n discontented person; ADJ: discontented","malediction":"curse","malefactor":"evildoer; criminal","maleficient":"doing evil; N. maleficience","malevolent":"wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence","malfeasance":"wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official)","malicious":"hateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. malice: desire \n to harm others; spite","malign":"speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; \n ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence","malignant":"tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively \n malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor","malingerer":"one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: \n feign illness to avoid work","malleable":"(of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); \n pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); \n easily controlled; tractable","malodorous":"foul-smelling","mammal":"vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young","mammoth":"gigantic; enormous","manacle":"restrain; handcuff; N.","mandate":"order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern \n another country; power to given to a government; region \n under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under \n a mandate; Ex. mandated territory","mandatory":"obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate","maneuvermanoeuver)":"strategic military or naval movement (done for training \n purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry \n out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end","mange":"skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss \n of hair","mangle":"tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex. badly \n mangled bodies","mangy":"shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance","maniacal":"raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: \n disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm","manifest":"evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly","manifestation":"outward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the \n presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced \n musical bent","manifesto":"public declaration of principles; statement of policy","manifold":"many in number or kind; numerous; varied","manipulate":"operate with one's hands; control or play upon (people, \n forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate \n publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative","mannered":"affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech","mannerism":"distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in art \n (according to a set of styles)","mantle":"loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that \n covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the \n crust and the core","manumit":"emancipate; free from slavery or bondage","mar":"spoil the appearance of","maraud":"move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army","margin":"border; room; allowance beyond what is needed; Ex. \n margin of safety","marginal":"of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex. marginal effect/writing \n ability","marital":"pertaining to marriage","maritime":"bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the \n ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces","marked":"noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked \n improvement/man","maroon":"leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. \n red brown","marred":"damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure","marrow":"soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and \n is the source of blood cells","marshal":"put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; \n Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military \n officer; official","marsupial":"one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring \n in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, \n wombat","martial":"warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law","martinet":"strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience \n to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet","martyr":"one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion \n or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism","mash":"crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground \n grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl","masochist":"person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism","mason":"one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: \n work of a mason; stonework or brickwork","masquerade":"wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party \n or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise","mass":"Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony of \n the Eucharist","masticate":"chew","mat":"not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece \n of material used as a floor covering; V.","materialism":"preoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive \n regard for worldly concerns (rather than spiritual matters)","maternal":"motherly; N. maternity: motherhood","matinee(matinee)":"dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon","matriarch":"woman who rules a family or larger social group","matriculate":"enroll (in college or graduate school); CF. matrix","matrimony":"state of being married","matrix":"point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; \n mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization","maudlin":"effusively sentimental","maul":"handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled \n by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer","mausoleum":"monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos","mauve":"pale purple","maverick":"rebel; nonconformist (in a group)","mawkish":"mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; \n excessively and objectionably sentimental","maxim":"proverb; truth pithily stated","mayhem":"injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling \n a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. \n maim","meager":"scanty; inadequate","mealymouthed":"indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must \n be said); hypocritical; evasive","meander":"wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning \n course; move aimlessly and idly","meddlesome":"interfering; V. meddle: interfere","mediate":"settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; \n act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate \n a cease-fire","mediocre":"ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad","meditation":"reflection; thought; V. meditate","medium":"element that is a creature's natural environment; nutrient \n setting in which microorganisms are cultivated; appropriate \n occupation or means of expression; channel of communication; \n compromise; middle position between extremes; intervening \n substan","medley":"mixture","meek":"submissive; patient and long-suffering","megalomania":"mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized \n by delusions of wealth, power, or importance","melancholy":"gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia","melee":"fight","mellifluous":"(of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; \n melodious; having a pleasant tune","memento":"token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento \n of your visit","memoir":"memoirs; autobiography; biography","memorial":"something, such as a monument or holiday, intended \n to honor the memory of a person or event; ADJ: commemorative","memorialize":"commemorate","menace":"threat; V: threaten","menagerie":"collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo","mendacious":"lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity","mendicant":"beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar","menial":"suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who \n does menial work (esp. servant in a house)","mentor":"counselor; teacher","mercantile":"concerning trade or merchants","mercenary":"motivated solely by money or gain; N.","mercurial":"capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing \n the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood","meretricious":"flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no \n real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute","merger":"combination (of two business corporations); act of \n merging","merit":"deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise","mesmerize":"hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer","metallurgical":"pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; \n N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals \n from ores","metamorphosis":"change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to \n butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis","metaphor":"implied comparison; CF. simile","metaphysical":"pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; \n N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the \n nature of reality","mete":"measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment","meteoric":"like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex. meteoric \n rise to fame; N. meteor","meter":"arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by accentual \n rhythm)","methodical":"systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure","meticulous":"excessively careful (with great attention to detail); \n painstaking; scrupulous","metrical":"metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. metrical \n translation of Homer","metropolis":"large city","mettle":"courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); \n spirit; ADJ. mettlesome","miasma":"swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating \n from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; \n noxious atmosphere or influence","microcosm":"small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. \n microcosm of English society","migrant":"changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; \n N: one that migrates","migratory":"wandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle \n in another; move periodically from one region to another","milieu":"social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out \n of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor.","militant":"combative; bellicose; N.","militate":"work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; \n CF. serve as a soldier","militia":"army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional \n soldiers","millennium":"thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for \n period of happiness and prosperity","mime":"pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: \n mimic; pantomime","mimicry":"imitation","minatory":"menacing; threatening","mincing":"affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp. meat) \n into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated primness; \n walk in an unnatural way, taking little short steps; Ex. \n The actor minced across the stage; CF. mincemeat; CF. \n mincer","mingle":"mix together in close association","miniature":"small model; small painting; ADJ: small","minion":"servile dependent; obsequious follower","minusculeminiscule)":"extremely small","minute":"extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the \n proceedings at a meeting","minutiae":"petty or trivial details; CF. minutia","mirage":"unreal reflection; optical illusion","mire":"entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in \n mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire","mirth":"merriment; laughter","misadventure":"mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure","misanthrope":"one who hates mankind; misanthropist","misapprehension":"error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend","miscellaneous":"made up of a variety of parts","miscellany":"mixture of writings on various subjects; collection \n of various items","mischance":"ill luck","mischief":"behavior (of children) causing trouble with no serious \n harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops; ADJ. mischievous: \n causing mischief; playfully troublesome","misconduct":"immoral behavior; bad management; V.","misconstrue":"interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge","miscreant":"wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; \n CF. believe","misdemeanor":"minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing","miserly":"stingy; mean","misgivings":"doubts","mishap":"unfortunate accident","misnomer":"wrong or improper name; incorrect designation","misogamy":"hatred of marriage","misogynist":"hater of woman; CF. misogyny","missile":"object to be thrown or projected","missive":"letter; written statement; CF. sent","mite":"very small object or insect-like creature; small coin","mitigate":"appease; moderate; make or become less in force or \n intensity","mnemonic":"pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, \n such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid","mobile":"movable; not fixed; N. mobility","mock":"ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision","mode":"prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing \n something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple mode of \n life","modicum":"limited quantity; small amount; Ex. He does not have \n a modicum of sense; CF. moderate","modish":"fashionable; conforming to the current fashion","modulate":"tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone \n of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; \n Ex. modulate from E to G","mogul":"powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; \n CF. Mongolian","molecule":"the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance \n that has all the properties of that substance","mollify":"soothe an angry person","mollycoddle":"pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively","moltmoult) ":"periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for \n replacement by a new growth)","molten":"melted; Ex. molten lava","momentous":"very important; N. moment; CF. momentary","momentum":"quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving \n force","monarchy":"government under a single ruler","monastic":"related to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly \n concerns","monetary":"pertaining to money","mongrel":"plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ.","monochromatic":"having only one color","monochrome":"painting in only one color; ADJ.","monogram":"design composed of one or more initials of a name; \n V.","monograph":"scholarly article","monolithic":"solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: \n large block of stone","monotheism":"belief in one God","monotony":"sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; \n CF. monotone","monumental":"massive; impressively large; built as a monument","moodiness":"fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable \n moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: \n | state of mind or emotion","moratorium":"legal delay of payment or action; Ex. declare moratorium \n on the building of new houses","morbid":"given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic \n of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease","mordant":"biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; \n Ex. mordant pen/wit","mores":"conventions; moral standards; moral customs","morgue":"mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial \n or cremation","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","mortician":"undertaker; CF. death","mortify":"humiliate by embarassing excessively; shame; punish \n the flesh; discipline (one's body) by self-denial; Ex. \n mortified by her blunder; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. cause \n to die","mosaic":"picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.","mote":"small speck (esp. of dust)","motif":"theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary \n work; single or repeated pattern; figure","motility":"ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving \n spontaneously","motley":"multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; \n heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a paid fool \n at medieval courts)","mottled":"blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. \n mottle: mark with blotches of different colors","motto":"brief statement used to express a principle","mountebank":"charlatan; boastful pretender","muddle":"confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion","muggy":"(of weather) warm and damp","mulct":"defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the \n boy of his legacy","multifarious":"varied; greatly diversified; Ex. multifarious activities","multiform":"having many forms","multilingual":"having many languages; fluent in several languages","multiplicity":"state of being numerous or multiple; large number; \n Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than \n one element","mundane":"worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; \n Ex. mundane existence; CF. world","munificent":"very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; \n N. munificience","mural":"wall painting","murky":"dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; \n N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom","murmur":"low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble","muse":"ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of \n a poet)","musky":"having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance \n secreted by an Asian deer","muster":"gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength \n for the ordeal; N.","musty":"stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist","mutablility":"ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: \n able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant","mute":"silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; \n N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, \n color, shade of","muted":"silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise","mutilate":"maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential \n part","mutinous":"unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: \n open rebellion; CF. mutineer","mutter":"utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low tones","myopic":"nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia","myriad":"very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand","mystic":"of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; \n N. CF. mysticism","labile":"likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; \n N. lability","laborious":"demanding much work or care; tedious","labyrinth":"maze","lace":"cord used to draw and tie together two opposite edges \n (as of a shoe); delicate fabric made of fine threads; \n V: draw together by tying a lace","laceration":"torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin as with \n broken glass); wound","lachrymose":"producing tears; tearful","lackadaisical":"lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; \n lazy; halfhearted; languid","lackluster":"lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull","laconic":"brief and to the point; using few words; terse","lag":"move or develop more slowly; straggle; Ex. lag behind \n the rest; N.","laggard":"slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler","lagoon":"shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated \n from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs","laity":"laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the \n clergy","lament":"grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation","lampoon":"ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing \n a person, group, or institution","lance":"pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon","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","lank":"long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln","lap":"take in food or drink with one's tongue; splash gently; \n Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist \n to the knees of a seated person","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","latch":"fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that \n fits into a notch; V: close with a latch","latent":"present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; \n hidden; N. latency; CF. potential","lateral":"of or coming from the side","latitude":"freedom from narrow limitations","laud":"praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: \n expressing praise","lavish":"liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or \n using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; \n V. give in abundance","lax":"careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. \n lax service","layman":"man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional","leash":"restraining rope fastened to the collar of an animal \n (to control it); Ex. a dog on a leash","leaven":"add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; \n N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise (by \n fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens","leavetaking ":"farewell or departure","lechery":"gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: \n lecherous man","lectern":"reading desk or stand for a public speaker","leery":"(of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious","leeway":"room to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for the \n deadline","legacy":"gift made by a will; something handed down from an \n ancestor","legato":"(of music) played smoothly","legend":"explanatory list of symbols on a map","legerdemain":"sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand","legislature":"legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make \n laws","leniency":"mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe \n in judgment or punishment","leonine":"like a lion","lethal":"deadly","lethargic":"drowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggishness and \n inactivity","levee":"earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. \n raise","levitate":"rise and float in the air (especially by magical means); \n CF. light","levity":"lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness \n of manner","levy":"impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect \n (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco","lewd":"lustful","lexicographer":"compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of \n compiling a dictionary","lexicon":"dictionary","liability":"drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; \n condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible \n (for paying)","liaison":"contact that keeps parties in communication; communication \n between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; \n secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection","libel":"defamatory written statement; act of writing something \n that smears a person's character; V. ADJ. libelous","libertine":"debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\\'e; \n CF. free","libidinous":"lustful","libido":"psychic and emotional energy or urges behind human \n activity; sexual desire","libretto":"text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book","license":"official or legal permission; latitude of action or \n speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; \n V.","licentious":"amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained","lien":"legal claim or right on a property","ligneous":"like wood","lilliputian":"extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels","limber":"flexible; supple; pliable; V.","limbo":"region near heaven or hell where certain souls are \n kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo","limn":"draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?","limp":"walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak","limpid":"crystal clear","lineage":"descent; ancestry","lineaments":"features especially of the face; distinctive shape \n or contour of the face; CF. line","linger":"loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; \n continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell \n lingered for days.","linguistic":"pertaining to language","lionize":"treat (a person) as a celebrity","liquidate":"settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; \n kill or abolish","list":"tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)","listless":"lacking in spirit or energy; languid","litany":"supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls \n out and the people replies in the same words","lithe":"flexible; supple; CF. limber","litigation":"lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V. litigate","litotes":"understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty \n good)''","litter":"waste material thrown away (as bits of paper scattered \n untidily); V: cover untidily with scattered litter","livid":"lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; \n enraged; extremely angry","loath":"reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet \n were both loath for him to go.","loathe":"detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; \n Ex. loathsome smell","lode":"metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)","loft":"room or space under the roof; attic","lofty":"very high","log":"record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day \n activities; section of a trunk; V.","loiter":"hang about/around; stand idly about; linger","loll":"lounge about","longevity":"long life; long duration","lookout":"act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide \n view; person who keeps watch","loom":"appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged, indistinct, \n or distorted form); Ex. The shadow of the gallows loomed \n threateningly. N: apparatus for making thread into cloth","lope":"gallop slowly","lopsided":"heavier or larger on one side than the other; Ex. lopsided \n way of walking","loquacious":"talkative; N. loquacity","lot":"object used in making a determination at random; fate; \n piece of land","lottery":"contest in which winners are selected in a drawing \n of lots","lounge":"stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way","lout":"clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides \n ?","low":"moo; make the sound of a cow","lubricate":"apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance that \n reduces friction","lucid":"easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity","lucrative":"profitable; producing wealth","lucre":"money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre","ludicrous":"laughable; ridiculous; trifling","lugubrious":"mournful; sorrowful","lull":"moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a lull \n in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to \n sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense \n of security; CF. lullaby","lumber":"move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through \n the woods; N: timber","lumen":"unit of light energy (one candle's worth)","luminary":"celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object \n that gives light (as a celestial body)","luminous":"shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous \n paint/road signs","lunar":"pertaining to the moon","lunatic":"insane; Ex. lunatic asylum","lurid":"wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. \n lurid details of the murder","lurk":"stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived","luscious":"pleasing to taste or smell; delicious","lush":"(of a plant or grass) growing very well","lust":"intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.","luster":"shine; gloss (of a polished surface)","lustrous":"shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair","luxuriant":"abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively \n ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; \n CF. luxurious, luxuriate","luxuriate":"take pleasure in great comfort","quack":"charlatan; impostor","quadruped":"four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped","quaff":"drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); \n CF. sip","quagmire":"bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex \n or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free \n oneself","quail":"cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart","quaint":"odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque","qualified":"limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning \n of; modify","qualify":"reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something \n stated","qualms":"uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially \n about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about \n giving this assignment to Helen.","quandary":"dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary \n about whether to go.","quarantine":"isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread \n of infection; V: isolate in quarantine","quarry":"dig into (to get stone); N: mine;","quash":"crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a \n rebellion/the decision of the low court","quay":"dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)","queasy":"experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; \n Ex. feel a little queasy","queer":"strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal","quell":"suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; \n quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion'' in newspaper; CF. \n kill","quench":"assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; \n put out; suppress","querulous":"given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining","query":"inquiry; question; V.","queue":"line (of waiting people or vehicles)","quibble":"minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; \n carp; cavil","quicksilver":"mercury","quiescent":"dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence","quietude":"tranquillity; calmness","quintessence":"purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; \n most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. \n quintessential; CF. fifth essence","quip":"taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.","quirk":"sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; \n idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk \n of fate","quisling":"traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling","quiver":"tremble; shake; N.","quixotic":"idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote","quizzical":"curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; \n teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance","quorum":"minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting","quotidian":"daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine","pachyderm":"thick-skinned animal","pacifist":"one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: \n opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes","pacify":"soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to","padre":"chaplain (in the armed forces)","paean":"song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory","painstaking":"taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; \n very careful and through","palatable":"agreeable; pleasing to the taste","palate":"roof of the mouth; sense of the taste","palatial":"of or suitable for a palace; magnificent","paleontology":"study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient \n or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written \n documents","palette":"board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)","palimpsest":"parchment or piece of writing material used for second \n 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 \n (a crime or illness)","pallid":"pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion","palm":"conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off; \n Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the painting \n as a real Renoir","palpable":"tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; \n Ex. palpable blunder","palpitate":"throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart \n began to palpitate.","paltry":"insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry \n sum; CF. trash","pan":"criticize harshly","panacea":"cure-all; remedy for all diseases","panache":"flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty \n (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on \n a helmet); Ex. with great panache;","pandemic":"widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic \n disease; CF. all people","pandemonium":"wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise \n Lost","pander":"cater to (the low desires of others)","panegyric":"formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.","pang":"sudden sharp feeling of pain","panoramic":"denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. \n panorama: unbroken view of a wide area","pantomime":"acting without dialogue; V.","papyrus":"ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant","parable":"short simple story teaching a moral","paradigm":"model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list \n of all the inflectional forms of a word","paradox":"something apparently contradictory in nature (that \n may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but \n is actually correct","paragon":"model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue","parallel":"similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; \n person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; \n Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; \n V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels \n mine; CF. unp","parallelism":"state of being parallel; similarity; analogy","parameter":"limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the \n problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget","paramount":"foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; \n above; Ex. paranormal","paramour":"illicit lover","paranoia":"psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; \n N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac","paraphernalia":"equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; \n personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. \n married woman's property exclusive of her dowry","paraphrase":"restate a passage in one's own words while retaining \n thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words","parasite":"animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; \n CF. para-: beside","parched":"extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become \n extremely dry (by exposure to heat)","parchment":"writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat","pare":"cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a knife); \n trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses","pariah":"social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah","parish":"area in the care of a single priest and served by one \n main church","parity":"equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate","parlance":"language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common \n parlance","parley":"conference (between opponents); CF. speak","parochial":"narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to \n parishes","parody":"humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.","paroxysm":"fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst","parquet":"floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; \n CF. strip: long narrow piece","parry":"ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome \n question very skillfully; N.","parsimony":"stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious","partial":"incomplete; favoring one side over another; having \n a liking for something","partiality":"state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; \n special fondness; preference","partisan":"one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike \n of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla","partition":"divide into parts","parvenu":"upstart; newly rich person","passe ":"old-fashioned; past the prime","passoff ":"present falsely; represent falsely to be","passive":"not active; acted upon; receiving an action without \n acting in return; accepting without resistance","paste":"smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing \n grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: cause to adhere \n by applying paste","pastiche":"imitation of another's style in musical composition \n or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works \n of other artists","pastoral":"rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor","pastry":"paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)","patent":"obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; \n of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.","pathetic":"causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching","pathological":"pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease","pathos":"tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that \n produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through \n the novel","patina":"green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly \n taken by varnished painting","patois":"local or provincial dialect","patriarch":"father and ruler of a family or tribe","patrician":"noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; \n CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. \n plebian","patrimony":"property inherited from a father","patronize":"support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending \n manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; \n regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott","paucity":"scarcity; dearth","pauper":"very poor person","peccadillo":"slight offense or fault; CF. sin","pecuniary":"pertaining to money","pedagogue":"teacher; CF. child leader","pedagogy":"teaching; art of education","pedant":"scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details \n of learning, or technicalities","pedantic":"bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive \n ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry","peddle":"travel about selling (wares); CF. foot","pedestal":"support or base as for a pillar or statue","pedestrian":"ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); \n going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.","pediatrician":"physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics","pedigree":"ancestry; lineage","peer":"one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; \n V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress","peerless":"having no equal; incomparable","peevish":"bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry","pejorative":"(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of \n little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling \n effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative \n expression, because it patronized them.","pellmell ":"in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell","pellucid":"transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; \n easy to understand","pen":"fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. \n sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose","penance":"self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for \n one's sins; CF. penitent","penchant":"strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something \n that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant \n for fast cars","pendantpendent)":"hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging \n from a necklace etc.)","pending":"not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending \n decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision \n pending his return","pendulous":"hanging; suspended","penetrate":"enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the \n inner significance of; understand","penitent":"repentant; N.","penology":"study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation","pensive":"dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful \n with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over","penumbra":"partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow","penury":"extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; \n stingy","peon":"landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial \n worker; N. peonage","perceptive":"insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and \n understanding; aware; wise; of perception","percussion":"striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion \n instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound \n caused by percussion","perdition":"damnation; complete ruin; hell","peregrination":"journey; V. peregrinate","peremptory":"demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory \n decree/knock","perennial":"something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting \n through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; \n enduring","perfidious":"treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery","perforate":"pierce; put a hole through","perfunctory":"done routinely and with little care; superficial; not \n thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory \n kiss","perigee":"point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; \n CF. apogee","perimeter":"outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference","peripatetic":"walking about from place to place (to work); moving; \n Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy","peripheral":"of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; \n not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest","periphery":"outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; \n Ex. periphery of the town","perjury":"false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: \n testify falsely under oath","permeable":"that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing \n liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or \n flow throughout; charge","permissive":"allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society","pernicious":"very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious \n effect/anemia","peroration":"conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: \n conclude a speech; speak at great length","perpetrate":"commit an offense; do (something wrong)","perpetual":"everlasting","perpetuate":"make perpetual; make something last for a long time; \n preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity","perquisiteperk)":"any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such \n as free meals and a car","persevere":"continue steadily in spite of difficulties","persist":"continue in existence; last; continue in a course of \n action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; \n ADJ. persistent","personable":"attractive (in personality or appearance)","personify":"represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the \n embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience \n personified; N. personification","perspicacious":"(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute","perspicuity":"clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity","perspicuous":"(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; \n Ex. perspicuous comments","pert":"(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; \n trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat","pertinacious":"holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent","pertinent":"suitable; to the point; relevant","perturb":"disturb greatly","peruse":"read through with care; N. perusal","pervasive":"spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) \n spread throughout; charge; permeate","perverse":"purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly \n wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; \n wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. \n Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity","perversion":"corruption; turning from right to wrong","pervert":"corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted \n sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual \n behavior is not natural","pessimism":"belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; \n tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; \n ADJ. pessimistic","pestilentialpestilent)":"causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. \n pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)","pestle":"tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl \n or mortar","petrify":"turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze","petty":"trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded","petulant":"touchy; peevish; ill-tempered","phalanx":"formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields \n and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack \n or defense)","pharisaical":"pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention \n to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical","pharisee":"Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized \n strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves \n very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person","phenomena":"observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; \n SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, \n thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. \n phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; \n Ex. phenomenal strength","philanderer":"faithless lover; flirt","philanthropist":"lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy","philatelist":"stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting","philistine":"narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested \n in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent \n to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient \n people in Palestine; OP. aesthete","philology":"study of language or words","phlegmatic":"calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: \n sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract","phobia":"morbid fear","phoenix":"symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising \n from its ashes","phylum":"major classification, second to kingdom, of plants \n and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above \n a class; division","physiognomy":"face (as showing the character and the mind); art of \n judging human character from facial features","physiological":"pertaining to the science of the function of living \n organisms; N. physiology","piebald":"of different colors; mottled; spotted in different \n colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. \n pie+bald","piecemeal":"one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read \n a novel piecemeal","pied":"piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored","piety":"devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious","pigment":"coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water \n or oil)","pilfer":"steal things of small value; filch; snitch","pillage":"plunder","pillory":"punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject \n or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.","pinch":"squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; \n Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. \n N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger","pine":"long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline","pinion":"restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; \n N: bird's wing","pinnace":"small boat","pinnacle":"peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame","pious":"devout; religious; N. piety","piquant":"pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; \n Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help","pique":"irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss \n in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel \n resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity","piscatorial":"pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces","pitfall":"hidden danger; concealed trap","pith":"core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center \n of stems; essence; substance","pithy":"concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty","pittance":"small amount (of money); small allowance or wage","pivotal":"of a pivot; central; critical; crucial","placate":"pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease","placebo":"harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill","placid":"peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake","plagiarize":"steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off \n as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. \n plagiarism; CF. kidnap","plaintive":"expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song","plait":"braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; \n make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: \n braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail","plane":"carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. \n CF. flat","plaster":"paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for \n coating walls; V.","plasticity":"ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being \n shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay","platitude":"trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous","platonic":"purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire","plaudit":"praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or \n series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud","plausible":"conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to \n doubt; specious","plebeian":"common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: \n common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician","plebiscite":"direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important \n issue)","plenary":"(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified \n members; Ex. plenary power","plenitude":"abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; \n CF. plenary, plenty","plethora":"excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses","pliable":"flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable","pliant":"flexible; easily influenced","plight":"difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad \n state or condition); predicament","ploy":"strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management \n ploy","pluck":"courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers \n of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave","plumage":"feathers of a bird;","plumb":"exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: \n examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; \n measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of","plumber":"one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)","plume":"feather, esp. large or showy one; something that rises \n into the air (like the shape of a feather); Ex. plume \n of smoke: 滚几 备抚","plummet":"fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices \n plummeted.","plump":"pleasantly fat; nicely rounded","plutocracy":"society ruled by the wealthy","podiatrist":"doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; \n N. podiatrics","podium":"pedestal; raised platform","poignancy":"quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; \n ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, \n etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant \n memory/anxiety; CF. prick","poise":"good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in \n a carefully balanced position","polar":"of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. \n polar opposites","polarity":"state of having two opposite qualities","polarize":"split into opposite extremes or camps","polemic":"aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)","polemicalpolemic)":"aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than \n simply expressing opinions)","politic":"prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised","polity":"(particular form of) political organization; form of \n government of nation or state; Ex. student polity","polygamist":"one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; \n CF. polyandry","polyglot":"speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot \n person/society; N.","pomposity":"self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous \n person); ADJ. pompous: self-important","ponderous":"having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; \n dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing","pontifical":"pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; \n CF. pontiff: pope; bishop","pore":"study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over \n the book; N.","porous":"full of pores; like a sieve","porridge":"soft food made by boiling oatmeal","portend":"foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: \n sign; omen; forewarning","portly":"stout; corpulent","pose":"assume a particular posture; put forward; present; \n affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. \n pose a threat; N.","poseur":"person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., \n to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose","posterity":"descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; \n CF. posterior, anterior","posthumous":"after death (as of child born after father's death \n or book published after author's death); coming or occurring \n after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel","postmortem":"autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem","postulate":"self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; \n V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)","posture":"assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; \n attitude","potable":"suitable for drinking; drinkable","potent":"powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential","potentate":"monarch; sovereign","potential":"expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth","potion":"dose (of liquids); liquid dose","potpourri":"heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower \n petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)","poultice":"soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions \n of the body","precis ":"abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise \n summary of a text","practicable":"feasible","practical":"based on experience; of or acquired through practice \n (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man","pragmatic":"practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with \n practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic \n test of the skill","pragmatist":"practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing \n with things","prance":"move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)","prank":"mischievous trick","prate":"talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly","prattle":"talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate","preamble":"introductory statement","precarious":"unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. \n precarious living","precedent":"preceding (in time, rank, etc.)","precept":"practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept","precinct":"division of a city for election or police purposes; \n precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts \n of the college","precipice":"cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice","precipitant":"something that causes a substance in a chemical solution \n to separate out in solid form; OP. solvent","precipitate":"hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen \n sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid \n substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; \n rash; premature; sudden","precipitous":"steep; overhasty; precipitate","precise":"exact","preclude":"make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate","precocious":"advanced in development; N. precocity","precursor":"forerunner; predecessor","predator":"predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature \n that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs \n or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying \n on other organisms; plundering; N. predation","predecessor":"former occupant of a post","predetermine":"determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide \n beforehand; influence markedly","predicament":"difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; \n dilemma","predilection":"preference; partiality","predispose":"give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible \n to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition","preeminent":"outstanding; superior","preempt":"prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall \n by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; \n supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any \n attempts; ADJ. preemptive","preen":"make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction \n or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with \n the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune","prefatory":"introductory; of a preface","prefigure":"be a sign of; foreshadow","prehensile":"capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); \n Ex. prehensile tails","prelate":"church dignitary; priest of high position in the church \n (esp. bishop)","prelude":"introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner","premeditate":"plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder","premise":"assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument \n is based","premonition":"forewarning; presentiment; foreboding","premonitory":"serving to warn","preponderance":"superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: \n be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant","prepossessing":"attractive; CF. preoccupying ?","preposterous":"absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous","prerogative":"privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before","presage":"foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; \n foreboding; omen","prescience":"ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions \n before they occur; ADJ. prescient","presentiment":"premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; \n anticipatory fear","prestige":"respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements \n or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: \n having prestige","presume":"take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take \n liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's \n kindness or connection); N. presumption","presumptuous":"going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; \n taking liberties","pretend":"feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions \n to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense","pretension":"pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I \n make no pretensions to skill as an artist.","pretentious":"ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; \n overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be \n art","preternatural":"beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. \n preternatural strength/forces","pretext":"excuse","prevail":"be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail \n on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail \n on someone to do something","prevalent":"widespread; generally accepted","prevaricate":"lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)","prey":"target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; \n victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.","prim":"proper to the point of affectation; very precise and \n formal; exceedingly proper","primal":"first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; \n Ex. man's primal innocence","primary":"first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in \n time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first","primate":"group of mammals including humans","prime":"period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning \n stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); \n ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; \n prepare","primogeniture":"seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; \n right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property \n of one or both parents)","primordial":"existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary","primp":"groom oneself with care; adorn oneself","pristine":"unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic \n of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine \n condition","privation":"lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; \n hardship; want; CF. deprive","privy":"secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something \n secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to \n a discussion; CF. private","prize":"pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his \n most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time \n (esp. an enemy ship)","probe":"explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender \n instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device \n designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; \n Ex. space probe","probity":"uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility","problematic":"causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; \n questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed \n is problematic.","proclivity":"inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something \n bad)","procrastinate":"postpone; delay or put off","procurement":"obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a \n prostitute) for another","prod":"poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to \n action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding","prodigal":"wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind \n prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality","prodigious":"enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious \n amount/memory","prodigy":"highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; \n marvel; wonder","profane":"violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; \n be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent \n for holy things","profligate":"wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; \n N: profligate person; N. profligacy","profound":"deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; \n N. profundity","profusion":"great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish \n expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; \n copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant","progenitor":"ancestor","progeny":"children; offspring; descendants","prognosis":"forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic","prognosticate":"predict (according to present indications)","prohibitive":"so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to \n prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; \n inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax","projectile":"missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)","proletarian":"member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: \n working class (who have to work for wages)","proliferate":"grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation","prolific":"producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; \n fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; \n Ex. prolific writer","prolixity":"tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; \n diffuse","prologue":"introduction (to a poem or play)","prolong":"lengthen; extend; draw out","prominent":"protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent","promiscuous":"mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing \n carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; \n irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; \n N. promiscuity","promontory":"headland","promote":"advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; \n help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. \n Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote \n a new product","prompt":"cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an actor); \n ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; \n on time; N: reminder or cue","promulgate":"announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by \n official publication","prone":"inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with \n the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; \n Ex. accident-prone","prong":"pointed projecting part","pronounced":"distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp","prop":"support placed under or against something; V.","propagate":"increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; \n Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating \n their ideas","propellantpropellent)":"substance which propels or drives forward (such as \n an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)","propensity":"natural inclination","prophetic":"of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting \n the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet","prophylactic":"used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; \n condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease","propinquity":"nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship","propitiate":"appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory","propitious":"favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. \n propitious day/sign","proponent":"supporter; backer; opposite of opponent","propound":"put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; \n Ex. propound a problem/theory","propriety":"fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; \n conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, \n proprietary","propulsive":"driving forward; N. propulsion","prosaic":"lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned \n with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. \n prose","proscenium":"part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a \n