GRE, GRE

raiment

clothing Originlate Middle English: shortening of obsolete arrayment 'dress, outfit.

misanthrope

A PERSON WHO DISLIKES OTHERS The Grinch was such a misanthrope that even the sight of children singing made him angry. Synonym: curmudgeon

vicissitude

a change or variation Investors must be prepared or vicissitudes of the stock market. Synonyms: inconstancy; mutability

lummox

a clumsy, stupid person Origin early 19th century: of unknown origin.

bromide

2. a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate. "feel-good bromides create the illusion of problem solving"

pastiche

A PIECE OF LITERATURE OR MUSIC IMITATING OTHER WORKS The playwright's clever pastiche of the well-known children's story had the audience rolling in the aisles. Synonyms: medley; spoof

philistine

A PERSON WHO IS GUIDED BY MATERIALISM AND IS DISDAINFUL OF INTELLECTUAL OR ARTISTIC VALUES The philistine never even glanced at the rare violin in his collection but instead kept an eye on its value and sold it at a profit. Synonyms: boor; bourgeois; capitalist; materialist; vulgarian

epicure

A PERSON WITH REFINED TASTE IN FOOD AND WINE Niren is an epicure who always throws the most splendid dinner parties. Synonyms: bon vivant; connoisseur; gastronome; gastronomical; gourmand; gourmet

impasse

A BLOCKED PATH; A DILEMMA WITH NO SOLUTION The rock slide produced an impasse, so no one could proceed further on the road. Synonyms: cul-de-sac; deadlock; stalemate

collusion

A COLLABORATION; COMPLICITY; CONSPIRACY It came to light that the police chief and the mafia had a collusion in running the numbers racket. Synonyms: connivance; intrigue; machination

phalanx

A COMPACT OR CLOSE-KNIT BODY OF PEOPLE, ANIMALS, OR THINGS A phalanx of guards stood outside the prime minister's home day and night. Synonyms: legion; mass

imprecation

A CURSE Spouting violent imprecations, Hank searched for the person who had vandalized his truck. Synonym: damnation

malediction

A CURSE; A WISH OF EVIL UPON ANOTHER The frog prince looked for a princess to kiss him and put an end to the witch's malediction. Synonyms: anathema; imprecation

gradations

A DEGREE OR STAGE IN A PROCESS; A VARIATION IN COLOR The paint store offers so many different gradations of red that it's impossible to choose among them. Synonyms: nuance; shade; step; subtlety

declivity

A DOWNWARD SLOPE Because the village was situated on the declivity of a hill, it never flooded. Synonyms: decline; descent; grade; slant; tilt

dogma

A FIRMLY HELD OPINION, ESPECIALLY A RELIGIOUS BELIEF Linus's central dogma was that children who believed in the Great Pumpkin would be rewarded. Synonyms: creed; doctrine; teaching; tenet

libertine

A FREE THINKER (USUALLY USED DISPARAGINGLY); ONE WITHOUT MORAL RESTRAINT The libertine took pleasure in gambling away his family's money. Synonym: hedonist

dirge

A FUNERAL HYMN OR MOURNFUL SPEECH Melville wrote a dirge for the funeral of James McPherson, a Union general who was killed in 1864. Synonyms: elegy; lament

dissonance

A HARSH AND DISAGREEABLE COMBINATION, ESPECIALLY OF SOUNDS Cognitive dissonance is the inner conflict produced when long-standing beliefs are contradicted by new evidence. Synonyms: clash; contention; discord; dissension; dissent; dissidence; friction; strife; variance

demagogue

A LEADER OR RABBLE-ROUSER, USUALLY ONE APPEALING TO EMOTION OR PREJUDICE He began his career as a demagogue, giving fiery speeches at political rallies. Synonyms: agitator; inciter; instigator

peccadillo

A MINOR SIN OR OFFENSE Gabriel tends to harp on his brother's peccadilloes and never lets him live them down. Synonyms: failing; fault; lapse; misstep

potentate

A MONARCH OR RULER WITH GREAT POWER Alex was much kinder before he assumed the role of potentate. Synonyms: dominator; leader

proclivity

A NATURAL INCLINATION OR PREDISPOSITION Her childhood love of acting, singing, and adoration indicated a proclivity for the theater later in life. Synonyms: bias; leaning; partiality; penchant; predilection; predisposition; prejudice; propensity

interregnum

A PERIOD BETWEEN REIGNS When John F. Kennedy was shot, there was a brief interregnum before Lyndon B. Johnson became president. Synonyms: interval

juncture

A POINT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY ONE WHERE TWO THINGS ARE JOINED At this juncture, I think it would be a good idea for us to take a coffee break. Synonyms: confluence; convergence; crisis; crossroads; moment

iniquity

A SIN; AN EVIL ACT "I promise to close every den of iniquity in this town!" thundered the conservative new mayor. Synonyms: enormity; immorality; injustice; vice; wickedness

elegy

A SORROWFUL POEM OR SPEECH Though the beautiful elegy is about death and loss, it urges its readers to endure this life, and to trust on spirituality. Synonym: dirge; lament

eulogy

A SPEECH IN PRAISE OF SOMEONE His best friend gave the eulogy, outlining his many achievements and talents. Synonyms: commend; extol; laud

lassitude

A STATE OF DIMINISHED ENERGY The lack of energy that characterizes patients with anemia makes lassitude one of the primary symptoms of the disease. Synonyms: debilitation; enervation; fatigue; languor; listlessness; tiredness; weariness

coffer

A STRONGBOX; A LARGE CHEST FOR MONEY The bulletproof glass of the coffer is what keeps the crown jewels secure. Synonyms: chest; exchequer; treasury; war chest

effigies

A STUFFED DOLL; A LIKENESS OF A PERSON Protesters burned effigies of the unpopular leader. Synonyms: dummy; figure; image

nuance

A SUBTLE EXPRESSION OF MEANING OR QUALITY The scholars argued for hours over tiny nuances in the interpretation of the last line of the poem. Synonyms: gradation; subtlety; tone

raconteur

A WITTY, SKILLFUL STORYTELLER The raconteur kept all the passengers entertained with his stories during the six-hour flight. Synonyms: anecdotalist; monologist

missive

A WRITTEN NOTE OR LETTER Priscilla spent hours composing a romantic missive for Elvis. Synonym: message

plastic

ABLE TO BE MOLDED, ALTERED, OR BENT The new material was very plastic and could be formed into products of vastly different shape. Synonyms: adaptable; ductile; malleable; pliant

replete

ABUNDANTLY SUPPLIED; COMPLETE The gigantic supermarket was replete with consumer products of every kind. Synonyms: abounding; full

invective

ABUSIVE LANGUAGE A stream of invective poured from Mrs. Pratt's mouth as she watched the vandals smash her ceramic frog. Synonyms: denunciation; revilement; vituperation

diurnal

ACTIVE OR OCCURRING DURING THE DAY Diurnal creatures tend to become inactive during the night. Synonyms: daylight; daytime

estimable

ADMIRABLE Most people consider it estimable that Mother Teresa spent her life helping the poor of India. Synonyms: admirable; commendable; creditable; honorable; laudable; meritorious; praiseworthy; respectable; venerable; worthy

overwrought

AGITATED; OVERDONE The lawyer's overwrought voice on the phone made her clients worry about the outcome of their case. Synonyms: elaborate; excited; nervous; ornate

diaphanous

ALLOWING LIGHT TO SHOW THROUGH; DELICATE These diaphanous curtains do nothing to block out the sunlight. Synonyms: gauzy; sheer; tenuous; translucent; transparent

droll

AMUSING IN A WRY, SUBTLE WAY Although the play couldn't be described as hilarious, it was certainly droll. Synonyms: comic; entertaining; funny; risible; witty

diatribe

AN ABUSIVE, CONDEMNATORY SPEECH The trucker bellowed a diatribe at the driver who had cut him off. Synonyms: fulmination; harangue; invective; jeremiad; malediction; obloquy; tirade

dictum

AN AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT "You have the time to lean, you have the time to clean," was the dictum our boss made us live by. Synonyms: adage; aphorism; apothegm; decree; edict

levity

AN INAPPROPRIATE LACK OF SERIOUSNESS; AN OVERLY CASUAL ATMOSPHERE The joke added a jarring note of levity to the otherwise serious meeting. Synonyms: amusement; humor

coterie

AN INTIMATE GROUP OF PERSONS WITH A SIMILAR PURPOSE Angel invited a coterie of fellow stamp enthusiasts to a stamp-trading party. Synonyms: clique; set

inquest

AN INVESTIGATION; AN INQUIRY The police chief ordered an inquest to determine what went wrong. Synonyms: probe; quest; research

penury

AN OPPRESSIVE LACK OF RESOURCES (AS MONEY); SEVERE POVERTY Once a famous actor, he eventually died in penury and anonymity. Synonyms: destitution; impoverishment

pariah

AN OUTCAST Once he betrayed those in his community, he was banished and lived the life of a pariah. Synonyms: castaway; derelict; leper; offscouring; untouchable

ostensible

APPARENT The ostensible reason for his visit was to borrow a book, but he secretly wanted to chat with the lovely Wanda. Synonyms: represented; supposed; surface

decorum

APPROPRIATENESS OF BEHAVIOR OR CONDUCT; PROPRIETY The countess complained that the vulgar peasants lacked the decorum appropriate for a visit to the palace. Synonyms: correctness; decency; etiquette; manners; mores; propriety; seemliness

jingoism

BELLIGERENT SUPPORT OF ONE'S COUNTRY The professor's jingoism made it difficult for the students to participate in an open political discussion. Synonyms: chauvinism; nationalism

endemic

BELONGING TO A PARTICULAR AREA; INHERENT The health department determined that the outbreak was endemic to the small village, so they quarantined the inhabitants before the virus could spread. Synonyms: indigenous; local; native

incarnadine

BLOOD-RED IN COLOR At his mother's mention of his baby pictures, the shy boy's cheeks turned incarnadine with embarrassment. Synonyms: reddened; ruby; ruddy

pugilism

BOXING Pugilism has been defended as a positive outlet for aggressive impulses. Synonyms: fighting; sparring

phlegmatic

CALM AND UNEMOTIONAL IN TEMPERAMENT Although the bomb could go off at any moment, the phlegmatic demolition expert remained calm and unafraid. Synonyms: apathetic; calm; emotionless; impassive; indifferent; passionless; unemotional

pathogenic

CAUSING DISEASE Bina's research on the origins of pathogenic microorganisms should help stop the spread of disease. Synonyms: infecting; noxious

grievous

CAUSING GRIEF OR SORROW; SERIOUS AND DISTRESSING Maude and Bertha sobbed loudly throughout the grievous event. Synonyms: dire; dolorous; grave; mournful

Investiture

CEREMONY CONFERRING AUTHORITY At Napoleon's investiture, he grabbed the crown from the Pope's hands and placed it on his head himself. Synonyms: inaugural; inauguration; induction; initiation; installation

lucid

CLEAR AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD The explanations were written in a simple and lucid manner so that the students were immediately able to apply what they learned. Synonyms: clear; coherent; explicit; intelligible; limpid

limpid

CLEAR; TRANSPARENT Fernando could see all the way to the bottom through the pond's limpid water. Synonyms: lucid; pellucid; serene

explicit

CLEARLY STATED OR SHOWN; FORTHRIGHT IN EXPRESSION The journalist wrote an explicit description of the gruesome murder. Synonyms: candid; clear-cut; definite; definitive; express; frank; specific; straightforward; unambiguous; unequivocal

numismatics

COIN COLLECTING Tom's passion for numismatics has resulted in an impressive collection of coins from all over the world.

probity

COMPLETE HONESTY AND INTEGRITY George Washington's reputation for probity is illustrated in the legend about his inability to lie after he chopped down the cherry tree. Synonyms: integrity; morality; rectitude; uprightness; virtue

polemic

CONTROVERSY; ARGUMENT; VERBAL ATTACK The candidates polemic against his opponent was vicious and small-minded rather than convincing and well-reasoned. Synonyms: denunciation; refutation

cogent

CONVINCING AND WELL-REASONED Swayed by the cogent argument of the defense, the jury had no choice but to acquit the defendant. Synonyms: convincing; persuasive; solid; sound; telling; valid

profligate

CORRUPT; DEGENERATE Some historians claim that it was the Romans' decadent, profligate behavior that led to the decline of the Roman Empire. Synonyms: dissolute; extravagant; improvident; prodigal; wasteful

pusillanimous

COWARDLY; WITHOUT COURAGE The pusillanimous man would not enter the yard where the miniature poodle was barking. Synonyms: cowardly; timid

plebeian

CRUDE OR COARSE; CHARACTERISTIC OF COMMONERS After five weeks of rigorous studying, the graduate settled in for a weekend of plebeian socializing and television watching. Synonyms: conventional; unrefined

guile

DECEIT; TRICKERY Since he was not fast enough to catch the roadrunner on foot, the coyote resorted to guile in an effort to trap his enemy. Synonyms: artifact; chicanery; connivery; duplicity

contrite

DEEPLY SORROWFUL AND REPENTANT FOR A WRONG After three residents were mugged in the lobby while the watchman was away from his post, he felt very contrite. Synonyms: apologetic; regretful; remorseful

dogmatic

DICTATORIAL IN ONE'S OPINIONS The dictator was dogmatic, claiming he, and only he, was right. Synonyms: authoritarian; bossy; dictatorial; doctrinaire; domineering; imperious; magisterial; masterful; overbearing; peremptory

parley

DISCUSSION; USUALLY BETWEEN ENEMIES The parley between the rival cheerleading teams resulted in neither side admitting that they copied the other's dance moves. Synonyms: debate; dialogue; negotiations; talks

multifarious

DIVERSE Ken opened the hotel room window, letting in the multifarious noises of the great city. Synonyms: assorted; heterogenous; indiscriminate; legion; motley; multi fold; multiform; multiplex; populous; varied

perfunctory

DONE IN A ROUTINE WAY; INDIFFERENT The machine-like teller processed the transaction and gave the waiting customer a perfunctory smile. Synonyms: apathetic; automatic; mechanical

fallow

DORMANT; UNUSED This field should lie fallow for a year so the soil does not become completely depleted. Synonyms: idle; inactive; unseeded

lissome

EASILY FLEXED; LIMBER; AGILE The lissome yoga instructor twisted herself into shapes that her students could only dream of. Synonyms: graceful; lithe; supple

irascible

EASILY MADE ANGRY Attila the Hun's irascible and violent nature made all who dealt with him fear for their lives. Synonyms: cantankerous; irritable; ornery; testy

efficacy

EFFECTIVENESS The efficacy of penicillin was unsurpassed when it was first introduced; the drug completely eliminated almost all bacterial infections. Synonyms: dynamism; effectiveness; efficiency; force; power; productiveness; proficiency; strength; vigor

panegyric

ELABORATE PRAISE; FORMAL HYMN OF PRAISE The director's panegyric for the donor who kept his charity going was heart warming. Synonyms: compliment; homage

invidious

ENVIOUS; OBNOXIOUS, OR OFFENSIVE; LIKELY TO PROMOTE ILL-WILL It is cruel and invidious for parents to play favorites with their children. Synonyms: discriminatory; insulting; jaundiced; resentful

plethora

EXCESS Assuming that more was better, the defendant offered the judge a plethora of excuses. Synonyms; glut; overabundance; superfluity; surfeit

ostentation

EXCESSIVE SHOWINESS The ostentation of the Sun King's court is evident in the lavish decoration and luxuriousness of his palace at Versailles. Synonyms: conspicuousness; flashiness; pretentiousness; showiness

ebullient

EXHILARATED; FULL OF ENTHUSIASM AND HIGH SPIRITS The ebullient child exhausted the babysitter, who lacked the energy to keep up with her. Synonyms: ardent; avid; bubbly; zestful

nominal

EXISTING IN NAME ONLY; NEGLIGIBLE A nominal but far from devoted member is the high school yearbook committee, she rarely attends meetings. Synonyms: minimal; titular

ersatz

FAKE Edda, a fashion maven, knew instantly that her friend's new Kate Spade bag was really an ersatz version purchased on the street. Synonyms: artificial; dummy; false; imitation; mock; sham; simulated; spurious; substitute

intrepid

FEARLESS; RESOLUTELY COURAGEOUS Despite freezing winds, the intrepid hiker completed his ascent. Synonym: brave

metaphor

FIGURE OF SPEECH COMPARING TWO DIFFERENT THINGS The metaphor "a sea of troubles" suggests a lot of troubles by comparing their number to the vastness of the sea. Synonyms: allegory; analogy; simile; symbol

mores

FIXED CUSTOMS OR MANNERS; MORAL ATTITUDES In keeping with the mores of ancient Roman society, Nero held a celebration every weekend. Synonyms: conventions; practices

panache

FLAMBOYANCE OR DASH IN STYLE AND ACTION; VERVE Leah has such panache when planning parties, even when they're last-minute affairs. Synonym: flair

fetid

FOUL-SMELLING; PUTRID The fetid stench from the outhouse caused Francesca to wrinkle her nose in disgust. Synonyms: funky; malodorous; noisome; rank; stinky

mirth

FRIVOLITY; GAIETY; LAUGHTER Vera's hilarious jokes contributed to the general mirth at the dinner party. Synonyms: glee; hilarity; jollity; merriment

disparate

FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT; ENTIRELY UNLIKE Although the twins are physically identical, their personalities are disparate. Synonyms: different; dissimilar; divergent; diverse; variant; various

meretricious

GAUDY; FALSELY ATTRACTIVE The casino's meretricious decor horrified the cultivated interior designer. Synonyms: flashy; insincere; loud; specious; tawdry

largess

GENEROUS GIVING (AS OF MONEY) TO OTHERE WHO MAY SEEM INFERIOR She'd always relied on her parents' largess, but after graduation she had to get a job. Synonyms: benevolence; boon; compliment; favor; present

cupidity

GREED; STRONG DESIRE The thief stared at the shining jewels with cupidity in his gleaming eyes. Synonyms: avarice; covetousness; rapacity

indolent

HABITUALLY LAZY OR IDLE Her indolent ways got her fired from many jobs. Synonyms: fainéant; languid; lethargic; slothful; sluggish

obdurate

HARDENED IN FEELING; RESISTANT TO PERSUASION The president was completely obdurate on the issue, and no amount of persuasion would change his mind. Synonyms: inflexible; intransigent; recalcitrant; tenacious; unyielding

innocuous

HARMLESS Some snakes are poisoned, but most species are innocuous and pose no danger to humans. Synonyms: benign; harmless; inoffensive; insipid

pejorative

HAVING BAD CONNOTATIONS; DISPARAGING The teacher scolded Mark for his unduly pejorative comments about his classmate's presentation. Synonyms: belittling; dismissive; insulting

prescient

HAVING FORESIGHT Jonah's decision to sell the apartment seemed to be a prescient one, as its value soon dropped by half. Synonyms: augural; divinatory; mantic; oracular; premonitory

ignoble

HAVING LOW MORAL STANDARDS; NOT NOBLE IN CHARACTER; MEAN The photographer was paid a princely sum for the picture of the self-proclaimed ethicist in the ignoble act of pick-pocketing Synonyms: lowly; vulgar

inimical

HOSTILE; UNFRIENDLY Even though a cease-fire had been in place for months,the two sides were still inimical to each other. Synonyms: adverse; antagonistic; dissident; recalcitrant

licentious

IMMORAL; UNRESTRAINED BY SOCIETY Religious citizens were outraged by the licentious exploits of the free-spirited artists living in town. Synonyms: lewd; wanton

panoply

IMPRESSIVE ARRAY Her résumé indicates a panoply of skills and accomplishments. Synonyms: array; display; fanfare; parade; pomp; shine; show

querulous

INCLINED TO COMPLAIN; IRRITABLE Curtis's complaint letter received prompt attention after the company labeled him a querulous potential troublemaker. Synonyms: peevish; puling; sniveling; whiny

oblique

INDIRECT OR EVASIVE; MISLEADING OR DEVIOUS Usually open and friendly, Reynaldo has been behaving Ina curiously oblique manner lately. Synonyms: glancing; slanted; tangential

inexorable

INFLEXIBLE; UNYIELDING The inexorable force of the twister swept away their house. Synonyms: adamant; obdurate; relentless

dilatory

INTENDED TO DELAY The congressman used dilatory measures to delay the passage of the bill. Synonyms: dragging; flagging; laggard; lagging; slow; slow-footed; slow-going; slow-paced; tardy

fervid

INTENSELY EMOTIONAL; FEVERISH The fans of Maria Callas were particularly fervid, doing anything to catch a glimpse of the great opera singer. Synonyms: burning; impassioned; passionate; vehement; zealous

convoluted

INTRICATE AND COMPLICATED Although many people bought the professor's book, few people could follow its convoluted ideas and theories. Synonyms: Byzantine; complex; elaborate; intricate; knotty; labyrinthine; perplexing; tangled

esoteric

KNOWN OR UNDERSTOOD ONLY BE A FEW Only a handful of experts are knowledgeable about the esoteric world of particle physics. Synonyms: abstruse; arcane; obscure

pallid

LACKING COLOR OR LIVELINESS The old drugstore's pallid window could not compete with the new megastore's extravagant display next door. Synonyms: ashen; blanched; ghostly; pale; wan

craven

LACKING COURAGE The craven lion cringed in the corner of his cage, terrified of the mouse. Synonyms: faint hearted; spineless; timid

languid

LACKING ENERGY; INDIFFERENT; SLOW The languid cat cleaned its fur, ignoring the vicious, snarling dog chained a few feet away from it. Synonyms: lackadaisical; listless; sluggish; weak

myopic

LACKING FORESIGHT; HAVING A NARROW VIEW OR SHORT-RANGE PERCEPTION Not wanting to spend a lot of money up front, the myopic business owner would likely suffer the cinsequences later. Synonyms: short-sighted; unthinking

insipid

LACKING INTEREST OR FLAVOR The critic claimed that the painting was insipid, containing no interesting qualities at all. Synonyms: banal; bland; dull; stale; vapid

prodigal

LAVISH; WASTEFUL The prodigal son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure. Synonyms: extravagant; lavish; profligate; spendthrift; wasteful

nadir

LOWEST POINT As Joey waited in line to audition for the diaper commercial, he realized he had reached the nadir of his acting career. Synonyms: bottom; depth; pit

repast

MEAL OR MEALTIME Ravi prepared a delicious repast of chicken tikka and naan. Synonyms: banquet; feast

prattle

MEANINGLESS; FOOLISH TALK Her husband's mindless prattle drove Heidi insane; sometimes she wished he would just shut up. Synonyms: babble; blather; chatter; drivel; gibberish

paragon

MODEL OF EXCELLENCE OR PERFECTION He is the paragon of what a judge should be: honest, intelligent, hardworking, and just. Synonyms: apotheosis; ideal; quintessence; standard

quiescent

MOTIONLESS Many animals are quiescent over the winter months, minimizing activity in order to conserve energy. Synonyms: dormant; latent

neologism

NEW WORD OR EXPRESSION Aunt Mabel simply does not understand today's youth; she is perplexed by their clothing, music, and neologisms. Synonyms: slang; coinage

imperturbable

NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DISTURBED The counselor had so much experience dealing with distraught children that she was imperturbable, even when faced with the wildest tantrums. Synonyms: composed; dispassionate; impassive; serene; stoic

impious

NOT DEVOUT IN RELIGION The nun cut herself off from her impious family after she entered the convent. Synonyms: immoral; irreverent; profane

intractable

NOT EASILY MANAGED OR MANIPULATED Intractable for hours, the wild horse eventually allowed the rider to mount. Synonyms: stubborn; unruly

inchoate

NOT FULLY FORMED; DISORGANIZED The ideas expressed in Nietzsche's mature work also appear in an inchoate form in his earliest writing. Synonyms: amorphous; incoherent; incomplete; unorganized

neophyte

NOVICE; BEGINNER A relative neophyte at bowling, Rodolfo rolled all of his balls into the gutter. Synonyms: apprentice; greenhorn; tyro

quotidian

OCCURRING DAILY; COMMONPLACE The sight of people singing on the street is so quotidian in New York that passersby rarely react to it. Synonyms: everyday; normal; usual

exponent

ONE WHO CHAMPIONS OR ADVOCATES The Vice President was an enthusiastic exponent of computer technology. Synonyms: representative; supporter

iconoclast

ONE WHO OPPOSES ESTABLISHED BELIEFS, CUSTOMS, AND INSTITUTIONS His lack of regard for traditional beliefs soon established him as an iconoclast. Synonyms: maverick; nonconformist; rebel; revolutionary

quixotic

OVERLY IDEALISTIC; IMPRACTICAL The practical Danuta was skeptical of her roommate's quixotic plans to build a roller coaster in their yard. Synonyms: capricious; impulsive; romantic; unrealistic

maudlin

OVERLY SENTIMENTAL The movies treatment of the mothers death was so maudlin that instead of making the audience cry, it made them cringe. Synonyms: bathetic; mawkish; saccharine; weepy

obsequious

OVERLY SUBMISSIVE AND EAGER TO PLEASE The obsequious new associate made sure to compliment her supervisor's tie and agree with him on every issue. Synonyms: compliant; deferential; servile; subservient

humor

Origin Middle English [as humour ]: via Old French from Latin humor 'moisture,' from humere [see humid]. The original sense was 'bodily fluid' [surviving in aqueous humor and vitreous humor, fluids in the eyeball]; it was used specifically for any of the cardinal humors [sense 3 of the noun], when

nice

Origin Middle English [in the sense 'stupid']: from Old French, from Latin nescius 'ignorant,' from nescire 'not know.' Other early senses included 'coy, reserved,' giving rise to 'fastidious, scrupulous': this led both to the sense 'fine, subtle' [regarded by some as the "correct" sense], and to

fustian

Origin Middle English: from Old French fustaigne, from medieval Latin fustaneum, from [pannus] fustaneus 'cloth from Fostat,' a suburb of Cairo; sense 2 perhaps from the fact that fustian was sometimes used to cover pillows and cushions, implying that the language was "padded"; compare with bombas

harbinger

Origin Middle English: from Old French herbergere, from herbergier 'provide lodging for,' from herberge 'lodging,' from Old Saxon heriberga 'shelter for an army, lodging' [from heri 'army' + a Germanic base meaning 'fortified place'], related to harbor. The term originally denoted a person who pro

precipitate

Origin early 16th century: from Latin praecipitat- 'thrown headlong,' from the verb praecipitare, from praeceps, praecip[it]- 'headlong,' from prae 'before' + caput 'head.' The original sense of the verb was 'hurl down, send violently'; hence 'cause to move rapidly,' which gave rise to sense 1 [ea

cant

Origin early 16th century: probably from Latin cantare 'to sing' [see chant]. The early meaning was 'musical sound, singing'; in the mid 17th century this gave rise to the senses 'whining manner of speaking' and 'form of words repeated mechanically in such a manner' [for example a beggar's plea],

epoch

Origin early 17th century [in the Latin form epocha ; originally in the general sense of a date from which succeeding years are numbered]: from modern Latin epocha, from Greek epokhē 'stoppage, fixed point of time,' from epekhein 'stop, take up a position,' from epi 'upon, near to' + ekhein 'stay,

cadge

Origin early 17th century [in the dialect sense 'carry around']: back-formation from the noun cadger, which dates from the late 15th century, denoting [in northern English and Scots] an itinerant dealer, whence the verb sense 'hawk, peddle,' giving rise to the current verb senses from the early 19

quibble

Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'play on words, pun']: diminutive of obsolete quib 'a petty objection,' probably from Latin quibus, dative and ablative plural of qui, quae, quod 'who, what, which,' frequently used in legal documents and so associated with subtle distinctions or verbal nice

genteel

Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'fashionable, stylish']: from French gentil 'well-born.' From the 17th century to the 19th century the word was used in such senses as 'of good social position,' 'having the manners of a well-born person,' 'well-bred.' The ironic or derogatory implication dat

blatant

Origin late 16th century: perhaps an alteration of Scots blatand 'bleating' It was first used by Spenser as an epithet for a thousand-tongued monster produced by Cerberus and Chimera, a symbol of calumny, which he called the blatant beast . It was subsequently used to mean 'clamorous, offensive to

aesthetic

Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'relating to perception by the senses']: from Greek aisthētikos, from aisthēta 'perceptible things,' from aisthesthai 'perceive.' The sense 'concerned with beauty' was coined in German in the mid 18th century and adopted into English in the early 19th century

collateral

Origin late Middle English [as an adjective]: from medieval Latin collateralis, from col- 'together with' + lateralis [from latus, later- 'side']. Sense 1 of the noun [originally US] is from the phrase collateral security, denoting something pledged in addition to the main obligation of a contract

contingent

Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'of uncertain occurrence']: from Latin contingere 'befall,' from con- 'together with' + tangere 'to touch.' The noun sense was originally 'something happening by chance,' then 'a person's share resulting from a division, a quota'; the current sense dates fr

antithesis

Origin late Middle English [originally denoting the substitution of one grammatical case for another]: from late Latin, from Greek antitithenai 'set against,' from anti 'against' + tithenai 'to place.' The earliest current sense, denoting a rhetorical or literary device, dates from the early 16th

rubric

Origin late Middle English rubrish [originally referring to a heading, section of text, etc., written in red for distinctiveness], from Old French rubriche, from Latin rubrica [terra ] 'red [earth or ocher as writing material],' from the base of rubeus 'red'; the later spelling is influenced by th

fulminate

Origin late Middle English: from Latin fulminat- 'struck by lightning,' from fulmen, fulmin- 'lightning.' The earliest sense [derived from medieval Latin fulminare ] was 'denounce formally,' later 'issue formal censures' [originally said of the pope]. A sense 'emit thunder and lightning,' based on

balk

Origin late Old English balc, from Old Norse bálkr 'partition.' The original use was 'unplowed ridge,' in late Middle English 'land left unplowed by mistake,' hence 'blunder, omission' [giving rise to the verb sense 'miss [a chance]']. A late Middle English sense 'obstacle' gave rise to the verb s

fanatic

Origin mid 16th century [as an adjective]: from French fanatique or Latin fanaticus 'of a temple, inspired by a god,' from fanum 'temple.' The adjective originally described behavior or speech that might result from possession by a god or demon, hence the earliest sense of the noun 'a religious ma

expound

OriginMiddle English expoune [in the sense 'explain [what is difficult]']: from Old French espon-, present tense stem of espondre, from Latin exponere 'expose, publish, explain,' from ex- 'out' + ponere 'put.' The origin of the final -d [recorded from the Middle English period] is uncertain [compar

idiosyncrasy

PECULIARITY OF TEMPERAMENT; ECCENTRICITY His numerous idiosyncrasies included a fondness for wearing bright green shoes with mauve socks. Synonyms: humor; oddity; quirk

eloquent

PERSUASIVE AND MOVING, ESPECIALLY IN SPEECH The Gettysburg Address is moving not only because of its lofty sentiments but because of its eloquent words. Synonyms: articulate; expressive; fluent; meaningful; significant; smooth-spoken

jocular

PLAYFUL; HUMOROUS The jocular old man entertained his grandchildren for hours. Synonyms: amusing; comical

euphony

PLEASANT, HARMONIOUS SOUND To their loving parents, the children's orchestra performance sounded like euphony, although an outside observer probably would have called it a cacophony of hideous sounds. Synonyms: harmony; melody; music; sweetness

orotund

POMPOUS Roberto soon grew tired of his date's orotund babble about her new job, and decided that their first date would probably be their last. Synonyms: aureate; bombastic; declamatory; euphuistic; flowery; grandiloquent; magniloquent; oratorical; overblown; sonorous

impecunious

POOR; HAVING NO MONEY After the stock market crashed, many former millionaires found themselves impecunious. Synonyms: destitute; impoverished; indigent; needy; penniless

magnate

POWERFUL OR INFLUENTIAL PERSON The entertainment magnate bought two cable TV stations to add to his collection of magazines and publishing houses. Synonyms: dignitary; luminary; nabob; potentate; tycoon

pragmatic

PRACTICAL, AS OPPOSED TO IDEALISTIC While idealistic gamblers think they can get rich by frequenting casinos, pragmatic gamblers realize that the odds are heavily stacked against them. Synonyms: rational; realistic

impetuous

QUICK TO ACT WITHOUT THINKING It is not good for an investment broker to be impetuous since much thought should be given to all the possible options. Synonyms: impulsive; precipitate; rash; reckless; spontaneous

mercurial

QUICK, SHREWD, AND UNPREDICTABLE Her mercurial personality made it difficult to guess how she would react to the bad news. Synonyms: clever; crafty; volatile; whimsical

insurrection

REBELLION After the emperor's troops crushed the insurrection, it's leaders fled the country. Synonyms: mutiny; revolt; revolution; uprising

lapidary

RELATING TO PRECIOUS STONES OR THE ART OF CUTTING THEM Most lapidary work today is done with the use of motorized equipment.