stage","proscribe":"prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw","proselytize":"(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; \n N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion","prosody":"art of versification; study of the metrical structure \n of verse","prosper":"become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow \n well; Ex. children prospering under his care","prosperity":"good fortune and financial success; physical well-being","prosperous":"successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off","prostrate":"stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; \n Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having \n lost all strength","proteg\\'e ":"person receiving protection and support from a patron","protagonist":"leader or noticeable supporter of an idea; chief character \n in a play or story","protean":"able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: \n sea god to change his shape at will","protocol":"diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed \n by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; \n Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport.","prototype":"original work used as a model by others","protract":"prolong; lengthen in time; draw out","protrude":"stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth","protuberance":"protrusion; swelling; bulge","provenance":"place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. \n Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come","provender":"dry food for livestock; fodder","proverb":"adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; \n ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially","providence":"quality of being provident; divine care; god's care; \n Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like providence that the \n doctor happened to be there; ADJ. providential: of divine \n providence; fortunate","provident":"providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; \n preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident","provincial":"pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; \n unsophisticated","provision":"act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; \n provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; \n condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions \n of the agreement","provisional":"tentative; temporary","proviso":"stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision","provocative":"arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative \n in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause (an \n unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation","prowess":"extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess \n in battle","proximity":"nearness; ADJ. proximate","proxy":"authorized agent; authority to act for another","prude":"excessively modest or proper person (who is easily \n shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature); \n N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety","prudent":"cautious; careful; prudential","prune":"cut away; trim","prurient":"having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing \n immoderate sexual desire","pry":"inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); \n use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: \n tool for prying","pseudonym":"pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. \n pseudonymous","psyche":"soul; mind","psychiatrist":"doctor who treats mental diseases","psychic":"of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental \n powers","psychopathic":"pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: \n person with an antisocial personality disorder","psychosis":"mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic","psychosomatic":"of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with \n respect to disease)","pterodactyl":"extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger","pucker":"gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold","pudding":"hot sweet dish","puerile":"childish; immature; CF. puer: boy","pugilist":"boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing","pugnacity":"combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: \n (of people) belligerent; combative in nature","puissant":"powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power","pulchritude":"beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous","pulmonary":"pertaining to the lungs","pulpit":"raised platform used in preaching (in a church)","pulsate":"throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly","pulse":"rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change \n in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate","pulverize":"crush or grind into very small particles","pummel":"pommel; beat or pound with fists","punctilious":"minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; \n stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: \n careful attention payed to every small exact detail","pundit":"authority on a subject; expert; learned person","pungent":"stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech \n or writing) caustic; N. pungency","punitive":"punishing; Ex. punitive measures","puny":"tiny; weak; insignificant","purchase":"secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing","purgatory":"place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place \n in which the souls must expiate their sins","purge":"remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; \n eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or purify \n (esp. of sin, guilt, or defilement); N.","purport":"intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. \n order which purports to be signed by the general","purported":"alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported \n Satanists","purse":"pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet","purveyor":"furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply \n (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide","pushy":"disagreeably aggressive","pusillanimous":"cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted","putative":"supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. \n putative father of the child","putrefy":"make or become putrid; N. putrefaction","putrescent":"becoming putrid; putrefying","putrid":"decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. \n putridity","puzzle":"baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over \n a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by reasoning; \n Ex. puzzle out the answer; N.","pyromaniac":"person with an insane desire to set things on fire","nadir":"lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically \n opposite the zenith","naivete(naivety)":"quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; \n gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\\\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; \n simple; credulous","narcissist":"conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus","narrative":"related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; \n V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration","nascent":"incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent \n ability in music","natal":"connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal","natation":"swimming","natty":"neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty \n dresser","nausea":"feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. \n seasickness","nauseate":"cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea","nauseous":"causing nausea; feeling nausea","nautical":"pertaining to ships or navigation","navigable":"(of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow \n ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to \n be steered","nebula":"diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy","nebulous":"vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal","necromancy":"black magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead; art that \n professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead \n so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer; CF. necro+divination; \n CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis","nectar":"drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees","nefarious":"very wicked","negate":"cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; \n N. negation","negligence":"neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: \n neglectful; lax; not taking enough care","negligible":"so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily \n disregarded","nemesis":"someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; \n CF. Nemesis","neologism":"new or newly coined word or phrase","neophyte":"recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; \n CF. plant","nepotism":"favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew","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; \n Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between \n niceties","niggardly":"meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person","niggle":"spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding \n fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling","nihilist":"one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless \n and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary \n terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning \n or value; belief that destruction of existing political \n or social institutio","nimble":"quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. \n nimble climber/mind","nip":"snip off; stop something's growth or development; bite; \n make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog \n nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme \n chill","nirvana":"in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the \n individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal \n beatitude","nocturnal":"done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; \n CF. nocturne","noisome":"foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome","nomadic":"wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place \n to place","nomenclature":"terminology(system of specialized words); system of \n names or naming things","nominal":"in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) \n very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint","nonchalance":"indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: \n unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude \n to his debts","noncommittal":"neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; \n unpledged; undecided","nondescript":"undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript \n fellow in a crowd","nonentity":"person of no importance; nonexistence","nonplus":"put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; \n CF. no more","nonsense":"speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior \n or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to \n fail","noose":"loop formed in a rope","nostalgia":"homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for \n the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic","nostrum":"questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy)","notable":"conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; \n distinguished; noted","notch":"V-shaped cut in a surface; V.","notoriety":"disrepute; ill fame","nourish":"provide with food necessary for life and growth","nourishment":"something that nourishes; food","nova":"star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns \n to its original brightness","novelty":"something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original","novice":"beginner","noxious":"harmful; CF. obnoxious","nuance":"shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle \n distinction","nubile":"marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial","nugatory":"worthless; futile","nullify":"make invalid; make null; invalidate","numismatist":"person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or \n collection of money, coins, and medals","nuptial":"related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: \n wedding ceremony","nurse":"suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; Ex. \n nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against someone","nurture":"nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is \n growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something \n that nourishes; rearing","nutrient":"nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment","nutrition":"process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition","nutritious":"providing nourishment","zany":"comic; crazy; N: clown; comical person (given to outlandish \n behavior)","zeal":"eager enthusiasm (to a cause or ideal); ADJ. zealous","zealot":"one who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows excessive \n zeal","zenith":"point directly overhead in the sky; summit; acme; highest \n point","zephyr":"gentle breeze; west wind","zest":"outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste \n to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; \n Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life","yen":"strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel","yeoman":"man or farmer owning small estate; middle-class farmer","yield":"amount produced; crop; income on investment; profit \n obtained from an investment; V: produce; give in; surrender","yoke":"join together; unite; N: crossbar used to joining two \n draft animals","yokel":"rustic; country bumpkin;","yore":"time long past; Ex. in the days of yore","xenophobia":"fear or hatred of foreigners; N. xenophobe","gadfly":"animal-biting fly; irritating person","gaffe":"social blunder","gainsay":"deny","gait":"manner of walking or running; speed","galaxy":"large isolated system of stars, such as the Milky Way; \n collection of brilliant personalities","gale":"windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughters, \n tears); Ex. gale of laughter","gall":"annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing \n (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation","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 \n execution by hanging)","galvanic":"of the production of electricity by the action of an \n acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; \n Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani","galvanize":"stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate \n by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant \n zinc by using electricity","gambit":"opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action \n made to produce a future advantage","gambol":"romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N.","gamely":"in a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight gamely \n against a superior boxer; ADJ. game","gamut":"entire range","gangrene":"decay of body tissue caused by insufficient blood supply \n (usually following injury); ADJ. gangrenous","gape":"open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly \n with the mouth open; CF. agape","garbled":"mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or \n distort (a message) to such an extent as to make misleading \n or unintelligible","gargantuan":"huge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of Gargantua \n and Pantagruel","gargoyle":"waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building","garish":"overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy","garner":"gather; store up; amass","garnish":"decorate; add a garnish to; decorate (food or drink) \n with small items such as lemon slices; N.","garrulous":"loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity","gastronomy":"art and science of preparing and serving good food; \n CF. gastronome","gauche":"clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth","gaudy":"flashy; showy","gaunt":"lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren","gavel":"hammerlike tool; mallet(wooden hammer) used by a presiding \n officer or an auctioneer; V.","gawk":"stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe","gazette":"official periodical publication; newspaper","genealogy":"record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry","generality":"vague statement; general statement which is not detailed; \n quality of being general; greater part; most; Ex. generality \n of people","generate":"cause; produce; create","generic":"characteristic of an entire class or species; of a \n genus","genesis":"beginning; origin","geniality":"cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. genial: cheerful \n and good-tempered","genre":"particular variety of art or literature","genteel":"well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance \n of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty","gentility":"those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; \n quality of being genteel","gentle":"kindly; soft; mild; of good family","gentry":"people of standing(rank or position); people of good \n family or high social position; class of people just below \n nobility","genuflect":"bend the knee as in worship","genus":"division of animals or plants, below a family and above \n a species","geriatrics":"medical treatment and care of old age","germ":"earliest form of an organism; seed or bud; something \n that may develop into something larger or more important; \n microbe","germane":"pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the \n case at hand; appropriate","germinal":"pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea","germinate":"cause to sprout; sprout","gerontocracy":"government ruled by old people","gerontology":"study of the sociological phenomena associated with \n old age","gerrymander":"change voting district lines in order to favor a political \n party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + (sala)mander","gestate":"evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period \n of development from conception until birth","gesticulation":"motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures (while \n speaking)","ghastly":"horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast","gibberish":"nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; \n babbling","gibe":"mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks","giddy":"light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing \n dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height","gild":"cover with a thin layer of gold","gingerly":"very carefully; ADJ.","girth":"distance around something; circumference","gist":"essence; main point; substance","glacial":"like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. \n glacial epoch; CF. iceberg","glamor":"compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous","glare":"shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and angrily; \n N.","glaring":"(of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly bright; \n shining intensely and blindingly","glaze":"cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze \n to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex. \n unglazed pottery","gleam":"brief flash of light; glow; V.","glean":"gather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; \n gather bit by bit (facts or information) often with difficulty","glib":"fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; \n slick","glimmer":"shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; \n faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope","glitter":"shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex. glittering \n diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractiveness; glamor; \n Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves","gloat":"express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with \n evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated \n over the stolen jewels.","gloss":"brief explanation note or translation of a difficult \n expression; V.","glossover ":"explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding \n faults","glossary":"brief explanation of words used in the text","glossy":"smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a \n surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex. gloss \n of good manners","glow":"shine brightly without a flame (as of eyes or metals); \n show redness and heat (in the face) after hard work or \n because of strong feelings; N: light produced by a heated \n body; brilliance of a color","glower":"scowl; glare; look or stare angrily","glut":"overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to \n excess; N: oversupply","glutinous":"sticky; viscous; gluey","glutton":"someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to \n gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much","gnarl":"protruding knot on a tree; V.","gnarled":"twisted","gnome":"dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards","goad":"urge on; drive with a goad; cause (someone) to do something \n by continued annoyance; Ex. They goaded him into doing \n it by saying he was a coward; N: sharp-pointed stick for \n driving cattle; stimulus; CF. annoy continually","gobble":"eat very quickly","gorge":"stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. gorgeous: dazzlingly \n beautiful","gory":"bloody; N. gore: blood (from a wound)","gossamer":"sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer \n fabric; cobweb","gouge":"overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge \n the public; CF. usury","gourmand":"epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food \n and drink","gourmet":"connoisseur of food and drink; epicure","gracious":"kind in a generous way (to someone less important)","gradation":"series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression","graduate":"arrange into categories or grades; divide into marked \n intervals (for use in measurement); Ex. graduated ruler","graduated":"arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.)","granary":"storehouse for grain","grandeur":"impressiveness; stateliness; majesty","grandiloquent":"(of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding \n language; pompous; bombastic","grandiose":"affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously \n exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; \n Ex. grandiose ideas","granulate":"form into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or \n particle","graphic":"pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described","graphite":"black form of carbon used in lead pencils","grapple":"wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle \n with; Ex. grapple with the burglar","grate":"make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; shred \n by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated cheese \n N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fireplace","gratify":"please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire","gratis":"free; without charge; ADJ.","gratuitous":"given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without \n good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment","gratuity":"n. money given to sb who has done one a service; tip \n ;","gravity":"seriousness; ADJ. grave","graze":"(of an animal) feed on growing grass; cause (an animal) \n to feed on grass; scrape (esp. the skin) or touch lightly \n in passing; brush; Ex. We can't graze the cattle till \n summer; N: surface wound","gregarious":"sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group","grievance":"cause of complaint; complaint","grill":"question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking \n surface of parallel metal bars","grim":"causing great fear; unrelenting; determined in spite \n of fear; Ex. grim smile","grimace":"facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, \n etc; V.","grisly":"ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies","groom":"man employed to take care of horses; V: make neat and \n trim; clean and brush (an animal)","groove":"long narrow channel made in a surface to guide the \n movement of something; Ex. groove of the record","gross":"total; fragrant; clearly wrong; (of people's behavior) \n coarse; corpulent; Ex. gross insolence/behavior; V: earn \n as a total amount; N: 12 dozens","grotesque":"fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural \n (causing fear or amusement)","grotto":"small cavern","grouch":"bad-tempered complaint; person who keeps complaining; \n V: complain; grumble","grouse":"complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike \n game bird","grovel":"crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; behave \n in a servile manner","growl":"low, guttural, menacing sound (as of a dog)","grudge":"deep feeling of dislike; Ex. grudge fight; V.","grudging":"unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly)","gruel":"thin liquid porridge","grueling":"exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race","gruesome":"grisly; horrible","gruff":"rough-mannered; (of a voice) rough; hoarse","grumble":"complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N.","grunt":"utter a deep guttural sound (as a pig does); N.","guffaw":"boisterous laughter; V.","guile":"deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade \n her by guile","guileless":"without deceit","guise":"outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise","gull":"trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; \n dupe","gullible":"easily deceived","gush":"(of liquid) pour out in large quantities from a hole; \n make an excessive display of feeling (without true feeling); \n Ex. Blood gushed from the wound.","gust":"strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster","gustatory":"affecting or relating to the sense of taste","gusto":"eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm","gusty":"windy","guy":"cable or chain attached to something that needs to \n be braced or steadied; CF. guide","gyroscope":"apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, \n etc.","habitat":"natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation","habituate":"accustom or familiarize; addict","hackles":"hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make \n someone's hackles rise","hackneyed":"commonplace; trite","haggard":"wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued \n miners","haggle":"argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain)","hail":"frozen rain drop; V: salute or greet; precipitate hail","halcyon":"calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days","hale":"healthy","halfhearted":"exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm","hallowed":"blessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; V. hallow: \n set apart as holy","hallucination":"delusion; false idea; false perception of objects with \n a compelling sense of their reality; objects so perceived; \n V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory","halting":"hesitant; faltering; not fluent; Ex. halting steps/voice; \n V. halt: proceed or act with uncertainty; falter; hesitate; \n waver; stop","hamper":"obstruct; prevent the free movement of;","handsome":"large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome reward","hap":"chance; luck","haphazard":"random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; \n Ex. haphazard growth of the town","hapless":"unfortunate; luckless","harangue":"long, passionate, and vehement speech; V.","harass":"annoy by repeated attacks","harbinger":"forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come)","harbor":"give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide \n a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); \n Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge","hardy":"(of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) \n able to stand inclement(stormy) weather","harping":"tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think \n or speak a lot about) tediously","harrowing":"agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break \n up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress \n on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth","harry":"harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid","hatch":"deck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: emerge \n from an egg; produce (young) from an egg","haughtiness":"pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty","haunt":"(of a spirit) visit (a place); come to mind continually; \n visit (a place) regularly; frequent; Ex. haunted house; \n Ex. haunted by his last words; N: place much frequented","haven":"place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven","havoc":"widespread damage; disorder; chaos","hazard":"venture; put in danger; risk; Ex. hazard a guess; N: \n possible source of danger","hazardous":"dangerous","hazy":"slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist \n or smoke; confused state of mind","headfirst":"moving with the head leading; headlong","headlong":"hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV.","headstrong":"willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have one's \n own way; CF. no 'excessive'","healthful":"conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air","healthy":"possessing good health; healthful","heckler":"person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally \n harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech)","hedonist":"one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; \n CF. hedonism: practice of living one's life purely for \n pleasure","heed":"pay attention to; N: close attention","heedless":"not noticing; disregarding","hegemony":"dominance especially of one nation over others","heinous":"atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime","helm":"steering wheel of a ship; position of control","hem":"surround tightly so that movement is impossible; Ex. \n hem in; N.","herald":"messenger; sign of something to come; V: announce; \n proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher","herbivorous":"grain-eating; CF. herbivore","herd":"group of animals; crowd; one who looks after a herd; \n Ex. shepherd/goatherd; Ex. herd instinct; Ex. herdsman; \n V: come together in a herd; look after a herd; Ex. herd \n cattle","hereafter":"life after death","heresy":"opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary \n to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic","hermetic":"concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; \n occult","hermitage":"home of a hermit","herpetologist":"one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of \n zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians","heterodox":"(of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; \n unconventional","heterogeneous":"dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar \n elements or plants","hew":"cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N.","heyday":"time of greatest success or power; prime","hiatus":"gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break","hibernal":"wintry; wintery; of or like winter","hibernate":"sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation","hide":"skin of an animal","hideous":"repulsive to the sight; ugly; repugnant; Ex. hideous \n face/scream","hierarchy":"arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body \n divided into ranks; body of persons having authority","hieroglyphic":"picture writing; ADJ.","highflown ":"highly pretentious or inflated","hilarity":"boisterous mirth(merriment; laughter); ADJ. hilarious: \n full of laughter","hindmost":"furthest behind; farthest to the rear","hindrance":"block; obstacle; V. hinder","hindsight":"understanding the nature of an event after it has actually \n happened","hinterlands":"back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland","hireling":"one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); \n one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician","hirsute":"hairy; having a lot of hair","historic":"important in history; Ex. historic battle","historical":"connected with history; based on events in history \n (whether regarded as important or not)","histrionic":"theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; \n of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior","hive":"box for bees; V: cause to go in a hive","hoard":"stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored \n for future use","hoary":"white with age","hoax":"trick which makes someone take action; practical joke; \n Ex. hoax mail; V.","holocaust":"destruction by fire; CF. burnt whole; CF. Holocaust","holster":"leather pistol case (that hangs on a belt around the \n waist)","homage":"honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to","homely":"not good-looking; unattractive","homeostasis":"tendency of a system or organism to maintain relative \n stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; \n Ex. homeotherm","homespun":"domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple \n and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy","homily":"sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; \n ADJ. homiletic","homogeneous":"of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout","hone":"sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool","hoodwink":"deceive; delude","horde":"crowd; swarm","horoscope":"diagram of the positions of stars at a given moment \n (eg. of a person's birth) used by astrologers","hortatory":"encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. \n exhort","horticultural":"pertaining to cultivation of gardens; N. horticulture: \n science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, or ornamental \n plants; CF. agriculture: science or art of farming or \n growing crops","hostage":"person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy so that \n the other side will do what the enemy demands","hostility":"unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile","hothead":"person who does things too quickly without thinking; \n ADJ. hotheaded","hovel":"shack; small wretched house","hover":"hang about; (of birds or aircraft) stay in the air \n in one place; (of people) wait nearby; stay around one \n place; waver; be in an uncertain state","hubbub":"confused uproar; loud noise; din","hubris":"arrogance; excessive self-conceit","hue":"color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue","hueand_cry ":"outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue \n and cry against the new rule","hull":"husk; dry outer covering of a seed; frame or body of \n a ship","humane":"marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; \n humanitarian","humanitarian":"one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. \n humanism","humble":"of low rank or position; modest; having a low opinion \n of oneself and a high opinion of others; unassuming; not \n proud; V. humiliate: make humble; cause to feel ashamed \n or to lose the respect of others","humdrum":"dull; monotonous","humid":"damp; N. humidity","humility":"humbleness of spirit","hummock":"small hill; hillock","humor":"indulge; comply with the wishes of; N. quality that \n makes something amusing; state of mind; mood; Ex. in a \n bad humor; Ex. out of humor","humus":"substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable \n matter; CF. soil","hurl":"throw forcefully; shout out violently","hurtle":"crash; rush; move with great speed; Ex. hurtling runaway \n train","husband":"use sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband one's energy; \n CF. house holder","husbandry":"frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. \n animal husbandry; CF. husbandman","hut":"crude dwelling; shack","hybrid":"mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize","hydrophobia":"fear of water; rabies","hygiene":"science and practice of the promotion and preservation \n of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to \n cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic condition","hyperbole":"exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; \n of a hyperbola","hypercritical":"excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing \n good qualities)","hypnosis":"induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize","hypochondriac":"person unduly worried about his health; worrier without \n cause about illness; ADJ. CF. hypochondria: neurosis that \n one is or is becoming ill; CF. abdomen","hypocritical":"pretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. hypocrisy: \n profession of beliefs one does not possess; CF. hypocrite","hypothetical":"based on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis","hysteria":"excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hysteric: \n person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: attack \n of hysteria","jab":"poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short \n blows","jabber":"chatter rapidly or unintelligibly","jaded":"tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; \n worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite","jargon":"language used by special group; technical terminology; \n gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk","jaundice":"medical condition in which the skin, the white part \n of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; \n 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","jaunt":"trip; short journey","jaunty":"cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; \n easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat","jeopardize":"endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger","jest":"playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully","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","jingoist":"extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike \n chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism","jocose":"given to(having a tendency of) joking","jocular":"said or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking","jocund":"merry","jollity":"gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay","jostle":"shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; \n Ex. jostled by the crowds","jovial":"good-natured; merry; cheerful","jubilation":"rejoicing; great joy","judiciary":"judicial branch of government","judicious":"sound on judgment; wise","jug":"pitcher; container for holding liquids","juggernaut":"irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing \n force that crushes everything in its path","jumble":"mix in a confused way","juncture":"crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of \n joining","junket":"trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official \n at public expense","junta":"group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; \n group of military officers ruling a country after seizing \n power (by force)","juridical":"of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of \n courts of law; CF. judiciary","jurisdiction":"right and power to apply the law; authority","jurisprudence":"science of law","juxtapose":"place side by side; CF. next","ichthyology":"study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish","iconikon) ":"religious image; idol; image or representation","iconoclastic":"attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one \n who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred \n images","ideology":"system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture","idiom":"expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the \n meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of \n expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. \n idiomatic","idiosyncrasy":"individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral \n peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion \n peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; \n ADJ. idiosyncratic","idle":"not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without purpose; \n useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based on truth; \n Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V.","idolatry":"worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; \n ADJ. idolatrous","idyllidyl) ":"short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period \n of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. \n idyll of two young lovers","idyllic":"charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic \n scene","igneous":"produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed \n from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite","ignite":"kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to","ignoble":"unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed","ignominy":"deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; \n Ex. ignominous defeat","illicit":"illegal","illimitable":"infinite; limitless","illuminate":"brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; \n enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks","illusion":"misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; \n CF. delusion","illusive":"deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive","illusory":"illusive; deceptive; not real","imbalance":"lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion","imbecility":"weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: \n stupid person; fool","imbibe":"drink in","imbroglio":"complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex \n misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused \n mass (as of papers); V. embroil","imbue":"saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone \n with feelings","immaculate":"spotless; flawless; absolutely clean","imminent":"impending; near at hand","immobility":"state of being immovable","immolate":"offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)","immune":"resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity","immure":"imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall","immutable":"unchangeable","impair":"injure; hurt; damage","impale":"pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear","impalpable":"imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. \n palpable: tangible; easily perceptible","impart":"grant a share of; make known; Ex. news to impart","impartial":"not biased; fair; N. impartiality","impassable":"not able to be traveled or crossed","impasse":"predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is \n no escape; situation allowing for no further progress","impassioned":"(of speech) filled with passion; fervent","impassive":"without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; \n Ex. impassive face","impeach":"charge (a public official) with crime in office; raise \n doubts about; indict; Ex. impeach a witness's credibility","impeccable":"faultless","impecunious":"without money","impede":"hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block","impediment":"hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing \n clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment","impel":"drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to \n action","impending":"nearing; approaching; about to happen","impenetrable":"not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; \n impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery","impenitent":"not repentant","imperative":"absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically \n important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; \n N: something that must be done","imperceptible":"unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable","imperial":"like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism","imperil":"put in danger","imperious":"domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor","impermeable":"impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; \n impossible to permeate","impersonal":"not being a person; not showing personal feelings; \n Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization","impertinent":"insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence","imperturbable":"unshakably calm; placid","impervious":"impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; \n incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious \n to water/criticism","impetuous":"violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; \n Ex. impetuous decision","impetus":"moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; \n stimulus; impulse","impiety":"irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety","impinge":"infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; \n Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.","impious":"irreverent","implacable":"incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; \n Ex. implacable enemy","implausible":"unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible \n alibi","implement":"put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; \n Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument","implicate":"incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved \n (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime","implication":"something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating","implicit":"understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and \n complete; Ex. implicit trust","implode":"burst inward; CF. vaccum tube","implore":"v. ask or beg earnestly; beseech","imply":"suggest a meaning not expressed; signify","impolitic":"not wise; not expedient; not politic","imponderable":"weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; \n CF. pound","import":"significance; importance; meaning","importunate":"urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent","importune":"beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying \n way)","imposture":"assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor","impotent":"weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or \n power","impoverish":"make poor; deprive of natural strength or something \n important; Ex. impoverished soil","imprecation":"curse; swearword","impregnable":"invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; \n Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take","impregnate":"make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate","impromptu":"without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a \n sleeve); on the spur of the moment","impropriety":"improperness; unsuitableness","improvident":"thriftless; not providing for the future","improvise":"compose on the spur of the moment","imprudent":"lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious","impudence":"impertinence; insolence","impugn":"dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); \n attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. \n fight","impuissance":"powerlessness; feebleness","impunity":"freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish","impute":"attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation","inadvertently":"unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly","inalienable":"not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable \n rights","inamorata":"woman whom a man loves","inane":"silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity","inanimate":"lifeless; not animate","inarticulate":"speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; \n not expressing oneself clearly","inasmuchas ":"since; owing to the fact that","inaugurate":"begin formally; install in office; induct into office \n by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural","incandescent":"strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting \n visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; \n CF. candle","incantation":"singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; \n (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant","incapacitate":"disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity","incarcerate":"imprison","incarnate":"endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; \n Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody","incarnation":"act of assuming a human body and human nature; one \n who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous \n incarnation/reincarnation","incendiary":"arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary \n bomb","incense":"enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; \n outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant \n odor","incentive":"spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater \n activity","inception":"start; beginning","incessant":"uninterrupted; unceasing","inchoate":"(of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not explicit; \n at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; \n Ex. inchoate mass","incidence":"rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high \n incidence of infant mortality","incident":"event; event that causes a crisis","incidental":"not essential; minor; N: something incidental","incinerate":"burn to ashes","incipient":"beginning; in an early stage","incisive":"(appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; \n V. incise: make a cut into","incite":"arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; \n Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion","inclement":"stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement","incline":"slope; slant; Ex. steep incline","inclined":"tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend","inclusive":"tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive \n charge","incognito":"with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ.","incoherent":"unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts \n in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not \n coherent","incommodious":"not spacious; inconvenient","incompatible":"inharmonious; N. incompatibility","incongruity":"lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking \n in harmony; inappropriate","inconsequential":"insignificant; unimportant","inconsistency":"state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity \n or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of \n consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible","incontinent":"lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious","incontrovertible":"indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; \n unquestionable","incorporate":"introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; \n give material form to; ADJ.","incorporeal":"without a material body; insubstantial","incorrigible":"uncorrectable","incredulity":"tendency to disbelief","incredulous":"withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief","increment":"increase","incriminate":"accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence \n against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. \n incriminating evidence","incrustation":"hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with \n a crust","incubate":"hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; \n maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; \n be holding in one's body an infection which is going to \n develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease","incubus":"burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; \n male devil; CF. succubus","inculcate":"teach (ideas or principles); instill","incumbent":"obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding \n an office; N: person who holds an office","incur":"bring upon oneself","incursion":"temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey","indecision":"irresolution; inability to make up one's mind","indecisive":"marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. indecisive \n battle","indefatigable":"tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired","indelible":"not able to be erased","indemnify":"make secure against damage or loss; compensate for \n damage or loss; CF. make uninjured","indentation":"notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth","indenture":"bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; \n N: contract binding one party into the service of another \n for a specified time (as between an apprentice and his \n master)","indeterminate":"uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite","indicative":"suggestive; implying; serving to indicate","indices":"signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; \n CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; \n Ex. cost-of-living index","indict":"charge; N. indictment","indifferent":"unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; \n neither good nor bad","indigence":"poverty","indigenous":"native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World","indigent":"poor; destitute","indignation":"anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. \n indignant","indignity":"treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of \n dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating \n or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of \n having to say that in front of them.","indiscriminate":"choosing at random; confused; not based on careful \n distinctions","indisputable":"too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt","indissoluble":"permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate","indite":"write; compose","indoctrinate":"cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; \n Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism","indolent":"lazy","indomitable":"unconquerable; unyielding","indubitable":"unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable","induce":"persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement","induct":"place formally in office; install; admit as a member; \n initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving \n general principles from particular facts","inductive":"pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific \n to the general","indulge":"yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special pleasure; \n Ex. indulge one's every whim/a child/in a big cigarette; \n N. indulgence","indulgent":"humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence","industrious":"diligent; hard-working; N. industry","inebriate":"make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person","inebriated":"habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety","ineffable":"unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot \n be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; \n Ex. ineffable name/joy","ineffectual":"not effective; not having a desired effect; weak","ineluctable":"irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable","inept":"unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; \n CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate","inequity":"unfairness; ADJ. inequitable","inerrancy":"infallibility","inert":"inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or \n act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being \n inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state","inestimable":"impossible to estimate; (apprec) invaluable; of immeasurable \n worth","inevitable":"unavoidable","inexorable":"relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of \n being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price \n rises","inextricable":"from which it is impossible to get free; that cannot \n be untied; Ex. inextricable troubles; Ex. inextricable \n two histories","infallible":"unerring; never making mistakes","infamous":"notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; \n Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame \n or reputation","infantile":"childish; infantlike","infer":"deduce; conclude; N. inference","infernal":"pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of \n fiery heat or destruction","infest":"inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. \n Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters","infidel":"unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)","infiltrate":"pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) \n sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; \n CF. infiltrator","infinitesimal":"very small","infirmity":"weakness","inflated":"exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)","influx":"flowing into","infraction":"violation (of a rule or regulation); breach","infringe":"violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)","ingenious":"marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. \n ingenuity","ingenue":"ing\\'enue; young innocent girl","ingenuous":"naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid","ingrained":"deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice","ingrate":"ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)","ingratiate":"become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; \n Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss","inherent":"firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic","inhibit":"restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition","inhibited":"(of a person) unable to express what one really feels","inimical":"(of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; \n detrimental; CF. enemy","inimitable":"matchless; not able to be imitated","iniquitous":"wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den \n of iniquity","initiate":"begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to \n a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the \n mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated","injurious":"harmful; causing injury","inkling":"hint; slight indication","innate":"inborn","innocuous":"harmless","innovation":"change; something newly introduced; introduction of \n something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce (something \n new); be creative; ADJ. innovative","innuendo":"indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; \n Ex. sexual innuendo","inopportune":"untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen","inordinate":"beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive; \n Ex. inordinate demands","inquisitive":"eager for knowledge; unduly curious","inquisitor":"questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person \n making an inquisition","inroad":"hostile invasion; advance that lessens the quantity \n or difficulty of something; Ex. The long illness made \n serious inroads on his savings; CF. raid","insalubrious":"unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place","insatiable":"not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable \n appetite","inscrutable":"difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily \n understood; mysterious","insensate":"without feeling; lacking sense; foolish","insensible":"unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; \n Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; \n CF. not the opposite of sensible","insidious":"treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully \n in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot","insightful":"discerning; perceptive","insinuate":"hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce \n or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself \n into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate","insipid":"lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid \n food/character","insolence":"impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. \n haughty + rude","insolvent":"bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency","insomnia":"wakefulness; inability to sleep","insouciant":"without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent","instigate":"start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel","institute":"organization for a special purpose; V: establish","institution":"instituting; (building for the) organization; established \n custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental \n hospital; Ex. institution of marriage","institutionalize":"make into an institution; put or confine in an institution","insubordination":"disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate","insubstantial":"lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial","insularity":"narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; \n isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula","insuperable":"insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties","insurgent":"rebellious; N.","insurmountable":"overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable","insurrection":"rebellion; uprising","intangible":"not able to be perceived by touch; vague","integral":"complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral \n part","integrate":"make whole; combine; make into one unit","integrity":"honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole \n and undivided; completeness","intellect":"higher mental powers; person of great intellectual \n ability","intelligentsia":"intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often \n used derogatorily)","inter":"bury; N. interment","interdict":"prohibit; forbid; N.","interim":"meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during \n an interim; Ex. interim paper","interjection":"exclamation; Ex. ``Ouch''","interloper":"intruder; one who interferes","intermediary":"intermediate; acting as a mediator; N: mediator; go-between","interminable":"endless","intermittent":"periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals","internecine":"mutually destructive","interpolate":"insert between","interregnum":"period between two successive reigns or governments","interrogate":"question closely; cross-examine; cross-question","interstice":"narrow space between things","intervene":"come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent \n a fight; N. intervention","intimate":"hint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close relationship; \n familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate knowledge/thoughts \n in the diary; N: close friend or confidant; CF. intimacy","intimidate":"frighten; N. intimidation","intolerant":"not willing to accept ways of thinking different from \n one's own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate","intoxicate":"make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxicated by \n all the money he might win","intractable":"unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child","intransigence":"refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: \n uncompromising","intrepid":"fearless","intrigue":"make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of; N: \n secret scheme; plot; secret love affair","intrinsic":"essential; inherent; built-in","introspective":"looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination","introvert":"one who is introspective or inclined to think more \n about oneself; ADJ. introverted","intrude":"put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter \n as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one's own opinion \n into the report; CF. thrust in","intuition":"immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; \n ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition","inundate":"flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated \n with work","inured":"accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; \n V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; \n CF. unfeeling","invalid":"one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: \n incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to \n leave (a military force) because of ill-health","invalidate":"weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify","invective":"abuse","inveigh":"denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against \n the evils of drink","inveigle":"deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); \n Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly","inverse":"opposite","invert":"turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position \n or condition of","inveterate":"deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old","invidious":"designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse \n ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison","invincible":"unconquerable","inviolable":"secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); \n unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability","invocation":"prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as \n a reference or support; act of invoking","invoke":"call and bring into use (a right or law); call on/upon \n (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg for; conjure \n (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one's \n advisor/God","invulnerable":"incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure","iota":"very small quantity","irascible":"irritable; easily angered","irate":"angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath","iridescent":"exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; \n N. iridescence","irksome":"annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy","ironic":"expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary \n manner","irony":"hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to \n mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words \n to convey the opposite of their literal meaning","irreconcilable":"impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to \n be resolved","irrefutable":"indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable","irrelevant":"not applicable; unrelated","irremediable":"incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy","irreparable":"not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to \n repair","irrepressible":"unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to \n hold back","irreproachable":"beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable \n conduct","irresolute":"uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; \n indecisive; N. irresolution","irretrievable":"impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve","irreverence":"lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent","irrevocable":"unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke","isotope":"varying from of an element","isthmus":"narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of \n land","itinerant":"wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform \n work); Ex. itinerant preacher","itinerary":"plan of a trip; record of a trip","rabble":"mob; noisy crowd","rabid":"of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; \n furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia","rabies":"disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal \n (causing madness and death)","raconteur":"story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill","raffle":"lottery; V: award as a prize in a raffle; Ex. raffle \n off a new car","rag":"scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming \n unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance","ragamuffin":"dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered \n clothes","rail":"complain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing \n against injustices","raiment":"clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear.","rake":"immoral or dissolute person","rakish":"jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; \n Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.","rally":"come or bring together; call up or summon (forces, \n vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate (after illness \n or difficulty); N: act of rallying; mass gathering","ram":"male sheep; V. strike or drive against with a heavy \n impact","ramble":"wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress","ramification":"branching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; \n one of the results following from an action or decision; \n Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision","ramify":"branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions","ramp":"slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)","rampant":"growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; \n unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed","rampart":"defensive mound of earth","ramshackle":"(of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; \n falling apart","rancid":"having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank","rancor":"long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without \n rancor; ADJ. rancorous","random":"without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; \n Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random","rank":"offensive in odor or flavor","rankle":"irritate; fester; annoy","ransack":"search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); \n Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.","rant":"speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly \n showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. \n The priest ranted about the devil.","rapacious":"voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively \n grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious \n birds","rapport":"close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony","rapt":"engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener","rapture":"great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous","rare":"(of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of \n the mountains","rarefied":"made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less dense; \n N. rarefaction","rasp":"(of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh noise; \n have an unpleasant effect; rub with something rough; Ex. \n The cat's tongue rasped my hand.","raspy":"making a harsh noise; grating; harsh","ratify":"approve formally; confirm; verify","ratiocination":"reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; \n V. ratiocinate: reason logically","ration":"fixed portion; V: distribute as rations","rational":"(of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; \n logical","rationale":"fundamental reason or principle (on which a system \n or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; \n grounds for an action","rationalize":"make rational; devise false reasons for (one's behavior); \n offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action \n in place of a true, less admirable ones; N. rationalization","raucous":"(of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly \n and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts","ravage":"devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms","rave":"overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as \n if mad; Ex. raving lunatic","ravel":"fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist","ravenous":"extremely hungry; voracious","ravine":"narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon","raze":"destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground","reactionary":"strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing \n progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical","realm":"kingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the realms \n of possibility","reaper":"one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: \n cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop","rebate":"return of part of a payment; discount; V.","rebuff":"reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his \n invitation; N.","rebuke":"scold harshly; criticize severely","rebus":"representation of words in the form of pictures or \n symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for \n words; Ex. ``R U 18'' is a rebus for ``Are you 18''.","rebuttal":"refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: \n refute; disprove","recalcitrant":"disobedient or resisting authority even after being \n punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; \n unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child","recant":"disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; \n openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement","recapitulate":"summarize","recast":"reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion \n again","receptive":"quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); \n Ex. receptive to the proposal","recess":"pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; \n Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive","recession":"withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity","recidivism":"habitual return to crime (even after being punished); \n N. recidivist","recipient":"receiver","reciprocal":"mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; \n interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement","reciprocate":"do or give something in return; repay in kind; give \n or take mutually; interchange; move","recital":"act of reciting publicly; detailed account; performance \n of music or dance (by a solo performer)","recite":"repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite \n his complaints; N. recitation","reckon":"count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose","recline":"lie down","recluse":"hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive","reconcile":"make friendly again (after quarrel); make consistent \n (two ideas in opposition); correct inconsistencies; Ex. \n reconcile one's political principles with one's religious \n beliefs","recondite":"abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret","reconnaissance":"survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: \n make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military \n information)","recount":"narrate or tell (a story); count over again","recourse":"resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse \n to","recreant":"disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person","recrimination":"countercharges; V. recriminate","rectify":"set right; correct; CF. rect-: right","rectitude":"moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; \n correctness of judgment","recumbent":"reclining; lying down completely or in part","recuperate":"recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses","recurrent":"occurring again and again","redolent":"odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent \n of onions/mystery","redoubtable":"formidable; causing fear","redress":"remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage \n to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); \n make amends for","reduce":"diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult condition; \n demote; lower in rank; separate into components by analysis; \n Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce the house to rubble; \n N. reduction","redundant":"superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively \n wordy; repetitious","reek":"emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant \n odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant \n odor; stench","refectory":"dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school)","referendum":"direct vote by all the people","refraction":"bending of a ray of light","refractory":"unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory \n horse","refrain":"abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus","refulgent":"effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. \n refulgent moon","refurbish":"renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; \n make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; \n CF. furbish: polish","refuse":"anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash","refute":"disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation","regal":"royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner","regale":"entertain","regatta":"boat or yacht race","regeneration":"spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; \n V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually","regent":"a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, \n absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent","regicide":"murder of a king or queen","regime":"method of system or government","regimen":"prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet \n and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer","regiment":"military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented \n society","rehabilitate":"restore to proper condition (health or useful life); \n restore the former rank of","reimburse":"repay; pay back","reinstate":"restore to a previous condition or position","reiterate":"repeat","rejoinder":"reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply","rejuvenate":"make young again","relapse":"return to a former state (esp. after improvement); \n N.","relegate":"put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior \n position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture \n to the children's room; Ex. relegated to the second division","relent":"become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. relentless: \n unyielding; continuously severe","relevant":"having importance; pertinent; referring to the case \n in hand; N. relevance, relevancy","relic":"surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; \n keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics \n of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X.","religious":"of religion; (of a person) pious; having reverence \n for a deity","relinquish":"give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; \n Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on \n my arm","relish":"enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest","remediable":"reparable","reminiscence":"recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past","reminiscent":"suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence","remiss":"negligent; careless about a duty","remission":"temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting \n of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; \n Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray \n for the remission of sins.","remit":"transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt \n or punishment","remittance":"remitting of money; amount of money remitted","remnant":"remainder","remonstrate":"protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest","remorse":"deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach","remunerative":"(of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; \n V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble","rend":"split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing \n deep sorrow","render":"give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic \n form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the \n song beautifully","rendezvous":"meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V.","rendition":"rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of \n a song, etc","renegade":"deserter; traitor; ADJ.","renege":"break a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege on the \n contract/paying off the debt","renounce":"abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; \n repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's \n religion; N. renunciation","renovate":"restore to good condition; renew","renown":"fame; ADJ. renowned","rent":"tear made by rending; rip; split","reparable":"capable of being repaired","reparation":"compensation (for loss or wrong); amends; Ex. make \n reparation for the damage; CF. repair","repartee":"quick clever reply","repast":"meal; feast; banquet","repeal":"revoke; annul","repel":"drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; \n Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion","repellent":"driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; \n N.","repercussion":"rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion","repertoire":"list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is \n prepared to present; CF. repertory","repine":"fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone \n work","replenish":"fill up again","replete":"fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of \n being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete \n with errors","replica":"copy","replicate":"reproduce; duplicate","repose":"resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at \n rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single \n man","repository":"storehouse","reprehensible":"deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame","representational":"(of a style of art) showing things as they actually \n appear in real life","repress":"hold back (the natural expression of); restrain; crush; \n oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion","reprieve":"postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary \n stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of","reprimand":"reprove severely; rebuke; N.","reprisal":"retaliation","reprise":"musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; \n repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the \n finale; Ex. constant reprises","reproach":"blame (not angrily but sadly); express disapproval \n or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful","reprobate":"morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, \n devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ?","reprobation":"severe disapproval; CF. approbation","reprove":"censure; rebuke; N. reproof","repudiate":"disown; disavow; deny","repugnance":"disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: \n arousing disgust; repulsive","repulse":"reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); \n drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $\\neq$ cause \n repulsion","repulsion":"distaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. repulsive: \n causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel (not \n `repulse')","reputable":"respectable; having a good reputation","reputed":"supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: \n consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem","requiem":"mass for the dead; dirge","requisite":"necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; \n necessary","requisition":"formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more \n computing equipment; V.","requite":"make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal","rescind":"repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)","resentment":"indignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. resent: feel \n anger about","reserve":"self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; \n reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. \n reserved: shy and uncommunicative","residual":"remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue","residue":"remainder; balance","resign":"give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) \n passively","resignation":"patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting \n a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent","resilient":"elastic; having the power of springing back; able to \n recover quickly (as from misfortune)","resolution":"determination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute: firm or \n determined in purpose","resolve":"decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined \n decision; N. resolution","resonant":"(of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); \n deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant \n voice; N. resonance","resort":"turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.","resound":"(of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound \n loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter","resourceful":"clever and imaginative (in dealing with difficult situations); \n N. resource, resourcefulness","respiration":"breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory","respite":"time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; \n reprieve","resplendent":"brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious","responsiveness":"state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; \n ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment","restitution":"returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful \n owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, \n damage, or injury","restive":"impatiently restless (induced by external coercion \n or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting \n control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not \n a general synonym for `restless'","restraint":"moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction","resumption":"taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or \n take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume \n your seats.","resurge":"rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: \n (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again","resurrect":"revive","resuscitate":"revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate \n the drowned child","retain":"keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer \n or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain \n an advisor","retaliate":"repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate","retard":"delay (in development); ADJ. retarded: (as of a child) \n slower in development","retentive":"holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the mind); \n having a good memory","reticent":"inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. \n He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence","retinue":"following; attendants","retiring":"shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring \n personality","retort":"quick sharp reply; V.","retract":"withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile","retrench":"cut down; cut down expenses; economize","retribution":"deserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for \n offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF. pay back","retrieve":"recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. \n retrieve the situation","retroactive":"taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition \n (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well \n as the future","retrograde":"go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.","retrospective":"looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect","revelry":"boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous \n festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or \n celebration","reverberate":"echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated \n across the valley.","reverend":"deserving reverence; N: priest","reverent":"respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; \n N. reverence: profound respect","reverie":"daydream; abstracted musing","revert":"relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former \n owner; N. reversion","revile":"attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)","revoke":"cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable","revulsion":"sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change \n of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the \n scenes of torture","rhapsodize":"speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; \n Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery","rhapsody":"excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical \n composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays \n it)","rhetoric":"art of effective communication; art of using language \n effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing; \n grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric; ADJ. rhetorical; \n CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is \n expected as","ribald":"marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: \n ribald language or joke","rickety":"(of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; \n CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D","riddle":"pierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout; Ex. \n The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex. The whole \n report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve (separating \n earth from stone)","rider":"amendment or clause added to a legislative bill","rife":"(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current","rift":"narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly \n relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation","rig":"arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with \n rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails","righteous":"morally upright; just","rightful":"legally correct; Ex. rightful owner","rigid":"hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in \n behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule","rigor":"severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter","rile":"irritate; vex; muddy","rip":"tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail \n ripped under the force of the wind; N.","rivet":"metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; \n V: fasten with a rivet; engross","riveting":"holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing","rivulet":"small stream; CF. rill","robust":"strong; vigorous","rococo":"ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century","roil":"make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb","rolling":"(of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; \n happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution \n of power to local governments","romp":"play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.","rooster":"cock; adult male chicken","roseate":"rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views","roster":"list (of names)","rostrum":"raised platform for speech-making; pulpit","rote":"repetition; memorization through repetition without \n understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote","rotund":"(of a person) fat and round","rotunda":"circular building or hall covered with a dome","rotundity":"roundness; sonorousness of speech","roue ":"lecherous man","rousing":"lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; \n arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up","rout":"put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat \n and disorderly retreat","rubble":"fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)","rubric":"title or heading (in red print); directions for religious \n ceremony; protocol","ruddy":"reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking","rudimentary":"elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental \n element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language","rue":"regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. \n ADJ. rueful","ruffian":"violent scoundrel; bully","rumble":"make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder \n or stomach)","ruminant":"animal that ruminates; ADJ.","ruminate":"chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); \n mull over(ponder)","rummage":"ransack; thoroughly search","rundown ":"(of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a \n person) weak or exhausted","runic":"mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N. rune: \n one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic \n peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm","ruse":"trick to deceive; stratagem","rustic":"pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; \n crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left \n on; N. rural person; rustic person","rusticate":"banish to the country; dwell in the country","rustle":"make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed \n together","ruthless":"pitiless; merciless; cruel","vacillate":"waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. \n vacillation","vacuous":"empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous \n expression; N. vacuity","vagabond":"wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp","vagary":"capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander","vagrant":"homeless wanderer","vain":"full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; \n unsuccessful; N. vanity","vainglorious":"boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great \n vanity","valediction":"saying farewell; expression of leave-taking","valedictory":"pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at \n graduation exercises)","valid":"logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; \n Ex. valid reasoning/passport","validate":"make valid; confirm; ratify","valor":"bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave","vampire":"ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living","vanguard":"forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance \n forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. \n rearguard","vantage":"position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); \n CF. vantagepoint","vapid":"lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid \n and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture","vaporize":"turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)","variegate":"change the appearance of (by marking with different \n colors)","variegated":"(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored","varnish":"paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy \n coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; \n V.","vassal":"in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; \n subordinate or dependent","vaunted":"boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; \n brag","veer":"change in direction; swerve","vegetate":"live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); \n CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. \n vegan","vehement":"forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; \n N. vehemence","velocity":"speed","venal":"capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal","vendetta":"blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams","vendor":"seller","veneer":"thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to \n a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\\c{c}ade; \n V.","venerable":"deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: \n deserve and get","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, \n bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb","venom":"poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of \n venom; ADJ. venomous","vent":"release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. \n unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.","ventilate":"admit fresh air into to replace stale air","ventral":"abdominal","ventriloquist":"someone who can make his or her voice seem to come \n from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); \n N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy","venture":"risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.","venturesome":"(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) \n risky","venue":"location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); \n CF. come","veracious":"(of a person) truthful","veracity":"truthfulness; adherence to the truth","verbalize":"put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather \n than written; oral; of a verb","verbatim":"word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual \n words exactly","verbiage":"pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; \n wordiness","verbose":"wordy; N. verbosity","verdant":"green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in \n vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows","verdigris":"green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed \n to the weather","verge":"border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: \n very near to; V: border on","verisimilar":"having the appearance of truth or reality; probable \n or likely to be true; plausible","verisimilitude":"appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true \n or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance \n as Lady Macbeth","veritable":"being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false \n or imaginary","verity":"quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; \n Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal \n verities","vernacular":"living language (as compared to the official language); \n language spoken in a country or region; natural style; \n Ex. lapse into the vernacular","vernal":"pertaining to spring","versatile":"having many talents; capable of working in many fields; \n having many uses or functions; N. versatility","vertebrate":"having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals \n having a segmented spinal column","vertex":"summit; highest point; PL. vertices","vertigo":"severe dizziness; giddiness","verve":"enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); \n liveliness; vigor","vestige":"trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion","veto":"vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; \n V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto","vex":"annoy; distress","viable":"capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or \n workable; Ex. viable scheme","viand":"food; CF. live","vibrant":"full of vigor or energy; vibrating","vicar":"parish priest; representative","vicarious":"experienced as if one were taking part in the experience \n of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting \n as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. \n the vicarious sufferings of Christ","vicissitude":"change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; \n CF. the last emperor of China","victuals":"food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food","vie":"contend; compete","vigil":"keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night \n vigil","vigilant":"watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to \n spot danger; N. vigilance","vigilante":"one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers","vignette":"small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; \n picture; short literary sketch; short written description \n of a character or scene","vigor":"active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous","vile":"despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander","vilify":"slander; speak evil of; N. vilification","vindicate":"clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with \n supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or \n support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate \n one's claim; CF. vindicator","vindictive":"disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; \n intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak","vintner":"wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine","violate":"break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; \n Ex. violate graves","viper":"poisonous snake","virile":"manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of \n strength","virtual":"in essence; existing in essence though not in actual \n form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space","virtue":"goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; \n Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity","virtuoso":"highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso","virulent":"(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; \n (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; \n CF. venom","virus":"disease communicator","visage":"face; appearance","visceral":"felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body \n organs; CF. eviscerate","viscid":"adhesive; gluey","viscous":"(of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. \n consistency","vise":"vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device","vision":"eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; \n experience of seeing the supernatural","visionary":"produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing \n foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative \n impractical ideas","vital":"full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; \n