redress

RELIEF FROM WRONG OR INJURY Seeking redress for the injuries she had received in the accident, Doreen sued the driver of the truck that had hit her. Synonyms: amends; indemnity; quittance; reparation; restitution

rejoinder

RESPONSE Patrick tried desperately to think of a clever rejoinder to Marianna's joke, but he couldn't. Synonyms: retort; ripost

doctrinaire

RIGIDLY DEVOTED TO THEORIES WITHOUT REGARD FOR PRACTICALITY; DOGMATIC The professor's manner of teaching was considered doctrinaire for such a liberal school. Synonyms: dictatorial; inflexible

judicious

SENSIBLE; SHOWING GOOD JUDGMENT The wise distinguished judge was well known for having a judicious temperament. Synonyms: circumspect; prudent; sagacious; sapient

pungent

SHARP AND IRRITATING TO THE SENSES The smoke from the burning tires was extremely pungent. Synonyms: acrid; caustic; piquant; poignant; stinging

précis

SHORT SUMMARY OF FACTS Farah wrote a précis of her thesis on the epic poem to share with the class. Synonym: summary

ingenuous

SHOWING INNOCENCE OR CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY She was so ingenuous that her friends feared that her innocence and trustful ness would be exploited when she visited the big city. Synonyms: artless; guileless; innocent; naïve; simple; unaffected

politic

SHREWD AND PRACTICAL IN MANAGING OR DEALING WITH THINGS; DIPLOMATIC She was wise to curb her tongue and was able to explain her problem to the judge in a respectful and politic manner. Synonym: tactful

perspicacious

SHREWD, ASTUTE, OR KEEN- WITTED Inspector Poirot used his perspicacious mind to solve mysteries. Synonyms: insightful; intelligent; sagacious

cloying

SICKLY SWEET; EXCESSIVE When Enid and Jay first started dating, their cloying affection toward one another often made their friends ill. Synonyms: excessive; fulsome

pedant

SOMEONE WHO SHOWS OFF LEARNING The graduate instructor's tedious and excessive commentary on the subject soon gained her a reputation as a pedant. Synonyms: doctrinaire; nit-picker; pedagogue; scholar; schoolmaster; sophist

dilettante

SOMEONE WITH AN AMATEURISH AND SUPERFICIAL INTEREST IN A TOPIC Jerry's friends were such dilettantes they seemed to have new jobs and hobbies every week. Synonyms: amateur; dabbler; superficial; tyro

knell

SOUND OF A FUNERAL BELL; OMEN OF DEATH OR FAILURE When the townspeople heard the knell from the church belfry, they knew that their mayor had died. Synonyms: chime; peal; toll

nascent

STARTING TO DEVELOP; COMING INTO EXISTENCE The advertising campaign was still in a nascent stage, and nothing had been finalized yet. Synonyms: embryonic; emerging; inchoate; incipient

crescendo

STEADY INCREASE IN VOLUME OR FORCE The crescendo of tension became unbearable as Evel Knievel prepared to jump his motorcycle over the school buses. Synonyms: acme; capstone; climax; crest; culmination; meridian; peak

noisome

STINKING; PUTRID A dead mouse trapped in your walls produces a noisome odor. Synonyms: disgusting; foul; malodorous

martinet

STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN; ONE WHO RIGIDLY FOLLOWS RULES A compete martinet, the official insisted that Pete fill out all the forms again even though he was already familiar with his case. Synonyms: dictator; stickler; tyrant

fatuous

STUPID; FOOLISHLY SELF-SATISFIED Ted's fatuous comments always embarrassed his keen-witted wife at parties. Synonyms: absurd; ludicrous; preposterous; ridiculous; silly

deleterious

SUBTLY OR UNEXPECTEDLY HARMFUL If only we had known the clocks were defective before putting them on the market, it wouldn't have been so deleterious to our reputation. Synonyms: adverse; hurtful; inimical; injurious

dyspeptic

SUFFERING FROM INDIGESTION; GLOOMY AND IRRITABLE The dyspeptic young man cast a gloom over the party the minute he walked in. Synonyms: acerbic; melancholy; morose; solemn; sour

lachrymose

TEARFUL Marcella always became lachrymose when it was time to bid her daughter good-bye. Synonyms: teary; weeping

ethos

THE BELIEFS OR CHARACTER OF A GROUP It is the Boy Scouts' ethos that one should always be prepared. Synonyms: culture; ethic; philosophy

distaff

THE FEMALE BRANCH OF A FAMILY The lazy husband refused to cook dinner for his wife, joking that the duty belongs to the distaff's side. Synonyms: maternal

propriety

THE QUALITY OF BEHAVING IN A PROPER MANNER; OBEYING RULES AND CUSTOMS The aristocracy maintained a high level of propriety, adhering to even the most minor social rules. Synonyms: appropriateness; decency; decorum; modesty

larceny

THEFT OF PROPERTY The crime of stealing a wallet can be categorized as petty larceny. Synonyms: burglary; robbery; stealing

precipitate

THROWN VIOLENTLY OR BROUGHT ABOUT ABRUPTLY; LACKING DELIBERATION Theirs was a precipitate marriage - they had only known each other for two weeks before they wed. Synonyms: abrupt; hasty; headlong; hurried; ill-considered; impetuous; impulsive; prompt; rash; reckless; sudden

dither

TO ACT CONFUSEDLY OR WITHOUT CLEAR PURPOSE Ellen dithered around her apartment, uncertain how to tackle the family crises. Synonyms: falter; hesitate; vacillate; waffle; waver

embellish

TO ADD ORNAMENTAL OR FICTITIOUS DETAILS Britt embellished her resume, hoping to make the lowly positions she held seem more important. Synonyms: adorn; bedeck; elaborate; embroider; enhance; exaggerate

posit

TO ASSUME AS REAL OR CONCEDED; TO PROPOSE AS AN EXPLANATION Before proving the math formula, we needed to posit that x and y were real numbers. Synonym: suggest

pervade

TO BE PRESENT THROUGHOUT; TO PERMEATE Four spices - cumin, turmeric, coriander, and cayenne - pervade almost every Indian dish, and give the cuisine its distinctive flavor. Synonyms: imbue; infuse; penetrate; permeate; suffuse

rarefy

TO BECOME THINNER OR SPARSER Since the atmosphere rarefied as altitudes increase, the air at the top of very tall mountains is too thin to breathe. Synonyms: attenuate; thin

impugn

TO CALL INTO QUESTION; TO ATTACK VERBALLY "How dare you impugn my motives?" protested the lawyer, on being accused of ambulance chasing. Synonyms: challenge; dispute

mollify

TO CALM OR MAKE LESS SEVERE Their argument was so intense that it was difficult to believe any compromise would mollify them. Synonyms: appease; assuage; conciliate; pacify

ossify

TO CHANGE INTO BONE; TO BECOME HARDENED OR SET IN A RIGIDLY CONVENTIONAL PATTERN The forensics expert ascertained the body's age based on the degree to which the facial structure had ossified.

exculpate

TO CLEAR FROM BLAME; TO PROVE INNOCENT The legal system is intended to convict those who are guilty and exculpate those who are innocent. Synonyms: absolve; acquit; clear; exonerate; vindicate

exonerate

TO CLEAR OF BLAME The fugitive was exonerated when another criminal confessed to committing the crime. Synonyms: absolve; acquit; clear; exculpatory; vindicate

propitiate

TO CONCILIATE; TO APPEASE Because their gods were angry and vengeful, the Vikings propitiate do them with many sacrifices. Synonyms: appease; conciliate; mollify; pacify; placate

ford

TO CROSS A BODY OF WATER BY WADING Because of the recent torrential rains, the Cowboys were unable to ford the swollen river. Synonyms: traverse; wade

mar

TO DAMAGE OR DEFACE; TO SPOIL Telephone poles mar the natural beauty of the countryside. Synonyms: blemish; disfigure; impair; injure; scar

gambol

TO DANCE OR SKIP AROUND PLAYFULLY From her office, Amy enviously watched the playful puppies gambol around Central Park. Synonyms: caper; cavort; frisk; frolic; rollick; romp

flag

TO DECLINE IN VIGOR, STRENGTH, OR INTEREST The marathon runner slowed down as his strength flagged. Synonyms: dwindle; ebb; slacken; subside; wane

jettison

TO DISCARD; TO GET RID OF AS UNNECESSARY OR ENCUMBERING The sinking ship jettisoned its cargo in a desperate attempt to reduce its weight. Synonyms: dump; eject

desiccate

TO DRY OUT THOROUGHLY After a few weeks lying on the deserts baking sands, the cow's carcass became completely desiccated. Synonyms: dehydrate; dry; parch

opine

TO EXPRESS AND OPINION At the "Let's Chat Talk Show," the audience member opined that the guest was in the wrong. Synonyms: point out; voice

demur

TO EXPRESS DOUBTS OR OBJECTIONS When scientific authorities claimed that all the planets revolved around the Earth, Galileo, with his superior understanding of the situation, was forced to demur. Synonyms: dissent; expostulate; protest; remonstrate

divine

TO FORETELL OR KNOW BY INSPIRATION The fortune-teller divined from the pattern of the tea leaves that her customer would marry five times. Synonyms: auger; foresee; intuit; predict; presage

ingratiate

TO GAIN FAVOR WITH ANOTHER BY DELIBERATE EFFORT; TO SEEK TO PLEASE SOMEBODY SO AS TO GAIN AN ADVANTAGE The new intern tried to ingratiate herself with the managers so that they might consider her for a future job. Synonyms: curry favor; flatter

garner

TO GATHER AND STORE The director managed to garner financial banking from several different sources for his next project. Synonyms: acquire; amass; glean; harvest; reap

fawn

TO GROVEL The understudy fawned over the director in hopes of being cast in the part on a permanent basis. Synonyms: bootlick; grovel; pander; toady

coalesce

TO GROW TOGETHER TO FORM A SINGLE WHOLE The sun and planets eventually coalesced out of a vast cloud of gas and dust. Synonyms: amalgamate; blend; condense; consolidate; fuse; unite

inure

TO HARDEN; ACCUSTOM Eventually, Hassad became inured to the sirens that went off every night and could sleep through them. Synonyms: condition; familiarize; habituate

proliferate

TO INCREASE IN NUMBER QUICKLY Although he only kept two guinea pigs initially, they proliferated to such an extent that he soon had dozens. Synonyms: breed; multiply; procreate; reproduce; spawn

imbue

TO INFUSE, DYE, WET OR MOISTEN Marcia struggled to imbue her children with decent values, a difficult task in this day and age. Synonyms: charge; freight; impregnate; permeate; pervade

edify

TO INSTRUCT MORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY The guru was paid to deify the actress in the ways of Buddhism. Synonyms: educate; enlighten; guide; teach

nettle

TO IRRITATE I don't particularly like having blue hair - I just do it to nettle my parents. Synonyms: annoy; vex

prevaricate

TO LIE OR DEVIATE FROM THE TRUTH Rather than admit that he had overslept again, the employee prevaricated and claimed that heavy traffic had prevented him from arriving at work on time. Synonyms: equivocate; lie; perjure

palliate

TO MAKE LESS SERIOUS; TO EASE The alleged crime was so vicious that the defense lawyer could not palliate it for the jury. Synonyms: alleviate; assuage; extenuate; mitigate

husband

TO MANAGE ECONOMICALLY; TO USE SPARINGLY The cyclist paced herself at the start of the race, knowing that if she husbanded her resources she'd have the strength to break out of the pack later on. Synonyms: conserve; ration

lumber

TO MOVE SLOWLY AND AWKWARDLY The bear lumbered toward the garbage, drooling at the prospect of the leftovers he smelled. Synonyms: galumph; hulk; lurch; stumble

militate

TO OPERATE AGAINST; WORK AGAINST Lenin militated against the tsar for years before he overthrew him and established the Soviet Union. Synonyms: affect; change; influence

cosset

TO PAMPER; TO TREAT WITH GREAT CARE Marta just loves to cosset her first and only grandchild. Synonyms: cater to; cuddle; dandle; fondle; love; pamper; pet; spoil

permeate

TO PENETRATE This miraculous new cleaning fluid is able to permeate stains and dissolve them in minutes! Synonyms: imbue; infuse; pervade; suffuse

discern

TO PERCEIVE OR RECOGNIZE It is easy to discern the difference between butter and butter-flavored topping. Synonyms: catch; descry; detect; differentiate; discriminate; distinguish; espy; glimpse; know; separate; spot; spy; tell

forestall

TO PREVENT OR DELAY; TO ANTICIPATE The landlord forestalled T.J.'s attempt to avoid paying the rent by waiting for him outside his door. Synonyms: avert; deter; hinder; obviate; preclude

obviate

TO PREVENT; TO MAKE UNNECESSARY The river was shallow enough to wade across at many points, which obviates the need for a bridge. Synonyms: forestall; preclude; prohibit

engender

TO PRODUCE, CAUSE, OR BRING ABOUT His fear and hatred of clowns was engendered when he witnessed a bank robbery carried out by five men wearing clown suits and makeup. Synonyms: beget; generate; spawn

enervate

TO REDUCE IN STRENGTH The guerrillas hoped that a series of surprise attacks would enervate the regular army. Synonyms: debilitate; enfeebled; sap; weaken

repudiate

TO REJECT THE VALIDITY OF The old woman's claim that she was Russian royalty was repudiated by other known relatives. Synonyms: deny; disavow; disclaim; disown; renounce

lampoon

TO RIDICULE WITH SATIRE The mayor hated being lampooned by the press for his efforts to improve people's politeness. Synonym: tease

disabuse

TO SET RIGHT; TO FREE FROM ERROR Galileo's observations disabused scholars of the notion that the sun revolved around the Earth. Synonyms: correct; undeceive

eschew

TO SHUN; TO AVOID (AS SOMETHING WRONG OR DISTASTEFUL) The filmmaker eschewed artificial light for her actors, resulting in a stark movie style. Synonyms: avoid; elude; escape; evade; shun; shy

mitigate

TO SOFTEN; TO LESSEN A judge may mitigate a sentence if she decides that a person committed a crime out of need. Synonyms: allay; alleviate; assuage; ease; lighten; moderate; mollify; palliate; temper

placate

TO SOOTHE OR PACIFY The burglar tried to placate the snarling dog by referring to it as a "nice doggy" and offering it a treat. Synonyms: appease; conciliate; mollify

occlude

TO STOP UP; TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF A shadow is thrown across the Earth's surface during a solar eclipse, when the light from the sun is occluded by the moon. Synonyms: barricade; block; close; obstruct

distend

TO SWELL, INFLATE, OR BLOAT Her stomach was distended after she gorged on the six-course meal. Synonyms: broaden; bulge

inculcate

TO TEACH; TO IMPRESS IN THE MIND Most parents inculcate their children with their beliefs and ideas instead of allowing their children to develop their own values. Synonyms: implant; indoctrinate; instill; preach

lionize

TO TREAT AS A CELEBRITY After the success of his novel, the author was lionized by the press. Synonyms: feast; honor; regale

pare

TO TRIM OFF EXCESS; TO REDUCE The cook's hands were sore after she pared hundreds of potatoes for the banquet. Synonyms: clip; peel

equivocate

TO USE EXPRESSIONS OF DOUBLE MEANING IN ORDER TO MISLEAD When faced with criticism of his policies, the politician equivocated and left all parties thinking he agreed with them. Synonyms: ambiguous; evasive; waffling

peregrinate

TO WANDER FROM PLACE TO PLACE, TO TRAVEL, ESPECIALLY ON FOOT Shivani enjoyed peregrinating the expansive grounds of Central Park. Synonyms: journey; traverse; trek

parry

TO WARD OFF OR DEFLECT, ESPECIALLY BY A QUICK-WITTED ANSWER Kari parried every question the army officers fired at her, much to their frustration. Synonyms: avoid; evade; repel

liberal

TOLERANT OR BROAD-MINDED; GENEROUS OR LAVISH Cali's liberal parents trusted her and allowed her to manage her own affairs to a large extent. Synonyms: bounteous; latitudinarian; munificent; permissive; progrssive

credulous

TOO TRUSTING; GULLIBLE Although some four-year-olds believe in the Tooth Fairy, only the most credulous nine-year-olds also believe in her. Synonyms: naïve; susceptible; trusting

legerdemain

TRICKERY The little boy thought his legerdemain was working on his mother but she in fact knew about every hidden toy and stolen cookie. Synonyms: chicanery; conjuring

onerous

TROUBLESOME AND OPPRESSIVE; BURDENSOME The assignment was so extensive and difficult to manage that it proved onerous to the team in charge of it. Synonyms: arduous; backbreaking; burdensome; cumbersome; difficult; exacting; formidable; hard; laborious; oppressive; rigorous; taxing; trying

malinger

To evade responsibility by pretending to be ill A common way to avoid the draft was by malingering - pretending to be mentally or physically ill so as to avoid being taken by the army. Synonyms: shirk; slack

exigent

pressing; demanding Originearly 17th century: from Latin exigent- 'completing, ascertaining,' from the verb exigere [see exact]

implacable

UNABLE TO BE CALMED DOWN OR MADE PEACEFUL His rage at the betrayal was so great that he remained implacable for weeks. Synonyms: inexorable; intransigent; irreconcilable; relentless; remorseless; unforgiving; unrelenting

intransigent

UNCOMPROMISING; REFUSING TO BE RECONCILED The professor was intransigent on the deadline, insisting that everyone turn the assignment in at the same time. Synonyms: implacable; inexorable; irreconcilable; obdurate; obstinate; remorseless; rigid; unbending; unrelenting; unyielding

hapless

UNFORTUNATE; HAVING BAD LUCK I wish someone would give that poor. Hapless soul some food and shelter. Synonyms: ill-fated; ill-starred; jinxed; luckless; unlucky

fractious

UNRULY; REBELLIOUS The general had a hard time maintaining discipline among his fractious troops. Synonyms: contentious; cranky; peevish; quarrelsome

exigent

URGENT; REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION The patient was losing blood so rapidly that it was exigent to stop the bleeding. Synonyms: critical; imperative; needed; urgent

euphemism

USE OF AN INOFFENSIVE WORD OR PHRASE IN PLACE OF A MORE DISTASTEFUL ONE The funeral director preferred to use the euphemism "sleeping" instead of the word "dead." Synonym: circumlocution; delicacy

laconic

USING A FEW WORDS He was a classic laconic native of Maine; he talked as if he were being charged for each word. Synonyms: concise; curt; pithy; taciturn; terse

hoary

VERY OLD; WHITISH OR GRAY FROM AGE The old man's hoary beard contrasted starkly to the new stubble of his teenage grandson. Synonyms: ancient; antediluvian; antique; venerable; vintage

peripatetic

WANDERING FROM PLACE TO PLACE, ESPECIALLY ON FOOT Elena's peripatetic meanderings took her all over the countryside in the summer months. Synonyms: itinerant; nomadic; wayfaring

itinerant

WANDERING FROM PLACE TO PLACE; UNSETTLED The itinerant tomcat came back to the Johansson homestead every two months. Synonyms: nomadic; vagrant

encomium

WARM PRAISE She wrote an encomium in praise of the outgoing president. Synonyms: citation; eulogy; panegyric; salutation; tribute

maelstrom

WHIRLPOOL; TURMOIL; AGITATED STATE OF MIND The transportation system of the city had collapsed in the maelstrom of war. Synonyms: eddy; turbulence

perfidious

WILLING TO BETRAY SOMEONE'S TRUST The actress's perfidious companion revealed all of her intimate secrets to the gossip columnist. Synonyms: disloyal; faithless; traitorous; treacherous

prudence

WISDOM; CAUTION OR RESTRAINT The college student exhibited prudence by obtaining practical experience along with her studies, which greatly strengthened her résumé. Synonyms: astuteness; circumspection; discretion; frugality; judiciousness; providence; thrift

recumbent

[e synonyms: lying, flat, horizontal, stretched out, sprawled [out], reclining, prone, prostrate, supine; lying down ";he stepped over Sadie's recumbent body"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin recumbent- 'reclining,' from the verb recumbere, from re- 'back' + a verb related to cubare 'to lie.'

salutary

[es synonyms: beneficial, advantageous, good, profitable, productive, helpful, useful, valuable, worthwhile; timely ";a salutary lesson on the fragility of nature"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun in the sense 'remedy']: from French salutaire or Latin salutaris, from salus, salut- 'health.'

encaustic

[especially in painting and ceramics] using pigments mixed with hot wax that are burned in as an inlay Origin late 16th century: via Latin from Greek enkaustikos, from enkaiein 'burn in,' from en- 'in' + kaiein 'to burn.'

troglodyte

[especially in prehistoric times] a person who lived in a cave Origin late 15th century: via Latin from Greek trōglodutēs, alteration of the name of an Ethiopian people, influenced by trōglē 'hole.'

requiem

[especially in the Roman Catholic Church] a Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead OriginMiddle English: from Latin [first word of the Mass], accusative of requies 'rest.

subtle

[especially of a change or distinction] so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or synonyms: fine, fine-drawn, nice, hair-splitting ";subtle distinctions"; Origin Middle English [also in the sense 'not easily understood']: from Old French sotil, from Latin subtilis 'fine, delicate.'

contumacious

[especially of a defendant's behavior] stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority Origin late 16th century: from Latin contumax, contumac- [perhaps from con- 'with' + tumere 'to swell'] + -ious.

mephitic

[especially of a gas or vapor] foul-smelling; noxious Origin early 17th century: from late Latin mephiticus, from mephitis 'noxious exhalation.'

tepid

[especially of a liquid] only slightly warm; lukewarm synonyms: lukewarm, warmish, slightly warm; at room temperature ";tepid water"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin tepidus, from tepere 'be warm.'

tumid

[especially of a part of the body] swollen Origin mid 16th century: from Latin tumidus, from tumere 'to swell.'

lithe

[especially of a person's body] thin, su synonyms: agile, graceful, supple, limber, lithesome, loose-limbed, nimble, deft, flexible, lissome, slender, slim, willowy ";lithe dancers"; Origin Old English līthe 'gentle, meek,' also 'mellow,' of Germanic origin; related to German lind 'soft, gentle.'

untenable

[especially of a position or view] not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection synonyms:indefensible, insupportable, unsustainable, unjustified, unjustifiable, flimsy, weak, shaky ";these untenable explanations are not helping your case"

nascent

[especially of a process or organization] ju synonyms: just beginning, budding, developing, growing, embryonic, incipient, young, fledgling, evolving, emergent, dawning, burgeoning ";the nascent economic recovery"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin nascent- 'being born,' from the verb nasci .

cincture

a girdle or belt Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'encircling or enclosure']: from Latin cinctura, from cinct- 'encircled,' from the verb cingere .

facile

[especially of a theory or argument] appearing nea synonyms: simplistic, superficial, oversimplified; shallow, glib, jejune, naive; dime-store ";a facile explanation"; Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'easily accomplished']: from French, or from Latin facilis 'easy,' from facere 'do, make.'

feral

[especially of an animal] in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication synonyms: wild, untamed, untamable, undomesticated, untrained ";feral dogs"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin fera 'wild animal' [from ferus 'wild'] + -al.

exonerate

[especially of an official body] absolve [someone] from synonyms:absolve, clear, acquit, find innocent, discharge; formalexculpate ";the inquiry exonerated them" Originlate Middle English: from Latin exonerat- 'freed from a burden,' from the verb exonerare, from ex- 'from' + onus, oner- 'a burden.

sprightly

[especially of an old person] lively; full of synonyms:spry, lively, agile, nimble, energetic, active, full of energy, vigorous, spirited, animated, vivacious, frisky; informalfull of vim and vigor ";sprightly Irish folk dancers" Originlate 16th century: from spright [rare variant of sprite] + -ly1

commodious

[especially of furniture or a synonyms: roomy, capacious, spacious, ample, generous, sizable, large, big, extensive ";a commodious armchair"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beneficial, useful']: from French commodieux or medieval Latin commodiosus, based on Latin commodus 'convenient.'

mordant

[especially of humor] ha synonyms: caustic, trenchant, biting, cutting, acerbic, sardonic, sarcastic, scathing, acid, sharp, keen; critical, bitter, virulent, vitriolic ";a mordant sense of humor"; Origin late 15th century: from French, present participle of mordre 'to bite,' from Latin mordere .

rubicund

[especially of someone's face] having a ruddy complexion; high-colored Originlate Middle English [in the general sense 'red']: from Latin rubicundus, from rubere 'be red.

sere

[especially of vegetation] dry or withered Origin Old English sēar : see sear.

perdition

[in Chris synonyms:damnation, eternal punishment; hell, hellfire, doom ";I hope that lawyer goes to perdition!" Originlate Middle English: from Old French perdiciun, from ecclesiastical Latin perditio[n-], from Latin perdere 'destroy,' from per- 'completely, to destruction' + the base of dare 'put.

chimera

[in Greek mythology] a fire-breathing f synonyms: illusion, fantasy, delusion, dream, daydream, pipe dream, figment of the/one's imagination, castle in the air, mirage ";is this great love of hers merely a chimera?"; Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek khimaira 'she-goat or chimera.'

ephebe

[in ancient Greece] a young man of 18-20 years undergoing military training Origin via Latin from Greek ephēbos 'adolescent boy,' from epi 'near to' + hēbē 'early manhood.'

pontifex

[in ancient Rome] a member of the principal college of priests Origin Latin, from pons, pont- 'bridge' + -fex from facere 'make.'

haruspex

[in ancient Rome] a religious official who interpreted omens by inspecting the entrails of sacrificial animals Origin Latin, from an unrecorded element meaning 'entrails' [related to Sanskrit hirā 'artery'] + -spex [from specere 'look at'].

leviathan

[in biblical use] a sea monster, identified in different passages with the whale and the crocodile [e.g., Job 41, Ps. 74:14], and with the Devil [after Isa. 27:1] Originvia late Latin from Hebrew liwyāṯān

gambit

[in ch synonyms: stratagem, scheme, plan, tactic, maneuver, move, course/line of action, device; machination, ruse, trick, ploy, wangle ";the most ambitious financial gambit in history"; Origin mid 17th century: originally gambett, from Italian gambetto, literally 'tripping up,' from gamba 'leg.'

naiad

[in classical mythology] a water nymph said to inhabit a river, spring, or waterfall Origin via Latin from Greek Naias, Naiad-, from naein 'to flow.' Use as a term in entomology and botany dates from the early 20th century.

machicolation

[in medieval fortifications] an opening between the supporting corbels of a projecting parapet or the vault of a gate, through which stones or burning objects could be dropped on attackers

concubine

[in polygamous societies] a woman who lives with a man but synonyms:mistress, courtesan, kept woman; lover, paramour; archaicdoxy; historicalhetaera ";she was the reluctant concubine of Prince Percival" OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin concubina, from con- 'with' + cubare 'to lie.

rector

[in the Episcopal Church] a member of the clergy who has charge of a parish Origin late Middle English: from Latin rector 'ruler,' from rect- 'ruled,' from the verb regere .

redoubtable

[o synonyms: formidable, awe-inspiring, fearsome, daunting; impressive, commanding, indomitable, invincible, doughty, mighty ";a redoubtable army commander"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French redoutable, from redouter 'to fear,' from re- [expressing intensive force] + douter 'to doubt.'

precocious

[of synonyms: advanced for one's age, forward, mature, gifted, talented, clever, intelligent, quick; informalsmart ";some of the boys were extremely precocious"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin praecox, praecoc- [from praecoquere 'ripen fully,' from prae 'before' + coquere 'to cook'] + -ious.

supine

[of a synonyms: flat on one's back, face upward, facing upward, flat, horizontal, recumbent, stretched out ";she lay supine on the sand"; Origin late Middle English: the adjective from Latin supinus 'bent backward' [related to super 'above']; the noun from late Latin supinum, neuter of supinus .

incendiary

[of a device or attack] designed to cause fires synonyms: combustible, flammable, inflammable ";an incendiary bomb"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin incendiarius, from incendium 'conflagration,' from incendere 'set fire to.'

continent

able to control movements of the bowels and bladder Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'characterized by self-restraint']: from Latin continent- 'holding together, restraining oneself,' from continere [see contain].

coagulate

[of a fluid, especially blood] change to a solid or semisolid state synonyms: congeal, clot, thicken, jell; solidify, harden, set, dry ";a drug that helps the blood to coagulate"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin coagulat- 'curdled,' from the verb coagulare, from coagulum 'rennet.'

blinkered

[of a horse] wearing blinders synonyms: narrow-minded, inward-looking, parochial, provincial, insular, small-minded, close-minded, shortsighted; hidebound, illiberal, inflexible, entrenched, prejudiced ";blinkered politicians must be challenged by the voters";

seething

[of a liquid] bubble up as a result of be synonyms: boil, bubble, simmer, foam, froth, fizz, effervesce ";the brew seethed"; teem, swarm, boil, swirl, churn, surge ";the water was seething with fish"; Origin Old English sēothan 'make or keep boiling,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zieden .

turbid

[of a liquid] cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter synonyms: murky, opaque, cloudy, unclear, muddy, thick, milky, roily ";turbid waters"; Origin late Middle English [in the figurative sense]: from Latin turbidus, from turba 'a crowd, a disturbance.'

malleable

[of a metal or other material] able to be hammered or pressed perma synonyms: pliable, ductile, plastic, pliant, soft, workable ";a malleable substance"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'able to be hammered']: via Old French from medieval Latin malleabilis, from Latin malleus 'a hammer.'

creditable

[of a performance, effort, or action] deserving public acknowledgment and praise but not necessarily outstanding or successful synonyms: commendable, praiseworthy, laudable, admirable, honorable, estimable, meritorious, worthy, deserving, respectable ";her forty years of creditable stage work";

flagitious

[of a person or their actions] criminal; villainous Origin late Middle English: from Latin flagitiosus, from flagitium 'importunity, shameful crime,' from flagitare 'demand earnestly.'

mercenary

[of a person or their behavio synonyms: money-oriented, grasping, greedy, acquisitive, avaricious, covetous, bribable, venal, materialistic; informalmoney-grubbing ";mercenary self-interest"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin mercenarius 'hireling,' from merces, merced- 'reward.'

pettish

[of a person or their behavior] childishly bad-tempered and petulant

lissome

[of a person or their body] thin, supple, and graceful Origin late 18th century: contraction, from lithe + -some1.

sonorous

[of a person's voice or other sound] imposingly deep and full synonyms: resonant, rich, full, round, booming, deep, clear, mellow, orotund, fruity, strong, resounding, reverberant ";a sonorous voice"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin sonorus [from sonor 'sound'] + -ous.

stentorian

[of a person's voice] loud and powerful synonyms: loud, thundering, thunderous, ear-splitting, deafening; powerful, strong, carrying; booming, resonant; strident ";his stentorian voice resonated throughout the theater";

languid

[of a person, manner, or gest synonyms: relaxed, unhurried, languorous, slow; listless, lethargic, sluggish, lazy, idle, indolent, apathetic; informallaid-back ";a languid wave of the hand"; Origin late 16th century [sense 2]: from French languide or Latin languidus, from languere [see languish].

moribund

[of a person] at the point of death synonyms: dying, expiring, terminal, on one's deathbed, near death, at death's door, not long for this world ";the patient was moribund"; Origin early 18th century: from Latin moribundus, from mori 'to die.'

stolid

[of a person] calm, dependabl synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic, unemotional, cool, calm, placid, unexcitable; dependable; unimaginative, dull ";her stolid facade is somewhat unnerving"; Origin late 16th century: from obsolete French stolide or Latin stolidus [perhaps related to stultus 'foolish'].

gregarious

[of a person] fond of company; sociab synonyms: sociable, company-loving, convivial, companionable, outgoing, friendly, affable, amiable, genial, warm, comradely; informalchummy ";he was fun-loving and gregarious"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin gregarius [from grex, greg- 'a flock'] + -ous.

percipient

[of a person] having a good understanding of things; perceptive Originmid 17th century: from Latin percipient- 'seizing, understanding,' from the verb percipere

simpatico

[of a person] likable and easy to get along with OriginItalian and Spanish, 'sympathetic.

nonplussed

[of a person] surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react Origin late 16th century: from Latin non plus 'not more.' The noun originally meant 'a state in which no more can be said or done.'

captious

[of a person] tending to find fault or raise petty objections Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'intended to deceive someone']: from Old French captieux or Latin captiosus, from captio[n-] 'seizing,' [figuratively] 'deceiving' [see caption].

prolific

[of a plant, animal, or person] producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring synonyms: productive, creative, inventive, fertile ";a prolific composer"; Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin prolificus, from Latin proles 'offspring' [see proliferous].

proliferous

[of a plant] producing buds or side shoots from a flower or other terminal part Origin mid 17th century: from Latin proles 'offspring' + -ferous.

superannuated

[of a position or synonyms: old, old-fashioned, antiquated, out of date, outmoded, broken-down, obsolete, disused, defunct ";superannuated computing equipment"; Origin mid 17th century: back-formation from superannuated, from medieval Latin superannuatus, from Latin super- 'over' + annus 'year.'

ersatz

[of a product] made or used as a synonyms: artificial, substitute, imitation, synthetic, fake, false, faux, mock, simulated; pseudo, sham, bogus, spurious, counterfeit; manufactured, man-made; informalphony, wannabe ";ersatz coffee"; Origin late 19th century: from German, literally 'replacement.'