of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; \n living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize","vitiate":"spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally","vitreous":"of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: \n change into glass; CF. petrify","vitriolic":"causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; \n sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which \n burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic \n expression; CF. glass","vituperative":"abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail \n against abusively","vivacious":"lively or animated; sprightl sprightly/lively","vivid":"(of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike \n mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description","vivisection":"act of dissecting living animals","vixen":"female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew","vociferous":"clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when \n complaining)","vogue":"popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.","volatile":"changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); \n mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. \n volatile character/situation in the street","volition":"act of using one's will; act of making a conscious \n choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.","volley":"simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.","voluble":"fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility","voluminous":"having great volume (as of a garment or container); \n bulky; large","voluptuous":"sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in \n sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous \n life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person","voodoo":"religion practiced chiefly in Haiti","voracious":"ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly \n eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader","vortex":"whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament \n into which one is inexorably plunged","vouch":"give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his \n integrity; N. voucher","vouchsafe":"grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your \n fair return on your investment","voyeur":"Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification \n from observing the sexual acts of others","vulgar":"of the common people; deficient in refinement; not \n refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: \n vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar \n person; boor; lout","vulnerable":"susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability","vulpine":"like a fox; crafty","vulture":"carrion-eating birds","vying":"contending; CF. vie","fabricate":"build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; \n Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying \n structure; Ex. fabric of society","facadefa\\c{c}ade)":"front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance","facet":"small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side","facetious":"joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous","facile":"easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; \n not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex. \n facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily \n and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; \n something that facil","facilitate":"help bring about; make less difficult","facsimile":"copy","faction":"party; clique (within a large group); dissension","factious":"inclined to form factions; causing dissension","factitious":"artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. \n factitious tears","factotum":"handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do \n everything","faculty":"mental or bodily powers; teaching staff","fake":"not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor; \n sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/the \n signature","fallacious":"false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: \n false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; \n Ex. fallacy of the argument","fallible":"liable to err","fallow":"(of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); \n uncultivated","falsify":"make (something written) false by changing","falter":"hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move \n unsteadily through weakness; N.","fanaticism":"excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; \n N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic","fancied":"imagined; unreal","fancier":"breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special \n interest, as for raising specific plant or animal","fanciful":"whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; \n Ex. fanciful scheme","fancy":"imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); capricious \n liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decorative; elaborate","fanfare":"call by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spectacular \n public display","farce":"broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly \n things happening; ADJ. farcical","farfetched ":"too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched \n story","fashion":"give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay","fastidious":"difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky","fatalism":"belief that events are determined by forces or fates \n beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing \n death","fathom":"comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. \n unit of measurement for the depth of water","fathomless":"too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable","fatuous":"smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. \n fatuity, fatuousness","fauna":"animals of a period or region; CF. flora","favoritism":"display of partiality toward a favored person","fawning":"courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: \n exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by \n obsequiousness","faze":"disconcert; dismay; embarrass","feasible":"practical; able to be carried out; practicable","feature":"distinctive part of the faces (as the eyes or mouth); \n features: overall appearance of the face; prominent or \n distinctive quality; prominent article; film; V: make \n prominent","febrile":"feverish","fecundity":"fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive \n of crops or young","feebleminded":"deficient in intelligence; very stupid","feign":"pretend","feint":"trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away \n defensive action; V.","felicitous":"(of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well \n chosen","felicity":"happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); \n quality of being felicitous","feline":"of a member of the cat family; N.","fell":"cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down \n (with a missile)","felon":"person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious \n crime","feral":"(of an animal) not domestic; wild","ferment":"agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest \n (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo \n fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)","fermentation":"chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; \n unrest; agitation","ferocious":"fierce; violent; N. ferocity","ferret":"drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive \n out (as from a hiding place); expel; uncover or discover \n by searching; Ex. ferret out the secret; N. small fierce \n animal which catches rats and rabbits by going into their \n holes","fertile":"producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing \n good crops; V. fertilize","fervent":"ardent; zealous; hot","fervid":"ardent; zealous; hot","fervor":"glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being \n fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat","fester":"rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut \n or wound) generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered \n in my mind for days.","festive":"joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival","fetef\\^ete) ":"honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; \n N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast","fetidfoetid) ":"malodorous; foul","fetishfetich) ":"object believed to have spiritual powers; object of \n excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism","fetter":"shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle \n for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot","feud":"bitter prolonged quarrel (usually between two peoples \n or families); V. CF. Romeo and Juliet; CF. feudal, feudalism","fiasco":"total failure; CF. bottle","fiat":"command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. \n let it be done","fickle":"changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless","fictitious":"imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; \n untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional","fidelity":"loyalty; accuracy","fiend":"evil spirit; devil","figment":"invention; something invented; imaginary thing; Ex. \n figment of your imagination","figurative":"not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) \n of speech","figure":"written symbols; number; amount represented in numbers; \n outline or silhouette of a thing or human body; person \n (well-known); impression; diagram; pattern; group in a \n dance; Ex. figure of speech; V. calculate with numbers; \n adorn with figures; app","figurine":"small ornamental statuette(very small statue)","filch":"steal (things of small value)","filial":"pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial \n respect","filibuster":"block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking \n body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter","filigree":"delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork","filing":"particle removed by a file","filth":"dirty matter; ADJ. filthy","finale":"conclusion; concluding part","finery":"beautiful clothes for a special occasion","finesse":"delicate skill; V: handle with finesse","finicky":"too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned \n with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about \n her food","finish":"surface texture; completeness of execution","finished":"properly made and complete; Ex. finished product/performance","finite":"limited","firebrand":"piece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person \n who stirs up trouble","fissure":"crevice; crack","fit":"sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion \n caused by epilepsy","fitful":"spasmodic; intermittent; irregular","flaccid":"flabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid muscles","flag":"droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. \n flagging; CF. unflagging","flagrant":"conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous","flail":"beat with or as if with a flail; move wildly; thresh \n grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about; N: threshing \n tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a \n long handle","flair":"talent","flamboyant":"ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; \n showy; CF. flame","flashy":"showy; gaudy; giving a momentary brilliance","flaunt":"display ostentatiously; Ex. ``Honey, if you've got \n it, flaunt it !''","flay":"strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize \n harshly","fleck":"spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot","fledglingfledgeling)":"inexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing \n feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person","fleece":"wool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob \n by a trick; swindle; plunder","fleet":"fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral","flick":"light stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light quick \n blow; strike with a light quick blow (as from a whip); \n Ex. flick the switch","flicker":"burn unsteadily or fitfully; move waveringly; N: flickering movement or light; brief sensation; Ex. flicker of excitement","flighty":"(esp. of a woman's behavior) capricious; often changing, \n esp. from one lover to another; impulsive","flinch":"hesitate; shrink back (in fear of something unpleasant); \n Ex. She did not flinch in the face of danger.","flip":"send (something) spinning, often into the air, by striking \n with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over","flippant":"lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about \n death; N. flippancy","flirt":"behave in a way that attracts (sexual) attention; deal \n triflingly with; N: one (or woman) given to flirting; \n ADJ. flirtatious","flit":"fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; \n pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower","floe":"flat mass of floating ice","flora":"plants of a region or era","florescence":"condition or period of flowering","florid":"ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; \n CF. rose","flotsam":"drifting wreckage","flounder":"struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter \n (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion","flourish":"grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; \n Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. N: showy movement \n or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation (esp. in handwriting)","flout":"reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the \n rules","flowery":"full of flowers; full of ornate expressions","fluctuate":"waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change \n or vary irregularly","fluency":"smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent","fluke":"unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental \n stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky","flush":"redden; blush; flow suddenly and abundantly; wash out \n by a rapid brief flow of water; N: reddish tinge; blush; \n brief rush; rush of strong feeling; Ex. flush of pride; \n ADJ: having surfaces in the same plane; even; blushing","fluster":"confuse; make nervous and confused; N.","fluted":"having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar); \n V. flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: \n long rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column","flutter":"(of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings) lightly, \n rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or erratically; \n fly by waving quickly; flitter; N.","flux":"flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state \n of flux","fodder":"coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for livestock; \n CF. food","foible":"small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble","foil":"defeat; frustrate; prevent from being successful; thwart; \n CF. fail","foist":"insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; \n palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist","foliage":"masses of leaves; CF. defoliate","foment":"stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something \n evil or unpleasant)","foolhardy":"rash; reckless; foolishly daring","foppish":"vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes \n too much interest in his clothes and appearance","foray":"raid; sudden raid or military advance; V.","forbearance":"patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in \n a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear \n to send him to prison","ford":"place where a river can be crossed on foot; V.","forebearsforbears)":"ancestors","foreboding":"premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: \n be a warning of (something unpleasant)","forensic":"suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in \n legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic \n science/medicine","forerunner":"predecessor; one that comes before and indicates the \n approach of another","foreshadow":"give an indication beforehand; be a sign of (what is \n coming); portend; prefigure","foresight":"ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing \n for the future","forestall":"prevent by taking action in advance","forfeit":"something surrendered as punishment for a crime or \n breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. forfeiture","forge":"counterfeit; reproduce fraudulently; form by heating \n in a forge and hammering into shape; move with a sudden \n increase of speed or power; Ex. forged ahead in the last \n two years; N: furnace where metals are heated","forgoforego) ":"give up; do without","forlorn":"sad and lonely; wretched; desolate","formality":"ceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence to rules; \n something done just for form's sake; Ex. mere formality","formidable":"menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to \n defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question","forsake":"desert; abandon; renounce","forswear":"renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise \n to give up; CF. abjure","forte":"strong point or special talent in a person's character","forthcoming":"happening in the near future; ready; willing to help; \n Ex. No answer was forthcoming.","forthright":"straightforward; direct; frank","fortitude":"bravery; courage; strength of mind","fortuitous":"accidental; by chance; N. fortuity","forum":"public square of an ancient Roman city; public place \n for open discussion; court of law","forward":"presumptuous or bold","foster":"rear; bring up (for a certain period only); encourage; \n promote the development of (feelings or ideas); Ex. help \n foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care although \n not related by blood; Ex. foster parents","foul":"very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means; \n N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit \n a foul","founder":"person who establishes (an organization or business)","fracas":"brawl(noisy quarrel or fight) in which a number of \n people take part; melee","fractious":"unruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex. fractious \n horse","frail":"weak; N. frailty","franchise":"right or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; \n license to sell a product in a particular territory","frantic":"wild; distraught as from fear or worry; Ex. frantic \n with fear","fraudulent":"cheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; N. fraud: \n deception; swindle","fraught":"filled (with something unpleasant); full; Ex. fraught \n with danger and difficulties; CF. freight","fray":"brawl; fight; V: wear away or unravel by rubbing; have \n loose threads developing; cause to become worn out (a \n person's temper or nerves); CF. rub","freebooter":"pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow \n rich","freneticphrenetic)":"frenzied; frantic","frenzied":"madly excited; N. frenzy: violent wild excitement","fresco":"painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)","fret":"be annoyed or vexed; Ex. fret over your poor grades; \n N: irritation of mind; ADJ. fretful","friction":"clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against","frieze":"ornamental horizontal band on a wall","frigid":"intensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone","fringe":"decorative edge of hanging threads; edge","frisk":"move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful","fritter":"waste (time or money on unimportant things)","frivolous":"lacking in seriousness; flippant; self-indulgently \n carefree; unworthy of serious attention; relatively unimportant; \n trivial","frock":"long loose garment (worn by monks)","frolic":"play and jump about happily; frisk; Ex. frolicking \n young lambs","frolicsome":"prankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky","frond":"fern leaf; palm or banana leaf","fructify":"bear fruit; produce fruit","frugality":"thrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing economy; costing \n little; inexpensive","fruitful":"producing results; profitable; prolific; producing \n in abundance","fruition":"bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come \n to/be brought to fruition","frustrate":"thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose","fuddle":"make stupid or confused as with alcholic drink; N. \n in a fuddle: confused","fugitive":"fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; \n roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the \n law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large","fulcrum":"support on which a lever rests or pivots","fulminate":"thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation","fulsome":"disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. \n fulsome praise/expressions of admire","fumble":"move the fingers and hands awkwardly (in search of \n something); mishandle or drop a ball that is in play; \n bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N.","functional":"made for practical use only (without decoration); functioning; \n Ex. functional modern furniture; CF. functionalism","functionary":"official (who performs a particular function)","fundamental":"basic; primary; essential","funereal":"sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral","furor":"frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury","furrow":"long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle in \n the skin; V.","furtive":"stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); \n sneaky; Ex. furtive glance","fusillade":"simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, \n etc.)","fusion":"union; coalition; V. fuse","fuss":"trouble or worry over trifles; make nervous; pay too much attention to; N: needless concern or worry (about a trivial thing); anxious nervous condition; display of attention; Ex. make a fuss over the baby","fussy":"fastidious; finicky; easily upset","futile":"useless; hopeless; ineffectual","ubiquitous":"being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity","ulcer":"sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside \n the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate","ulterior":"intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated \n beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior \n motive","ultimate":"final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; \n Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.","ultimatum":"last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions \n that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum.","umbrage":"resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take \n umbrage at his rudeness","unaccountable":"unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable \n or mysterious","unanimity":"complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous","unassailable":"not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question","unassuaged":"unsatisfied; not soothed","unassuming":"modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner","unbridled":"violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed","uncanny":"strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack","unceremonious":"not done politely without due formalities","unconscionable":"unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; \n beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand","uncouth":"boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish","unction":"the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction","unctuous":"oily; bland; insincerely suave","underhandunderhanded)":"done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)","underlying":"lying below; fundamental","undermine":"weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath","underscore":"underline; emphasize","understate":"state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; \n Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; \n OP. overstate","undertaker":"funeral director; one whose business is to arrange \n burials","undulating":"moving with a wavelike motion; V. undulate; CF. und: \n wave","unearth":"dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching; Ex. \n He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal","unearthly":"not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly","unequivocal":"plain; clear; obvious","unerringly":"infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes","unexceptionable":"entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism","unfaltering":"steadfast; firm; not changing","unfeigned":"genuine; real","unfetter":"liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter","unfledged":"immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; \n CF. fledgling","unfrock":"defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority","ungainly":"(of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) \n unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument","unguent":"ointment","uniformity":"sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over","unilateral":"one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. \n unilateral declaration","unimpeachable":"that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; \n blameless and exemplary","uninhibited":"unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings","unintimating":"unfrightening","unique":"without an equal; single in kind","unison":"unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; \n Ex. The choir sang in unison.","universal":"characterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; \n of the universe; cosmic; Ex. universal agreement; Ex. \n a subject of universal interest","unkempt":"disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; \n CF. comb","unmitigated":"(of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; \n without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster","unobtrusive":"inconspicuous; not blatant","unprecedented":"having no previous example; novel; unparalleled","unprepossessing":"unattractive","unravel":"disentangle; solve","unregenerate":"making no attempt to change one's bad practices","unrequited":"not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love","unruly":"disobedient; lawless; difficult to control","unsavory":"distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory \n activity/reputation","unscathed":"unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed","unseemly":"unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave \n with unseemly haste","unsightly":"ugly; unpleasant to look at","unsullied":"untarnished; CF. sully","untenable":"(of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; \n not able to be maintained","untoward":"unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. \n untoward encounter","unwarranted":"unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; \n undeserved","unwieldy":"awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable","unwitting":"not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their \n unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know","unwonted":"unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted \n punctuality.","upbraid":"reprimand; severely scold","upright":"(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral","uproar":"noisy confusion","uproarious":"marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with \n laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely \n funny","upshot":"outcome; final result","urbane":"suave; refined in manner; elegant","urchin":"mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; \n CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin","urge":"drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive \n to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; \n N: impulse that prompts action","urgent":"compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; \n importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands","ursine":"bearlike; pertaining to a bear","usage":"act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which \n words are actually used","usurp":"seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); \n supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's \n own use","usury":"lending money at illegal high rates of interest","utopia":"ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian","uxorious":"excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. \n uxor: wife","wade":"walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes \n movement","waffle":"speak equivocally about an issue; N.","waft":"move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. \n leaves wafting past the window","wag":"shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged \n its tail; N: humorous person; wit","wage":"begin and continue (a war)","waggish":"humorous; mischievous; tricky","waif":"homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays","waive":"give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right \n or claim; document that waives a right or claim","wake":"trail of ship or other object through water; path of \n something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in \n the wake of the war","wallow":"roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough \n sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury","wan":"having a pale or sickly color; pallid","wanderlust":"strong longing to travel","wane":"decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow \n gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every \n month; N.","wangle":"achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. \n She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.","wanton":"unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; \n unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; \n CF. having no just cause","warble":"(of a bird) sing; babble; N.","ward":"administrative division of a city; division in a hospital \n or prison; incompetent person placed under the protection \n of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert","warp":"twist out of shape; N.","warrant":"justification; written order that serves as authorization \n (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; \n guarantee","warranted":"justified; authorized","warranty":"guarantee; assurance by seller","warren":"tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; \n crowded conditions in which people live","wary":"very cautious; watchful","wastrel":"waster; profligate","waver":"move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady \n in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting \n and refusing","wax":"increase gradually (as the moon); grow","waylay":"ambush; lie in wait for and attack","wean":"accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of \n a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling; \n give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave \n (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes","weary":"tired after long work; V.","weather":"pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); \n endure the effects of weather or other forces","weird":"eerie; strange; unnatural","wellbred ":"of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined","welt":"raised mark from a beating or whipping","welter":"wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in \n blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.","wheedle":"deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; \n Ex. wheedle a promise out of her","whelp":"young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family); young \n wolf, dog, tiger, etc.","whet":"sharpen; stimulate; Ex. whet someone's appetite","whiff":"puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); short-lasting smell; \n hint; Ex. whiff of perfume/scandal","whim":"sudden capricious idea; fancy","whimsical":"capricious; fanciful; amusingly strange","whimsy":"whim; tendency to behave amusingly strangely; Ex. story \n full of whimsy","whine":"complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as \n in pain or supplication)","whinny":"neigh like a horse; CF. neigh: make the sound which \n horses make","whit":"small amount; smallest speck; Ex. not a whit of","whittle":"pare; cut away thin bits (from wood); fashion in this \n way; reduce gradually; trim","wholesome":"conducive to mental or physical health; healthful","whorl":"ring of leaves around stem; ring; circular arrangement; \n Ex. whorls on the fingers","wiggle":"wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting \n motions","willful":"wilful; intentional; headstrong","willowy":"flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow","wilt":"loose freshness; droop","wily":"crafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem","wince":"move back suddenly; shrink back; flinch; Ex. She winced \n as she touched the cold body.","windfall":"fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event","winnow":"sift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; separate \n good parts from bad; CF. wind","winsome":"charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gracious; \n engaging","wisp":"small bunch (of hair); faint streak (of smoke)","wispy":"thin; slight; barely discernible","wistful":"sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories); \n sadly pensive; vaguely longing","withdrawn":"introverted; retiring; remote remote/distant in manner; \n aloof","wither":"(of a plant) dry up from loss of moisture; lose freshness; \n shrivel; decay","withhold":"refuse to give; hold back; Ex. withholding tax","withstand":"stand up against; resist successfully","witless":"lacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic","witticism":"witty saying; wisecrack(clever joking remark)","wizardry":"sorcery; magic","wizened":"shriveled; withered; Ex. wizened apple/old lady","woe":"great sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction; \n suffering; Ex. financial woes","woeful":"sad; (of something bad) deplorable; deplorably bad; \n Ex. woeful housing conditions","wont":"(the stated person's) habit or custom; habitual procedure; \n ADJ. wonted: customary","worldly":"engrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual; \n of the material world","wrangle":"quarrel noisily; obtain through arguing; herd cattle; \n N.","wrath":"anger; fury","wreak":"inflict; Ex. wreak one's vengeance on","wrench":"twist; pull; strain; Ex. He wrenched the gun out of \n her hands.","wrest":"obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; \n Ex. wrest victory from their grasp","wretch":"miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: \n miserable; bad; contemptible; vile","wring":"twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench \n painfully (necks or hands)","wrinkle":"small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.","writ":"written command issued by a court (telling someone \n to do or not to do something)","writhe":"twist in coils; contort in pain","wrongheaded":"stubbornly wrong","wry":"(esp. of an expression of the face) twisted; with a \n humorous twist (expressing displeasure)","saboteur":"one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. \n sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out \n secretly)","saccharine":"cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin","sacrilegious":"desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, \n or theft of something sacred","sacrosanct":"invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable","sadistic":"inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty","saga":"Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative","sagacious":"wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity","sage":"person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise","salacious":"lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk","salient":"prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. \n salient features","saline":"salty","sallow":"(of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly \n in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice","salubrious":"healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially \n desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health","salutary":"tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The \n punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health","salvage":"rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property \n saved","sanctimonious":"displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; \n N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety","sanction":"approve; ratify; N: permission; penalty intended to \n enforce compliance","sanctuary":"place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The \n outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.","sanguinary":"bloody; with much bloodshed","sanguine":"optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; \n red","sap":"diminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of (a fortification); \n Ex. The element kryptonite sapped his strength.","sarcasm":"cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; \n ADJ. sarcastic","sardonic":"scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; \n Ex. sardonic smile","sartorial":"pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great \n sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor","sate":"satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy","satellite":"small body revolving around a larger one","satiate":"satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; \n N. satiety: condition of being satiated","satire":"form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule \n are employed to attack human vice and folly","satirical":"using satire; mocking","saturate":"soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to \n capacity","saturnine":"morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine \n countenance.","satyr":"half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus \n (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) \n and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man","saunter":"stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.","savant":"scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know","savor":"enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; \n N: taste or smell; distinctive quality","savory":"pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or \n agreeable; Ex. savory reputation","scabbard":"case for a sword blade; sheath","scad":"a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes","scaffold":"temporary platform for workers (to work at heights \n above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution","scale":"climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; N: \n flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of \n musical tones","scanty":"meager; insufficient","scapegoat":"someone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy; \n CF. escape+goat","scavenge":"hunt through discarded materials for usable items or \n food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who \n scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion","scenario":"plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); opera \n libretto; outline of possible future events","schematic":"of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; \n using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; \n outline","scheme":"systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly \n arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance scheme; \n Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color scheme; Ex. \n a story with no scheme; V: contrive a scheme","schism":"division into factions (esp. within a religious body); \n split","scholarly":"full of learning; erudite; like a scholar; Ex. scholarly \n journal","scintilla":"trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is \n not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark","scintillate":"sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating \n conversation","scion":"detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant","scoff":"laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats","scorch":"sear; N.","score":"number of points; written form of a musical composition; \n reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal \n score; Ex. Don't worry on that score; V: mark with lines \n or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold","scotch":"stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch \n the rumor; CF. cut; CF. 劝悼阑 临捞绰 狼固","scourge":"lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of \n severe punishment; V: whip; afflict","scowl":"frown angrily; N: angry frown","scrap":"small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight; \n Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for disposal; \n discard as worthless; fight; quarrel","scrappy":"quarrelsome","scraps":"leftover food","screech":"unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V.","scrimmage":"disorderly fight between two or more people","scruple":"hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did \n not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising \n from conscience; conscience","scrupulous":"conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker","scrutinize":"examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny","scuffle":"struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; \n N. CF. scuffling twins ?","scurrilous":"abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark","scurry":"move hastily; hurry; move briskly","scurvy":"contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency \n of Vitamin C","scuttle":"sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; \n discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull","seamy":"sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of \n city life","sear":"burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause \n (a plant) to wither","season":"enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; \n harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning","seasonable":"occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; \n Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute","seasonal":"of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment","seasoned":"experienced","secession":"withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership","seclusion":"isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; \n isolate","secrete":"conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a \n substance into an organism; CF. secretive","sect":"separate religious body; faction; group of people with \n common beliefs within a larger group","sectarian":"of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a \n sect; narrow-minded person","secular":"worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; \n temporal","sedate":"composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer \n a sedative to; CF. sedative","sedentary":"requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from \n one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population","sedition":"conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; \n resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious","seduce":"lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive","sedulous":"diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity","seedy":"run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; \n Ex. seedy downtown hotel","seemly":"(of behavior) proper; appropriate","seep":"pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; \n N. seepage","seethe":"be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about \n wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with \n discontent.","seine":"seine net; net for catching fish","seismic":"pertaining to earthquakes","selective":"careful in choosing; having an effect only on certain \n things; not general; Ex. eclectic weed killer","selfindulgence ":"excessive indulgence of one's own desire","selfrighteous ":"sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic","semblance":"outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops \n to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.","seminal":"related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing \n a basis for further development; influencing future developments; \n Ex. seminal research in a new field","seminary":"school for training future ministers; secondary school, \n especially for young women","senility":"old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: \n resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or \n mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia","sensitization":"process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive \n to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make \n or become sensitive","sensual":"devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; \n Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips","sensuous":"giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical \n senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling \n of soft velvet on the skin","sententious":"pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic","sentient":"capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; \n Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience","sentimental":"swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments","sentinel":"sentry; lookout","septic":"of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; \n N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)","sepulcher":"tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral","sequester":"isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life","sere":"sear; parched; dry","serendipity":"gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental \n good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip","serenity":"calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene","serpentine":"winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine \n course of the river; N. serpent: snake","serrated":"having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf","servile":"slavish; cringing; N. servility","servitude":"slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment","sever":"separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a \n relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra \n pay given an employee upon leaving a position","severity":"harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: \n harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense","sextant":"navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude \n and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)","shack":"crude cabin","shackle":"chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.","shade":"slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; \n Ex. shades of meaning/grey","sham":"pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham jewelry; \n N: something that is not what it appears; impostor; pretense; \n Ex. The agreement was a sham.","shambles":"(place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; \n mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles.","shangrila ":"imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon","shard":"fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay bowl, \n or cup)","shaving":"very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface \n with a sharp blade)","sheaf":"bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied \n together","shear":"remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair \n or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears; \n pair of scissors","sheathe":"place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; \n Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade","shed":"small roofed structure for storage and shelter; V: \n pour forth; lose by natural process; repel without allowing \n penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed tears/light/water/skin/leaves","sheer":"pure; thin and transparent; very steep","sherbet":"flavored dessert ice","shift":"change position or place; exchange (one thing) for \n another; change in direction or position; Ex. shift the \n stolen goods; N. group of workers which takes turns with \n other groups; working period of such a group","shimmer":"shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; \n Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N.","shirk":"avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger","shoddy":"made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; \n dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick","shoot":"new growth from a plant","shove":"push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and shoving \n to get on the bus; N.","shrew":"scolding woman; very small mouselike animal","shrewd":"clever; astute","shrivel":"make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often by drying)","shudder":"shake uncontrollably; tremble; V.","shuffle":"mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place \n to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; \n Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N.","shun":"keep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has been \n shunned by her neighbors.","shunt":"move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn \n aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an \n accident; N.","shyster":"lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner","sibling":"brother or sister","sibylline":"prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the \n ancient world)","sidereal":"relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day","sidetrack":"switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a \n main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track \n connected by switches with a main track","sift":"put through a sieve to separate fine from coarse particles; \n sort or examine carefully","significant":"expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; \n N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; \n mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant","silt":"sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance \n to a harbor or by a bend in a river)","simian":"monkeylike; N: ape or monkey","simile":"comparison of one thing with another, using the word \n like or as","simper":"smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly","simplistic":"oversimplified","simulate":"feign; imitate","sinecure":"well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. \n sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif","sinewy":"(of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: \n tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone","singular":"being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; \n odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior","sinister":"evil; ominous","sinuous":"twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally \n honest","siren":"apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature","skeptic":"sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until \n he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; \n ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism","skiff":"small light sailboat or rowboat","skim":"read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; \n brush; remove from the surface of a liquid","skimp":"provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. \n skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; \n scanty; stingy; niggardly","skinflint":"miser; stingy person","skirmish":"minor fight; minor battle in war; V.","skittish":"inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. \n charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit","skulduggeryskullduggery)":"dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the \n election","skulk":"move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through \n the less fashionable sections of the city.","slack":"moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; \n negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one's work; \n N. V.","slacken":"slow up; loosen; make or become slack","slag":"glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter","slake":"satisfy (thirst); quench; sate","slander":"defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; \n V. ADJ. slanderous","slap":"hit quickly with the flat part of the hand; N. CF. \n smack","slapdash":"hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)","slaughter":"killing of animals for food; massacre; V: butcher (animals) \n for food; kill in large numbers","slavish":"of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; \n copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the \n original","sleazy":"shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy \n back-street hotel/fabric","sledge":"large sled drawn by work animals","sleek":"smooth and shining (as from good health); V.","sleeper":"one that achieves unexpected success; something originally \n of little value or importance that in time becomes very \n valuable","sleigh":"large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice","sleight":"dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness \n of the hands in doing tricks","slew":"large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left","slick":"make smooth or glossy; N: smooth surface; Ex. oil slick; \n ADJ: smooth; glossy; deftly executed; adroit; glib","slight":"insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small \n importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small \n importance","slink":"move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky \n (as in ambush)","slipshod":"slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod \n work","slither":"slip or slide","sloth":"slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: \n lazy; indolent","slough":"(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: \n outer layer that is shed","slovenly":"untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: \n one who is habitually untidy or careless","sluggard":"lazy person","sluggish":"lazy; slow; inactive; lethargic; CF. slug: nail with \n no shell","sluice":"artificial channel for directing or controlling the \n flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)","slur":"pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble","sly":"clever in deceiving; secretive; not telling one's intentions","smart":"intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. \n smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; \n N: smarting pain","smattering":"slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; \n Ex. smattering of German","smear":"spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made \n by smearing","smelt":"melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt \n or blend ores changing their chemical composition","smirk":"conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile (often \n at someone else's misfortune); V.","smolder":"smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break \n out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering \n anger","smother":"kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly; Ex. \n smothered in little stickers","smudge":"dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.","smug":"self-satisfied; complacent","sneak":"move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N: one \n who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky","snicker":"half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.","snip":"short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors","snivel":"complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; \n Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me.","snub":"ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion \n but she snubbed me; N.","snuffle":"sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid \n from running out of the nose)","soar":"rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared \n into the sky.","sober":"serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; \n V: make or become sober","sobriety":"moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); \n seriousness","sodden":"thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink","sojourn":"temporary stay; V: stay for a time","solace":"comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort \n or console in time of sorrow or trouble","solder":"repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal \n alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state \n to join metallic parts","solecism":"nonstandard grammatical construction; construction \n that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation \n of social etiquette","solemnity":"seriousness; gravity","solicit":"entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit \n votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer","solicitor":"lawyer in the lower court of law","solicitous":"anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous \n to do something; N. solicitude","soliloquy":"talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: \n soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing \n a conversation)","solitude":"state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing \n or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; \n single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece \n of proof","solstice":"point or time at which the sun is farthest from the \n equator","soluble":"able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked \n out or solved","solvent":"substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving \n another substance","somatic":"pertaining to the body; bodily; physical","somber":"dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow","somnambulist":"sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism","somnolent":"half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence","sonic":"of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic","sonnet":"14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern","sonorous":"resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound","soothsayer":"one who foretells the future","sophist":"teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious \n reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument","sophisticated":"worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; \n V. sophisticate","sophistry":"seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism","sophomoric":"immature; half-baked; like a sophomore","soporific":"sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy","sordid":"filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story","sound":"in good condition; showing good judgment or good sense; \n thorough; complete; Ex. sound mind/investment/training","sour":"having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered; \n V.","sovereign":"ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent \n and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent","sovereignty":"complete independence and self-government (of a country); \n supremacy of authority; power to govern","sow":"plant or scatter seed","spangle":"small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation","spare":"give; use; refrain from harming; save from experiencing; \n exempt; Ex. spare me 5 minutes; Ex. Take this money and \n spare my life; Ex. The emperor was spared the onus; ADJ: \n kept in reserve; free for other use; unoccupied; Ex. spare \n time","sparse":"not thick; thinly scattered; scanty","spartan":"without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; \n sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life","spasmodic":"fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden \n involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy \n or emotion","spat":"squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel","spate":"sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents","spatial":"relating to space","spatula":"broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing","spawn":"lay eggs (in large numbers); produce offspring (in \n large numbers); N: eggs of aquatic animals","specious":"seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often \n intentionally)","speck":"small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye","spectral":"ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom","spectrum":"colored band produced when a beam of light passes through \n a prism; broad and continuous range; Ex. whole spectrum \n of modern thoughts","speechless":"unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); \n Ex. speechless with anger","spendthrift":"someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth","sphinxlike ":"enigmatic; mysterious","spin":"rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, \n wool, etc.); N.","splice":"join together end to end to make one continuous length; \n fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of tape; \n N.","spoilsport":"one who spoils the pleasure of others","spontaneity":"lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint; \n ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated; unpremeditated; happening \n without being planned","spoof":"parody","spoonerism":"accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; \n Ex. ``Let me sew you to your sheet'' for ``Let me show \n you to your seat''; CF. William Spooner","sporadic":"occurring irregularly; intermittent","sportive":"playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; \n CF. sportsmanlike","sprout":"begin to grow; give off shoots or buds; N: new growth \n on a plant; shoot","spruce":"neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for \n your job interview; V.","spry":"(esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble","spurious":"false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious \n arguments","spurn":"reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers \n of help.","squabble":"minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; \n Ex. squabbling children","squalor":"condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty \n neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally \n repulsive; Ex. squalid story","squander":"waste; spend foolishly","squash":"crush; quash; suppress","squat":"short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.","squeamish":"easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant things; fastidious; \n Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish.","squelch":"produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); \n crush; squash;","staccato":"played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp \n sound; Ex. staccato applause","stagnant":"(of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; \n stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial \n output","staid":"serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral \n ceremony","stalemate":"deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked","stalwart":"physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind \n or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart \n follower","stamina":"power of endurance; strength; staying power","stammer":"speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions","stamp":"step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put \n an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or \n seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping \n out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; \n N. stamping; implement us","stampede":"sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or \n people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede \n before the price rises","stanch":"stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing \n wound","standstill":"condition of no movement or activity; stop","stanza":"division of a poem (composed of two or more lines)","start":"move suddenly or involuntarily; Ex. start at the sight \n of a snake","stately":"formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic","static":"having no motion; unchanging; lacking development; \n N. stasis: stable state","statute":"law enacted by the legislature","statutory":"created by statute or legislative action; regulated \n by statute; Ex. statutory age limit","steadfast":"steadily loyal; unswerving; steady","stealth":"action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; \n secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy","steep":"soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; \n ADJ: precipitous","stellar":"pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; \n Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance","stem":"stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding \n from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk","stemfrom ":"arise from; originate from","stench":"strong foul odor; reek; stink","stentorian":"(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud \n herald in the Iliad","stereotype":"one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed \n and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture \n often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy \n slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; \n Ex. It is wrong to ster","sterile":"incapable of producing young; free from microorganism; \n V. sterilize","stickler":"perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly \n right","stifle":"suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate","stigma":"token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with \n a stigma; characterize as disgraceful","stilted":"bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. \n stiff: formal","stink":"stench; V: emit a strong foul odor","stint":"supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of \n work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. \n without stint","stipend":"pay for services","stipple":"paint or draw with dots or short strokes","stipulate":"state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make \n express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment \n in advance","stock":"standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; \n routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; \n N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique","stockade":"wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as \n defensive barrier","stodgy":"dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book","stoic":"stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. \n stoicism","stoke":"stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully","stolid":"dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong \n feelings are expected","stoop":"bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall \n to a lower standard of behavior by doing something; condescend; \n Ex. stoop to lying","stout":"rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; \n strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter","straggle":"stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in \n a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. \n straggling branch","strangle":"kill by choking or suffocating; suppress","stratagem":"deceptive scheme; clever trick","stratified":"divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify","stratum":"layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata","strew":"spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl \n strewing rose petals","striated":"marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved; Ex. striated \n rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line","stricture":"severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit \n or restriction","strident":"loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency","stringent":"(of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; \n Ex. stringent economic conditions","strut":"supporting bar; CF. airplane wing building support","studied":"carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; \n thoughtful; Ex. studied remark","studious":"given to diligent study","stultify":"make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid \n or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying \n effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression","stumble":"trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; \n N.","stump":"base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut \n down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle","stun":"make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; astound","stupefy":"stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze","stupor":"state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack \n of awareness","sturdy":"strong and firm (in the body)","stygian":"unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: \n the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead","stymie":"thwart; present an obstacle; stump","suavity":"urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous","subaltern":"subordinate","subdue":"less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. subdue: \n conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue one's anger","subjective":"influenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking \n place within the mind; unreal; Ex. subjective sensation \n of the ghostly presence","subjugate":"conquer; bring under control","sublimate":"refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially \n acceptable activities; change between a solid state and \n a gaseous state","sublime":"causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; \n exalted; noble and uplifting; utter","subliminal":"below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal \n advertisement","submerge":"place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely \n (as with water); Ex. submerged in work","submissive":"willing to obey orders; yielding; timid","subordinate":"occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: \n put in a lower rank or class","suborn":"persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); \n N. subornation","subpoena":"writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a \n witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena","subsequent":"following in time or order; later","subservient":"behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate; \n N. subservience","subside":"sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom \n (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; \n abate","subsidiary":"serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; \n N.","subsidy":"direct financial aid by government, etc.; V. subsidize: \n assist with a subsidy","subsistence":"existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; \n V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level)","substantial":"of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; \n ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy","substantiate":"support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; \n verify","substantive":"substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; \n substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues","subsume":"include (as a member of a group); encompass","subterfuge":"stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. \n resort to a harmless subterfuge","subtlety":"perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. subtle: delicate; \n so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine \n distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle mind/differences in meaning","subversive":"tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow \n completely (an established system); destroy completely; \n CF. undermine ?","succor":"assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N.","succulent":"juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent \n plant such as a cactus","succumb":"yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. \n succumb to the illness","suckle":"give or take milk at the breast or udder","suffocate":"die or kill from lack of air; suppress","suffragist":"advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); \n CF. suffrage","suffuse":"spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; \n Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.","suitor":"man who is courting a woman","sullen":"silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy","sully":"defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one's hands in menial \n labor","sultry":"(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous","summation":"act of finding the total; summing-up; summary (esp. \n one given by the judge at the end of a trial)","sumptuous":"grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous \n feast","sunder":"separate; part; CF. asunder","sundry":"miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small \n miscellaneous items","superannuated":"retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete","supercilious":"haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. \n eyebrow, cilium","supererogatory":"superfluous; more than needed or demanded","superficial":"of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; \n Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge","superfluous":"excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity","superimpose":"place over something else","supernumerary":"person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; \n ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number","supersede":"replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession","supine":"lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated \n pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision","supplant":"take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace","supple":"flexible; limber; pliant","suppliant":"entreating; beseeching; N.","supplicant":"one who supplicates; ADJ.","supplicate":"petition humbly; pray to grant a favor","supposition":"assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose","supposititious":"assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical","suppress":"put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; \n inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from being published \n or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; Ex. suppress the \n magazine/truth","surfeit":"satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to \n excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. \n surfeit of food","surge":"powerful movement of or like a wave; V.","surly":"bad-tempered; rude; cross","surmise":"guess; N.","surmount":"overcome","surpass":"exceed","surreptitious":"done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden","surrogate":"substitute; person or thing used in place of another; \n Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.","surveillance":"close observation of a person (esp. one under suspicion); \n watching; guarding","susceptible":"impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having \n little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive \n to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; \n Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. \n susceptibility","suspend":"cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in abeyance; \n defer; hang from above; exclude for a period from a position; \n Ex. suspended state; Ex. suspend judgment; Ex. suspended \n from the team; N. suspension","suspense":"state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting \n from uncertainty","sustain":"suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; \n keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain \n the family/the trapped miners","sustenance":"sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; \n something that maintains life; food","suture":"stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; \n material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound","swagger":"walk or behave with an over-confident manner","swamp":"wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with \n liquid","swarm":"large group of insects moving in a mass; crowd of people \n or animals; V: move in a crowd or mass","swarthy":"(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy \n Italian ?","swathe":"swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed \n in bandages","sway":"swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change \n one's opinion; N.","swear":"vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words","swearword ":"word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody''","swell":"long wave of water that moves continuously without \n breaking; V.","swelter":"(of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed \n by heat","swerve":"deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course; \n Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car swerved to \n the right.","swill":"drink greedily","swindler":"cheater","swipe":"hit with a sweeping motion; N.","sybarite":"lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; \n 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 \n premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument","sylvan":"pertaining to the woods or the country","symbiosis":"interdependent relationship (between groups, species) \n often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together \n + life","symmetry":"arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity; \n ADJ. symmetrical","synchronous":"similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the \n same time; V. synchronize","synoptic":"providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis","synthesis":"combining parts or separate things into a whole; the \n whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthesize","synthetic":"not natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis; \n Ex. synthetic fiber; N.","tablet":"small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone \n or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the \n wall","tacit":"understood (without actually being expressed); not \n put into words; Ex. tacit agreement","taciturn":"habitually silent; talking little","tact":"skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without \n causing offence","tactful":"careful no to cause offence; OP. tactless","tactile":"pertaining to the organs or sense of touch","taint":"contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace \n of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch \n of decay or bad influence; CF. touch","takeoff":"burlesque; act of leaving the ground","talisman":"charm; object believed to give supernatural powers \n to or protect its bearer","talon":"claw of bird","tan":"convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure \n to the sun","tangential":"only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; \n showing divergence; CF. tangent","tangible":"able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible \n to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof","tanner":"person who turns animal hides into leather","tantalize":"tease; excite by exposing something desirable while \n keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; \n CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure","tantamount":"equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is \n tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount","tantrum":"fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The \n child went into tantrums.","taper":"very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of \n a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward \n one end","tarantula":"venomous spider","tardy":"slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival","tarnish":"make or become dull or discolored; N.","tarry":"linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle","tart":"sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; \n Ex. tart apple/reply","tatter":"torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old \n and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes","taunt":"deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.","taut":"tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack","tautological":"needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the \n eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; \n statement that is always true","tawdry":"cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry","tawny":"brownish yellow","taxonomist":"specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: \n science of classification","tedium":"boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious","teetotalism":"practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; \n N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total","temerity":"boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for \n a pay increase after only three day's work","temper":"moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; \n toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling","temperament":"characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional \n excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament; having frequent \n changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike of sports; \n Ex. temperamental actress","temperate":"moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in \n respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and \n self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance \n society","tempestuous":"stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm","tempo":"speed of music","temporal":"of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; \n secular; worldly","temporize":"gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing \n oneself","tenacious":"holding fast (as to a belief); persistent","tenacity":"firmness; persistence","tenancy":"possession of land or building by rent; period of a \n tenant's occupancy","tenant":"one that pays rent to use property owned by another","tend":"have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; \n apply one's attention; attend","tendentious":"promoting a particular point of view; biased; having \n an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather \n than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction","tender":"offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the \n exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; \n ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; \n soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender \n wound","tenet":"doctrine; dogma","tensile":"capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile \n rubber","tension":"stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; \n strained relationship between groups or people","tentative":"not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; \n uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative \n agreement/reply","tenuous":"thin; slim; rare","tenure":"holding of an office or real estate; time during which \n such an office is held","tepid":"lukewarm; slightly warm; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. \n tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter","terminal":"part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. \n forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer","termination":"end; V. terminate","terminology":"terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature","terminus":"last stop of railroad; end","terrestrial":"on or relating to the earth","terse":"concise; abrupt; pithy","tertiary":"third in order or rank","tessellated":"mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern","testator":"maker of a will; CF. testatrix","testy":"irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; \n N. testiness","tether":"tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain \n to which an animal is tied; limit of one's endurance; \n Ex. the end of one's tether","thematic":"of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea","theocracy":"government run by religious leaders","theoretical":"based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical","therapeutic":"curative; N. therapy","thermal":"pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal \n bath; N: rising current of warm air","thesis":"opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments","thespian":"pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress","thrall":"slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in \n thrall; CF. enthrall","thrash":"beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk about \n thoroughly in order to find the answer; move wildly or \n violently; Ex. The fishes thrashed about in the net.","threadbare":"worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; \n hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses","threat":"sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; \n V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); \n Ex. The cloud threatens rain.","thresh":"beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate \n the grains from the straw","thrifty":"careful about money; economical; N. thrift","thrive":"prosper; flourish","throb":"(of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; \n N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart","throes":"violent anguish","throng":"crowd (of people or things); V.","throttle":"strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: \n valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?","thwart":"block or hinder; baffle; frustrate","tickle":"touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please","tightwad":"miser; excessively frugal person","tiller":"handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)","timbre":"quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument \n (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)","timidity":"lack of self-confidence or courage","timorous":"fearful; timid; demonstrating fear","tinge":"give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight \n degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy","tint":"slight degree of color; V: give a tint to","tipple":"drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic \n drink","tirade":"long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; \n extended scolding; denunciation","titanic":"gigantic; N. titan","tithe":"tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay \n a tithe","titillate":"tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the \n audience but to enlighten it","title":"name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal \n appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General); \n right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title \n as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate","titter":"nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.","titular":"of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title \n of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head \n of the company","toady":"servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady \n to; fawn","toga":"Roman outer robe","token":"outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude","toll":"sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: \n sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge","tome":"large volume; book","tonsure":"shaving of the head especially by person entering religious \n orders; V.","topography":"physical features of a region (such as the shape and \n height); CF. topo-: place","topple":"become unsteady and fall down","torpedo":"underwater explosive apparatus; V.","torpor":"lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; \n 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 \n love affairs","torso":"trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human \n trunk","tortuous":"winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road","toss":"throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden \n motion; flip (a coin) to decide something","totem":"animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol \n of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem \n pole","totter":"shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall","touching":"causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. \n touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched","touchstone":"stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; \n standard","touchy":"oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; \n needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation","tout":"promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise \n excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise","toxic":"poisonous; N. toxicity","tract":"propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political \n group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system \n of related organs; Ex. digestive tract","tractable":"docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed \n or molded; N. tractability","traduce":"expose to slander","trajectory":"path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet","tramp":"walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; \n one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy \n walking","trample":"step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet","trance":"hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one's \n physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); \n CF. transition","tranquillity":"calmness; peace","transcendent":"exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. \n transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy","transcendental":"going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to \n understand by practical experiences or practices; known \n only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; \n CF. transcendentalism","transcribe":"copy; write a copy of; N. transcription","transgression":"violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a \n limit); violate; do wrong","transient":"staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: \n one that is transient","transition":"going from one state of action to another","transitory":"transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness","translucent":"partly transparent","transmute":"transform; change; convert to something different","transparent":"permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; \n obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie","transpire":"(of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give \n off (watery waste matter) through pores","transport":"strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports \n of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture","transpose":"reverse the order or position of","trappings":"outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign \n of rank)","traumatic":"(of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an \n injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional \n shock that causes lasting psychological damage","travail":"strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth","traverse":"go through or across","travesty":"copy or example of something that completely misrepresents \n the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; \n treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; \n Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon","tread":"walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal \n part of a step","treasure":"keep as precious; cherish","treatise":"article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly","trek":"travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey","tremor":"trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous \n agitation)","tremulous":"trembling; wavering","trenchant":"cutting; incisive; keen","trepidation":"fear; nervous apprehension","tribulation":"suffering; ordeal; distress; trial","tribunal":"court of justice","tribune":"official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to \n protect their rights; protector of the people","tribute":"tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to \n another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect \n (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to","trickle":"flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.","trickster":"person who cheats people","trident":"three-pronged spear","trifle":"something of little importance or value; small amount; \n Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt","trifling":"trivial; unimportant","trigger":"set off; start","trilogy":"group of three related works (connected by a shared \n subject but each complete in itself)","trim":"make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what \n is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the edges); \n Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur; N. ADJ: \n tidy; in good order","trinket":"knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry","trite":"hackneyed; commonplace","trivia":"trifles; unimportant matters","troth":"pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; \n Ex. by my troth","trough":"long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest \n point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression \n as between waves","truculence":"aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; \n pugnacious; fierce","truism":"self-evident truth","truncate":"cut the top off; shorten","trunk":"main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the \n head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant","tryst":"meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers \n to meet","tumid":"(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; \n pompous","tumult":"commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. \n tumultuous: noisy and disorderly","tundra":"rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North \n America","turbid":"(of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; \n thick","turbulence":"state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently \n agitated or disturbed","tureen":"deep dish for serving soup","turgid":"swollen; distended (as from liquid)","turmoil":"extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. \n throw the country into turmoil","turncoat":"traitor","turpitude":"depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude","tutelage":"guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction","tutelary":"protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary \n deities","tycoon":"wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; \n magnate; Ex. business tycoon","typhoon":"tropical hurricane or cyclone","tyranny":"oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a \n tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; \n oppress","tyro":"beginner; novice","behove":"be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.","blithe":"gay; joyous","blithesome":"gay; joyous","caldron":"large kettle","cauldron":"large kettle","carat":"unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold","karat":"unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold","caulk":"make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)","calk":"make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)","checkered":"marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares","chequered":"marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares","cliche":"phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\\'ed","confidant":"trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)","confidante":"trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)","consanguineous":"school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy","consanguine":"school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy","demoniac":"fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil","demoniacal":"fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil","dumbfound":"astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck","dumfound":"astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck","dutiful":"(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)","duteous":"(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)","embed":"enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass","imbed":"enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass","entree":"entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle","eon":"entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle","aeon":"entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle","epaulet":"ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)","epaulette":"ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)","expose":"public revelation of something discreditable","facade":"front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance","far-fetched":"too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story","fete":"honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast","fetid":"malodorous; foul","foetid":"malodorous; foul","fetish":"object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism","fetich":"object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism","fledgling":"inexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person","fledgeling":"inexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person","forebears":"ancestors","forbears":"ancestors","forgo":"give up; do without","forego":"give up; do without","frenetic":"frenzied; frantic","phrenetic":"frenzied; frantic","high-flown":"highly pretentious or inflated","icon":"religious image; idol; image or representation","ikon":"religious image; idol; image or representation","idyll":"short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers","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","leave-taking":"farewell or departure","maneuver":"strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end","manoeuver":"strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end","matinee":"dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon","minuscule":"extremely small","miniscule":"extremely small","molt":"periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)","moult":"periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)","naivety":"quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\\\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous","pell-mell":"in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell","pendant":"hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)","pendent":"hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)","perquisite":"any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car","perk":"any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car","pestilential":"causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)","pestilent":"causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)","polemical":"aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)","precis":"abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text","propellant":"substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)","propellent":"substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)","protege":"person receiving protection and support from a patron","run-down":"(of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted","self-indulgence":"excessive indulgence of one's own desire","self-righteous":"sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic","Shangri-la":"imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon","skulduggery":"dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election","skullduggery":"dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election","sphinx-like":"enigmatic; mysterious","swear-word":"word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody''","underhand":"done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)","underhanded":"done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)","well-bred":"of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined"}