latent

[of a quality or state] existing but not synonyms: dormant, untapped, unused, undiscovered, hidden, concealed, underlying, invisible, unseen, undeveloped, unrealized, unfulfilled, potential ";his latent skills"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin latent- 'being hidden,' from the verb latere .

meander

[of a river or road] follow a winding course synonyms: zigzag, wind, twist, turn, curve, curl, bend, snake ";the river meandered gently"; Origin late 16th century [as a noun]: from Latin maeander, from Greek Maiandros, the name of a river [see Menderes].

hermetic

[of a seal or synonyms: airtight, tight, sealed, zip-locked, vacuum-packed; watertight, waterproof ";the documents are stored in a hermetic box"; Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: from modern Latin hermeticus, from Hermes, identified with Thoth, regarded as the founder of alchemy and astrology.

founder

[of a ship] fill with water and sink synonyms: sink, go to the bottom, go down, be lost at sea ";the ship foundered"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'knock to the ground']: from Old French fondrer, esfondrer 'submerge, collapse,' based on Latin fundus 'bottom, base.'

list

[of a ship] lean to one side, typically because of a leak or unbalanced cargo synonyms: lean, lean over, tilt, tip, heel, heel over, keel over, careen, cant, pitch, incline, slant, slope, bank ";the boat listed to one side"; Origin early 17th century: of unknown origin.

plangent

[of a sound] loud, reverberating, and often melancholy synonyms: melancholy, mournful, plaintive; sonorous, resonant, loud ";a plangent moan from somewhere not too distant"; Origin early 19th century: from Latin plangent- 'lamenting,' from the verb plangere .

apocryphal

[of a story or statement] of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being t synonyms:fictitious, made-up, untrue, fabricated, false, spurious; unverified, unauthenticated, unsubstantiated; bogus ";the possibly apocryphal account of the meeting between Diogenes and Alexander the Great"

pervious

[of a substance] allowing water to pass through; permeable Origin early 17th century: from Latin pervius 'having a passage through' [based on via 'way'] + -ous.

volatile

[of a substance] easily evaporate synonyms: evaporative, vaporous; explosive, inflammable; unstable, labile ";a volatile organic compound"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'creature that flies,' also, as a collective, 'birds']: from Old French volatil or Latin volatilis, from volare 'to fly.'

bootless

[of a task or undertaking] ineffectual; useless Origin Old English bōtlēas 'not able to be compensated for by payment' [see boot2, -less].

sisyphean

[of a task] such that it can never be completed Origin late 16th century: from Latin Sisypheius [based on Greek Sisuphos : see Sisyphus] + -an.

mellifluous

[of a voice or words] sweet or synonyms: sweet-sounding, dulcet, honeyed, mellow, soft, liquid, silvery, soothing, rich, smooth, euphonious, harmonious, tuneful, musical ";mellifluous dinner music"; Origin late 15th century: from late Latin mellifluus [from mel 'honey' + fluere 'to flow'] + -ous.

seminal

[of a w synonyms: influential, formative, groundbreaking, pioneering, original, innovative; major, important ";her paper is a seminal work on the subject"; Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French seminal or Latin seminalis, from semen 'seed.' Sense 1 dates from the mid 17th century.

perspicuous

[of an account or representation] clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'transparent']: from Latin perspicuus 'transparent, clear' [from the verb perspicere 'look at closely'] + -ous.

invidious

[of an action or situation] likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others synonyms: unpleasant, awkward, difficult; undesirable, unenviable; odious, hateful, detestable ";that put her in an invidious position"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin invidiosus, from invidia [see envy].

retreat

[of an army] withdraw fr synonyms: withdraw, retire, draw back, pull back/out, fall back, give way, give ground, beat a retreat, beat a hasty retreat ";the army retreated"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French retret [noun], retraiter [verb], from Latin retrahere 'pull back' [see retract].

expendable

[of an object] designed to be used only once synonyms: dispensable, replaceable, nonessential, inessential, unnecessary, noncore, unneeded, not required, superfluous, disposable ";an accountant decided Mathers was expendable"; disposable, throwaway, single-use ";an expendable satellite launcher";

verdant

[of countryside] green with grass or other rich vegetation synonyms: green, leafy, grassy; lush, rich; literaryverdurous ";the verdant spring mosses"; Origin late 16th century: perhaps from Old French verdeant, present participle of verdoier 'be green,' based on Latin viridis 'green.'

toothsome

[of food] temptingly tasty synonyms: tasty, delicious, luscious, mouthwatering, delectable, succulent; tempting, appetizing, inviting; informalscrumptious, yummy, nummy, finger-licking, melt-in-your-mouth, lip-smacking ";a toothsome lemon tart";

fungible

[of goods contracted for without an individual specimen being specified] able to replace or be replaced by another identical item; mutually interchangeable Origin late 17th century: from medieval Latin fungibilis, from fungi 'perform, enjoy,' with the same sense as fungi vice 'serve in place of.'

pithy

[of language or style] concise and forcefully expressive synonyms:succinct, terse, concise, compact, short [and sweet], brief, condensed, to the point, epigrammatic, crisp, thumbnail; significant, meaningful, expressive, telling; formalcompendious ";pithy comments"

coruscate

[of light] flash or sparkle Origin early 18th century: from Latin coruscat- 'glittered,' from the verb coruscare .

heady

[of liquor] potent; intoxicating synonyms: potent, intoxicating, strong; alcoholic, vinous; formalspirituous ";heady wine";

intramural

situated or done within the walls of a building Originmid 19th century: from intra- 'within' + Latin murus 'wall' + -al

putrid

[of organic matter] decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smel synonyms: decomposing, decaying, rotting, rotten, bad, off, putrefied, putrescent, rancid, moldy; foul, fetid, rank ";putrid meat"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin putridus, from putrere 'to rot,' from puter, putr- 'rotten.'

condign

[of punishment or retribution] appropriate to the crime or wrongdoing; fitting and deserved Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'worthy, appropriate']: from Old French condigne, from Latin condignus, from con- 'altogether' + dignus 'worthy.'

igneous

[of rock] having solidified from lava or magma Originmid 17th century: from Latin igneus [from ignis 'fire'] + -ous

accrue

[of sums of mone synonyms: result from, arise from, follow from, ensue from; be caused by, attend ";financial benefits will accrue from restructuring"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French acreue, past participle of acreistre 'increase,' from Latin accrescere 'become larger' [see accrete].

orotund

[of the voice or phrasing] full, round, and imposing synonyms: deep, sonorous, strong, powerful, full, rich, resonant, loud, booming ";an orotund singing voice"; Origin late 18th century: from Latin ore rotundo 'with rounded mouth.'

compatible

[of two things] able to exist or occur together without conflict synonyms: well suited, suited, well matched, like-minded, in tune, in harmony; reconcilable ";they were never compatible"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from medieval Latin compatibilis, from compati 'suffer with.'

comely

[typically of a woman] pleasant to look at; attractive Origin Middle English: probably shortened from becomely 'fitting, becoming,' from become.

homily

a synonyms: sermon, lecture, discourse, address, lesson, talk, speech, oration ";a guest preacher delivered today's homily"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin homilia, from Greek, 'discourse, conversation' [in ecclesiastical use, 'sermon'], from homilos 'crowd.'

ramification

a synonyms: consequence, result, aftermath, outcome, effect, upshot; development, implication; product, by-product ";the incident backfired on her and has had ramifications beyond anything she could have imagined"; Origin mid 17th century: from French, from ramifier 'form branches' [see ramify].

excerpt

a synonyms: extract, part, section, piece, portion, snippet, clip, bit, sample; reading, citation, quotation, quote, line, passage ";an excerpt from the poem"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: from Latin excerpt- 'plucked out,' from the verb excerpere, from ex- 'out of' + carpere 'to pluck.'

surrealism

a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images Originearly 20th century: from French surréalisme [see sur-1, realism]

powwow

a North American Indian ceremony involving feasting, singing, and dancing Origin early 17th century: from Narragansett powáw 'magician' [literally 'he dreams'].

curmudgeon

a bad-tempered or surly person Originlate 16th century: of unknown origin

tyro

a beginner or novice synonyms: novice, beginner, learner, neophyte, newcomer, initiate, fledgling; apprentice, trainee, probationer, tenderfoot; informalrookie, newbie, greenhorn ";in 1925, he was a Capitol Hill tyro"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin tiro, medieval Latin tyro 'recruit.'

demiurge

a being responsible for the creation of the universe, in particular Origin early 17th century [denoting a magistrate in certain ancient Greek states]: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek dēmiourgos 'craftsman,' from dēmios 'public' [from dēmos 'people'] + -ergos 'working.'

belfry

a bell tower; the room in which a bell is hung The town was shocked when a bag of money was found stashed in the old belfry of the church. Synonyms: spire; steeple

breviary

a book containing the service for each day, to be recited by those in orders in the Roman Catholic Church Origin late Middle English [also denoting an abridged version of the psalms]: from Latin breviarium 'summary, abridgment,' from breviare 'abridge,' from brevis 'short, brief.'

tome

a book, usually a large and academic one The teacher was forced to refer to various times to find the answer to the advanced student's question. Synonyms: codex; volume

pugilist

a boxer, especially a professional one synonyms:boxer, fighter, prizefighter; informalbruiser, pug ";in his neighborhood, guys pretty much had two career choices: drug dealer or pugilist" Originmid 18th century: from Latin pugil 'boxer' + -ist

synopsis

a brief summary or general survey of so synonyms: summary, summarization, précis, abstract, outline, digest, rundown, roundup, abridgment ";the synopsis was so intriguing that I just had to buy the book"; Origin early 17th century: via late Latin from Greek, from sun- 'together' + opsis 'seeing.'

verdigris

a bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate OriginMiddle English: from Old French verte-gres, earlier vert de Grece 'green of Greece.

frieze

a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling Origin mid 16th century: from French frise, from medieval Latin frisium, variant of frigium, from Latin Phrygium [opus ] '[work] of Phrygia.'

smorgasbord

a buffet offering a variety of hot and cold meats, salads, hors d'oeuvres, etc OriginSwedish, from smörgås '[slice of] bread and butter' [from smör 'butter' + gås 'goose, lump of butter'] + bord 'table.

ailurophile

a cat lover Origin1930s: from Greek ailuros 'cat' + -phile

fetter

a chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the synonyms: shackles, manacles, handcuffs, irons, leg irons, chains, restraints; informalcuffs, bracelets; historicalbilboes ";bound by fetters of iron"; Origin Old English feter ; from an Indo-European root shared by foot.

compendium

a coll synonyms: collection, compilation, anthology, treasury, digest; summary, synopsis, précis, outline ";a compendium of Civil War narratives"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin,'profit, saving' [literally 'what is weighed together'], from compendere, from com- 'together' + pendere 'weigh.'

menagerie

a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition Origin late 17th century: from French ménagerie, from ménage [see ménage].

exposition

a comprehensive description an synonyms: explanation, description, elucidation, explication, interpretation; account, commentary, appraisal, assessment, discussion, exegesis ";a lucid exposition"; Origin Middle English: from Latin expositio[n-], from the verb exponere 'put out, exhibit, explain.'

apothegm

a concise saying or maxim; an aphorism Origin mid 16th century: from French apophthegme or modern Latin apothegma, from Greek, from apophthengesthai 'speak out.'

symposium

a conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject Origin late 16th century [denoting a drinking party]: via Latin from Greek sumposion, from sumpotēs 'fellow drinker,' from sun- 'together' + potēs 'drinker.'

nexus

a connection or series of connections linking two or more things Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, 'a binding together,' from nex- 'bound,' from the verb nectere .

ramification

a conseq synonyms:consequence, result, aftermath, outcome, effect, upshot; development, implication; product, by-product ";the incident backfired on her and has had ramifications beyond anything she could have imagined" Originmid 17th century: from French, from ramifier 'form branches' [see ramify]

ossuary

a container or room into which the bones of dead people are placed Origin mid 17th century: from late Latin ossuarium, formed irregularly from Latin os, oss- 'bone.'

caitiff

a contemptible or cowardly person Origin Middle English [denoting a captive or prisoner]: from Old French caitif 'captive,' based on Latin captivus '[person] taken captive' [see captive].

clangor

a continuous loud banging or ringing sound Origin late 16th century: from Latin clangor, from clangere 'resound.'

colloquy

a conversation Origin late Middle English: from Latin colloquium 'conversation.'

recidivist

a convicted criminal who reoffends, especially repeatedly Origin late 19th century: from French récidiviste, from récidiver 'fall back,' based on Latin recidivus 'falling back,' from the verb recidere, from re- 'back' + cadere 'to fall.'

cadaver

a corpse synonyms: corpse, body, dead body, remains, carcass; informalstiff; archaiccorse ";each student is assigned a cadaver"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin, from cadere 'to fall.'

manicure

a cosmetic treatment of the hands involving cutting, shaping, and often painting of the nails, removal of the cuticles, and softening of the skin Origin late 19th century: from French, from Latin manus 'hand' + cura 'care.'

hetaera

a courtesan or mistress, especially one in ancient Greece akin to the modern geisha Originfrom Greek hetaira, feminine of hetairos 'companion.

cloister

a covered walk in a convent synonyms: walkway, covered walk, arcade, loggia, gallery ";the convent's shadowed cloisters"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'place of religious seclusion']: from Old French cloistre, from Latin claustrum, clostrum 'lock, enclosed place,' from claudere 'to close.'

rift

a crack, split, or break in something synonyms:crack, fault, flaw, split, break, breach, fissure, fracture, cleft, crevice, cavity, opening ";a deep rift in the ice" OriginMiddle English: of Scandinavian origin; compare with Norwegian and Danish rift 'cleft, chink.

climacteric

a critical period or event Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'constituting a critical period in life']: from French climactérique or via Latin from Greek klimaktērikos, from klimaktēr 'critical period,' from klimax 'ladder, climax.'

boor

a crude person; one lacking manners or taste "That utter boor ruined my recital with his constant guffawing!" wailed the pianist. Synonyms: clod; lout; oaf; vulgarian; yahoo

scurvy

a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds, Origin late Middle English [as an adjective meaning 'scurfy']: from scurf + -y1. The noun use [mid 16th century] is by association with French scorbut [see scorbutic].

precinct

a district of a city or town a synonyms: division ";the friendliest cop of the 20th precinct"; Origin late Middle English [denoting an administrative district]: from medieval Latin praecinctum, neuter past participle [used as a noun] of praecingere 'encircle,' from prae 'before' + cingere 'gird.'

auspice

a divine or prophetic token Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting the observation of bird flight in divination]: from French, or from Latin auspicium, from auspex 'observer of birds,' from avis 'bird' + specere 'to look.'

Fay

a fairy Origin late Middle English: from Old French fae, faie, from Latin fata 'the Fates,' plural of fatum [see fate]. Compare with fairy.

calumny

a false and malicious accusation; misrepresentation The unscrupulous politician used calumny to bring down his opponent in the senatorial race. Synonyms: defamation; libel; slander

disquiet

a feeling of anxiety or worry synonyms: unease, uneasiness, worry, anxiety, anxiousness, concern, disquietude; perturbation, consternation, upset, malaise, angst; agitation, restlessness, fretfulness; informaljitteriness ";grave public disquiet";

dudgeon

a feeling of offense or deep resentment synonyms: indignantly, resentfully, angrily, furiously; in a temper, in anger, with displeasure; informalin a huff, seeing red ";the sponsors from Cleveland stormed out in high dudgeon"; Origin late 16th century: of unknown origin.

succubus

a female demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin succubus 'prostitute,' from succubare, from sub- 'under' + cubare 'to lie.'

palisade

a fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure o synonyms:fence, paling, barricade, stockade ";sentries were posted along the palisade" Originearly 17th century: from French palissade, from Provençal palissada, from palissa 'paling,' based on Latin palus 'stake.

fealty

a feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord Origin Middle English: from Old French feau[l]te, fealte, from Latin fidelitas [see fidelity].

phantasm

a figment of the imagination; an illus Origin Middle English [in the sense 'deceptive appearance']: from Old French fantasme, via Latin from Greek phantasma, from phantazein 'make visible,' from phainein 'to show.' The change from f- to ph- in the 16th century was influenced by the Latin spelling.

metaphor

a figure o synonyms: figure of speech, image, trope, analogy, comparison, symbol, word painting/picture ";the profusion of metaphors in her everyday speech has gotten pretty tiresome"; Origin late 15th century: from French métaphore, via Latin from Greek metaphora, from metapherein 'to transfer.'

gossamer

a fine, filmy substance consistin synonyms: cobwebs; silk, gauze, chiffon ";her dress swirled like gossamer"; Origin Middle English: apparently from goose + summer1, perhaps from the time of year around St. Martin's summer, i.e., early November, when geese were eaten [gossamer being common then].

raft

a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beam, rafter']: from Old Norse raptr 'rafter.' The verb dates from the late 17th century

raft

a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beam, rafter']: from Old Norse raptr 'rafter.' The verb dates from the late 17th century.

blandishment

a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something synonyms: flattery, cajolery, coaxing, wheedling, persuasion, palaver, honeyed words, smooth talk, blarney; informalsweet talk, soft soap, buttering up, smarm ";the blandishments of advertisers";

tendon

a flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone Originlate Middle English: from French or medieval Latin tendo[n-], translating Greek tenōn 'sinew,' from teinein 'to stretch.

sap

a foolish and gullible person Origin early 19th century: abbreviation of dialect sapskull 'person with a head like sapwood,' from sap1 [in the sense 'sapwood'] + skull.

dictum

a formal prono synonyms: pronouncement, proclamation, direction, injunction, dictate, command, commandment, order, decree, edict, mandate, diktat ";he received the dictum with evident reluctance"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin, literally 'something said,' neuter past participle of dicere .

petition

a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority with respect to a parti synonyms:appeal, round robin ";more than 1,000 people signed the petition" OriginMiddle English: from Latin petitio[n-], from petit- 'aimed at, sought, laid claim to,' from the verb petere

brevet

a former type of military commission conferred especially for outstanding service by which an officer was promoted to a higher rank without the cor Origin late Middle English [denoting an official letter, especially a papal indulgence]: from Old French brievet 'little letter,' diminutive of bref .

dinosaur

a fossil reptile of the Mesozoic era, often reaching an enormous size Originmid 19th century: from modern Latin dinosaurus, from Greek deinos 'terrible' + sauros 'lizard.

zephyr

a gentle breeze; something airy or unsubstantial The zephyr from the ocean made the intense heat on the beach bearable for the sunbathers. Synonyms: breath; draft

phantom

a ghost synonyms: ghost, apparition, spirit, specter, wraith; informalspook; literaryphantasm, shade ";a phantom who haunts lonely roads"; Origin Middle English [also in the sense 'illusion, delusion']: from Old French fantosme, based on Greek phantasma [see phantasm].

specter

a ghost synonyms:ghost, phantom, apparition, spirit, wraith, shadow, presence; informalspook; literaryphantasm, shade ";the specters in the crypt" Originearly 17th century: from French spectre or Latin spectrum [see spectrum]

wraith

a ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly be synonyms: ghost, specter, spirit, phantom, apparition, manifestation; informalspook; literaryshade, phantasm ";from a gray and billowy fog the wraith did appear"; Origin early 16th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.

crescendo

a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music Origin late 18th century: Italian, present participle of crescere 'to increase,' from Latin crescere 'grow.'

solecism

a grammatical mistake in speech or writing synonyms: [grammatical] mistake, error, blunder; informalhowler, blooper ";a poem marred by solecisms"; Origin mid 16th century: from French solécisme, or via Latin from Greek soloikismos, from soloikos 'speaking incorrectly.'

disparity

a great difference synonyms: discrepancy, inconsistency, imbalance; variance, variation, divergence, gap, gulf; difference, dissimilarity, contrast ";a disparity between their stories"; Origin mid 16th century: from French disparité, from late Latin disparitas, based on Latin paritas 'parity.'

bevy

a group As predicted, a bevy of teenagers surrounded the rock star's limousine. Synonyms: band; bunch; gang; pack; troop

claque

a group of people hired to applaud [or heckle] a performer or public speaker Origin mid 19th century: French, from claquer 'to clap.' The practice of paying members of an audience for their support originated at the Paris opera.

cacophony

a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds synonyms:din, racket, noise, clamor, discord, dissonance, discordance, uproar ";despite the cacophony, Rita slept on" Originmid 17th century: from French cacophonie, from Greek kakophōnia, from kakophōnos 'ill-sounding,' from kakos 'bad' + phōnē 'sound.

termagant

a harsh-tempered or overbearing woman Origin Middle English [sense 2]: via Old French from Italian Trivigante, taken to be from Latin tri- 'three' + vagant- 'wandering,' and to refer to the moon "wandering" between heaven, earth, and hell under the three names Selene, Artemis, and Persephone.

miasma

a highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor synonyms:stink, reek, stench, fetor, smell, fume, odor, whiff; gas, cloud, smog, vapor ";the miasma from the stagnant swamp made us choke and gag" Originmid 17th century: from Greek, literally 'defilement,' from miainein 'pollute.

avocation

a hobby or minor occupation Originmid 17th century: from Latin avocatio[n-], from avocare 'call away,' from ab- 'from' + vocare 'to call.

vassal

a holder of land by feudal tenur synonyms: serf, dependent, servant, slave, subject, bondsman, thrall, villein; historicalvavasour, helot ";he was born an English vassal"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin vassallus 'retainer,' of Celtic origin; compare with vavasour.

behemoth

a huge or monstrous creature Originlate Middle English: from Hebrew bĕhēmōṯ, intensive plural of bĕhēmāh 'beast.

diadem

a jeweled crown or headband worn as a symbol of sovereign synonyms:crown, coronet, tiara, circlet, chaplet; literarycoronal ";the queen's jeweled diadem" OriginMiddle English: from Old French diademe, via Latin from Greek diadēma 'the regal headband of the Persian kings,' from diadein 'bind around.

threnody

a lament Origin mid 17th century: from Greek thrēnōidia, from thrēnos 'wailing' + ōidē 'song.'

raft

a large amount of something Origin mid 19th century: alteration of dialect raff 'abundance' [perhaps of Scandinavian origin], by association with raft1 in the sense 'floating mass.'

convocation

a large formal assembly of people synonyms:assembly, gathering, meeting, conference, convention, congress, council, symposium, colloquium, conclave, synod ";a convocation of church leaders" Originlate Middle English: from Latin convocatio[n-], from the verb convocare [see convoke]

bevy

a large group of people or things of a particular ki synonyms: group, crowd, herd, flock, horde, army, galaxy, assemblage, throng, company, gathering, band, body, pack, covey; knot, cluster; informalbunch, gaggle, posse ";a bevy of Vegas headliners"; Origin late Middle English: of unknown origin.

caldron

a large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over an open fire synonyms: pot, kettle ";a black cast-iron cauldron"; Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French caudron, based on Latin caldarium, calidarium 'cooking pot,' from calidus 'hot.'

rent

a large tear in a piece of fabric synonyms: rip, tear, split, hole, slash, slit ";the rent in his pants"; gorge, chasm, fault, rift, fissure, crevasse ";a vast rent in the mountains"; Origin mid 16th century: from obsolete rent 'pull to pieces, lacerate,' variant of rend.

portmanteau

a large trunk or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts Originmid 16th century: from French portemanteau, from porter 'carry' + manteau 'mantle.

billow

a large undulating mass of something, typically cloud, smoke, or steam synonyms: cloud, mass ";billows of smoke"; Origin mid 16th century: from Old Norse bylgja .

portfolio

a large, thin, flat case for loose sheets of paper such as drawings or maps synonyms: briefcase, case, valise, bag, attaché [case] ";he kept the papers in his portfolio"; Origin early 18th century: from Italian portafogli, from portare 'carry' + foglio 'sheet of paper' [from Latin folium ].

rigmarole

a lengthy and comp synonyms:fuss, bother, trouble, palaver, ado, pother, song and dance, performance, to-do, pantomime, hassle, folderol ";the rigmarole of dressing up" Originmid 18th century: apparently an alteration of ragman roll, originally denoting a legal document recording a list of offenses

dyke

a lesbian synonyms: embankment, levee; ditch, trench, gutter ";the dikes were destroyed in the flood"; Origin 1940s [earlier as bulldyke]: of unknown origin.

amanuensis

a literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts Originearly 17th century: Latin, from [servus] a manu '[slave] at hand[writing], secretary' + -ensis 'belonging to.

farrow

a litter of pigs Origin Old English fearh, færh 'young pig,' from an Indo-European root shared by Greek porkos and Latin porcus 'pig.'

capriccio

a lively piece of music, typically Origin early 17th century [denoting a sudden change of mind]: from Italian, literally 'head with the hair standing on end,' hence 'horror,' later 'a sudden start' [influenced by capra 'goat,' associated with frisky movement], from capo 'head' + riccio 'hedgehog.'

screed

a long speech or piece of writing, typically one regarded as tedious Origin Middle English: probably a variant of the noun shred. The early sense was 'fragment cut from a main piece,' then 'torn strip, tatter,' whence [via the notion of a long roll or list] sense 1 of the noun.

jeremiad

a long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes Origin late 18th century: from French jérémiade, from Jérémie 'Jeremiah,' from ecclesiastical Latin Jeremias, with reference to the Lamentations of Jeremiah in the Old Testament.

appetence

a longing or desire Origin early 17th century: from Latin appetentia, from appetere 'seek after' [see appetite].

clamour

a loud and confu synonyms: din, racket, rumpus, loud noise, uproar, tumult, shouting, yelling, screaming, roaring; commotion, brouhaha, hue and cry, hubbub, hullabaloo, hoopla ";her voice rose above the clamor"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin clamor, from clamare 'cry out.'

doxy

a lover or mistress Originmid 16th century [originally slang]: of unknown origin

nimbus

a luminous cloud or a halo surrounding a supernatural being or a saint Origin early 17th century: from Latin, literally 'cloud, aureole.'

corps

a main subdivision of an armed force in the field, consisting of two or more divisions synonyms: unit, division, detachment, section, company, contingent, squad, squadron, regiment, battalion, brigade, platoon ";an army corps"; Origin late 16th century: from French, from Latin corpus 'body.'

incubus

a male demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women Origin Middle English: late Latin form of Latin incubo 'nightmare,' from incubare 'lie on' [see incubate].

lothario

a man who behaves selfishly and irresponsibly in his sexual relationships with women Originfrom a character in Rowe's Fair Penitent [1703]

palimpsest

a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain Origin mid 17th century: via Latin from Greek palimpsēstos, from palin 'again' + psēstos 'rubbed smooth.'

stigma

a mark of dis synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, opprobrium, humiliation, [bad] reputation ";the stigma of bankruptcy"; Origin late 16th century [denoting a mark made by pricking or branding]: via Latin from Greek stigma 'a mark made by a pointed instrument, a dot'; related to stick1.

stigma

a mark of shame or discredit In "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne was required to wear the letter A on her clothes as a public stigma for her adultery. Synonyms: blemish; blot; opprobrium; stain; taint

repast

a meal synonyms: meal, feast, banquet; informalspread, feed, bite, bite to eat; formalcollation, refection ";a sumptuous repast"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French, based on late Latin repascere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + pascere 'to feed.'

heteroclite

abnormal or irregular Origin late 15th century: via late Latin from Greek heteroklitos, from heteros 'other' + -klitos 'inflected' [from klinein 'to lean, inflect'].

diathermy

a medical and surgical technique involving the production of heat in a part of the body by high-frequency electric currents, to stimulate the circulation, relieve pain, destroy unhealthy tissue, or cause bleeding vessels to clot Origin early 20th century: from dia- 'through' + thermon 'heat.'

nostrum

a medicine, especial synonyms: medicine, patent medicine, potion, elixir, panacea, cure-all, wonder drug, quack remedy; informalmagic bullet ";they have to prove their nostrums work"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin, used in the sense '[something] of our own making,' neuter of noster 'our.'

grouse

a medium to large g synonyms: grumble, complain, protest, whine, bleat, carp, cavil, make a fuss; informalmoan, bellyache, gripe, beef, bitch, grouch, sound off, kvetch ";she groused about the food"; Origin early 16th century: perhaps related to medieval Latin gruta or to Old French grue 'crane.'

caucus

a meeting of the members of a legislative body who are members of a pa synonyms: meeting, assembly, gathering, congress, conference, convention, rally, convocation ";caucuses will be held in eleven states"; Origin mid 18th century [originally US]: perhaps from Algonquian cau'-cau'-as'u 'adviser.'

myrmidon

a member of a warlike Thessalian people led by Achilles at the siege of Troy Origin late Middle English: from Latin Myrmidones [plural], from Greek Murmidones .

curate

a member of the clergy engaged as assistant to a vicar, rector, or parish priest Origin Middle English: from medieval Latin curatus, from Latin cura 'care.'

legate

a member of the clergy, especially a cardinal, representing the pope Origin late Old English, from Old French legat, from Latin legatus, past participle of legare 'depute, delegate, bequeath.'

manacle

a metal band, chain, or shackle for fa synonyms:handcuffs, shackles, chains, irons, fetters, restraints, bonds; informalcuffs, bracelets ";he claimed there were no manacles that could hold him" OriginMiddle English: from Old French manicle 'handcuff,' from Latin manicula, diminutive of manus 'hand.

junta

a military or polit synonyms:faction, cabal, clique, camarilla, party, set, ring, gang, league, confederacy ";the press is censored and controlled by the military junta" Originearly 17th century [sense 2]: from Spanish and Portuguese, from Latin juncta, feminine past participle of jungere 'to join.

amalgam

a mixture or blend Originlate 15th century: from French amalgame or medieval Latin amalgama, from Greek malagma 'an emollient.

appellation

a name or tit synonyms: name, title, designation, tag, sobriquet, byname, nickname, cognomen; informalmoniker, handle; formaldenomination ";";the Eternal City"; is an appellation for Rome"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin appellatio[n-], from the verb appellare [see appeal].

syncopation

temporary irregularity in musical rhythm A jazz enthusiast will appreciate the use of syncopation in that musical genre.

strait

a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water synonyms: channel, sound, inlet, stretch of water ";a strait about six miles wide"; Origin Middle English: shortening of Old French estreit 'tight, narrow,' from Latin strictus 'drawn tight' [see strict].

appetite

a natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, espe synonyms: hunger, ravenousness, hungriness; taste, palate ";a walk sharpens the appetite"; Origin Middle English: from Old French apetit [modern appétit ], from Latin appetitus 'desire for,' from appetere 'seek after,' from ad- 'to' + petere 'seek.'

broadside

a nearly simultaneous firing of all the guns from one side of a warship synonyms: salvo, volley, cannonade, barrage, blast, fusillade ";the gunners fired broadsides";

sophist

a paid teacher of philosophy and rhetoric in ancient Greece, associated in popular thought with moral skepticism and specious reasoning Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek sophistēs, from sophizesthai 'devise, become wise,' from sophos 'wise.'

fresco

a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster an Origin late 16th century: Italian, literally 'cool, fresh.' The word was first recorded in the phrase in fresco, representing Italian affresco, al fresco 'on the fresh [plaster].'

chartreuse

a pale green or yellow liqueur made from brandy and aromatic herbs Origin named after La Grande Chartreuse, the Carthusian monastery near Grenoble, France, where the liqueur [sense 1] was first made; sense 2 is an extended use.

colporteur

a peddler of books, newspapers, and similar literature Origin late 18th century: French, from the verb colporter, probably an alteration of comporter, from Latin comportare 'carry with one.'

vigil

a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray Origin Middle English [sense 2]: via Old French from Latin vigilia, from vigil 'awake.'

soothsayer

a pers synonyms: seer, oracle, augur, prophet/prophetess, sage, prognosticator, diviner, fortune teller, crystal gazer, clairvoyant, psychic; literarysibyl; rareharuspex ";the most respected of the king's soothsayers"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'person who speaks the truth']: see sooth.

sybarite

a person devoted to pleasure and luxury A confirmed sybarite, the nobleman fainted at the thought of having to leave his palace and live in a small cottage. Synonyms: hedonist; sensualist

suppliant

a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority synonyms: petitioner, supplicant, pleader, beggar, applicant ";they were not mere suppliants"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from French, 'beseeching,' present participle of supplier, from Latin supplicare [see supplicate].

parvenu

a person of obscure origin who has gained wealth, influence, or celebrit synonyms: upstart, social climber, arriviste ";make way for our newest little hotshot parvenu"; Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'arrived,' past participle of parvenir, from Latin pervenire 'come to, reach.'

cynosure

a person or th Originlate 16th century: from French, or from Latin cynosura, from Greek kunosoura 'dog's tail' [also 'Ursa Minor'], from kuōn, kun- 'dog' + oura 'tail.' The term originally denoted the constellation Ursa Minor, or the star Polaris that it contains, long used as a guide by navigators

precursor

a person or thing that come synonyms: forerunner, predecessor, forefather, father, antecedent, ancestor, forebear ";a three-stringed precursor of the guitar"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin praecursor, from praecurs- 'preceded,' from praecurrere, from prae 'beforehand' + currere 'to run.'

enigma

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to und synonyms: mystery, puzzle, riddle, conundrum, paradox, problem, quandary; a closed book; informalposer ";how it works is an enigma to me"; Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek ainigma, from ainissesthai 'speak allusively

proponent

a person who advocates a theory, propo synonyms: advocate, champion, supporter, backer, promoter, protagonist, campaigner, booster, cheerleader ";a proponent of the youth basketball program"; OriginY late 16th century: from Latin proponent- 'putting forth,' from the verb proponere [see propound].

proponent

a person who advocates a theory, propos synonyms: advocate, champion, supporter, backer, promoter, protagonist, campaigner, booster, cheerleader ";a proponent of the youth basketball program"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin proponent- 'putting forth,' from the verb proponere [see propound].

stoic

a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek stōïkos, from stoa [with reference to Zeno's teaching in the Stoa Poikilē or Painted Porch, at Athens].

kvetch

a person who complains a great deal Origin 1960s: from Yiddish kvetsh [noun], kvetshn [verb], from Middle High German quetschen, literally 'cru

Fabulist

a person who composes or relates fables Origin late 16th century: from French fabuliste, from Latin fabula [see fable].

dilettante

a person who cultivates an area of interest, such a synonyms:dabbler, amateur, nonprofessional, nonspecialist, layman, layperson ";there is no room for the dilettante in this business" Originmid 18th century: from Italian, 'person loving the arts,' from dilettare 'to delight,' from Latin delectare

misanthrope

a person who dislikes humankind synonyms: hater of mankind, hater, cynic; recluse, hermit; hikikomori; informalgrouch, grump ";he was going to join a group of misanthropes but he disliked all the members"; Origin mid 16th century: from Greek misanthrōpos, from misein 'to hate' + anthrōpos 'man.'

proselyte

a person who has convert synonyms:convert, new believer, catechumen ";proselytes are not spiritually mature enough to be counseling others in church matters" Originlate Middle English: via late Latin from Greek prosēluthos 'stranger, convert,' from prosēluth-, past stem of proserkhesthai 'approach.

predecessor

a person who held a job or office before the current holder synonyms:forerunner, precursor, antecedent ";the senator's predecessor" Originlate Middle English: from late Latin praedecessor, from Latin prae 'beforehand' + decessor 'retiring officer' [from decedere 'depart']

protege

a person who is guid synonyms: student, pupil, trainee, apprentice; disciple, follower; discovery, find, ward ";his protégé was a young pianist from Belgium"; Origin late 18th century: French, literally 'protected,' past participle of protéger, from Latin protegere 'cover in front' [see protect].

sloven

a person who is habitually messy or careless Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'person with base manners']: perhaps from Flemish sloef 'dirty' or Dutch slof 'careless, negligent.'

bigot

a person who is intolerant toward those holding differ synonyms: chauvinist, partisan, sectarian; racist, sexist, homophobe, dogmatist, jingoist ";he comes off as a naïve, close-minded bigot"; Origin late 16th century [denoting a superstitious religious hypocrite]: from French, of unknown origin.

wag

a person who makes facetious jokes Origin mid 16th century [denoting a young man or mischievous boy, also used as a term of endearment to an infant]: probably from obsolete waghalter 'person likely to be hanged' [see wag1, halter].

bursar

a person who manages the financial affairs of a college or university Origin late Middle English: from French boursier or [sense 1] medieval Latin bursarius, from bursa 'bag, purse' [see bursa].

apothecary

a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin apothecarius, from Latin apotheca, from Greek apothēkē 'storehouse.'

interlocutor

a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation Origin early 16th century: modern Latin, from Latin interlocut- 'interrupted [by speech],' from the verb interloqui, from inter- 'between' + loqui 'speak.'

epicure

a person who takes particular pleasure in fine f synonyms: gourmet, gastronome, gourmand, connoisseur; informalfoodie ";she sipped at the water as an epicure would savor a good wine"; Origin late Middle English [denoting a disciple of Epicurus]: via medieval Latin from Greek Epikouros 'Epicurus.'

raconteur

a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way synonyms: storyteller, teller of tales, spinner of yarns, narrator; rareanecdotist, anecdotalist ";an interviewer with his favorite raconteur, Studs Terkel"; Origin early 19th century: French, from raconter 'relate, recount.'

deportment

a person's behavior or manners synonyms: behavior, conduct, performance; manners, practices, actions ";unprofessional deportment"; Origin early 17th century: from French déportement, from the verb déporter [see deport].

visage

a person's face, with reference to the form or proportions of the features synonyms: face, countenance, look, [facial] features, [facial] expression ";a visage marked by years of depression"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin visus 'sight,' from videre 'to see.'

milieu

a person's socia synonyms: environment, sphere, background, backdrop, setting, context, atmosphere; location, conditions, surroundings, environs; informalstomping grounds, stamping grounds, turf ";the political milieu in New England"; Origin mid 19th century: French, from mi 'mid' + lieu 'place.'

plenipotentiary

a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independen synonyms: diplomat, dignitary, ambassador, minister, emissary, chargé d'affaires, envoy ";a plenipotentiary in Paris"; Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin plenipotentiarius, from plenus 'full' + potentia 'power.'

libertine

a person, especially a man, who behaves w synonyms:philanderer, playboy, rake, roué, Don Juan, Lothario, Casanova, Romeo; lecher, seducer, womanizer, adulterer, debauchee, profligate, wanton; informalskirt-chaser, tomcat, horndog, ladykiller, lech, wolf; formalfornicator ";an unrepentant libertine"

ancestor

a person, typically one more remote than synonyms:forebear, forefather, predecessor, antecedent, progenitor, primogenitor ";he could trace his ancestors back to colonial Boston" OriginMiddle English: from Old French ancestre, from Latin antecessor, from antecedere, from ante 'before' + cedere 'go.

sinew

a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament OriginOld English sin[e]we 'tendon,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeen and German Sehne

aphorism

a pithy observation synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, adage, epigram, dictum, gnome, proverb, saw, tag; rareapophthegm ";she was a fount of Orwellian aphorisms"; Origin early 16th century: from French aphorisme or late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos 'definition,' from aphorizein 'define.'

elegy

a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead synonyms: lament, requiem, threnody, dirge; literaryplaint; keen ";an elegy for his father"; Origin early 16th century: from French élégie, or via Latin, from Greek elegeia, from elegos 'mournful poem.'

georgic

a poem or book dealing with agriculture or rural topics Origin early 16th century: via Latin from Greek geōrgikos, from geōrgos 'farmer.'

sinecure

a position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit synonyms: easy job, cushy job, soft option; informalpicnic, cinch, easy money, free ride, gravy train ";mowing the Ortons' lawn is a sinecure"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin sine cura 'without care.'

peregrine

a powerful falcon found on most continents, breeding chiefly on mountains and coastal cliffs and much used for falconry Origin late Middle English: from Latin peregrinus 'foreign,' from peregre 'abroad,' from per- 'through' + ager 'field.'

maelstrom

a powerful whirlpool in the sea o synonyms:whirlpool, vortex, eddy, swirl; literaryCharybdis ";a maelstrom in the sea" Originlate 17th century: from early modern Dutch [denoting a mythical whirlpool supposed to exist in the Arctic Ocean, west of Norway], from maalen 'grind, whirl' + stroom 'stream.

dogma

a principle or set of princi synonyms: teaching, belief, tenet, principle, precept, maxim, article of faith, canon; creed, credo, set of beliefs, doctrine, ideology ";a dogma of the Sikh religion"; Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek dogma 'opinion,' from dokein 'seem good, think.'

penitentiary

a prison for people convicted of serious crimes Originlate Middle English [as a term in ecclesiastical law]: from medieval Latin paenitentiarius, from Latin paenitentia 'repentance.' Sense 1 dates from the early 19th century

tryst

a private, romantic rendezvous between lovers Origin late Middle English [originally Scots]: variant of obsolete trist 'an appointed place in hunting,' from French triste or medieval Latin trista .

panegyric

a public spe synonyms: eulogy, speech of praise, paean, accolade, tribute ";the panegyric she delivered in Syd's memory brought tears to our eyes"; Origin early 17th century: from French panégyrique, via Latin from Greek panēgurikos 'of public assembly,' from pan 'all' + aguris 'agora, assembly.'

rebus

a puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and individual letters; for instance, apex might be represented by a picture of an ape followed by a letter X Originearly 17th century: from French rébus, from Latin rebus, ablative plural of res 'thing.

crotchet

a quarter note Origin Middle English [in the sense 'hook']: from Old French crochet, diminutive of croc 'hook,' from Old Norse krókr .

riposte

a quick clever reply to an insult or criticism synonyms: retort, counter, rejoinder, sally, return, answer, reply, response; informalcomeback ";an indignant riposte"; Origin early 18th century: from French risposte [noun], risposter [verb], from Italian risposta 'response.'

rebuttal

a refutation or contradiction synonyms:refutation, denial, countering, invalidation, negation, contradiction ";now that you've heard the accusations, have you a rebuttal?"

sacrament

a religious ceremony or act of the Christian Church that is regarded as an outward and visi Origin Middle English: from Old French sacrement, from Latin sacramentum 'solemn oath' [from sacrare 'to hallow,' from sacer 'sacred'], used in Christian Latin as a translation of Greek mustērion 'mystery.'

anchorite

a religious recluse Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin anchorita [ecclesiastical Latin anchoreta ], from ecclesiastical Greek anakhōrētēs, from anakhōrein 'retire,' from ana- 'back' + khōra, khōr- 'a place.'

platitude

a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting o synonyms: cliché, truism, commonplace, banality, old chestnut, bromide, inanity, banal/trite/hackneyed/stock phrase ";boring us with his platitudes"; Origin early 19th century: from French

reprise

a repeated passage in music Origin early 18th century: French, literally 'taken up again,' feminine past participle of reprendre [see reprieve].

capstan

a revolving cylinder with a vertical axis used for winding a rope or cable, powered by a motor or pushed around by levers Origin late Middle English: from Provençal cabestan, from cabestre 'halter,' from Latin capistrum, from capere 'seize.'

strut

a rod or bar forming part of a framework and designed to resist compression synonyms: swagger, swank, parade, stride, sweep, sashay ";he strutted around his vast office"; Origin Old English strūtian 'protrude stiffly,' of Germanic origin. Current senses date from the late 16th century.

guy

a rope or line fixed to the ground to secure a tent or other structure Origin late Middle English: probably of Low German origin; related to Dutch gei 'brail' and German Geitaue 'brails.'

dearth

a scarcity or synonyms: lack, scarcity, shortage, shortfall, want, deficiency, insufficiency, inadequacy, paucity, sparseness, scantiness, rareness; absence ";a dearth of trained specialists"; Origin Middle English derthe [originally in the sense 'shortage and dearness of food'] [see dear, -th2].

bursary

a scholarship to attend a college or university Origin late 17th century [sense 2]: from medieval Latin bursaria, from bursa 'bag, purse' [see bursa].

cabal

a secret political clique or faction synonyms: clique, faction, coterie, cell, sect, junta, camarilla; lobby [group], pressure group ";a cabal of dissidents"; Origin late 16th century [denoting the cabbala]: from French cabale, from medieval Latin cabala [see Kabbalah].

sycophant

a self-serving flatterer; a yes-man Dreading criticism, the actor surrounded himself with admirers and sycophants. Synonyms: boot licked; fawner; lickspittle; toady

vertigo

a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or c synonyms: dizziness, giddiness, lightheadedness, loss of balance ";the steep narrow stairs give me vertigo"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin, 'whirling,' from vertere 'to turn.'

opus

a separate composition or set of compositions by a particular composer, usually ordered by date of publication synonyms: composition, work, work of art, oeuvre, piece, creation ";her latest opus is a critical success"; Origin early 18th century: from Latin, literally 'work.'

litany

a series of petitions for use in church services or processions, usu synonyms: prayer, invocation, supplication, devotion; archaicorison ";she was reciting the litany"; Origin Middle English: from Old French letanie, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek litaneia 'prayer,' from litē 'supplication.'

unequivocal

absolute; certain The jury's verdict was unequivocal: the organized crime boss would be locked up for life. Synonyms: categorical; clear; explicit; express; unambiguous

fusillade

a series of shots fired or missiles throw synonyms: salvo, volley, barrage, bombardment, cannonade, battery, burst, blast, hail, shower, rain, stream; historicalbroadside ";a fusillade of missiles"; Origin early 19th century: from French, from fusiller 'to shoot,' from fusil [see fusil1] + -ade1.

lackey

a servant, especially a synonyms: servant, flunky, footman, manservant, valet, steward, butler, attendant, houseboy, domestic; archaicscullion ";lackeys helped them from their carriage"; Origin early 16th century: from French laquais, perhaps from Catalan alacay, from Arabic al-ḵā'id 'the chief.'

deluge

a severe flood synonyms:flood, torrent, spate ";homes were swept away by the deluge" Originlate Middle English: from Old French, variant of diluve, from Latin diluvium, from diluere 'wash away.

ford

a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across synonyms: crossing place, crossing; shallow place ";a ford across the river"; Origin Old English; related to Dutch voorde, also to fare.

skiff

a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat with sharp bow and square stern Origin late 15th century: from French esquif, from Italian schifo, of Germanic origin; related to ship1.

nocturne

a short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano Origin mid 19th century: French, from Latin nocturnus 'of the night.'

respite

a short period of rest or synonyms: rest, break, breathing space, interval, intermission, interlude, recess, lull, pause, time out; relief, relaxation, repose; informalbreather, letup ";a brief respite"; Origin Middle English: from Old French respit, from Latin respectus 'refuge, consideration.'

salvo

a simultaneous discharge of artillery or other guns in a battle Originlate 16th century [earlier as salve ]: from French salve, Italian salva 'salutation.

camarilla

a small group of people, especially a group of advisers to a ruler or politician, with a shared, typically nefarious, purpose Origin mid 19th century: from Spanish, diminutive of camara 'chamber.'

phylactery

a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law Origin late Middle English: via late Latin from Greek phulaktērion 'amulet,' from phulassein 'to guard.'

sepulcher

a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, i synonyms: tomb, vault, burial chamber, mausoleum, crypt, undercroft, catacomb; grave ";an old family sepulcher on the grounds of the estate"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin sepulcrum 'burial place,' from sepelire 'bury.'

sepulcher

a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in whic synonyms:tomb, vault, burial chamber, mausoleum, crypt, undercroft, catacomb; grave ";an old family sepulcher on the grounds of the estate" OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin sepulcrum 'burial place,' from sepelire 'bury.

peccadilloes

a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin synonyms: misdemeanor, petty offense, indiscretion, lapse, misdeed ";I'm sure we can overlook a few peccadilloes"; Origin late 16th century: from Spanish pecadillo, diminutive of pecado 'sin,' from Latin peccare 'to sin.'

quagmire

a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot synonyms: swamp, morass, bog, marsh, muskeg, mire, slough; archaicquag ";the field became a quagmire"; Origin late 16th century: from quag + mire.

poultice

a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth Origin late Middle English: from Latin pultes [plural], from puls, pult- 'porridge, pap.'

encomium

a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or someth synonyms: eulogy, panegyric, paean, accolade, tribute, testimonial; praise, acclaim, acclamation, homage ";the poet's encomium to the king"; Origin mid 16th century: Latin, from Greek enkōmion 'eulogy,' from en- 'within' + komos 'revel.'

desuetude

a state of disuse Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'cessation']: from French, from Latin desuetudo, from desuet- 'made unaccustomed,' from the verb desuescere, from de- [expressing reversal] + suescere 'be accustomed.'

lassitude

a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy synonyms: lethargy, listlessness, weariness, languor, sluggishness, tiredness, fatigue, torpor, lifelessness, apathy ";prolonged periods of lassitude"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from Latin lassitudo, from lassus 'tired.'

repose

a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility synonyms: rest, relaxation, inactivity; sleep, slumber ";a face in repose"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French repos [noun], reposer [verb], from late Latin repausare, from re- [expressing intensive force] + pausare 'to pause.'

stasis

a state of static balance or equilibrium The rusty, ivy-colored World War II tank had obviously been in stasis for years. Synonyms: inertia; standstill

credo

a statement of the bel synonyms:statement of belief[s], article of faith, doctrine, creed, axiom, dogma, tenet, canon; theory, thesis, premise, conviction, position; ideology, code of belief ";he announced his credo in his first editorial" OriginMiddle English: Latin,'I believe.' Compare with creed

truism

a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting synonyms:platitude, commonplace, cliché, stock phrase, banality, [old] chestnut, [old] saw, axiom, bromide ";"look before you leap" is a truism that Sharon has rarely heeded"

colossus

a statue that is much bigger than life size Originlate Middle English: via Latin from Greek kolossos [applied by Herodotus to the statues of Egyptian temples]

mainstay

a stay that extends from the maintop to the foot of the foremast of a sailing synonyms: central component, central figure, centerpiece, prop, linchpin, cornerstone, pillar, bulwark, buttress, chief support, backbone, anchor, foundation, base, staple ";agriculture is the mainstay of their economy";

distaff

a stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound for spinning OriginOld English distæf : the first element is apparently related to Middle Low German dise, disene 'distaff, bunch of flax'; the second is staff1. The extended sense arose because spinning was traditionally done by women

gauntlet

a stout glove with a long loose wrist Originlate Middle English: from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant 'glove,' of Germanic origin

martinet

a strict disciplinarian, especially in the armed forces Origin late 17th century [denoting the drill system invented by Martinet]: named after Jean Martinet, 17th-century French drillmaster.

vocation

a strong feeling of synonyms:calling, life's work, mission, purpose, function; profession, occupation, career, job, employment, trade, craft, business, line, line of work, métier ";forestry is my vocation" Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin vocatio[n-], from vocare 'to call.

partisan

a strong supporter of a party, synonyms: supporter, follower, adherent, devotee, champion; fanatic, fan, enthusiast, stalwart, zealot, booster ";conservative partisans"; Origin mid 16th century: from French, via Italian dialect from Italian partigiano, from parte 'part' [from Latin pars, part- ].

fetor

a strong, foul smell Origin late 15th century: from Latin, from fetere 'to stink.' Compare with fetid.

toxophilite

a student or lover of archery Origin late 18th century: from Toxophilus [a name invented by Ascham, used as the title of his treatise on archery [1545], from Greek toxon 'bow' + -philos 'loving'] + -ite1.

truant

a student who synonyms: absentee, runaway ";the truants were sent to Mr. Maurer's office"; Origin Middle English [denoting a person begging through choice rather than necessity]: from Old French, probably ultimately of Celtic origin; compare with Welsh truan, Scottish Gaelic truaghan 'wretched.'

imbecile

a stupid person Origin mid 16th century [as an adjective in the sense 'physically weak']: via French from Latin imbecillus, literally 'without a supporting staff,' from in- [expressing negation] + baculum 'stick, staff.' The current sense dates from the early 19th century.

flocculant

a substance that promotes the clumping of particles, especially one used in treating waste water

nuance

a subtle difference in synonyms: fine distinction, subtle difference; shade, shading, gradation, variation, degree; subtlety, nicety, overtone ";the nuances of light are very effective"; Origin late 18th century: from French, 'shade, subtlety,' from nuer 'to shade,' based on Latin nubes 'cloud.'

Frisson

a sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill Origin late 18th century: French, literally 'a shiver or thrill.'

cavalier

a supporter of King Charles I in the English Civil War synonyms:horseman, equestrian; Morecavalryman, trooper, knight ";foot soldiers and cavaliers" Originmid 16th century: from French, from Italian cavaliere, based on Latin caballus 'horse.' Compare with caballero and chevalier

sojourn

a temporary stay synonyms: stay, visit, stop, stopover; vacation ";a sojourn in France"; Origin Middle English: from Old French sojourner, based on Latin sub- 'under' + late Latin diurnum 'day.'

entropy

a thermodynamic quantity representing the unavailabili synonyms: deterioration, degeneration, crumbling, decline, degradation, decomposition, breaking down, collapse; disorder, chaos ";life is a struggle against entropy"; Origin mid 19th century: from en-2 'inside' + Greek tropē 'transformation.'

anachronism

a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned Origin mid 17th century: from Greek anakhronismos, from ana- 'backward' + khronos 'time.'

example

a thing characteristi synonyms:specimen, sample, exemplar, exemplification, instance, case, illustration, case in point ";a fine example of Chinese porcelain" Originlate Middle English: from Old French, from Latin exemplum, from eximere 'take out,' from ex- 'out' + emere 'take.' Compare with sample

antecedent

a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another synonyms: precursor, forerunner, predecessor ";the guitar's antecedent"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French or from Latin antecedent- 'going before,' from antecedere, from ante 'before' + cedere 'go.'

scintilla

a tiny trace synonyms: particle, iota, jot, whit, atom, speck, bit, trace, ounce, shred, crumb, fragment, grain, drop, spot, modicum, hint, touch, suggestion, whisper, suspicion; informalsmidgen, tad ";you haven't got a scintilla of evidence to back that up"; Origin late 17th century: from Latin.

vestige

a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists synonyms: remnant, fragment, relic, echo, indication, sign, trace, residue, mark, legacy, reminder; remains ";the last vestiges of colonialism"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from Latin vestigium 'footprint.'

vestige

a trace; a remnant Vestiges of the former tenant still remained in the apartment, though he hadn't lived there for years. Synonyms: relic; remains; sign

tempest

a violent windy storm synonyms:storm, gale, hurricane; tornado, whirlwind, cyclone, typhoon ";the skies opened and a tempest erupted" OriginMiddle English: from Old French tempeste, from Latin tempestas 'season, weather, storm,' from tempus 'time, season.

theophany

a visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god Origin Old English, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek theophaneia, from theos 'god' + phainein 'to show.'

enfilade

a volley of gunfire directed along a line from end to end Origin early 18th century [denoting the position of a military post commanding the length of a line]: from French, from enfiler 'thread on a string, pierce from end to end,' from en- 'in, on' + fil 'thread.'

omnibus

a volume containing several novels or other items previously published separately Originearly 19th century: via French from Latin, literally 'for all,' dative plural of omnis

sinecure

a well-paying job or office that requires little or no work The corrupt mayor made sure to set up all his relatives in sinecures within the administration.

aggregate

a whole formed by combining several [typically disparate] elements synonyms: total, sum total, sum, grand total ";he won with an aggregate of 325"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin aggregat- 'herded together,' from the verb aggregare, from ad- 'toward' + grex, greg- 'a flock.'

integer

a whole number; a number that is not a fraction Origin early 16th century [as an adjective meaning 'entire, whole']: from Latin, 'intact, whole,' from in- [expressing negation] + the root of tangere 'to touch.' Compare with entire, also with integral, integrate, and integrity.

circumvolution

a winding movement, especially of one thing around another Origin late Middle English: from Latin circumvolut- 'rolled around,' from the verb circumvolvere, from circum 'around' + volvere 'roll.'

sibyl

a woman in ancient times supposed to utter the oracles and prophecies of a god Origin from Old French Sibile or medieval Latin Sibilla, via Latin from Greek Sibulla .

coquette

a woman who flirts Origin mid 17th century: French, feminine of coquet 'wanton,' diminutive of coq 'cock.'

doyenne

a woman who is the most respected or prominent person in a particular field Origin mid 19th century: from French, feminine of doyen [see doyen].

pillory

a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, in which an offender was i synonyms: stocks ";offenders were put in the pillory"; Origin Middle English: from Old French pilori, probably from Provençal espilori [associated by some with a Catalan word meaning 'peephole,' of uncertain origin].

subpoena

a writ ordering a person to attend a court Originlate Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin sub poena 'under penalty' [the first words of the writ]. Use as a verb dates from the mid 17th century

tort

a wrongful act or an infringement of a right [other than under contract] leading to civil legal liability Origin Middle English [in the general sense 'wrong, injury']: from Old French, from medieval Latin tortum 'wrong, injustice,' neuter past participle of Latin torquere 'to twist.'

scion

a young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one cut for grafting or rooting synonyms: cutting, graft, slip; shoot, offshoot, twig ";a scion of the tree"; Origin Middle English: from Old French ciun 'shoot, twig,' of unknown origin.

effable

able to be described in words Origin early 17th century: from Latin effabilis, from effari 'utter.'

palpable

able to be touched or felt synonyms: tangible, touchable, noticeable, detectable ";a palpable bump"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin palpabilis, from Latin palpare 'feel, touch gently.'

caustic

able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action synonyms:corrosive, corroding, abrasive, mordant, acid ";a caustic cleaner" Originlate Middle English: via Latin from Greek kaustikos, from kaustos 'combustible,' from kaiein 'to burn.

temperance

abstinence from alcoholic drink synonyms: teetotalism, abstinence, abstention, sobriety, self-restraint; prohibition ";a strict advocate of temperance"; Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French temperaunce, from Latin temperantia 'moderation,' from temperare 'restrain.'

condone

accept and allow [behavi synonyms: disregard, accept, allow, let pass, turn a blind eye to, overlook, forget; forgive, pardon, excuse, let go ";we cannot condone such dreadful behavior"; Origin mid 19th century: from Latin condonare 'refrain from punishing,' from con- 'altogether' + donare 'give.

condone

accept and allow [behavior th synonyms:disregard, accept, allow, let pass, turn a blind eye to, overlook, forget; forgive, pardon, excuse, let go ";we cannot condone such dreadful behavior" Originmid 19th century: from Latin condonare 'refrain from punishing,' from con- 'altogether' + donare 'give.

inculpate

accuse or blame Originlate 18th century: from late Latin inculpat- 'made culpable,' from the verb inculpare, from in- 'upon, toward' + culpare 'to blame' [from culpa 'fault']

trenchant

acute, sharp, or incisive; forceful; effective Tyrone's trenchant observations in class made him the professor's favorite student Synonyms: biting; caustic; cutting; keen

reproach

address [someone] in such a way as synonyms: disgrace, discredit, source of shame, blemish, stain, blot; literarysmirch ";this party is a reproach to Canadian politics"; Origin Middle English: from Old French reprochier [verb], from a base meaning 'bring back close,' based on Latin prope 'near.'

concede

admit that something is true or valid after first denying or res synonyms: admit, acknowledge, accept, allow, grant, recognize, own, confess; agree ";I had to concede that I'd overreacted"; Origin late 15th century: from French concéder or Latin concedere, from con- 'completely' + cedere 'yield.'

ultramontane

advocating supreme papal authority in matters of faith and discipline Originlate 16th century [denoting a representative of the Roman Catholic Church north of the Alps]: from medieval Latin ultramontanus, from Latin ultra 'beyond' + mons, mont- 'mountain.

avouch

affirm or assert Origin late 15th century: from Old French avochier, from Latin advocare 'summon in defense,' from ad- 'to' + vocare 'to call.'

rapacious

aggressively gree synonyms: grasping, greedy, avaricious, acquisitive, covetous; mercenary, materialistic; insatiable, predatory; informalmoney-grubbing, grabby ";poor Tom has fallen for a rapacious gold digger"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin rapax, rapac- [from rapere 'to snatch'] + -ious.

covenanted

agree, especially by synonyms: undertake, contract, guarantee, pledge, promise, agree, engage, warrant, commit oneself, bind oneself ";the landlord covenants to repair the property"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, present participle of covenir 'agree,' from Latin convenire [see convene].

concord

agreement or harmony between people or gro synonyms: agreement, harmony, accord, consensus, concurrence, unity ";council meetings rarely ended in concord"; Origin Middle English: from Old French concorde, from Latin concordia, from concors 'of one mind,' from con- 'together' + cor, cord- 'heart.'

ecstasy

an synonyms: rapture, bliss, elation, euphoria, transports, rhapsodies; joy, jubilation, exultation ";the ecstasy of loving him"; Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French extasie, via late Latin from Greek ekstasis 'standing outside oneself,' based on ek- 'out' + histanai 'to place.'

plenitude

an abundance synonyms: abundance, lot, wealth, profusion, cornucopia, superabundance; informalload, slew, heap, buttload, ton ";Lord, we are so thankful for this plenitude"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin plenitudo, from plenus 'full.'

colloquium

an academic conference or seminar Origin late 16th century [denoting a conversation or dialogue]: from Latin, from colloqui 'to converse,' from col- 'together' + loqui 'to talk.'

plaint

an accusation; a charge Origin Middle English: from Old French plainte, feminine past participle of plaindre 'complain,' or from Old French plaint, from Latin planctus 'beating of the breast.'

fascist

an advocate or follower of fascism synonyms: authoritarian, totalitarian, autocrat, extreme right-winger, rightist; Nazi, blackshirt; nationalist, xenophobe, racist, anti-Semite, jingoist; neofascist, neo-Nazi ";he was branded a fascist";

serf

an agricultural laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'slave']: from Old French, from Latin servus 'slave.'

monocoque

an aircraft or vehicle structure in which the chassis is integral with the body Origin early 20th century: from French, from mono- 'single' + coque 'shell.'

assignation

an appointment to meet synonyms: rendezvous, date, appointment, meeting; literarytryst ";their secret assignation"; Origin late Middle English [in the senses 'command, appointment to office, or allotment of revenue']: via Old French from Latin assignatio[n-], from the verb assignare [see assign].

morass

an area of mu synonyms: quagmire, swamp, bog, marsh, muskeg, mire, marshland, wetland, slough, moor ";the muddy morass"; Origin late 15th century: from Dutch moeras, alteration [by assimilation to moer 'moor'] of Middle Dutch marasch, from Old French marais 'marsh,' from medieval Latin mariscus .

chicane

an artificial narrowing or turn on a road or auto-racing course Origin late 17th century [in the senses 'chicanery' and 'use chicanery']: from French chicane [noun], chicaner [verb] 'quibble,' of unknown origin.

synod

an assembly of the clergy and sometimes also the laity in a diocese or other division of a particular church Originlate Middle English: via late Latin from Greek sunodos 'meeting,' from sun- 'together' + hodos 'way.

sprite

an elf or fairy synonyms:fairy, elf, pixie, imp, brownie, puck, peri, leprechaun; nymph, sylph, naiad ";by light of moon the woodland sprites do dance and play" OriginMiddle English: alteration of sprit, a contraction of spirit

surfeit

an excessive amount synonyms: excess, surplus, abundance, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, glut, avalanche, deluge; overdose; informalbellyful, gutful, buttload ";a surfeit of apples"; Origin Middle English: from Old French surfeit, based on Latin super- 'above, in excess' + facere 'do.'

glut

an excessively abundant supply of something synonyms: surplus, excess, surfeit, superfluity, overabundance, superabundance, oversupply, plethora ";a glut of cars"; Origin Middle English: probably via Old French from Latin gluttire 'to swallow'; related to glutton.

maven

an expert or connoisseur Origin 1960s: Yiddish

conflagration

an ext synonyms: fire, blaze, flames, inferno, firestorm ";the conflagration spread rapidly through the wooden buildings"; Origin late 15th century [denoting consumption by fire]: from Latin conflagratio[n-], from the verb conflagrare, from con- [expressing intensive force] + flagrare 'to blaze.'

conurbation

an extended urban area, typically consisting of several towns merging with the suburbs of one or more cities Originearly 20th century: from con- 'together' + Latin urbs, urb- 'city' + -ation

simulacrum

an image or representation of someone or something Origin late 16th century: from Latin, from simulare [see simulate]

monster

an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening synonyms:giant, mammoth, colossus, leviathan, titan; informaljumbo ";he's a monster of a man" Originlate Middle English: from Old French monstre, from Latin monstrum 'portent or monster,' from monere 'warn.

sylph

an imaginary spirit of the air Origin mid 17th century: from modern Latin sylphes, sylphi and the German plural Sylphen, perhaps based on Latin sylvestris 'of the woods' + nympha 'nymph.'

parody

an imitation of synonyms: satire, burlesque, lampoon, pastiche, caricature, imitation, mockery; informalspoof, takeoff, send-up ";a parody of the Gothic novel"; Origin late 16th century: via late Latin from Greek parōidia 'burlesque poem,' from para- 'beside' [expressing alteration] + ōidē 'ode.'

pettifogger

an inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices Origin mid 16th century: from petty + obsolete fogger 'underhanded dealer,' probably from Fugger, the name of a family of merchants in Augsburg, Germany, in the 15th and 16th centuries.

bruise

an injur synonyms: contusion, lesion, mark, black-and-blue mark, discoloration, blackening; injury; swelling, lump, bump, welt; ecchymosis ";a bruise across her forehead"; Origin Old English brȳsan 'crush, injure or damage with a blow,' reinforced in Middle English by Old French bruisier 'break.'

ingenue

an innocent or unsophisticated young woman OriginFrench, feminine of ingénu 'ingenuous,' from Latin ingenuus [see ingenuous]

quidnunc

an inquisitive and gossipy person Origin early 18th century: from Latin quid nunc? 'what now?'

habiliment

clothing Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'outfit, attire']: from Old French habillement, from habiller 'fit out,' from Latin habilis [see able].

gibe

an insulting or mocking remark; a taunt synonyms: snide remark, cutting remark, taunt, sneer, jeer, insult, barb; informaldig, put-down ";vicious gibes"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: perhaps from Old French giber 'handle roughly' [in modern dialect 'kick']; compare with jib2.

interstice

an intervening space, especially a very small one Origin late Middle English: from Latin interstitium, from intersistere 'stand between,' from inter- 'between' + sistere 'to stand.'

presentiment

an intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of foreboding synonyms:premonition, foreboding, intuition, [funny] feeling, hunch, feeling in one's bones, sixth sense; archaicpresage ";a presentiment of disaster" Originearly 18th century: from obsolete French présentiment

herald

an official messenger bringing news synonyms: harbinger, sign, indicator, indication, signal, prelude, portent, omen; forerunner, precursor; literaryforetoken ";the first herald of spring"; Origin Middle English: from Old French herault [noun], herauder [verb], of Germanic origin.

dotard

an old person, especially one who has become weak or senile Origin late Middle English: from dote + -ard.

mutiny

an open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially synonyms:insurrection, rebellion, revolt, riot, uprising, insurgence, insubordination ";there was a mutiny over wages" Originmid 16th century: from obsolete mutine 'rebellion,' from French mutin 'mutineer,' based on Latin movere 'to move.

orifice

an opening, as of a pipe or tube, or one in the body, such as a nostril or the anus synonyms: opening, hole, aperture, slot, slit, cleft ";the orifice must be kept free from debris"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from late Latin orificium, from os, or- 'mouth' + facere 'make.'

primordium

an organ, structure, or tissue in the earliest stage of development Originlate 19th century: from Latin, neuter of primordius 'original,' from primus 'first' + ordiri 'begin.

arabesque

an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in Arabic or Moorish decoration Originmid 17th century: from French, from Italian arabesco 'in the Arabic style,' from arabo 'Arab.

epaulet

an ornamental shoulder piece on an item of clothing, typically on the coat or jacket of a military uniform Origin late 18th century: from French épaulette, diminutive of épaule 'shoulder,' from Latin spatula in the late Latin sense 'shoulder blade.'

canard

an unfounded rumor or story Origin mid 19th century: from French, literally 'duck,' also 'hoax,' from Old French caner 'to quack.'

seraphic

angelic; sweet Selena's seraphic appearance belied her nasty, bitter personality. Synonyms: cherubic; heavenly

aleatoric

another term for aleatory Origin 1960s: from Latin aleatorius, from aleator 'dice player,' from alea 'die,' + -ic.

meliorate

another term for ameliorate Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin meliorat- 'improved,' from the verb meliorare, based on melior 'better.'

perquisite

another term for perk2 Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin perquisitum 'acquisition,' from Latin perquirere 'search diligently for,' from per- 'thoroughly' + quaerere 'seek.'

prize

another term for pry2 Origin late 17th century: from dialect prise 'lever,' from Old French prise 'grasp, taking hold.' Compare with pry2.

satiate

another term for sate1 synonyms:fill, satisfy, sate; slake, quench; gorge, stuff, surfeit, glut, cloy, sicken, nauseate ";here, this stew should satiate you" Originlate Middle English: from Latin satiatus, past participle of satiare, from satis 'enough.

saxicoline

another term for saxatile Origin late 19th century: from modern Latin saxicolus [from saxum 'rock' + colere 'inhabit'] + -ine1.

paladin

any of the twelve peers of Charlemagne's court, of whom the count palatine was the chief Origin late 16th century: from French paladin, from Italian paladino, from Latin palatinus '[officer] of the palace' [see palatine1].

mollify

appease the anger or anxiety of [someone] synonyms:appease, placate, pacify, conciliate, soothe, calm [down] ";they tried to mollify the protesters" Originlate Middle English [also in the sense 'make soft or supple']: from French mollifier or Latin mollificare, from mollis 'soft.

annex

append or add as an extra or subordinate part, especially to a synonyms:take over, take possession of, appropriate, seize, conquer, occupy ";Charlemagne annexed northern Italy" Originlate Middle English: from Old French annexer, from Latin annectere 'connect,' from ad- 'to' + nectere 'tie, fasten.

approbate

approve formally; sanction Origin late Middle English: from Latin approbat- 'approved,' from the verb approbare, from ad- 'to' + probare 'try, test' [from probus 'good'].

codify

arrange [laws or rules] into a systematic code synonyms: systematize, systemize, organize, arrange, order, structure; tabulate, catalog, list, sort, index, classify, categorize, file, log ";the bill codified these standards for the first time";

mannered

artificial or stilted in character The portrait is an example of the mannered style that was favored in that era. Synonyms: affected; unnatural

succor

assistance a synonyms: aid, help, a helping hand, assistance; comfort, ease, relief, support, TLC ";they are providing succor in times of need"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin succursus, from Latin succurrere 'run to the help of,' from sub- 'from below' + currere 'run.'

forfend

avert, keep away, or prevent [something evil or unpleasant]

sentient

aware; conscious; able to perceive The anesthetic didn't work, and I was still sentient when the dentist started drilling! Synonyms: feeling; intelligent; thinking

awry

away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss synonyms: amiss, wrong; informalup ";something was awry"; Origin late Middle English: from a-2 'on' + wry.

cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative Originmid 18th century: of unknown origin; perhaps a blend of Anglo-Irish cant 'auction' and rancorous [see rancor]

transcend

be or go beyond the range or limits of [something abstract, typically a conceptual field or divisio synonyms:go beyond, rise above, cut across ";an issue that transcended party politics" OriginMiddle English: from Old French transcendre or Latin transcendere, from trans- 'across' + scandere 'climb.

obtrude

become noticeable in an unwelcome or intrusive way Origin mid 16th century: from Latin obtrudere, from ob- 'toward' + trudere 'to push.'

implore

beg someo synonyms: plead with, beg, entreat, beseech, appeal to, ask, request, call on; exhort, urge, enjoin, press, push, petition, bid, importune; supplicate ";his mother implored him to continue studying"; Origin early 16th century: from French implorer or Latin implorare 'invoke with tears.'

burgeon

begin to grow or increa synonyms: flourish, thrive, prosper, improve, develop; expand, escalate, swell, grow, boom, mushroom, snowball, rocket ";the toy industry is burgeoning"; Origin Middle English: from Old French bourgeonner 'put out buds,' from borjon 'bud,' based on late Latin burra 'wool.'

tyro

beginner; novice An obvious tyro at salsa, Millicent received no invitations to dance. Synonyms: apprentice; fledgling; greenhorn; neophyte; tenderfoot

sedition

behavior that promotes rebellion or civil disorder against the state Li was arrested for sedition after he gave a fiery speech in the main square. Synonyms: conspiracy; insurrection

credence

belief in or acceptance of something as true synonyms: belief, faith, trust, confidence, reliance ";the government placed little credence in the scheme"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin credentia, from Latin credent- 'believing,' from the verb credere .

sublunary

belonging to this world as contrasted with a better or more spiritual one Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'terrestrial']: from modern Latin sublunaris

appurtenant

belonging; pertinent Origin late Middle English: from Old French apartenant 'appertaining,' from the verb apartenir [see appertain].

kinship

blood relationship synonyms: family ties, blood ties, common ancestry, consanguinity ";the value of kinship in society";

malapert

boldly disrespectful to a person of higher standing Origin Middle English: from mal- 'improperly' + archaic apert 'insolent.'

recrudesce

break out again; recur Origin late 19th century: back-formation from recrudescence 'recurrence,' from Latin recrudescere 'become raw again,' from re- 'again' + crudus 'raw.'

suspire

breathe Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'yearn after']: from Latin suspirare, from sub- 'from below' + spirare 'breathe.

regurgitate

bring [swallowed food] up again to the mouth synonyms: disgorge, bring up ";a ruminant continually regurgitates food"; Origin late 16th century: from medieval Latin regurgitat-, from the verb regurgitare, from Latin re- 'again, back' + gurges, gurgit- 'whirlpool.'

cauterize

burn the skin or flesh of [a wound] with a heated instrument or caustic substance, typically to stop bleeding or prevent the wound from Originlate Middle English: from Old French cauteriser, from late Latin cauterizare, from Greek kautēriazein, from kautērion 'branding iron,' from kaiein 'to burn.

remit

cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting [a debt or pu synonyms: cancel, set aside, suspend, revoke; formalabrogate ";the fines were remitted"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin remittere 'send back, restore,' from re- 'back' + mittere 'send.' The noun dates from the early 20th century.

corrigible

capable of being corrected, rectified, or reformed Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'liable to or deserving punishment']: via French from medieval Latin corrigibilis, from Latin corrigere 'to correct.'

descry

catch sight of Origin Middle English: perhaps confused with obsolete descry 'describe,' variant of obsolete descrive [via Old French from Latin describere 'write down'], which also had the meaning 'perceive.'

deleterious

causing harm or damage synonyms: harmful, damaging, detrimental, injurious; adverse, disadvantageous, unfavorable, unfortunate, undesirable, bad ";the deleterious effects of smoking"; Origin mid 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek dēlētērios 'noxious' + -ous.

soporific

causing sleep or lethargy The movie proved to be so soporific that soon loud snores were heard throughout the cinema. Synonyms: hypnotic; narcotic; slumberous; somnolent

astringent

causing the contraction of body tis synonyms: constricting, constrictive, contracting; styptic ";the lotion has an astringent effect on pores"; Origin mid 16th century: from French, from Latin astringent- 'pulling tight,' from the verb astringere, from ad- 'toward' + stringere 'bind, pull tight.'

leery

cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions synonyms: wary, cautious, careful, guarded, chary, suspicious, distrustful; worried, anxious, apprehensive, hesitant, uncertain ";be leery of these slick salesmen"; Origin late 17th century: from obsolete leer 'looking askance,' from leer + -y1.

excoriate

censure or criticize severely synonyms: abrade, rub away, rub raw, scrape, scratch, chafe; strip away, skin ";the skin had been excoriated"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin excoriat- 'skinned,' from the verb excoriare, from ex- 'out, from' + corium 'skin, hide.'

solicitous

characterized by or showing interest o synonyms: concerned, caring, considerate, attentive, mindful, thoughtful, interested; anxious, worried; compassionate, humane ";she was always solicitous about the welfare of her students"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin sollicitus [see solicit] + -ous.

ostentatious

characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; des synonyms: showy, pretentious, conspicuous, flamboyant, gaudy, brash, vulgar, loud, extravagant, fancy, ornate, overelaborate; informalflash, flashy, splashy, fancy-pants, over the top, glitzy, ritzy, superfly ";an ostentatious display of wealth";

brummagem

cheap, showy, or counterfeit Originmid 17th century: dialect form of Birmingham, England, with reference to counterfeit coins and plated goods once made there

puerile

childishly silly and trivi synonyms: childish, immature, infantile, juvenile, babyish; silly, inane, fatuous, jejune, asinine, foolish, petty ";you're too old for these puerile outbursts"; Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'like a boy']: from French puéril or Latin puerilis, from puer 'boy.'

adduce

cite as evidence synonyms:cite, quote, name, mention, instance, point out, refer to; put forward, present, offer, advance, propose, proffer ";evidence adduced to support their argument" Originlate Middle English: from Latin adducere, from ad- 'toward' + ducere 'to lead.

talon

claw of an animal, especially a bird of prey A vulture holds its prey in its talons while it dismembers it with its beak. Synonyms: claw; nail

collate

collect synonyms: collect, gather, accumulate, assemble; combine, aggregate, put together; arrange, organize ";the system is used to collate information"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'confer [a benefice] upon']: from Latin collat- 'brought together,' from the verb conferre [see confer].

redivivus

come back to life; reborn Origin late 16th century: from Latin, from re[d]- 'again' + vivus 'living.'

doggerel

comic verse composed in irregular rhythm Origin late Middle English [as an adjective describing such verse]: apparently from dog [used contemptuously, as in dog Latin] + -rel.

analogous

comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of synonyms: comparable, parallel, similar, like, akin, corresponding, related, kindred, equivalent ";their lab results were analogous"; Origin mid 17th century: via Latin from Greek analogos 'proportionate' + -ous.

arrant

complete, utter synonyms: utter, complete, total, absolute, downright, outright, thorough, out-and-out, sheer, pure, unmitigated, unqualified; blatant, flagrant ";what arrant nonsense!"; Origin Middle English: variant of errant, originally in phrases such as arrant thief 'outlawed, roving thief.'

sangfroid

composure or coolne synonyms: composure, equanimity, self-possession, equilibrium, aplomb, poise, self-assurance, self-control, nerve, calm, presence of mind; informalcool, unflappability ";he recovered his usual sangfroid"; Origin mid 18th century: from French sang-froid, literally 'cold blood.'

comport

conduct oneself; behave synonyms: behave, conduct oneself, act, acquit oneself; archaicdeport oneself ";try to comport yourself with a little dignity"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'tolerate']: from Latin comportare, from com- 'together' + portare 'carry, bear.'

modish

conforming to or following what is synonyms: fashionable, stylish, chic, modern, contemporary, all the rage, in vogue, voguish, up-to-the-minute, à la mode, du jour; informaltrendy, cool, with it, in, now, hip, styling/stylin', happening, phat, funky, kicky, tony, fly ";modish outfits for spring";

sylvan

consisting of or associated with woods; wooded Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting an inhabitant of the woods]: from French sylvain or Latin Silvanus 'woodland deity,' from silva 'a wood.'

costive

constipated Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin constipatus 'pressed together' [see constipated].

symbiosis

cooperation; mutual helpfulness The rhino and the tick-eating bird live in symbiosis; the rhino gives the bird food in he form of ticks, and the bird rids the rhino of parasites. Synonyms: association; interdependence

malversation

corrupt behavior in a position of trust, especially in public office Origin mid 16th century: from French, from malverser, from Latin male 'badly' + versari 'behave.'

fortitude

courage in synonyms: courage, bravery, endurance, resilience, mettle, moral fiber, strength of mind, strength of character, strong-mindedness, backbone, spirit, grit, true grit, doughtiness, steadfastness; informalguts Origin Middle English: via French from Latin fortitudo, from fortis 'strong.'

gild

cover thinly with gold synonyms: gold-plate; cover with gold, paint gold ";she gilded the picture frame"; Origin Old English gyldan, of Germanic origin; related to gold.

expansive

covering a wide area in terms of space or scope; extensive or wide-ranging synonyms:extensive, sweeping, rolling ";expansive grassland";wide-ranging, extensive, broad, wide, comprehensive, thorough, full-scale ";expansive coverage"

recreant

cowardly Origin Middle English: from Old French, literally 'surrendering,' present participle of recroire, from medieval Latin [se] recredere 'surrender [oneself],' from re- [expressing reversal] + credere 'entrust.'

exegesis

critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture synonyms: interpretation, explanation, exposition, explication ";the exegesis of ancient texts"; Origin early 17th century: from Greek exēgēsis, from exēgeisthai 'interpret,' from ex- 'out of' + hēgeisthai 'to guide, lead.'

vitriol

cruel and bitter criticism Origin late Middle English [denoting the sulfate of various metals]: from Old French, or from medieval Latin vitriolum, from Latin vitrum 'glass.'

pollard

cut off the top and branches of [a tree] to encourage new growth at the top Origin early 17th century: from the verb poll + -ard.

mince

cut up or grind [food, especially meat] into very small pieces, typically in a machine with revolving blades synonyms:grind, chop up, cut up, dice, hash, chop fine ";mince the meat and onions" Originlate Middle English: from Old French mincier, based on Latin minutia 'smallness.

hack

cut with rough or heavy blows synonyms: cut, chop, hew, lop, saw; slash ";Stuart hacked the padlock off"; Origin Old English haccian 'cut in pieces'; related to Dutch hakken and German hacken .

sardonic

cynical; scornfully mocking Isabella was offended by the sardonic way in which her date made fun of her ideas and opinions. Synonyms: acerbic; caustic; sarcastic; satirical; snide

tangential

digressing; diverting Your argument is interesting, but it's tangential to the matter at hand, so I suggest we get back to the point. Synonyms: digression; extraneous; inconsequential; irrelevant; peripheral

obeisance

d synonyms: respect, homage, worship, adoration, reverence, veneration, honor, submission, deference ";he made a very formal, elaborate gesture of obeisance"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'obedience']: from Old French obeissance, from obeissant 'obeying,' present participle of obeir .

somber

dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy synonyms: dark, drab, dull, dingy; restrained, subdued, sober, funereal ";somber clothes"; Origin mid 18th century: from French, based on Latin sub 'under' + umbra 'shade.'

quietus

death or something that causes death, regarded as a release from life Origin late Middle English: abbreviation of medieval Latin quietus est 'he is quit' [see quit1], originally used as a form of receipt or discharge on payment of a debt.

humbug

deceptive or false talk or behavior Origin mid 18th century [in the senses 'hoax, trick' and 'deceiver']: of unknown origin.

specious

deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious The student's specious excuse for being late sounded legitimate but was proved otherwise when his teacher called his home. Synonyms: illusory; ostensible; plausible; sophistic; spurious

tardy

delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late synonyms: late, behind schedule, running late; behind, overdue, belated, delayed; slow, dilatory ";Professor Wainwright is tardy again"; Origin mid 16th century: from French tardif, -ive, from Latin tardus 'slow.'

arch

deliberately or affectedly playful and teasing synonyms: mischievous, teasing, knowing, playful, roguish, impish, cheeky, tongue-in-cheek; informalsaucy ";an arch grin"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'chief, principal']: from arch-, because of its association with words such as rogue .

salvation

deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be br synonyms: redemption, deliverance, reclamation ";salvation by way of repentance"; Origin Middle English: from Old French salvacion, from ecclesiastical Latin salvation- [from salvare 'to save'], translating Greek sōtēria .

venial

denoting a sin that is n synonyms: forgivable, pardonable, excusable, allowable, permissible; slight, minor, unimportant, insignificant, trivial, trifling; de minimis ";the venial indiscretions of my youth"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from late Latin venialis, from venia 'forgiveness.'

mordacious

denoting or using biting sarcasm or invective Origin mid 17th century: from Latin mordax, mordac- 'biting' + -ious.

gainsay

deny or contradict [a fact or statement] synonyms: deny, dispute, disagree with, argue with, dissent from, contradict, repudiate, challenge, oppose, contest, counter, controvert, rebut ";it was difficult to gainsay his claim"; Origin Middle English: from obsolete gain- 'against' + say.

aleatory

depending on the throw of a dice or on chance; random Origin late 17th century: from Latin aleatorius [see aleatoric].

limn

depict or describe in painting or words synonyms: describe, portray, depict, illustrate ";his earlier works limned violence"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'illuminate a manuscript']: alteration of obsolete lumine 'illuminate,' via Old French luminer from Latin luminare 'make light.'

turpitude

depravity; wickedness Origin late 15th century: from French, or from Latin turpitudo, from turpis 'disgraceful, base.'

divest

deprive [someone] of pow synonyms: deprive of, strip of, dispossess of, rob of, cheat out of, trick out of ";he intends to divest you of your power"; Origin early 17th century: alteration of devest, from Old French desvestir, from des- [expressing removal] + Latin vestire [from vestis 'garment'].

allay

diminish or put at rest [fear, suspicion, or worry] synonyms: reduce, diminish, decrease, lessen, assuage, alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, soften, calm, take the edge off ";nothing would allay his fears"; Origin Old English ālecgan 'lay down or aside.'

lucubrate

discourse learnedly in writing Origin early 17th century: from Latin lucubrat- '[having] worked by lamplight,' from the verb lucubrare .

syncopate

displace the beats or accents in [music or a rhythm] so that strong beats become weak and vice versa Origin early 17th century: from late Latin syncopat- 'affected with syncope,' from the verb syncopare 'to swoon' [see syncope].

impugn

dispute the truth, validity, or hone synonyms: call into question, challenge, question, dispute, query, take issue with ";are you impugning my judgment?"; Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'assault, attack physically']: from Latin impugnare 'assail,' from in- 'toward' + pugnare 'fight

louche

disreputable or sordid in a rakish or appealing way Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'squinting.'

slapdash

done too hurriedly and carelessly synonyms: careless, slipshod, hurried, haphazard, unsystematic, untidy, messy, hit-or-miss, negligent, neglectful, lax; informalsloppy, slaphappy, shambolic ";they did a slapdash job on the driveway";

tacit

done without using words Although not a word was said, everyone in the room knew that a tacit agreement had been made about what course of action to take. Synonyms: implicit; implied; undeclared; unsaid; unuttered

obtund

dull the sensitivity of; blunt; deaden Origin late Middle English: from Latin obtundere, from ob- 'against' + tundere 'to beat.'

postprandial

during or relating to the period after dinner or lunch Origin early 19th century: from post- 'after' + Latin prandium 'a meal' + -al.

rhetoric

effective writing or speaking Lincoln's talent for rhetoric was evident in his beautifully expressed Gettysburg Address. Synonyms: eloquence; oratory

peculate

embezzle or steal [money, especially public funds] Origin mid 18th century: from Latin peculat- 'embezzled,' from the verb peculari [related to peculium 'property'].

gird

encircle [a person or part of the synonyms: surround, enclose, encircle, circle, encompass, border, bound, edge, skirt, fringe; close in, confine ";the island was girded by rocks"; Origin Old English gyrdan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch gorden and German gürten, also to girdle and girth.

confabulate

engage in conversation; talk Origin early 17th century: from Latin confabulat- 'chatted together,' from the verb confabulari, from con- 'together' + fabulari [from fabula 'fable'].

disport

enjoy oneself unrestrainedly; frolic Origin late Middle English: from Old French desporter, from des- 'away' + porter 'carry' [from Latin portare ].

ardent

enthu synonyms: passionate, fervent, zealous, fervid, wholehearted, vehement, intense, fierce, fiery; enthusiastic, keen, eager, avid, committed, dedicated; literaryperfervid ";an ardent soccer fan"; Origin Middle English: from Old French ardant, from Latin ardens, ardent-, from ardere 'to burn.'

ardor

enthusiasm or passion synonyms: passion, fervor, zeal, vehemence, intensity, verve, fire, emotion; enthusiasm, eagerness, avidity, gusto, keenness, dedication ";approaching the project with ardor"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin ardor, from ardere 'to burn.'

surfeit

excessive amount Because of the surfeit of pigs, pork prices have never been lower. Synonyms: glut; plethora; repletion; superfluity; surplus

temerity

excessive confidence or boldness synonyms:audacity, nerve, effrontery, impudence, impertinence, cheek, gall, presumption; daring; informalface, front, neck, chutzpah ";I doubt they'll have the temerity to print these accusations" Originlate Middle English: from Latin temeritas, from temere 'rashly.

hubris

excessive pride or self-confidence synonyms: arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, hauteur, pride, self-importance, egotism, pomposity, superciliousness, superiority; informalbig-headedness, cockiness ";the hubris among economists was shaken"; Origin Greek.

florid

excessively decorated or embellished The palace had been decorated in an excessively florid style; every surface had been carved and gilded Synonyms: baroque; elaborate; flamboyant; ornate; ostentatious; rococo

dispensation

exemption from a rule or usual requirement synonyms: exemption, immunity, exception, exoneration, reprieve, remission ";a dispensation from the Pope"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin dispensatio[n-], from the verb dispensare [see dispense].

primordial

existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval synonyms:ancient, earliest, first, prehistoric, antediluvian, primeval ";the primordial oceans" Originlate Middle English: from late Latin primordialis 'first of all,' from primordius 'original' [see primordium]

ulterior

existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intention synonyms: underlying, undisclosed, undivulged, concealed, hidden, covert, secret, personal, private, selfish ";his ulterior objectives were disguised by feigned concern"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'further, more distant.'

immanent

existing or operating within; inherent Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin immanent- 'remaining within,' from in- 'in' + manere 'remain.'

vicarious

experienced in synonyms: indirect, secondhand, secondary, derivative, derived, surrogate, substitute; empathetic, empathic ";I had the vicarious thrill of knowing my wife was to be named the next university president"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin vicarius 'substitute' [see vicar] + -ous.

minatory

expressing or conveying a threat Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin minatorius, from minat- 'threatened,' from the verb minari .

tendentious

expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one Origin early 20th century: suggested by German tendenziös .

glean

extract [information] from various sourc synonyms: obtain, get, take, draw, derive, extract, cull, garner, gather; learn, find out ";what were you able to glean from questioning the witness?"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French glener, from late Latin glennare, probably of Celtic origin.

mulct

extract money from [someone] by fine or taxation Origin late 15th century: from Latin mulctare, multare, from mulcta 'a fine.'

torpor

extreme mental and physical sluggishness After the surgery, the patient's torpor lasted several hours until the anesthesia wore off. Synonyms: apathy; languor

ethereal

extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this worl synonyms: delicate, exquisite, dainty, elegant, graceful; fragile, airy, fine, subtle; unearthly ";melodic phrases of ethereal beauty"; Origin early 16th century: via Latin from Greek aitherios [from aithēr 'ether'] + -al.

stentorian

extremely loud Cullen couldn't hear her speaking over the stentorian din of the game on TV. Synonyms: clamorous; noisy

sacrosanct

extremely sacred; beyond criticism Many people considered Mother Teresa to be sacrosanct and would not tolerate any criticism of her. Synonyms: holy; inviolable; off-limits

waffle

fail to make up one's mind synonyms: waver, vacillate, equivocate, sit on the fence ";faced with this commitment, she waffled"; Origin late 17th century [originally in the sense 'yap, yelp']: frequentative of dialect waff 'yelp,' of imitative origin.

fidelity

faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing synonyms:loyalty, allegiance, obedience; historicalhomage, fealty ";fidelity to your king" Originlate Middle English: from Old French fidelite or Latin fidelitas, from fidelis 'faithful,' from fides 'faith.' Compare with fealty

plummet

fall or drop straight down at high sp synonyms: plunge, nosedive, dive, drop, fall, descend, hurtle ";the plane plummeted to the ground"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Old French plommet 'small sounding lead,' diminutive of plomb 'lead.' The current verb sense dates from the 1930s.

notorious

famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed synonyms: infamous, scandalous; well known, famous, famed, legendary ";a notorious gunman of the Old West"; Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'generally known']: from medieval Latin notorius [from Latin notus 'known'] + -ous.

audacious

fearless and daring The audacious peasant dared to insult the king's mother. Synonyms: adventuresome; aggressive; assertive; bold; brave; courageous; daring; dauntless; doughty; fearless; gallant; game; heroic; intrepid; mettlesome; plucky; stout; stouthearted; up afraid; undaunted; valiant; valorous; venturesome; venturous

execrate

feel or express great loathing for Origin mid 16th century: from Latin exsecrat- 'cursed,' from the verb exsecrari, based on sacrare 'dedicate' [from sacer 'sacred'].

quail

feel or show fear or apprehension synonyms: cower, cringe, flinch, shrink, recoil, shy [away], pull back; shiver, tremble, shake, quake, blench ";the sound of gunfire made us quail"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'waste away, come to nothing']: of unknown origin.

harried

feeling strained as a result of having demands persi synonyms: attack, assail, assault; charge, rush, strike, set upon; bombard, shell, strafe ";they harried the retreating enemy"; Origin Old English herian, hergian, of Germanic origin, probably influenced by Old French harier, in the same sense.

veracity

filled with truth and accuracy She had a reputation for veracity, so everyone trusted her description of the events. Synonyms: candor; exactitude; fidelity; probity

circumvent

find a way around [an obstacle] synonyms: avoid, get around, get past, evade, bypass, sidestep, dodge; informalduck ";the checkpoints were easy to circumvent"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin circumvent- 'skirted around,' from the verb circumvenire, from circum 'around' + venire 'come.'

edible

fit to be eaten [often used to contrast with unpalatable or synonyms: safe to eat, fit for human consumption, wholesome, good to eat; consumable, digestible, palatable; formalcomestible ";these berries may not be edible"; Origin late 16th century: from late Latin edibilis, from Latin edere 'eat.'

secure

fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost synonyms: fastened, fixed, secured, done up; closed, shut, locked ";check to ensure that all bolts are secure"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'feeling no apprehension']: from Latin securus, from se- 'without' +

glib

fluent in an insincere manner; offhand; casual The slimy politician managed to continue gaining supporters because he was a glib speaker. Synonyms: easy; superficial

consequential

following as a result or effe synonyms: resulting, resultant, ensuing, consequent; following, subsequent; attendant, accompanying, concomitant; collateral, associated, related ";a fire and the consequential smoke damage"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin consequentia [see consequence] + -al.

sustenance

food and drink regar synonyms: nourishment, food, nutriment, nutrition, provisions, provender, rations; informalgrub, chow; formalcomestibles; literaryviands; datedvictuals ";the creature needs sustenance"; Origin Middle English: from Old French soustenance, from the verb soustenir [see sustain].

victuals

food or provisions, ty Origin Middle English: from Old French vitaille, from late Latin victualia, neuter plural of Latin victualis, from victus 'food'; related to vivere 'to live.' The pronunciation still represents the early spelling vittel ; later spelling has been influenced by the Latin form.

proscribe

forbid, especially by law synonyms: forbid, prohibit, ban, bar, interdict, make illegal, embargo, outlaw, disallow, veto; enjoin ";gambling was proscribed"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'to outlaw']: from Latin proscribere, from pro- 'in front of' + scribere 'write.'

ramify

form branches or offshoots; spread or branch out Origin late Middle English: from Old French ramifier, from medieval Latin ramificare, from Latin ramus 'branch.'

ratiocinate

form judgments by a process of logic; reason Origin mid 17th century: from Latin ratiocinat- 'deliberated, calculated,' from the verb ratiocinari, from ratio [see ratio].

monolithic

formed of a single large block of stone synonyms: massive, huge, vast, colossal, gigantic, immense, giant, enormous; featureless, characterless ";a monolithic building";

exempt

free from an obligation or liability imposed on others synonyms:free from, not liable to, not subject to, exempted from, excepted from, excused of/from, absolved of ";they are exempt from all charges" Originlate Middle English: from Latin exemptus 'taken out, freed,' past participle of eximere

sportive

frolicsome; playful The lakeside vacation meant more sportive opportunities for the kids than the wine tour through France. Synonyms: frisky; merry

tortuous

full of twists and tu synonyms: twisting, twisty, twisting and turning, winding, windy, zigzag, sinuous, snaky, serpentine, meandering, circuitous ";a tortuous route"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin tortuosus, from tortus 'twisting, a twist,' from Latin torquere 'to twist.'

vouchsafe

give or grant [something] to [someone] in a gracious or condescending manner Origin Middle English: originally as the phrase vouch something safe on someone, i.e., 'warrant the secure conferment of [something on someone].'

perspire

give out sweat through the pores of the skin as the result of heat, physical exertion synonyms:sweat, be dripping/pouring with sweat, glow ";it's natural to perspire under these hot lights" Originmid 17th century: from French perspirer, from Latin perspirare, from per- 'through' + spirare 'breathe.

Unstinting

given or giving without restrai synonyms: ungrudging, unsparing, free, ready, benevolent, big-hearted, kind-hearted, kind, unselfish; lavish, liberal, generous, magnanimous, openhanded, freely given, munificent, beneficent, bountiful; profuse, abundant, ample, gushing; literaryplenteous, bounteous

mendicant

given to begging Origin late Middle English: from Latin mendicant- 'begging,' from the verb mendicare, from mendicus 'beggar,' from mendum 'fault.'

capricious

given to sudden and unaccount synonyms: fickle, inconstant, changeable, variable, mercurial, volatile, unpredictable, temperamental; whimsical, fanciful, flighty, quirky, faddish ";the capricious workings of fate"; Origin early 17th century: from French capricieux, from Italian [see capriccioso].

fey

giving an impression of vague unworldliness Origin Old English fǣge [in the sense 'fated to die soon'].

propitious

giving or synonyms: favorable, auspicious, promising, providential, advantageous, optimistic, bright, rosy, heaven-sent, hopeful; opportune, timely ";the timing for such a meeting seemed propitious"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French propicieus or Latin propitius 'favorable, gracious.'

raillery

good-humored teasing synonyms: teasing, mockery, chaff, ragging; banter, badinage; informalleg-pulling, joshing, ribbing, kidding ";affectionate raillery"; Origin mid 17th century: from French raillerie, from railler 'to rail' [see rail2].

solecism

grammatical mistake "I ain't going with you," she said, obviously unaware of her solecism. Synonyms: blooper; faux pas; vulgarism

imposing

grand and impressive in appearance synonyms: impressive, striking, arresting, eye-catching, impactful, dramatic, spectacular, stunning, awesome, awe-inspiring, formidable, splendid, grand, grandiose, majestic, stately, august ";an imposing mansion";

viridescent

greenish or becoming green Origin mid 19th century: from late Latin viridescent- 'becoming green,' from the verb viridescere, from Latin viridis 'green.'

antic

grotesque or bizarre Originearly 16th century: from Italian antico 'antique,' used to mean 'grotesque.

accrete

grow by accumulation or coalescence Origin late 18th century: from Latin accret- 'grown,' from the verb accrescere, from ad- 'to' + crescere 'grow.'

hirsute

hairy synonyms:hairy, shaggy, bushy, hair-covered; woolly, furry, fleecy, fuzzy; bearded, unshaven, bristly ";they described him as unusually large and hirsute" Originearly 17th century: from Latin hirsutus

intractable

hard to control or deal with synonyms: unmanageable, uncontrollable, difficult, awkward, troublesome, demanding, burdensome ";intractable problems"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin intractabilis, from in- 'not' + tractabilis [see tractable].

asperity

harshness of tone or synonyms: harshness, sharpness, abrasiveness, roughness, severity, acerbity, astringency, tartness, sarcasm ";he replied with some asperity in his tone"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'hardship, rigor']: from Old French asperite, or Latin asperitas, from asper 'rough.'

cursory

hasty and therefore not thorough or deta synonyms:perfunctory, desultory, casual, superficial, token; sketchy, half-done, incomplete; hasty, quick, hurried, rapid, brief, passing, fleeting ";a cursory inspection" Originearly 17th century: from Latin cursorius 'of a runner,' from cursor [see cursor]

solvent

havi synonyms: financially sound, debt-free, in the black, in credit, creditworthy, solid, secure, profit-making; unleveraged ";after years in debt, he finally knew what it meant to be solvent"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin solvent- 'loosening, unfastening, paying,' from the verb solvere .

substantive

having a firm basis in reality and therefore important, meaningful, or considerable Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'having an independent existence']: from Old French substantif, -ive or late Latin substantivus, from substantia 'essence' [see substance].

piquant

having a pleasantly sha synonyms: spicy, tangy, peppery, hot; tasty, flavorful, appetizing, savory; pungent, sharp, tart, zesty, strong, salty ";a piquant sauce"; Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'severe, bitter']: from French, literally 'stinging, pricking,' present participle of piquer .

florid

having a red or flushed complexion synonyms: ruddy, red, red-faced, rosy, rosy-cheeked, pink; flushed, blushing, high-colored; archaicsanguine ";a florid complexion"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin floridus, from flos, flor- 'flower.'

sapid

having a strong, pleasant taste Origin early 17th century: from Latin sapidus, from sapere 'to taste.'

noisome

having an extremely offensive smell Origin late Middle English: from obsolete noy [shortened form of annoy] + -some1.

puissant

having great power or influence Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin posse 'be able.'

beleaguer

lay siege to synonyms: besieged, under siege, blockaded, surrounded, encircled, beset, hemmed in, under attack ";the beleaguered garrison"; Origin late 16th century: from Dutch belegeren 'camp around,' from be- '[all] around' + leger 'a camp.'

degenerate

having lost the physical, synonyms: debased, degraded, corrupt, impure; formalvitiated ";a degenerate form of classicism"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin degeneratus 'no longer of its kind,' from the verb degenerare, from degener 'debased,' from de- 'away from' + genus, gener- 'race, kind.'

sinuous

having many curves and turns synonyms: winding, windy, serpentine, curving, twisting, meandering, snaking, zigzag, curling, coiling ";a sinuous river"; Origin late 16th century: from French sinueux or Latin sinuosus, from sinus 'a bend.'

flocculent

having or resembling tufts of wool Origin early 19th century: from Latin floccus 'tuft of wool' + -ulent.

xenophobic

having or sh synonyms: ultranationalistic, ultranationalist, nationalistic, nationalist, isolationist, jingoistic; parochial, insular; ethnocentric, ethnocentrist, racist, racialist; prejudiced, bigoted, intolerant ";unemployment and lack of exposure to foreigners has fueled xenophobic sentiment";

uxorious

having or showing an excessive or submissive fondness for one's wife Origin late 16th century: from Latin uxoriosus, from uxor 'wife.'

emollient

having the quality of softening or soothing the skin synonyms: moisturizing, soothing, softening ";a rich emollient shampoo"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin emollient- 'making soft,' from the verb emollire, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + mollis 'soft.'

coterminous

having the same boundaries or extent in space, time, or meaning Origin late 18th century: alteration of conterminous.

callipygian

having well-shaped buttocks Originlate 18th century: from Greek kallipūgos [used to describe a famous statue of Venus], from kallos 'beauty' + pūgē 'buttocks,' + -ian

salubrious

health-giving; healthy synonyms: healthy, health-giving, healthful, beneficial, wholesome; archaicsalutary ";I found the climate salubrious"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin salubris [from salus 'health'] + -ous.

salubrious

healthful Run-down and sickly, Gertrude hoped that the fresh mountain air would have a salubrious effect on her health. Synonyms: bracing; curative; medicinal; therapeutic; tonic

bombastic

high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated synonyms: pompous, blustering, turgid, verbose, orotund, high-flown, high-sounding, overwrought, pretentious, ostentatious, grandiloquent; informalhighfalutin, puffed up; rarefustian ";his bombastic speeches could send thousands into the streets";

spartan

highly self-disciplined; frugal; austere When he was in training, the athlete preferred to live in a spartan room, so he could shut out all distractions. Synonyms: restrained; simple

collide

hit wi synonyms: crash into, hit, strike, impact, run into, bump into, meet head-on, cannon into, plow into, barrel into ";the trains collided with each other"; Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'cause to collide']: from Latin collidere, from col- 'together' + laedere 'to strike or damage.'

exalt

hold [someone or something] in very synonyms: extol, praise, acclaim, esteem; pay homage to, revere, venerate, worship, lionize, idolize, look up to; informalput on a pedestal, laud ";they exalted their hero"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin exaltare, from ex- 'out, upward' + altus 'high.'

ribald

humorous in a vulgar way The court jester's ribald brand of humor delighted the rather uncouth king. Synonyms: coarse; gross; indelicate; lewd; obscene

esurient

hungry or greedy Origin late 17th century: from Latin esurient- 'being hungry,' from the verb esurire, from esse 'eat.'

restive

impatient; uneasy, or restless The passengers became restive after ha in yo wait in line for hours and began to shout complaints at the airline staff. Synonyms: agitated; anxious; fretful

effrontery

impudent boldness; audacity The receptionist had the effrontery to laugh out loud when the CEO tripped over a computer wire and fell flat on his face. Synonyms: brashness; gall; nerve; presumption; temerity

quiescent

in a state or period of inactivity synonyms:inactive, inert, idle, dormant, at rest, inoperative, deactivated, quiet; still, motionless, immobile, passive ";the volcano is in a quiescent state" Originmid 17th century: from Latin quiescent- 'being still,' from the verb quiescere, from quies 'quiet.

congruous

in agreement or harmony Originlate 16th century: from Latin congruus, from congruere 'agree' [see congruent], + -ous

congruent

in agreement or harmony Originlate Middle English: from Latin congruent- 'agreeing, meeting together,' from the verb congruere, from con- 'together' + ruere 'fall or rush.

delirious

in an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusio synonyms: incoherent, raving, babbling, irrational; feverish, frenzied; deranged, demented, unhinged, mad, insane, out of one's mind ";she was delirious but had lucid intervals";

canonic

in canon form Origin Old English [as a noun]: from Old French canonique or Latin canonicus 'canonical,' from Greek kanonikos, from kanon 'rule' [see canon1]. The adjective dates from the late 15th century.

verbatim

in exactly the same word synonyms: word for word, letter for letter, line for line, to the letter, literally, exactly, precisely, accurately, closely, faithfully ";I memorized his monologue verbatim"; Origin late 15th century: from medieval Latin, from Latin verbum 'word.' Compare with literatim.

bated

in great suspense; very anxiously or excitedly Origin late 16th century: from the past participle of obsolete bate 'restrain,' from abate.

urban

in, relating to, or characteristic of a city or town synonyms:town, city, municipal, civic, metropolitan, built-up, inner-city, downtown, suburban; urbanized, citified, townie ";crime rates are significantly higher in urban areas" Originearly 17th century: from Latin urbanus, from urbs, urb- 'city.

subsume

include or absorb [something] in something else Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'subjoin, add']: from medieval Latin subsumere, from sub- 'from below' + sumere 'take.' The current sense dates from the early 19th century.

aggrandize

increase the power, status, or wealth of Origin mid 17th century [in the general sense 'increase, magnify']: from French agrandiss-, lengthened stem of agrandir, probably from Italian aggrandire, from Latin grandis 'large.' The ending was changed by association with verbs ending in -ize.

discrete

individually separate and distinct synonyms: separate, distinct, individual, detached, unattached, disconnected, discontinuous, disjunct, disjoined ";discrete units of sound"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin discretus 'separate'; compare with discreet.

twitterpated

infatuated or obsessed Origin 1940s: from twitter + -pated 'having a head or mind of a specified kind' [from pate]; popularized by the 1942 film Bambi .

contuse

injure [a part of the body] without breaking the skin, forming a bruise Origin late Middle English: from Latin contus- 'bruised, crushed,' from the verb contundere, from con- 'together' + tundere 'beat, thump.'

contumely

insolent or insulting language or treatment Origin late Middle English: from Old French contumelie, from Latin contumelia, perhaps from con- 'with' + tumere 'to swell.'

didactic

intended to teach, particularly in h synonyms: instructive, instructional, educational, educative, informative, informational, edifying, improving, preceptive, pedagogic, moralistic ";the reforming, didactic function of art"; Origin mid 17th century: from Greek didaktikos, from didaskein 'teach.'

finesse

intricate and refined delicacy synonyms: skill, skillfulness, expertise, subtlety, flair, panache, elan, polish, artistry, virtuosity, mastery ";masterly finesse"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'purity, delicacy']: from French, related to fine1.

embroiled

involve [someone] deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation synonyms: involve, entangle, ensnare, enmesh, catch up, mix up, bog down, mire ";I don't want to get embroiled in your crazy schemes"; Origin early 17th century: from French embrouiller 'to muddle.'

blithe

joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought Summer finally came, and the blithe students spent their days at the beach. Synonyms: carefree; lighthearted; merry

desultory

jumping from one thing to another; disconnected Athena had a desultory academic record; she had changed majors 12 times in 3 years. Synonyms: aimless; disconnected; erratic; haphazard; indiscriminate; object less; purposeless; random; stray; unconsidered; unplanned

inchoate

just begu synonyms: rudimentary, undeveloped, unformed, immature, incipient, embryonic; beginning, fledgling, developing ";their government should not interfere in the inchoate market forces"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin inchoatus, past participle of inchoare, variant of incohare 'begin.'

insipid

lacking flavor synonyms: tasteless, flavorless, bland, weak, wishy-washy; unappetizing, unpalatable ";insipid coffee"; Origin early 17th century: from French insipide or late Latin insipidus, from in- 'not' + sapidus [see sapid].

diffident

lacking self-confidence Steve was diffident during the job interview because of his nervous nature and lack of experience in the field. Synonyms: backward; bashful; coy; demure; modest; retiring; self-effacing; shy; timid

artillery

large-caliber synonyms: ordnance, [big] guns, cannon[s]; battery ";the relentless sound of artillery"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French artillerie, from artiller, alteration of atillier 'equip, arm,' probably a variant of atirier, from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + tire 'rank, order.'

penultimate

last but one in a series of things; second to the last synonyms: next-to-last, second-to-last, second-last ";the penultimate movie on my top-ten list is an animated feature"; Origin late 17th century: from Latin paenultimus, from paene 'almost' + ultimus 'last,' on the pattern of ultimate .

ephemeral

lasting a short time The lives of mayflies seem ephemeral to us, since the flies' average life span is a matter of hours. Synonyms: evanescent; fleeting; momentary; transient

ephemeral

lasting for a very short time synonyms: transitory, transient, fleeting, passing, short-lived, momentary, brief, short; temporary, impermanent, short-term; fly-by-night ";last year's ephemeral fashions"; Origin late 16th century: from Greek ephēmeros [see ephemera] + -al.

chortle

laugh in a breathy, gleeful way; chuckle synonyms:chuckle, laugh, giggle, titter, tee-hee, snigger ";they were chortling behind their hands, as if we didn't notice" Origin1871: coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking Glass ; probably a blend of chuckle and snort

hegemony

leadership or dominance, especiall synonyms: leadership, dominance, dominion, supremacy, authority, mastery, control, power, sway, rule, sovereignty ";the Prussian hegemony of the nineteenth century"; Origin mid 16th century: from Greek hēgemonia, from hēgemōn 'leader,' from hēgeisthai 'to lead.'

aboveboard

legitimate, honest, and open synonyms: legitimate, lawful, legal, licit, honest, fair, open, frank, straight, overt, candid, forthright, unconcealed, trustworthy, unequivocal; informallegit, kosher, by the book, street legal, fair and square, square, on the level, on the up and up, upfront

mutable

liable to change synonyms: changeable, variable, varying, fluctuating, shifting, inconsistent, unpredictable, inconstant, fickle, uneven, unstable, protean; literaryfluctuant ";the mutable nature of fashion"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin mutabilis, from mutare 'to change.'

persiflage

light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter Origin mid 18th century: from French persifler 'to banter,' based on siffler 'to whistle.'

sublime

lofty or grand The music was so sublime that it transformed the rude surroundings into a special place. Synonyms: august; exalted; glorious; grand; magnificent; majestic; noble; resplendent; superb

strident

loud and harsh; grating synonyms: harsh, raucous, rough, grating, rasping, jarring, loud, shrill, screeching, piercing, ear-piercing ";a strident voice interrupted the consultation"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin strident- 'creaking,' from the verb stridere .

verdure

lush green vegetation Origin late Middle English: via French from Old French verd 'green,' from Latin viridis .

prostrate

lyin synonyms: prone, lying flat, lying down, stretched out, spread-eagled, sprawling, horizontal, recumbent; rareprocumbent ";the prostrate figure on the ground"; Origin Middle English: from Latin prostratus 'thrown down,' past participle of prosternere, from pro- 'before' + sternere 'lay flat.'

stupefy

m synonyms:stun, daze, knock unconscious, knock out, lay out ";the blow had stupefied her";drug, sedate, tranquilize, intoxicate, inebriate; informaldope ";they were stupefied from the wine" Originlate Middle English: from French stupéfier, from Latin stupefacere, from stupere 'be struck senseless.

palliate

make [a disease synonyms: alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, take the edge off, assuage, moderate, temper, diminish, decrease, blunt, deaden ";the treatment works by palliating symptoms"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin palliat- 'cloaked,' from the verb palliare, from pallium 'cloak.'

dilute

make [a liquid] thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent to it synonyms:make weaker, weaken, water down; thin out, thin; doctor, adulterate; informalcut ";strong bleach can be diluted with water" Originmid 16th century: from Latin dilut- 'washed away, dissolved,' from the verb diluer

assuage

make [an synonyms:relieve, ease, alleviate, soothe, mitigate, allay, palliate, abate, suppress, subdue; moderate, lessen, diminish, reduce ";a pain that could never be assuaged" OriginMiddle English: from Old French assouagier, asouagier, based on Latin ad- 'to' [expressing change] + suavis 'sweet.

placate

make [someone] less angry or hostile synonyms:pacify, calm, appease, mollify, soothe, win over, conciliate, propitiate, make peace with, humor ";John did his best to placate her" Originlate 17th century: from Latin placat- 'appeased,' from the verb placare

fructify

make [something] fruitful or productive Origin Middle English: from Old French fructifier, from Latin fructificare, from fructus 'fruit.'

tergiversate

make conflicting or evasive statements; equivocate Origin mid 17th century: from Latin tergiversat- 'with one's back turned,' from the verb tergiversari, from tergum 'back' + vertere 'to turn.'

recriminate

make counteraccusations Origin early 17th century: from medieval Latin recriminat- 'accused in return,' from the verb recriminari, from re- [expressing opposition] + criminare 'accuse' [from crimen 'crime'].

constrict

make narrower, especially by enci synonyms: narrow, make narrower, tighten, compress, contract, squeeze, strangle, strangulate; archaicstraiten ";fat constricts the blood vessels"; Origin mid 18th century: from Latin constrict- 'bound tightly together,' from the verb constringere [see constrain].

dilate

make or become wider, larger, or more open synonyms:enlarge, widen, expand, distend ";her nostrils dilated" Originlate Middle English: from Old French dilater, from Latin dilatare 'spread out,' from di- 'apart' + latus 'wide.

cavil

make petty or unnecessary objections Origin mid 16th century: from French caviller, from Latin cavillari, from cavilla 'mockery.'

incise

mark or decorate [an object or surface] with a cut or a series of cuts Origin mid 16th century: from French inciser, from Latin incis- 'cut into, engraved,' from the verb incidere, from in- 'into' + caedere 'to cut.'

plumb

measure [the depth of a body of water] synonyms: explore, probe, delve into, search, examine, investigate, fathom, penetrate, understand ";an attempt to plumb her psyche"; Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'sounding lead']: via Old French from Latin plumbum 'lead.'

atrabilious

melancholy or ill-tempered Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'affected by black bile,' one of the four supposed cardinal humors of the body, believed to cause melancholy]: from Latin atra bilis 'black bile,' translation of Greek melankholia 'melancholy,' + -ious.

caliginous

misty, dim; obscure, dark

nacre

mother-of-pearl Origin late 16th century: French, from late Latin nacchara, nacara, perhaps from Arabic.

gyrate

move or cause to move in a circle or spiral, esp synonyms: rotate, revolve, wheel, turn around, whirl, circle, pirouette, twirl, swirl, spin, swivel ";the disk gyrates atop an aluminum pole"; Origin early 19th century: from Latin gyrat- 'revolved,' from the verb gyrare, from Greek guros 'a ring.'

undulate

move with a smooth wavelike motion synonyms: rise and fall, surge, swell, heave, ripple, billow, flow, roll; wind, wobble, oscillate, fluctuate ";she watched the waves undulating from her stateroom window"; Origin mid 17th century: from late Latin undulatus, from Latin unda 'a wave.'

thew

muscular strength Origin Old English thēaw 'usage, custom,' [plural] '[personal] manner of behaving,' of unknown origin. The sense 'good bodily proportions, muscular development' arose in Middle English.

jejune

naive, simplistic, and superficial Origin early 17th century: from Latin jejunus 'fasting, barren.' The original sense was 'without food,' hence 'not intellectually nourishing.'

unremitting

never relaxing or slackening; inces synonyms: relentless, incessant, unrelenting, continual, constant, continuous, unabating, uninterrupted, unbroken, unrelieved, sustained, unshakable, unceasing, ceaseless, endless, unending, persistent, perpetual, interminable; merciless ";the unremitting rain";

sobriquet

nickname One of Ronald Reagan's sobriquets was "The Gipper." Synonyms: alias; pseudonym

opaque

not able to be synonyms: nontransparent, cloudy, filmy, blurred, smeared, smeary, misty, hazy; dirty, muddy, muddied, grimy ";opaque glass"; Origin late Middle English opake, from Latin opacus 'darkened.' The current spelling [rare before the 19th century] has been influenced by the French form.

impervious

not allowing fluid to pass through synonyms: impermeable, impenetrable, impregnable, waterproof, watertight, water-resistant, repellent; [hermetically] sealed, zip-locked ";an impervious rain jacket"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin impervius [from in- 'not' + pervius 'pervious'] + -ous.

disingenuous

not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does synonyms: insincere, dishonest, untruthful, false, deceitful, duplicitous, lying, mendacious; hypocritical ";that innocent, teary-eyed look is just part of a disingenuous act"

untrammeled

not deprived of freedom of action or expression; not restricted or hampered

skeptical

not easily convinced; having doubts or synonyms: dubious, doubtful, taking something with a pinch of salt, doubting; cynical, distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious, disbelieving, unconvinced, incredulous, scoffing; pessimistic, defeatist ";she was wisely skeptical about his get-rich-quick scheme";

anodyne

not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, often deliberately so Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek anōdunos 'painless,' from an- 'without' + odunē 'pain.'

redundant

not or no synonyms:unnecessary, not required, inessential, unessential, needless, unneeded, uncalled for; surplus, superfluous ";the system is hobbled by redundant paperwork" Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'abundant']: from Latin redundant- 'surging up,' from the verb redundare [see redound]

maladaptive

not providing adequate or appropriate adjustment to the environment or situation

finagle

obtain [something] by devious or dishonest means Origin 1920s [originally U.S.]: from dialect fainaigue 'cheat'; perhaps from Old French fornier 'deny.'

antebellum

occurring or existing before a particular war, especially the American Civil War Origin mid 19th century: from Latin, from ante 'before' and bellum 'war.'

nugatory

of no value or importance synonyms:worthless, unimportant, inconsequential, valueless, trifling, trivial, insignificant, meaningless ";a nugatory observation" Originearly 17th century: from Latin nugatorius, from nugari 'to trifle,' from nugae 'jests.

antediluvian

of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood synonyms:out of date, outdated, outmoded, old-fashioned, antiquated, behind the times, passé ";her antediluvian attitudes" Originmid 17th century: from ante- + Latin diluvium 'deluge' + -an

bourgeois

of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perc synonyms: middle-class, propertied; conventional, conservative, conformist; provincial, suburban, small-town; informalwhite-bread ";a bourgeois family"; Origin mid 16th century: from French bourg. Compare with burgess.

filial

of or due from a son or daughter synonyms:dutiful, devoted, compliant, respectful, affectionate, loving ";a display of filial affection" Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from ecclesiastical Latin filialis, from filius 'son,' filia 'daughter.

dyspeptic

of or having indigesti synonyms: bad-tempered, short-tempered, irritable, snappish, testy, tetchy, touchy, crabby, crotchety, grouchy, cantankerous, peevish, cross, disagreeable, waspish, prickly; informalon a short fuse, cranky, ornery ";he never became the dyspeptic old man his father had been";

pavonine

of or like a peacock Origin mid 17th century: from Latin pavoninus, from pavo, pavon- 'peacock.'

byzantine

of or relating to Byzantium, the Byzantine Empire, or the Eastern Orthodox Church Originlate 16th century [denoting a bezant, a Byzantine coin]: from Latin Byzantinus, from Byzantium

vulpine

of or relating to a fox or foxes Originearly 17th century: from Latin vulpinus, from vulpes 'fox.

picaresque

of or relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero Origin early 19th century: from French, from Spanish picaresco . See picaro.

avuncular

of or relating to an uncle Origin mid 19th century: from Latin avunculus 'maternal uncle,' diminutive of avus 'grandfather.'

sartorial

of or relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress Origin early 19th century: from Latin sartor 'tailor' [from sarcire 'to patch'] + -ial.

stygian

of or relating to the Styx River

delphic

of or relating to the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi

rustic

of or relating to the countryside; rural synonyms: rural, country, countryside, countrified, pastoral, bucolic; More agricultural, agrarian; literarysylvan, georgic ";a rustic setting"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'rural']: from Latin rusticus, from rus 'the country.'

primeval

of or resembling the earliest ages in the history of the world synonyms:ancient, earliest, first, prehistoric, antediluvian, primordial; pristine, original, virgin ";primeval forest" Originmid 17th century: from Latin primaevus [from primus 'first' + aevum 'age'] + -al

sidereal

of or with respect to the distant stars [i.e., the constellations or fixed stars, not the sun or planets] Origin mid 17th century: from Latin sidereus [from sidus, sider- 'star'] + -al.

fell

of terrible evil or ferocity; deadly synonyms: murderous, savage, violent, vicious, fierce, ferocious, barbarous, barbaric, monstrous, cruel, ruthless; archaicsanguinary ";a fell intent"; Origin Middle English: from Old French fel, nominative of felon 'wicked [person'] [see felon1].

parietal

of, relating to, attached to, or denoting the wall of the body or of a body cavity or hollow structure Origin late Middle English: from late Latin parietalis, from Latin paries, pariet- 'wall.'

voluptuous

of, relating to, o synonyms: hedonistic, sybaritic, epicurean, pleasure-loving, self-indulgent; decadent, intemperate, immoderate, dissolute, sensual, licentious ";she was voluptuous by nature"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French voluptueux or Latin voluptuosus, from voluptas 'pleasure.'

egalitarian

of, relating to, or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities Origin late 19th century: from French égalitaire, from égal 'equal,' from Latin aequalis [see equal].

edacious

of, relating to, or given to eating Origin early 19th century: from Latin edax, edac- [from edere 'eat'] + -ious.

crepuscular

of, resembling, or relating to twilight Originmid 17th century: from Latin crepusculum 'twilight' + -ar1

umbrage

offense; resentment The businessman took umbrage at the security guard's accusation that he had shoplifted a packet of gum. Synonyms: asperity; dudgeon; ire; pique; rancor

lubricious

offensively displaying or intended to arouse sexual desire Origin late 16th century: from Latin lubricus 'slippery' + -ious.

countervail

offset the effect of [something] by countering it with something of equal force Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'be equivalent to in value, compensate for']: from Anglo-Norman French contrevaloir, from Latin contra valere 'be of worth against.'

toady

one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors The king was surrounded by toadies who rushed to agree with whatever outrageous thing he said. Synonyms: parasite; sycophant

buck

oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable). "the shares bucked the market trend" synonyms: resist, oppose, defy, fight, kick against "it takes guts to buck the system"

sanguine

optimistic or synonyms: optimistic, bullish, hopeful, buoyant, positive, confident, cheerful, cheery; informalupbeat ";he is sanguine about the advance of technology"; Origin Middle English: from Old French sanguin[e ] 'blood-red,' from Latin sanguineus 'of blood,' from sanguis, sanguin- 'blood.'

inundate

overwhelm [someone synonyms: overwhelm, overrun, overload, bog down, swamp, besiege, snow under, bombard, glut ";we have been inundated with complaints"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin inundat- 'flooded,' from the verb inundare, from in- 'into, upon' + undare 'to flow' [from unda 'a wave'].

banal

predictable; clichéd; boring His conversations consisted of banal phrases like "Have a nice day" or "Another day, another dollar." Synonyms: bland; bromidic; clichéd; commonplace; fatuous; hackneyed; innocuous; insipid; jejune; musty; platitudinous; prosaic; quotidian; shopworn; stale; stereotypic; threadbare; timeworn; tired; trite; vapid; worn-out

animadvert

pass criticism or censure on; speak out against Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'pay attention to']: from Latin animadvertere, from animus 'mind' + advertere [from ad- 'toward' + vertere 'to turn']

evanesce

pass out of sight, memory, or existence Originmid 19th century: from Latin evanescere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of' + vanus 'empty.

disburse

pay out synonyms: pay out, spend, expend, dole out, dish out, hand out, part with, donate, give; informalfork out/over, shell out, lay out, ante up, pony up ";the proceeds were disbursed weekly"; Origin mid 16th century: from Old French desbourser, from des- [expressing removal] + bourse 'purse.'

cognoscenti

people who are considered to be especially well informed about a particular subject Origin late 18th century: from Italian conoscenti, literally 'people who know.' The g was added under the influence of Latin cognoscent- 'getting to know,' from the verb cognoscere [Italian conoscere ].

picayune

petty; worthless Origin early 19th century: from French picaillon, denoting a Piedmontese copper coin, also used to mean 'cash,' from Provençal picaioun, of unknown ultimate origin.

affected

phony; artificial The affected hairdresser spouted French phrases, though she had never been to France. Synonyms: insincere; pretentious, put-on

jouissance

physical or intellectual pleasure, delight, or ecstasy Origin French, from jouir 'enjoy.'

filched

pilfer or steal [somethi synonyms: steal, take, take for oneself, help oneself to, loot, pilfer, abscond with, carry off, shoplift; informalrun off with, walk off with, rob, swipe, snatch, nab, rip off, lift ";someone filched two pies from the bake sale"; Origin Middle English: of unknown origin.

persnickety

placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy Origin early 19th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.

schadenfreude

pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune Origin German Schadenfreude, from Schaden 'harm' + Freude 'joy.'

pliant

pliable Origin Middle English: from Old French, literally 'bending,' present participle of plier .

burnish

polish [something, especially metal] by rubbing synonyms: polish, shine, buff, rub, gloss ";marks can be removed by burnishing the metal"; Origin Middle English: from Old French burniss-, lengthened stem of burnir, variant of brunir 'make brown,' from brun 'brown.'

praxis

practice, as distinguished from theory Origin late 16th century: via medieval Latin from Greek, literally 'doing,' from prattein 'do.'

kudos

praise and honor received f synonyms: praise, glory, honor, status, standing, distinction, fame, celebrity; admiration, respect, esteem, acclaim, prestige, cachet, credit, full marks, props ";kudos to you for a lifetime of quiet courage and unwavering generosity"; Origin late 18th century: Greek.

stymie

prevent or hinder the progress of Origin mid 19th century [originally a golfing term, denoting a situation on the green where a ball obstructs the shot of another player]: of unknown origin.

resonate

produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound Origin late 19th century: from Latin resonat- 'resounded,' from the verb resonare [see resound].

bathetic

producing an unintentional effect of anticlimax

pithy

profound or substantial yet concise, succinct, and to the point Martha's pithy comments during the interview must have been impressive because she got the job. Synonyms: brief; compact; laconic; terse

salient

prominent; of notable significance His most salient characteristic is his tendency to dominate every conversation. Synonyms: marked; noticeable; outstanding

patrimony

property inherited from one's father or male ancestor synonyms: heritage, inheritance, birthright; legacy, bequest, endowment ";our cultural patrimony is in jeopardy"; Origin Middle English: from Old French patrimoine, from Latin patrimonium, from pater, patr- 'father.'

refute

prove [a statement or theory] to be wrong or false; disprove synonyms: disprove, prove wrong, prove false, debunk, discredit, invalidate; informalpoke holes in; formalconfute ";attempts to refute Einstein's theory"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin refutare 'repel, rebut.'

prevail

prove more powe synonyms:win, win out/through, triumph, be victorious, carry the day, come out on top, succeed, prove superior, conquer, overcome; rule, reign ";common sense will prevail" Originlate Middle English: from Latin praevalere 'have greater power,' from prae 'before' + valere 'have power.

auxiliary

providing supplementary or additio synonyms: additional, supplementary, supplemental, extra, spare, reserve, backup, emergency, fallback, other ";an auxiliary power source"; ancillary, assistant, support ";auxiliary staff"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin auxiliarius, from auxilium 'help.'

goad

provoke or annoy [someone] so as to stimulate some act synonyms: provoke, spur, prod, egg on, hound, badger, incite, rouse, stir, move, stimulate, motivate, prompt, induce, encourage, urge, inspire; impel, pressure, dragoon ";we were goaded into action"; Origin Old English gād, of Germanic origin

opprobrium

public disgrace After the scheme to defraud the elderly was made public, the treasurer resigned in utter opprobrium. Synonyms: discredit; disgrace; dishonor; disrepute; ignominy; infamy; obloquy; shame

slake

quench or satisfy [one's thirst] synonyms: quench, satisfy, sate, satiate, relieve, assuage ";we longed for a mountain spring to slake our thirst"; Origin Old English slacian 'become less eager,' also 'slacken,' from the adjective slæc 'slack'; compare with Dutch slaken 'diminish, relax.'

redress

r synonyms:rectify, correct, right, put to rights, compensate for, amend, remedy, make good, resolve, settle ";we redressed the problem";even up, regulate, equalize ";we aim to redress the balance" OriginMiddle English: the verb from Old French redresser ; the noun via Anglo-Norman French redresse

stimulate

ra synonyms: restorative, tonic, invigorating, bracing, energizing, reviving, refreshing, revitalizing, revivifying, exhilarating; analeptic ";a stimulating effect on the circulation"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'sting, afflict']: from Latin stimulat- 'urged, goaded,' from the verb sti

recherché

rare, exotic, or obscure synonyms: obscure, rare, esoteric, abstruse, arcane, recondite, exotic, strange, unusual, unfamiliar, out of the ordinary ";most of the titles are recherché"; Origin French, literally 'carefully sought out,' past participle of rechercher .

contumacious

rebellious The contumacious teenager ran away from home when her parents told her she was grounded. Synonyms: factious; insubordinate; insurgent; mutinous; rebellious; seditious

objurgate

rebuke severely; scold Origin early 17th century: from Latin objurgat- 'chided, rebuked,' from the verb objurgare, based on jurgium 'strife.'

convalesce

recover one's health and strength over a period of time after a synonyms: recuperate, get better, recover, get well, get back on one's feet ";he went abroad to convalesce"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin convalescere, from con- 'altogether' + valescere 'grow strong' [from valere 'be well'].

grate

reduce [something, especially food] to small shreds by rubbing it on a grater synonyms: shred, pulverize, mince, grind, granulate, crush, crumble ";she grated the cheese"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French grater, of Germanic origin; related to German kratzen 'to scratch.'

attenuate

reduce the force, effect, o synonyms: weakened, reduced, lessened, decreased, diminished, impaired ";the patient's muscle activity was much attenuated"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin attenuat- 'made slender,' from the verb attenuare, from ad- 'to' + tenuare 'make thin' [from tenuis 'thin'].

ribald

referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way Origin Middle English [as a noun denoting a lowly retainer or a licentious or irreverent person]: from Old French ribauld, from riber 'indulge in licentious pleasures,' from a Germanic base meaning 'prostitute.'

vilipend

regard as worthless or of little value; despise

abhor

regard with disgust and hatred synonyms: detest, hate, loathe, despise, execrate, regard with disgust, shrink from, recoil from, shudder at; formalabominate ";I abhor the taste of liver"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin abhorrere, from ab- 'away from' + horrere 'to shudder.'

vernal

related to spring; fresh Bea basked in the balmy vernal breezes, happy that winter was coming to an end. Synonyms: springlike; youthful

profane

relating or devoted synonyms: secular, lay, nonreligious, temporal; formallaic ";subjects both sacred and profane"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'heathen']: from Old French prophane, from Latin profanus 'outside the temple, not sacred,' from pro- [from pro 'before'] + fanum 'temple.'

cabalistic

relating to or associated with mystical interpretation or esoteric doctrine Origin earlly 17th century: variant of Kabbalistic: see Kabbalah.

consanguineous

relating to or denoting people descended from the same ancestor Origin early 17th century: from Latin consanguineus 'of the same blood' [from con- 'together' + sanguis 'blood'] + -ous.

felicific

relating to or promoting increased happiness Origin mid 19th century: from Latin felicificus, from felix, felic- 'happy.'

sacerdotal

relating to priests or the priesthood; priestly Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin sacerdotalis, from sacerdos, sacerdot- 'priest.'

calorific

relating to the amount of energy contained in food or fuel Origin late 17th century: from Latin calorificus, from calor 'heat.'

mimetic

relating to, constituting, or habitually practicing mimesis Origin mid 17th century: from Greek mimētikos 'imitation,' from mimeisthai 'to imitate.'

manumit

release from slavery; set free Origin late Middle English: from Latin manumittere, literally 'send forth from the hand,' from manus 'hand' + mittere 'send.'

loath

reluctant; unwilling synonyms: reluctant, unwilling, disinclined, ill-disposed; averse, opposed, resistant ";they were loath to take risks"; Origin Old English lāth 'hostile, spiteful,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch leed, German Leid 'sorrow.'

desiccate

remove the moisture from [something, especially food], typically in order to preserve it synonyms: dried, dry, dehydrated, powdered ";desiccated coconut"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin desiccat- 'made thoroughly dry,' from the verb desiccare .

adumbrate

report or represent in outline Originlate 16th century: from Latin adumbrat- 'shaded,' from the verb adumbrare, from ad- 'to' [as an intensifier] + umbrare 'cast a shadow' [from umbra 'shade']

impute

repres synonyms: attribute to, ascribe to, assign to, credit to; connect with, associate with ";the worst of these mistakes have been unfairly imputed to him"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French imputer, from Latin imputare 'enter in the account,' from in- 'in, toward' + putare 'reckon.'

reprehend

reprimand Origin Middle English: from Latin reprehendere 'seize, check, rebuke,' from re- [expressing intensive force] + prehendere 'seize.'

earthy

resembling or suggestive of earth or soil synonyms: soil-like, dirtlike ";an earthy smell";

reciprocate

respond to [a gesture or action] by making a correspondi synonyms: do the same [in return], respond in kind, return the favor ";I was happy to reciprocate"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin reciprocat- 'moved backwards and forwards' from the verb reciprocare, from reciprocus [see reciprocal].

insurgent

rising in active revolt synonyms:rebellious, rebel, revolutionary, mutinous, insurrectionist; renegade, seditious, subversive ";insurgent forces" Originmid 18th century [as a noun]: via French from Latin insurgent- 'arising,' from the verb insurgere, from in- 'into, toward' + surgere 'to rise.

convolve

roll or coil together; entwine Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'enclose in folds']: from Latin convolvere 'roll together,' from con- 'together' + volvere 'roll.

sanguine

ruddy; cheerfully optimistic A sanguine person thinks the glass is half full, whereas a depressed person thinks it's half empty. Synonyms: confident; hopeful; positive; rosy; rubicund

surly

rude and bad-tempered When asked to clean the windshield, the surly gas station attendant tossed the dirty rag at the customer and walked away. Synonyms: gruff; grumpy; testy

churlish

rude in a mean-spirited and surly way synonyms: rude, ill-mannered, ill-bred, discourteous, impolite, unmannerly, uncivil, unchivalrous; inconsiderate, uncharitable, surly, sullen ";it seemed churlish to refuse her invitation"; Origin Old English cierlisc, ceorlisc [see churl, -ish1].

rustic

rural The rustic cabin was an ideal setting for a vacation in the country. Synonyms: bucolic; pastoral

sated

satisfy [a desire or an appetite] to the full Origin early 17th century: probably an alteration of dialect sade, from Old English sadian 'become sated or weary' [related to sad]. The change in the final consonant was due to association with satiate.

undergird

secure or fasten from the underside, especially by a rope or chain passed underneath

indemnity

security or protection against a loss or synonyms: insurance, assurance, protection, security, indemnification, surety, guarantee, warranty, safeguard ";indemnity against loss"; Origin late Middle English: from French indemnite, from late Latin indemnitas, from indemnis 'unhurt, free from loss.'

cull

select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources synonyms: select, choose, pick, take, obtain, glean ";anecdotes culled from Greek history"; Origin Middle English: from Old French coillier, based on Latin colligere [see collect1].

brash

self-assertive in a rude, noisy, synonyms: self-assertive, pushy, cocksure, cocky, self-confident, arrogant, bold, audacious, brazen, bumptious, overweening, puffed up; More forward, impudent, insolent, rude ";a brash man"; Origin early 19th century [originally dialect]; perhaps a form of rash1.

tutelary

serving as a protector, guardian, or patron Origin early 17th century: from Latin tutelarius, from tutela 'keeping' [see tutelage].

prefatory

serving as an introduction; introductory synonyms: introductory, preliminary, opening, initial, preparatory, initiatory, precursory ";prefatory text";

otiose

serving no practical purpose or result Origin late 18th century: from Latin otiosus, from otium 'leisure.'

chutzpah

shameless audacity; impudence synonyms: audacity, cheek, guts, nerve, boldness, temerity ";it took a lot of chutzpah for her to walk in on Owen's bachelor party"; Origin late 19th century: Yiddish, from Aramaic ḥu ṣpā .

contiguous

sharing a co synonyms: adjacent, neighboring, adjoining, bordering, next-door; abutting, connecting, touching, in contact, proximate ";the contiguous Gulf states"; Origin early 16th century: from Latin contiguus 'touching,' from the verb contingere 'be in contact, befall' [see contingent] + -ous.

refulgent

shining brightly Origin late 15th century: from Latin refulgent- 'shining out,' from the verb refulgere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + fulgere 'to shine.'

effulgent

shining brightly; radiant Origin mid 18th century: from Latin effulgent- 'shining brightly,' from the verb effulgere, from ex- 'out' + fulgere 'to shine.'

charnel

short for charnel house Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from medieval Latin carnale, neuter [used as a noun] of carnalis 'relating to flesh' [see carnal].

ordinal

short for ordinal number Origin Middle English [sense 2 of the noun]: the noun from medieval Latin ordinale [neuter]; the adjective from late Latin ordinalis 'relating to order in a series,' from Latin ordo, ordin- [see order].

exculpate

show or declare that [someone] is not guilty of wrongdoing Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin exculpat- 'freed from blame,' from the verb exculpare, from ex- 'out, from' + Latin culpa 'blame.'

blithe

showing a casual and cheerful indifference co synonyms: casual, indifferent, unconcerned, unworried, untroubled, uncaring, careless, heedless, thoughtless; nonchalant, blasé ";a blithe disregard for the rules"; Origin Old English blīthe, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch blijde, also to bliss.

overweening

showing excessive confidence or pride synonyms: overconfident, conceited, cocksure, cocky, smug, haughty, supercilious, lofty, patronizing, arrogant, proud, vain, self-important, imperious, overbearing; informalhigh and mighty, uppish

timorous

showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'feeling fear']: from Old French temoreus, from medieval Latin timorosus, from Latin timor 'fear,' from timere 'to fear.'

opalescent

showing varying colors as an opal does synonyms: iridescent, prismatic, rainbowlike, kaleidoscopic, multicolored, many-hued, lustrous, shimmering, glittering, sparkling, variegated, scintillating, shot, moiré, opaline, milky, pearly, nacreous ";opalescent sequins";

sagacious

shrewd; wise Owls have a reputation for being sagacious, perhaps because of their big eyes, which resemble glasses. Synonyms: astute; judicious; perspicacious; sage; wise

wizened

shriveled; withered; wrinkled The wizened old man was told that the plastic surgery necessary to make him look young again would cost more money than he could imagine. Synonyms: atrophied; desiccated; gnarled; wasted

wan

sickly pale The sick child had a wan face, in on trash to her rosy-cheeked sister. Synonyms: ashen; sickly

taciturn

silent; not talkative The clerk's taciturn nature earned him the nickname Silent Bob. Synonyms: laconic; reticent

reticent

silent; reserved Physically small and verbally reticent, Joan Didion often went unnoticed by those she was reporting upon. Synonyms: cool; introverted; laconic; standoffish; taciturn; undemonstrative

fatuous

silly and pointless synonyms: silly, foolish, stupid, inane, idiotic, vacuous, asinine; pointless, senseless, ridiculous, ludicrous, absurd; informaldumb, daft ";the irritation of fatuous questions"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin fatuus 'foolish' + -ous.

legerdemain

skillful use of one's hands when performing conjuring tricks synonyms: sleight of hand, conjuring, magic, wizardry; formalprestidigitation; rarethaumaturgy ";stage magicians practicing legerdemain"; Origin late Middle English: from French léger de main 'dexterous,' literally 'light of hand.'

dilatory

slow to act synonyms:slow, tardy, unhurried, sluggish, sluggardly, snaillike, lazy ";he had been dilatory in appointing an executor" Originlate Middle English: from late Latin dilatorius 'delaying,' from Latin dilator 'delayer,' from dilat- 'deferred,' from the verb differre

fusty

smelling stale, damp, or stuffy synonyms: stale, musty, dusty; stuffy, airless, unventilated; damp, mildewed, mildewy ";the room smelt fusty"; Origin late 15th century: from Old French fuste 'smelling of the cask,' from fust 'cask, tree trunk,' from Latin fustis 'cudgel.'

simper

smile or gesture in an affectedly coquettish, coy, or ing synonyms: smile affectedly, smile coquettishly, look coy, smirk, giggle, titter ";she sat there simpering, knowing she would have the last laugh"; Origin mid 16th century: of unknown origin; compare with German zimpfer 'elegant, delicate.'

steep

soak [food or tea] in water or other liquid so as to extract its flavor or to soften it synonyms: marinade, marinate, soak, souse, macerate; pickle ";the ham is then steeped in brine"; Origin Middle English: of Germanic origin; related to stoup.

pith

soft or spongy tissue in plants or animals, in particular synonyms: essence, main point, fundamentals, heart, substance, nub, core, quintessence, crux, gist, meat, kernel, marrow, burden; informalnitty-gritty ";the pith of the argument"; Origin Old English pitha .

anachronism

something out of place in time The play was set in the nineteenth century, but was ruined by anachronisms, like the lead actor's digital watch. Synonyms: archaism; incongruity

dross

something regarde synonyms: rubbish, junk; debris, chaff, detritus, flotsam and jetsam, garbage, trash, dreck ";trying to find something decent among the discount-house dross"; Origin Old English drōs [in the sense 'scum on molten metal']; related to Dutch droesem and German Drusen 'dregs, lees.'

desideratum

something that is needed or wanted synonyms: requirement, prerequisite, need, indispensable thing, sine qua non, essential, requisite, necessary ";integrity was a desideratum"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, 'something desired,' neuter past participle of desiderare [see desiderate].

lugubrious

sorrowful; mournful; dismal Irish wakes are a rousing departure from the lugubrious funeral services to which most people are accustomed. Synonyms: funereal; gloomy; melancholy; somber; woeful

plaintive

sounding sad and m synonyms: mournful, sad, wistful, doleful, pathetic, pitiful, piteous, melancholy, sorrowful, unhappy, wretched, woeful, forlorn, woebegone; literarydolorous ";a plaintive cry"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French plaintif, -ive, from plainte 'lamentation' [see plaint].

prodigal

spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant synonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, profligate, improvident, imprudent ";prodigal habits die hard"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin prodigalis, from Latin prodigus 'lavish.'

vitiate

spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of Origin mid 16th century: from Latin vitiat- 'impaired,' from the verb vitiare, from vitium [see vice1].

claim

state or assert that something is the case, typical synonyms: assert, declare, profess, maintain, state, hold, affirm, avow; argue, contend, allege; formalaver ";Davies claimed that she was lying"; Origin Middle English: from Old French claime [noun], clamer [verb], from Latin clamare 'call out.'

aver

state or assert to be the case Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'declare or confirm to be true']: from Old French averer, based on Latin ad 'to' [implying 'cause to be'] + verus 'true.'

conciliate

stop [someone] fr synonyms: appease, placate, pacify, mollify, assuage, soothe, humor, reconcile, win over, make peace with ";he tried to conciliate the peasantry"; Origin mid 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin conciliat- 'combined, gained,' from the verb conciliare, from concilium [see council].

stanch

stop or restrict [a flow of blood] from a wound Origin Middle English: from Old French estanchier, from the base of staunch1.

occlude

stop, close up, or obstruct [an opening, orifice, or passage] synonyms: block [up], stop [up], obstruct, clog [up], close, shut, plug [up], choke ";a blood clot has occluded the coronary artery"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin occludere 'shut up.'

divagate

stray; digress Origin late 16th century: from Latin divagat- 'wandered around,' from the verb divagari, from di- 'widely' + vagari 'wander.'

redolent

strongly reminiscent or suggest synonyms: evocative, suggestive, reminiscent ";their pubs bear names redolent of the monarchy"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'fragrant']: from Old French, or from Latin redolent- 'giving out a strong smell,' from re[d]- 'back, again' + olere 'to smell.'

contend

stru synonyms: cope with, face, grapple with, deal with, take on, pit oneself against ";the pilot had to contend with torrential rain"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'compete for [something]']: from Old French contendre or Latin contendere, from con- 'with' + tendere 'stretch, strive.'

allude

suggest or call atten synonyms: refer to, touch on, suggest, hint at, imply, mention [in passing], make an allusion to; formaladvert to ";the prosecutor alluded to Dixon's past"; Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'hint at, suggest']: from Latin alludere, from ad- 'toward' + ludere 'to play.'

meet

suitable; fit; proper Origin Middle English [in the sense 'made to fit']: shortening of Old English gemǣte, of Germanic origin; related to mete1.

defile

sully, mar, or spoil synonyms: spoil, sully, mar, impair, debase, degrade; poison, taint, tarnish; destroy, ruin Origin late Middle English: alteration of obsolete defoul, from Old French defouler 'trample down,' influenced by obsolete befile 'befoul, defile.'

lavish

sumptuously rich synonyms: sumptuous, luxurious, costly, expensive, opulent, grand, splendid, rich, fancy, posh; informalfancy-schmancy ";lavish parties"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting profusion]: from Old French lavasse 'deluge of rain,' from laver 'to wash,' from Latin lavare .

specious

superficially plausible, but actually wrong synonyms: misleading, deceptive, false, fallacious, unsound, spurious, casuistic, sophistic ";specious reasoning"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beautiful']: from Latin speciosus 'fair,' from species [see species].

leery

suspicious After being swindled once, Ruth became leery of strangers trying to sell things to her. Synonyms: distrustful; guarded; wary

distend

swell or cause to swell by pressure from inside synonyms: swollen, bloated, dilated, engorged, enlarged, inflated, expanded, extended, bulging, protuberant ";a distended abdomen"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin distendere, from dis- 'apart' + tendere 'to stretch.'

celerity

swiftness of movement Origin late 15th century: from Old French celerite, from Latin celeritas, from celer 'swift.'

turgid

swollen and distended or congested synonyms: swollen, distended, tumescent, engorged, bloated, tumid ";the tissues become turgid"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin turgidus, from turgere 'to swell.'

turgid

swollen as from a fluid; bloated In the process of osmosis, water passes through the walls of turgid cells, ensuring that they never contain too much water. Synonym: distended

sycophant

sy Origin mid 16th century [denoting an informer]: from French sycophante, or via Latin from Greek sukophantēs 'informer,' from sukon 'fig' + phainein 'to show'; the association with informing against the illegal exportation of figs from ancient Athens [recorded by Plutarch] is not substantiated.

expletive

syno Origin late Middle English [as an adjective]: from late Latin expletivus, from explere 'fill out,' from ex- 'out' + plere 'fill.' The general noun sense 'word used merely to fill out a sentence' [early 17th century] was applied specifically to an oath or swear word in the early 19th century.

graft

syno Origin late Middle English graff, from Old French grafe, via Latin from Greek graphion 'stylus, writing implement' [with reference to the tapered tip of the scion], from graphein 'write.' The final -t is typical of phonetic confusion between -f and -ft at the end of words; compare with tuft.

craven

syno OriginMiddle English cravant 'defeated,' perhaps via Anglo-Norman French from Old French cravante, past participle of cravanter 'crush, overwhelm,' based on Latin crepare 'burst.' The change in the ending in the 17th century was due to association with past participles ending in -en [see -en3]

interdict

syno OriginMiddle English entredite [in the ecclesiastical sense], from Old French entredit, from Latin interdictum, past participle of interdicere 'interpose, forbid by decree,' from inter- 'between' + dicere 'say.' The spelling change in the 16th century was due to association with the Latin form

demure

synonym Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'sober, serious, reserved']: perhaps from Old French demoure, past participle of demourer 'remain, stay' [see demur]; influenced by Old French mur 'grave,' from Latin maturus 'ripe or mature.' The sense 'reserved, shy' dates from the late 17th century

serendipity

synonyms: [happy] chance, [happy] accident, fluke; luck, good luck, go Origin 1754: coined by Horace Walpole, suggested by The Three Princes of Serendip, the title of a fairy tale in which the heroes "were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of."

interminable

synonyms: [seemingly] endless, never-ending, unending, nonstop, everlasting, ceaseless, unceasing, incessant, constant, continual, uninterrupted, sustained; monotonous, tedi Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin interminabilis, from in- 'not' + terminare [see terminate].

detest

synonyms: abhor, hate, loathe, despise, shrink from, be unable to bear, find intolerable, dislike, disdain, have an aversion to; formalabominate ";the only vegetabl Origin late 15th century: from Latin detestari, from de- 'down' + testari 'witness, call upon to witness' [from testis 'a witness'].

perennial

synonyms: abiding, enduring, lasting, everlasting, perpetual, eternal, continuing, unending, unceasing, never-ending, endless, undying, ceaseless, persis Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'remaining leafy throughout the year, evergreen']: from Latin perennis 'lasting the year through' + -ial.

anomalous

synonyms: abnormal, atypical, irregular, aberrant, exceptional, freak, freakish, odd, bizarre, peculiar, unusual, out of the ordinary; deviant, mutant; formalheteroclite ";it's an anomalous birth Origin mid 17th century: via late Latin from Greek anōmalos [from an- 'not' + homalos 'even'] + -ous.

banter

the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks synonyms: repartee, witty conversation, raillery, wordplay, cut and thrust, kidding, ribbing, badinage, joshing ";a brief exchange of banter"; Origin late 17th century: of unknown origin.

eschew

synonyms: abstain from, refrain from, give up, forgo, shun, renounce, steer clear of, have nothing to do with, fight shy of; relinquish, reject, disavow, abandon Origin late Middle English: from Old French eschiver, ultimately of Germanic origin and related to German scheuen 'shun,' also to shy1.

esoteric

synonyms: abstruse, obscure, arcane, recherché, rarefied, recondite, abstract; enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, Delphic; complex, complicated, incomprehensible, o Origin mid 17th century: from Greek esōterikos, from esōterō, comparative of esō 'within,' from es, eis 'into.' Compare with exoteric.

daft

synonyms: absurd, preposterous, ridiculous, ludicrous, farcical, laughable; idiotic, stupid, foolish, silly, inane, fatuous, harebrained, cockamamie, half-baked, crazy, cockeyed ";a daft i Origin Old English gedæfte 'mild, meek,' of Germanic origin; related to Gothic gadaban 'become or be fitting

ludicrous

synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, farcical, laughable, risible, preposterous, foolish, mad, insane, idiotic, stupid, inane, silly, asinine, nonsensical; informalc Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'sportive, intended as a jest']: from Latin ludicrus [probably from ludicrum 'stage play'] + -ous.

preposterous

synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, foolish, stupid, ludicrous, farcical, laughable, comical, risible, nonsensical, senseless, insane; outrageous, monstrous; informalcrazy ";at the Origin mid 16th century: from Latin praeposterus 'reversed, absurd' [from prae 'before' + posterus 'coming after'] + -ous.

invective

synonyms: abuse, insults, e Origin late Middle English [originally as an adjective meaning 'reviling, abusive']: from Old French invectif, -ive, from late Latin invectivus 'attacking,' from invehere [see inveigh]. The noun is from late Latin invectiva [oratio ] 'abusive or censorious [language].'

trappings

synonyms: accessories, accoutrements, appurtenances, trimmings, frills, accompaniments, extras, ornamentation, adornment, decoration; regalia, panoply, paraphernalia, apparatus, finery, equipment, gear, effects, things, bits and pieces ";she is sur Origin late Middle English: derivative of trap2.

eulogy

synonyms: accolade, panegyr Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'high praise']: from medieval Latin eulogium, eulogia [from Greek eulogia 'praise'], apparently influenced by Latin elogium 'inscription on a tomb' [from Greek elegia 'elegy']. The current sense dates from the late 16th century.

attain

synonyms: achieve, accomplish, reach, obtain, gain, procure, secure, get, hook, net, win, earn, acquire; realize, fulfill; inform Origin Middle English [in the senses 'bring to justice' and 'reach [a state]']: from Old French ateindre, from Latin attingere, from ad- 'at, to' + tangere 'to touch.'

vindicate

synonyms: acquit, clear, absolve, exonerate; discharge, liberate, free; informallet off, let off the hook; formalexculpate ";he was Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'deliver, rescue']: from Latin vindicat- 'claimed, avenged,' from the verb vindicare, from vindex, vindic- 'claimant, avenger.'

ancillary

synonyms: additional, auxiliary, supporting, helping, extra, supplementary, supplemental, accessory, attendant; subsidiary, secondary; adjuvant; rareadminicular ";the Administrative Procedures Act and ancillary documents" Origin mid 17th century: from Latin ancillaris, from ancilla 'maidservant.'

arbitrate

synonyms: adjudicate, judge, referee, umpire; mediate, conciliate, intervene, intercede; settle, decide, resolve, pass judgment ";a third and disinterested party was brought in to arbitrat Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arbitrat- 'judged,' from arbitrari, from arbiter 'judge, supreme ruler.'

council

synonyms: advisory body, board, committee, brain trust, commission, assembly, panel; synod, co Origin Old English [in the sense 'ecclesiastical assembly']: from Anglo-Norman French cuncile, from Latin concilium 'convocation, assembly,' from con- 'together' + calare 'summon.' Compare with counsel.

effete

synonyms: affected, pretentious, precious, mannered, overrefined; ineffectual; informalla-di-da ";effete trendies" Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'no longer fertile, past bearing young']: from Latin effetus 'worn out by bearing young,' from ex- 'out' + fetus 'breeding'; related to fetus.

exacerbate

synonyms: aggravate, worsen, inflame, compound; intens Origin mid 17th century: from Latin exacerbat- 'made harsh,' from the verb exacerbare, from ex- [expressing inducement of a state] + acerbus 'harsh, bitter.' The noun exacerbation [late Middle English] originally meant 'provocation to anger.'

accede

synonyms: agree to, consent to, accept, assent to, acquiesce in, comply with, go along with, concur with, surrender to, yield to, give in to, give way to, def Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'come forward, approach']: from Latin accedere, from ad- 'to' + cedere 'give way, yield.'

mitigate

synonyms: alleviate, reduce, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, take the edge off, allay, ease, assuage, palliate, relieve, tone down ";the worst symptoms have been mitiga Origin late Middle English: from Latin mitigat- 'softened, alleviated,' from the verb mitigare, from mitis 'mild.'

anathema

synonyms: an abomination, an outrage, an abhorrence, a disgrace, an evil, a bane, a Origin early 16th century: from ecclesiastical Latin, 'excommunicated person, excommunication,' from Greek anathema 'thing dedicated,' [later] 'thing devoted to evil, accursed thing,' from anatithenai 'to set up.'

intimate

synonyms: announce, state, proclaim, declare, make known, make public, publicize, disclose, reveal, divulge, set forth ";he intimated to the com Origin early 16th century [earlier [late Middle English] as intimation ]: from late Latin intimat- 'made known,' from the verb intimare [see intimate1].

vex

synonyms: annoy, irritate, anger, infuriate, exasperate, irk, gall, pique, put out, antagonize, nettle, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, rattle someone's cage, make someone's hackles rise, ru Origin late Middle English: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexare 'shake, disturb.'

zenith

the point or culmination; peak The diva considered her appearance at the Metropolitan Opera to be the zenith of her career. Synonyms: acme; pinnacle

aggravate

synonyms: annoy, irritate, exasperate, bother, put out, nettle, provoke, antagonize, get on someone's nerves, ruffle [someone's feathers], try someone's patience; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin aggravat- 'made heavy,' from the verb aggravare, from ad- [expressing increase] + gravis 'heavy.'

chagrin

synonyms: annoyance, irritation, vexation, exasperation, displeasure, dissatisfaction, discontent; anger, rage, fury, wrath, indignation, resentm Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'melancholy']: from French chagrin [noun], literally 'rough skin, shagreen,' chagriner [verb], of unknown origin.

execrable

synonyms: appalling, atrocious, lamentable, egregious, awful, dreadful, terrible; disgusting, deplorable, disgraceful, frightful, reprehens Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'expressing or involving a curse']: via Old French from Latin execrabilis, from exsecrari 'to curse' [see execrate].

ostensible

synonyms: apparent, outward, superficial, professed, supposed, alleged, purported ";the ostensible star is Lana Origin mid 18th century: from French, from medieval Latin ostensibilis from Latin ostens- 'stretched out to view,' from the verb ostendere, from ob- 'in view of' + tendere 'to stretch.'

mien

synonyms: appearance, look, expression, countenance, aura, demeanor, attitude, air, manner, bearing; formalcomportment ";a scowling mien that did nothing to boost o Origin early 16th century: probably from French mine 'expression,' influenced by obsolete demean 'bearing, demeanor' [from demean2].

apposite

synonyms: appropriate, suitable, fitting, apt, befitting; relevant, pertinent, appurtenant, to the point, applicable, germane, material, congruous, felicitous; formalad rem ";an Origin late 16th century: from Latin appositus, past participle of apponere 'apply,' from ad- 'toward' + ponere 'put.'

approbation

synonyms: approval, acceptance, endorsement, appreciation, respect, admiration, commendation, praise, congratulations, acclaim, esteem, applause; consent; rarelaudation ";at age 45, he w Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin approbatio[n-], from the verb approbare [see approbate].

coy

synonyms: arch, simpering, coquettish, flirtatious, kitte Origin Middle English: from Old French coi, quei, from Latin quietus [see quiet]. The original sense was 'quiet, still' [especially in behavior], later 'modestly retiring,' and hence [of a woman] 'affecting to be unresponsive to advances.'

antagonize

synonyms: arouse hostility in, alienate; anger, annoy, provoke, vex, irritate; rub the wrong way; informalaggravate, rile, needle, rattle som Origin mid 18th century [in the sense 'struggle against']: from Greek antagōnizesthai, from ant- 'against' + agōnizesthai 'struggle' [from agōn 'contest'].

essay

synonyms: artic Origin late 15th century [as a verb in the sense 'test the quality of']: alteration of assay, by association with Old French essayer, based on late Latin exagium 'weighing,' from the base of exigere 'ascertain, weigh'; the noun [late 16th century] is from Old French essai 'trial.'

congregate

synonyms: assemble, gather, collect, come together, convene, rally, rendezvous, muster, meet, cluster, group ";huge crowds o Origin late Middle English: from Latin congregat- 'collected [into a flock], united,' from the verb congregare, from con- 'together' + gregare [from grex, greg- 'a flock'].

acolyte

synonyms: assistant, helper, attendant, aide, minion, underling, lackey, henchman; follower, disciple, supporter, votary; informalsidekick, groupie, hanger-on ";surrounded by eager ac Origin Middle English: from Old French acolyt or ecclesiastical Latin acolytus, from Greek akolouthos 'follower.'

medley

synonyms: assortment, miscellany, mixture, mélange, variety, mixed bag, grab bag, mix, coll Origin Middle English [denoting hand-to-hand combat, also cloth made of variegated wool]: from Old French medlee, variant of meslee 'melee,' based on medieval Latin misculare 'to mix'; compare with meddle.

arrogate

synonyms: assume, take, claim, appropriate, seize, expropriate, wrest, usurp, commandeer ";the board arrogated to itself the task of determining what medical facilities will b Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arrogat- 'claimed for oneself,' from the verb arrogare, from ad- 'to' + rogare 'ask.'

acumen

synonyms: astuteness, shrewdness, acuity, sharpness, sharp-wittedness, cleverness, smartness, brains; judgment, understanding, awareness, sense, common sense, canniness, discernment, wisdom, wit, sagacity Origin late 16th century: from Latin, 'sharpness, point,' from acuere 'sharpen' [see acute].

expiate

synonyms: atone for, make amends for, make up for, do penance for, pay for, redress, redee Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'end [rage, sorrow, etc.] by suffering it to the full']: from Latin expiat- 'appeased by sacrifice,' from the verb expiare, from ex- 'out' + piare [from pius 'pious'].

connect

synonyms: attach, join, fasten, fix, affix, couple, link, secure, hitch; stick, adhere, fuse, pin, screw, bolt, clamp, clip, hook [up]; add Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'be united physically'; rare before the 18th century]: from Latin connectere, from con- 'together' + nectere 'bind.'

concomitant

synonyms: attendant, accompanying, associated, related, connected; resultant, consequent ";the rise of urbanism brought a concomitant risk Origin early 17th century: from late Latin concomitant- 'accompanying,' from concomitari, from con- 'together with' + comitari, from Latin comes 'companion.'

allure

synonyms: attraction, lure, draw, pull, appeal, allurement, enticement, temptation, charm, seduction, fascination ";the allure Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'tempt, entice']: from Old French aleurier 'attract,' from a- [from Latin ad 'to'] + luere 'a lure' [originally a falconry term].

ascetic

synonyms: austere, self-denying, abstinent, abstemious, self-disciplined, self-abnegating; simple, puritanical, monastic; reclusive, eremitic, hermitic; celibate, chaste ";an Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin asceticus or Greek askētikos, from askētēs 'monk,' from askein 'to exercise.'

payola

the practice of bribing someone to use their influence or position to promote a particular product or interest Origin 1930s: from pay1 + -ola as in Victrola, the name of a make of gramophone.

gauche

synonyms: awkward, gawky, inelegant, graceless, ungraceful, ungainly, maladroit, klutzy, inept; lacking in social grace[s], unsophisticated, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, raw, inexperienced, unworldly ";Rose was embarrassed by her gauche r Origin mid 18th century: French, literally 'left.'

splenetic

synonyms: bad-tempered, ill-tempered, angry, cross, peevish, petulant, pettish, irritable, irascible, choleric, dyspeptic, testy, tetchy, snappish, waspish, Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting a person with a diseased spleen]: from late Latin spleneticus, from Greek splēn [see spleen].

crotchety

synonyms: bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, grumpy, grouchy, cantankerous, short-tempered, tetchy, testy, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-humored, ill-natured, cross-grained, peevish, cross, fractious, pettish, waspish, crabbed, crabby, crusty, Origin early 19th century: from of crotchet + -y1.

repartee

synonyms: banter, badinage, bantering, raillery, witticism[s], ripostes, sallies, quips, joking, jesting; formalpersiflage ";an evening of wit and re Origin mid 17th century: from French repartie 'replied promptly,' feminine past participle of repartir, from re- 'again' + partir 'divide, depart.'

concern

synonyms: be about, deal with, have to do with, cover; discuss, go into, examine, study, review, analyze; relate to, p Origin late Middle English: from French concerner or late Latin concernere [in medieval Latin 'be relevant to'], from con- [expressing intensive force] + cernere 'sift, discern.'

prevaricate

synonyms: be evasive, beat around the bush, hedge, fence, shilly-shally, dod Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'go astray, transgress']: from Latin praevaricat- 'walked crookedly, deviated,' from the verb praevaricari, from prae 'before' + varicari 'straddle' [from varus 'bent, knock-kneed'].

fawn

synonyms: be obsequious to, be sycophantic to, curry favor with, flatter, play up to, crawl to, ingratiate oneself with, dance attendance on; informalsuck up to, be all over, brown-nose, toady Origin late Middle English: from Old French faon, based on Latin fetus 'offspring'; compare with fetus.

importune

synonyms: beg, beseech, entreat, implore, plead with, appeal to, call on, lobby; harass, pester, press, badger, bother, nag, harry; informalhassle, Origin mid 16th century: from French importuner or medieval Latin importunari, from Latin importunus 'inconvenient, unseasonable' [see importunate].

neophyte

synonyms: beginner, learner, novice, newcomer; initiate, tyro, fledgling; trainee, apprentice, Origin late Middle English: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek neophutos, literally 'newly planted' but first used in the sense 'new convert' by St. Paul [1 Tim. 3:6], from neos 'new' + phuton 'plant.'

disparage

synonyms: belittle, denigrate, deprecate, trivialize, make light of, undervalue, underrate, play down; rid Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'marry someone of unequal rank,' also 'bring discredit on']: from Old French desparagier 'marry someone of unequal rank,' based on Latin par 'equal.'

detract

synonyms: belittle, take away from, diminish, reduce, lessen, minimize, play down, trivialize, decry, depreciate, devalue, deprecate ";my reservations should not detract f Origin late Middle English: from Latin detract- 'drawn away,' from the verb detrahere, from de- 'away from' + trahere 'draw.'

bellicose

synonyms: belligerent, aggressive, hostile, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, antagonistic, pugnacious, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative; informalspoiling for a fight, scrappy Origin late Middle English: from Latin bellicosus, from bellicus 'warlike,' from bellum 'war.'

rancor

synonyms: bitterness, spite, hate, hatred, resentment, malice, ill will, malevolence, animosity, antipathy, enmity, hostility, acrimony, venom, vitriol Origin Middle English: via Old French from late Latin rancor 'rankness,' [in the Vulgate 'bitter grudge'], related to Latin rancidus 'stinking.'

flagrant

synonyms: blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, conspicuous, barefaced, shameless, brazen, undisguised, unconcealed; outrageous, scandalous, shocking, disgraceful, Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'blazing, resplendent']: from French, or from Latin flagrant- 'blazing,' from the verb flagrare .

vaunt

synonyms: boast about, brag about, make much of, crow about, pa Origin late Middle English: the noun a shortening of obsolete avaunt 'boasting, a boast'; the verb [originally in the sense 'use boastful language'] from Old French vanter, from late Latin vantare, based on Latin vanus 'vain, empty.'

augur

synonyms: bode, portend, herald, be a sign of, warn of, forewarn of, foreshadow, be an omen of, presage, indicate, signify, signal, promise, threaten, spell, denote; predict, prophesy; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode ";the war he Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin, 'diviner.'

spurious

synonyms: bogus, fake, false, counterfeit, forged, fraudulent, sham, artificial, imitation, simulated, feigned, deceptive, misleading, specious; informalphony, pretend ";an attempt to be excused due Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'born out of wedlock']: from Latin spurius 'false' + -ous.

factitious

synonyms: bogus, fake, specious, false, counterfeit, fraudulent, spurious, sham, mock, feigned, affected, pretended, contrived, engineered, inauthentic, ersa Origin mid 17th century [in the general sense 'made by human skill or effort']: from Latin facticius 'made by art,' from facere 'do, make.'

audacious

synonyms: bold, daring, fearless, intrepid, brave, courageous, valiant, heroic, plucky; daredevil, devil-may-care, reckless, madcap; venturesome, mettlesome; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, ballsy, skookum; liter Origin mid 16th century: from Latin audax, audac- 'bold' [from audere 'dare'] + -ious.

ennui

synonyms: boredom, tedium, listlessness, lethargy, lassitude, languor, weariness, enervation; malaise, dissatisfaction, melancholy, depression, world-weariness, Weltschmerz ";an ennui bred of l Origin mid 18th century: French, from Latin mihi in odio est 'it is hateful to me.' Compare with annoy.

adulterate

to make impure The restauranteur made his ketchup last longer by adulterating it with water. Synonyms: debase; doctor; load

arbor

synonyms: bower, pergola; alcove, grotto, Origin Middle English [also denoting a lawn or flower bed]: from Old French erbier, from erbe 'grass, herb,' from Latin herba . The phonetic change to ar- [common in words having er- before a consonant] was assisted by association with Latin arbor 'tree.'

presumptuous

synonyms: brazen, overconfident, arrogant, bold, audacious, forward, familiar, impertinent, insolent, impudent, cocky; cheeky, rud Origin Middle English: from Old French presumptueux, from late Latin praesumptuosus, variant of praesumptiosus 'full of boldness,' from praesumptio [see presumption].

laconic

synonyms: brief, concise, terse, succinct, short, pithy ";his laconic comment"; taciturn, uncommunicative, reticent, quiet, reserved, s Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'Laconian']: via Latin from Greek Lakōnikos, from Lakōn 'Laconia, Sparta,' the Spartans being known for their terse speech.

contrive

synonyms: bring about, engineer, manufacture, orchestrate, stage-manage, create, devise, concoct, construct, plan, fabricate, plot, hatch; informalwangle, set Origin Middle English: from Old French contreuve-, stressed stem of controver 'imagine, invent,' from medieval Latin contropare 'compare.'

peremptory

synonyms: brusque, imperious, high-handed, brisk, abrupt, summary, commanding, Origin late Middle English [as a legal term]: via Anglo-Norman French from Latin peremptorius 'deadly, decisive,' from perempt- 'destroyed, cut off,' from the verb perimere, from per- 'completely' + emere 'take, buy.'

hector

synonyms: bully, intimidate, browbeat, harass, t Origin late Middle English: from the Greek name Hector. Originally denoting a hero, the sense later became 'braggart or bully' [applied in the late 17th century to a member of a gang of youths in London, England], hence 'talk to in a bullying way.'

onerous

synonyms: burdensome, arduous, strenuous, difficult, hard, severe, heavy, back-breaking, oppressive, weighty, uphill, challenging, formidable, laborious, Herculean, exhausting, tiring, taxing, dem Origin late Middle English: from Old French onereus, from Latin onerosus, from onus, oner- 'burden.'

nonchalant

synonyms: calm, composed, unconcerned, cool, 'calm, cool, and collected', cool as a cucumber; indifferent, blasé, dispassionate, apathetic, casual, insouciant; informallaid-back ";she acts nonchalant Origin mid 18th century: from French, literally 'not being concerned,' from the verb nonchaloir .

phlegmatic

synonyms: calm, cool, composed, 'calm, cool, and collected', controlled, serene, tranquil, placid, impassive, imperturbabl Origin Middle English [in the sense 'relating to the humor phlegm']: from Old French fleumatique, via Latin from Greek phlegmatikos, from phlegma 'inflammation' [see phlegm].

discreet

synonyms: careful, circumspect, cautious, wary, chary, guarded; tactful, diplomatic, prude Origin Middle English: from Old French discret, from Latin discretus 'separate,' past participle of discernere 'discern,' the sense arising from late Latin discretio [see discretion]. Compare with discrete.

meticulous

synonyms: careful, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, accurate; thoroug Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'fearful or timid']: from Latin meticulosus, from metus 'fear.' The word came to mean 'overcareful about detail,' hence the current sense [early 19th century].

scrupulous

synonyms: careful, meticulous, painstaking, thorough, assiduous, sedulous, attentive, conscientious, punctilious, searching, close, minute, rigorous, partic Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'troubled with doubts']: from French scrupuleux or Latin scrupulosus, from scrupulus [see scruple].

rankle

synonyms: cause resentment to, annoy, upset, anger, irritate, offend, affront, displease, provoke, irk, vex, pique, nettle, gall Origin Middle English: from Old French rancler, from rancle, draoncle 'festering sore,' from an alteration of medieval Latin dracunculus, diminutive of draco 'serpent.'

gingerly

synonyms: cautiously, carefully, with care, warily, charily, circumspectly, delicately; heedfully, watchfully, vigilantly, att Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'daintily, mincingly']: perhaps from Old French gensor 'delicate,' comparative of gent 'graceful,' from Latin genitus 'well-born.'

attest

synonyms: certify, corroborate, confirm, verify, substantiate, authenticate, evidence, demonstrate, show, prove; endorse, support, affirm, bear out, give credence Origin early 16th century: from French attester, from Latin attestari, from ad- 'to' + testari 'to witness' [from testis 'a witness'].

fortuitous

synonyms: chance, adventitious, unexpected, unanticipated, unpredictable, unforeseen, unlooked-for, serendipitous, casual, incidental, coincidental, random, accidental, inadvertent, unintentional, uni Origin mid 17th century: from Latin fortuitus, from forte 'by chance,' from fors 'chance, luck.'

vicissitudes

synonyms: change, alteration, shift, reversal, twist, turn, downturn, variation; inconstancy, instability, uncertainty, chanciness, unpredictability, Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'alternation']: from French, or from Latin vicissitudo, from vicissim 'by turns,' from vic- 'turn, change.'

indict

synonyms: charge with, accuse of, arraign for, take to court for, put on trial for, bring to trial for, prosecute for; cite for, impe Origin Middle English endite, indite, from Anglo-Norman French enditer, based on Latin indicere 'proclaim, appoint,' from in- 'toward' + dicere 'pronounce, utter.'

abyss

synonyms: chasm, gorge, ravine, canyon, fissure, rift, crevasse, hole, gulf, pit, cavity, void, bottomless pit ";a recurring nightmare in which he falls in Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'infernal pit']: via late Latin from Greek abussos 'bottomless,' from a- 'without' + bussos 'depth.'

parsimony

synonyms: cheapness, miserliness, meanness, parsimoniousness, niggardliness, close-fistedness, closeness, penny-pinching; informalstinginess, minginess, tightness, tightfistedness, cheeseparing; formalpenuri Origin late Middle English: from Latin parsimonia, parcimonia, from parcere 'be sparing.'

vacillate

to physically sway; to be indecisive The customer held up the line as he vacillated de tween ordering chocolate chip or rocky-road ice cream. Synonyms: dither; falter; fluctuate; oscillate; waver

periphrastic

synonyms: circumlocutory, circuitous, roundabout, indirect, tautological, pleonastic, prolix, verbose, wordy, long-winded, rambling, wandering, tortuous, diffuse ";the periphrastic nature of leg Origin early 19th century: from Greek periphrastikos, from periphrazein 'declare in a roundabout way.'

preen

synonyms: clean, tidy, groom, smooth, arrange; arch Origin late Middle English: apparently a variant of obsolete prune [based on Latin ungere 'anoint'], in the same sense, associated with Scots and northern English dialect preen 'pierce, pin' [because of the "pricking" action of the bird's beak].

precipice

synonyms: cliff face, cliff, steep cliff, rock face, sheer drop, height, crag, bluff, escarpment, scarp; literarysteep ";it's amazing h Origin late 16th century [denoting a headlong fall]: from French précipice or Latin praecipitium 'abrupt descent,' from praeceps, praecip[it]- 'steep, headlong.'

faction

synonyms: clique, coterie, caucus, cabal, bloc, camp, group, grouping, sector, section, wing, arm, branch, set; ginger group, pressure group ";a faction of the pa Origin late 15th century [denoting the action of doing or making something]: via French from Latin factio[n-], from facere 'do, make.'

wheedle

synonyms: coax, cajole, inveigle, induce, entice, charm, tempt, beguile, blandish, flatter, persuade, influence, win someone over, bring someone around, convince, prevail on, get around; informalsweet-talk Origin mid 17th century: perhaps from German wedeln 'cringe, fawn,' from Wedel 'tail, fan.'

drab

synonyms: colorless, gray, dull, washed out, muted, lackluster; dingy, dreary, dismal, cheerless, gloomy, somber ";a drab interior"; uninteresting, dull, boring, tedious, monotonous, dry, Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting undyed cloth]: probably from Old French drap 'cloth' [see drape].

synthesis

synonyms: combination, union, amalgam, blend, mixture, compound, fusion, composite, alloy; unification, amalgamation, marrying ";the synthesis of their diverse styles makes for a wonderful new sound in cou Origin early 17th century: via Latin from Greek sunthesis, from suntithenai 'place together

amalgamate

synonyms: combine, merge, unite, fuse, blend, meld; join [together], join forces, band [together], link [up], team up, go into partnership; literarycommingle Origin early 17th century: from medieval Latin amalgamat- 'formed into a soft mass,' from the verb amalgamare, from amalgama [see amalgam].

carping

synonyms: complain, cavil, grumble, grouse, whine, bleat, nag; informalgripe, grouch, beef, bellyache, moan, bitch, whinge, kvetch ";they could always find som Origin Middle English [in the sense 'talk, chatter']: from Old Norse karpa 'brag'; later influenced by Latin carpere 'pluck at, slander.'

docile

synonyms: compliant, obedient, pliant, dutiful, submissive, deferential, unassertive, cooperative, amenable, accommodating, biddable, malleable ";his docile children do everything he asks o Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'apt or willing to learn']: from Latin docilis, from docere 'teach.'

imbroglio

synonyms: complicated situation, complication, problem, difficulty, predicament, trouble, confusion, quandary, entanglement, muddle, mess, quagmire, morass, sticky situation; informalbind, jam, pickle, fix, corner, Origin mid 18th century: Italian, from imbrogliare 'confuse'; related to embroil.

conform

synonyms: comply with, abide by, obey, observe, follow, keep to, stick to, adhere to, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, fall i Origin Middle English [in the sense 'make [something] like another thing']: from Old French conformer, from Latin conformare, from con- 'together' + formare 'to form.'

equanimity

synonyms: composure, calm, level-headedness, self-possession, coolheadedness, presence of mind; serenity, tranquility, phlegm, imperturbability, equilibrium; poise Origin early 17th century [also in the sense 'fairness, impartiality']: from Latin aequanimitas, from aequus 'equal' + animus 'mind.'

succinct

synonyms: concise, short [and sweet], brief, compact, condensed, crisp, laconic, terse, to the point, pithy, epigrammatic, synoptic, gn Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'encircled']: from Latin succinctus 'tucked up,' past participle of succingere, from sub- 'from below' + cingere 'gird.'

corroborate

synonyms: confirm, verify, endorse, ratify, authenticate, validate, certify; support, back up, uphold, bear Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'make physically stronger']: from Latin corroborat- 'strengthened,' from the verb corroborare, from cor- 'together' + roborare, from robur 'strength.'

subjugate

synonyms: conquer, vanquish, defeat, crush, quash, bring someone to their knees, enslave, subdue, suppress ";the Normans had subjugated most of Ireland's Gaelic population Origin late Middle English: from late Latin subjugat- 'brought under a yoke,' from the verb subjugare, based on jugum 'yoke.'

diligence

synonyms: conscientiousness, assiduousness, assiduity, hard work, application, concentration, effort, care, industriousness, rigor, meticulousness, tho Origin Middle English [in the sense 'close attention, caution']: via Old French from Latin diligentia, from diligent- 'assiduous' [see diligent].

connive

synonyms: conspire, collude, collaborate, intrigue, be hand in glove, plot, scheme; informalbe in cahoots ";at least two of the director Origin early 17th century: from French conniver or Latin connivere 'shut the eyes [to],' from con- 'together' + an unrecorded word related to nictare 'to wink.'

disdain

synonyms: contempt, scorn, scornfulness, contemptuousness, derision, disrespect; disparagement, condescension, s Origin Middle English: from Old French desdeign [noun], desdeignier [verb], based on Latin dedignari, from de- [expressing reversal] + dignari 'consider worthy' [from dignus 'worthy'].

redound

synonyms: contribute to, be conducive to, result in, lead to, effect; formalconduce to ";such sanctions would not redound to their benefit i Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'surge up, overflow']: from Old French redonder, from Latin redundare 'surge,' from re[d]- 'again' + unda 'a wave.'

cogent

synonyms: convincing, compelling, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, weighty, impactful, effective; valid, sound, plausible, telling; impressive, persuasive, eloquent, credible, inf Origin mid 17th century: from Latin cogent- 'compelling,' from the verb cogere, from co- 'together' + agere 'drive

amenable

synonyms: cooperative, acq Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'liable to answer [to a law or tribunal]']: an Anglo-Norman French legal term, from Old French amener 'bring to,' from a- [from Latin ad ] 'to' + mener 'bring' [from late Latin minare 'drive [animals],' from Latin minari 'threaten'

profuse

synonyms: copious, prolific, abundant, liberal, unstinting, fulsome, effusive, extravagant, lavish, gushing; informalover the top, Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'extravagant']: from Latin profusus 'lavish, spread out,' past participle of profundere, from pro- 'forth' + fundere 'pour.'

facsimile

synonyms: copy, reproduction, duplicate, photocopy, replica, likeness, print, reprin Origin late 16th century [originally as fac simile, denoting the making of an exact copy, especially of writing]: modern Latin, from Latin fac! [imperative of facere 'make'] and simile [neuter of similis 'like'].

accurate

synonyms: correct, precise, exact, right, error-free, perfect; factual, fact-based, literal, faithful, true, truthful, true to life, authentic, realistic; informalon the Origin late 16th century: from Latin accuratus 'done with care,' past participle of accurare, from ad- 'toward' + cura 'care.'

emend

synonyms: correct, rectify, repair, fix; improve, enhance, polish, refine, amend; edit, rewrite, revise, copyedit, redraft, recast, rephrase, reword, rework, alter, change, m Origin late Middle English: from Latin emendare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of' + menda 'a fault.' Compare with amend.

venal

synonyms: corrupt, corruptible, bribable, open to bribery; dishonest, dishonorable, untrustworthy, unscrupulous, unprincipled; mercenary, greedy; Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'available for purchase,' referring to merchandise or a favor]: from Latin venalis, from venum 'thing for sale.'

clique

synonyms: coterie, set, circle, ring, in-crowd, group; club, society, fraternity, sorority; cabal, caucus; informalgang ";almost no one from her clique showed up at the reunion"; Origin early 18th century: from French, from Old French cliquer 'make a noise'; the modern sense is related to claque.

miscreant

synonyms: criminal, culprit, wrongdoer, malefactor, offender, villain, lawbreaker, evildoer, del Origin Middle English [as an adjective in the sense 'disbelieving']: from Old French mescreant, present participle of mescreire 'disbelieve,' from mes- 'mis-' + creire 'believe' [from Latin credere ].

iconoclast

synonyms: critic, skeptic; heretic, unbeliever, dissident, dissenter, infidel; rebel, renegade, mutineer ";in terms of the money culture in Washington, she is an Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: via medieval Latin from ecclesiastical Greek eikonoklastēs, from eikōn 'likeness' + klan 'to break.'

revile

synonyms: criticize, censure, condemn, attack, inveigh against, rail against, castigate, lambaste, denounce; slander, libel, malign, vilify, abuse; informalknock, slam, pan, crucify, roast, tear into, badmouth, dis, pummel; form Origin Middle English: from Old French reviler, based on vil 'vile.'

lambaste

synonyms: criticize, chastise, censure, take to task, harangue, rail at, rant at, fulminate against; upbraid, scold, reprimand, rebuke, castigate, chide, reprove, admonis Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'beat, thrash']: from lam1 + baste3. The current sense dates from the late 19th century.

guile

synonyms: cunning, craftiness, craft, artfulness, art, artifice, wiliness, slyness, deviousness; wiles, ploys, schemes, stratagems, maneuvers, tricks, subterfuges, ruses; deception, deceit, duplicity, underhandedn Origin Middle English: from Old French, probably from Old Norse; compare with wile.

perfunctory

synonyms: cursory, desultory, quick, brief, hasty, hurried, rapid, fleeting, token, casual, superficial, careless, halfhearted, sketchy, mechanical, automatic Origin late 16th century: from late Latin perfunctorius 'careless,' from Latin perfunct- 'done with, discharged,' from the verb perfungi .

quotidian

synonyms: daily, everyday, day-to-day, diurnal ";the quotidian routine"; ordinary, average, run-of-the-mill, everyday, standard, typical, middle-of-the-road, common, conventional, mainstream, u Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin quotidianus, earlier cotidianus, from cotidie 'daily.'

derelict

synonyms: damned, doomed, lost, condemned to hell; censured, faulted, convicted; literaryaccursed ";a condemned construction site"; dilapidated, ramshackle, r Origin mid 17th century: from Latin derelictus 'abandoned,' past participle of derelinquere, from de- 'completely' + relinquere 'forsake.'

reverie

synonyms: daydream, daydreaming, trance, musing; inattention, inattentiveness, woolgathering, preoccupation, absorption, abstraction, lack Origin early 17th century: from obsolete French resverie, from Old French reverie 'rejoicing, revelry,' from rever 'be delirious,' of unknown ultimate origin.

duplicity

synonyms: deceitfulness, deceit, deception, double-dealing, underhandedness, dishonesty, fraud, fraudulence, sharp practice, chicanery, trickery, subterfuge, skulduggery, tre Origin late Middle English: from Old French duplicite or late Latin duplicitas, from Latin duplic- 'twofold' [see duplex].

wane

synonyms: decline, diminish, decrease, dwindle, shrink, tail off, ebb, fade [away], lessen, peter out, fall off, recede, slump, flag, weaken, give way, wither, crumble, evaporate, disintegrate, die out; literar Origin Old English wanian 'lessen,' of Germanic origin; related to Latin vanus 'vain.'

propriety

synonyms: decorum, respectability, decency, correctness, protocol, appropriateness, suitability, good manners, courtesy, politeness, rectitude, morality, ci Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'peculiarity, essential quality']: from Old French propriete, from Latin proprietas [see property].

edict

synonyms: decree, order, command, commandment, mandate, proclamation, pronouncement, dictate, fiat, promulgation; law, statute, act, bill, rul Origin Middle English: from Latin edictum 'something proclaimed,' neuter past participle of edicere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + dicere 'say, tell.'

libel

synonyms: defamation, defamation of character, character assassination, calumny, misrepresentation, scandalmongering; aspersions, denigration, vilificati Origin Middle English [in the general sense 'a document, a written statement']: via Old French from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber 'book.'

traduce

synonyms: defame, slander, speak ill of, misrepresent, malign, vilify, denigrate, disparage, slur, impugn, smear, besmir Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'transport, transmit']: from Latin traducere 'lead in front of others, expose to ridicule,' from trans- 'over, across' + ducere 'to lead.'

renege

synonyms: default on, fail to honor, go back on, break, back out of, withdraw from, retreat from, welsh on, backtrack on; br Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'desert [especially a faith or a person]']: from medieval Latin renegare, from Latin re- [expressing intensive force] + negare 'deny.'

tenable

synonyms: defensible, justifiable, supportable, sustainable, arguable, able to hold water, reasonable, sensible, rational, sound, viable, plausible, credible, believable, conceivable ";O'Leary's confession has certai Origin late 16th century: from French, from tenir 'to hold,' from Latin tenere .

truculent

synonyms: defiant, aggressive, antagonistic, combative, belligerent, pugnacious, confrontational, ready for a fight, obstreperous, argumentative, quarrelsome, uncooperative; bad-tempered, ornery, short-tempered, cross, sn Origin mid 16th century: from Latin truculentus, from trux, truc- 'fierce.'

flout

synonyms: defy, refuse to obey, disobey, break, violate, fail to comply with, fail to observe, contravene, infringe, Origin mid 16th century: perhaps from Dutch fluiten 'whistle, play the flute, hiss [in derision']; German dialect pfeifen auf, literally 'pipe at,' has a similar extended meaning.

debase

synonyms: degrade, devalue, demean, cheapen, prostitute, discredit, drag down, tarnish, blacken, blemish; disgrace, dishonor, Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'humiliate, belittle']: from de- 'down' + the obsolete verb base [compare with abase], expressing the notion 'bring down completely.'

procrastinate

synonyms: delay, put off doing something, postpone action, defer action, be dilatory, use delaying tactics, st Origin late 16th century: from Latin procrastinat- 'deferred until tomorrow,' from the verb procrastinare, from pro- 'forward' + crastinus 'belonging to tomorrow' [from cras 'tomorrow'].

retard

synonyms: delay, slow down, slow up, hold back, hold up, set back, postpone, put back, detain, decelerate; hinder, hamper, obstruct, inhibit, impede, check, restrain, restrict, trammel; literary Origin late 15th century: from French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- 'back' + tardus 'slow.'

devolve

synonyms: delegate, depute, pass [down/on], download, hand down/over/on, transfer, transmit, assign, consign, convey, entrust, turn over, give, cede, surrender, relinquish, deliver; be Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'roll down']: from Latin devolvere, from de- 'down' + volvere 'to roll.

wanton

synonyms: deliberate, willful, malicious, spiteful, wicked, cruel; gratuitous, unprovoked, motiveless, arbitrary, groundless, unjustifiable, needless, unnec Origin Middle English wantowen 'rebellious, lacking discipline,' from wan- 'badly' + Old English togen 'trained' [related to team and tow1].

delectable

synonyms: delicious, mouthwatering, appetizing, flavorful, toothsome, palatable; succulent, luscious, tasty; informalscrumptious, delish, yummy, finger-licking, lip-smacking, melt-in-your- Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin delectabilis, from delectare 'to charm' [see delight].

exacting

synonyms: demanding, stringent, testing, challengin Origin late Middle English [as a verb]: from Latin exact- 'completed, ascertained, enforced,' from the verb exigere, from ex- 'thoroughly' + agere 'perform.' The adjective dates from the mid 16th century and reflects the Latin exactus 'precise.'

degrade

synonyms: demean, debase, cheapen, devalue; shame, humiliate, humble, mortify, abase, dishonor; dehumanize, brutalize ";prisons should not degrade Origin late Middle English: from Old French degrader, from ecclesiastical Latin degradare, from de- 'down, away from' + Latin gradus 'step or grade.'

decry

synonyms: denounce, condemn, criticize, censure, attack, rail against, run down, pillory, lambaste, vilify, revile; disparage, deprecat Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'decrease the value of coins by royal proclamation']: from de- 'down' + cry, on the pattern of French décrier 'cry down.'

rebut

synonyms: deny, contradict, controvert, repudiate, counter, attempt to Origin Middle English [in the senses 'rebuke' and 'repulse']: from Anglo-Norman French rebuter, from Old French re- [expressing opposition] + boter 'to butt.' Sense 1 [originally a legal use] dates from the early 19th century.

deprecate

synonyms: deplore, abhor, disapprove of, frown on, take a dim view of, take exception to, detest, despise; crit Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'pray against']: from Latin deprecat- 'prayed against [as being evil],' from the verb deprecari, from de- [expressing reversal] + precari 'pray.'

delineate

synonyms: describe, set forth/out, present, outline, sketch, depict, represent; map out, define, specify, id Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'trace the outline of something']: from Latin delineat- 'outlined,' from the verb delineare, from de- 'out, completely' + lineare [from linea 'line'].

sacrilege

synonyms: desecration, profanity, blasphemy, impiety, irreligion, unholiness, irreverence, disrespect, profanation ";any form of gamb Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin sacrilegium, from sacrilegus 'stealer of sacred things,' from sacer, sacr- 'sacred' + legere 'take possession of.'

subvert

synonyms: destabilize, unsettle, overthrow, overturn; bring down, topple, depose, oust; disrupt, wreak havoc on, sabotage, ruin, undermine, weaken, damage ";a plot to subvert the Origin late Middle English: from Old French subvertir or Latin subvertere, from sub- 'from below' + vertere 'to turn.'

pertinacious

synonyms: determined, tenacious, persistent, persevering, purposeful, resolute, dogged, indefatigable, insistent, single-minded, unrelenting, relentless, tireless, unshakable; stubborn, obstinate, inflexible, unbendi Origin early 17th century: from Latin pertinax, pertinac- 'holding fast' + -ous.

havoc

synonyms: devastation, destruction, Origin late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French havok, alteration of Old French havot, of unknown origin. The word was originally used in the phrase cry havoc [Old French crier havot ] 'to give an army the order havoc,' which was the signal for plundering.

aberrant

synonyms: deviant, deviating, divergent, abnormal, atypical, anomalous, irregular; nonconformist, rogue; strange, odd, peculiar, uncommon, freakish, quirky; twisted, Origin mid 16th century: from Latin aberrant- 'wandering away,' from the verb aberrare, from ab- 'away, from' + errare 'to stray.'

tirade

synonyms: diatribe, harangue, rant, onslaught, attack, polemic, denunciation, broadside, fulmination, condemnation, censure, invective, criticism, tongue-lashing; blast; lecture; Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'long speech,' from Italian tirata 'volley,' from tirare 'to pull.'

polemic

synonyms: diatribe, invective, rant, tirade, broadside, attack, harangue, condemnation, criticism, stricture, admonition, rebuke; abuse; informalblast; formalcastigation; literaryphilippic ";a polemic against in Origin mid 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek polemikos, from polemos 'war.'

sedulous

synonyms: diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough, assiduous, attentive, industrious, conscientious, ultracareful, punctilious, scrupulous, painstaking, minute, rigorous, particular ";he picked the thorn from his leg with sedulous care Origin mid 16th century: from Latin sedulus 'zealous' + -ous.

assiduous

synonyms: diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough, sedulous, attentive, conscientious, punctilious, painstaking, rigorous, particular; persevering ";she was assiduous in pointing out every feat Origin mid 16th century: from Latin assiduus, from assidere 'be engaged in doing' [see assess], + -ous.

squalid

synonyms: dirty, filthy, grubby, grimy, mucky, slummy, foul, vile, poor, sorry, wretched, miserable, mean, seedy, shabby, sordid, insalubrious; neglected, uncared-for, broken-down, run-down, down-at-heel, down-at-t Origin late 16th century: from Latin squalidus, from squalere 'be rough or dirty.'

catastrophe

synonyms: disaster, calamity, cataclysm, holocaust, havoc, ruin, ruination, tragedy; adversity, blight, Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'denouement']: from Latin catastropha, from Greek katastrophē 'overturning, sudden turn,' from kata- 'down' + strophē 'turning' [from strephein 'to turn'].

cataclysm

synonyms: disaster, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy, devastation, holocaust, ruin, ruination, upheaval, Origin early 17th century [originally denoting the biblical Flood described in Genesis]: from French cataclysme, via Latin from Greek kataklusmos 'deluge,' from kata- 'down' + kluzein 'to wash.'

perspicacious

synonyms: discerning, shrewd, perceptive, astute, penetrating, observant, percipient, sharp-witted, sharp, smart, alert, clear-sighted, farsighted, acute, clever, canny, intelligent, insightful, wise, sage, se Origin early 17th century: from Latin perspicax, perspicac- 'seeing clearly' + -acious.

divulge

synonyms: disclose, reveal, tell, communicate, pass on, publish, broadcast, proclaim; expose, uncover, make public, give away, let slip; inform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'announce publicly']: from Latin divulgare, from di- 'widely' + vulgare 'publish' [from vulgus 'common people'].

contagion

synonyms: disease, infection, illness, plague, blight; informalbug, virus; archaicpestilence ";European ships transported contagions to and from the New Origin late Middle English [denoting a contagious disease]: from Latin contagio[n-], from con- 'together with' + the base of tangere 'to touch.'

odium

synonyms: disgust, abhorrence, repugnance, revulsion, loathing, detestation, hatred, hate, obloquy, dislike, distaste, disfavor, antipathy, animosity, animus, enmity, hostility, contempt; disgrace, shame, opprobrium, Origin early 17th century: from Latin, 'hatred,' from the verb stem od- 'hate.'

fumigate

synonyms: disinfect, purify, sterilize, sanitize, decontaminate, cleanse, clean out ";the prisoners' quarters Origin mid 16th century [earlier [late Middle English] as fumigation, in the sense 'the action of perfuming']: from Latin fumigat- 'fumigated,' from the verb fumigare, from fumus 'smoke.'

consternation

synonyms: dismay, perturbation, distress, disquiet, discomposure; surprise, amazement, astonishment; alarm, panic, fear, fright, shock ";much to his colleagues' consternat Origin early 17th century: from Latin consternatio[n-], from the verb consternare 'lay prostrate, terrify' [see consternate].

affliction

synonyms: disorder, disease, malady, complaint, ailment, illness, indisposition, handic Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'infliction of pain or humiliation,' specifically 'religious self-mortification']: via Old French from Latin afflictio[n-], from the verb affligere [see afflict].

denigrate

synonyms: disparage, belittle, deprecate, decry, cast aspersions on, criticize, attack; speak ill of, give someone Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'blacken, make dark']: from Latin denigrat- 'blackened,' from the verb denigrare, from de- 'away, completely' + nigrare [from niger 'black'].

vilify

synonyms: disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, revile, abuse, speak ill of, criticize, condemn, denounce; malign, slander, libel, slur; informaltear apart/into, l Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'lower in value']: from late Latin vilificare, from Latin vilis 'of low value' [see vile].

pejorative

synonyms: disparaging, derogatory, denigratory, deprecatory, defamatory, slanderous, libelous, abusive, insulting, slighting; informalbitchy ";his remarks were considered too pe Origin late 19th century: from French péjoratif, -ive, from late Latin pejorare 'make worse,' from Latin pejor 'worse.'

incline

synonyms: disposed, of a mind, willing, ready, prepared; predisposed ";if you Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'bend [the head, the body, or oneself] toward something'; formerly also as encline ]: from Old French encliner, from Latin inclinare, from in- 'toward' + clinare 'to bend.'

disaffected

synonyms: dissatisfied, disgruntled, discontented, malcontent, frustrated, alienated; disloyal, rebellious, mutinous, seditious, dissident, up in arms; Origin mid 17th century: past participle of disaffect, originally in the sense 'dislike or disorder,' from dis- [expressing reversal] + affect2.

apostate

synonyms: dissenter, defector, deserter, traitor, backslider, turncoat; nonconformist; schismatic; archaicheretic; rarerecusant, recreant, tergiversator ";after 50 years as an apostate, he r Origin Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin apostata, from Greek apostatēs 'apostate, runaway slave.'

dissemble

synonyms: dissimulate, pretend, feign, act, masquerade, sham, fake, bluff, posture, hide one's feelings, put on a false front ";she's being honest and Origin late Middle English: alteration [suggested by semblance] of obsolete dissimule, via Old French from Latin dissimulare 'disguise, conceal.'

dissipated

synonyms: dissolute, debauched, decadent, intemperate, profligate, self-indulgent, wild, depraved; licentious, promiscuous; drunken ";it was in college that he bec Origin late Middle English: from Latin dissipat- 'scattered,' from the verb dissipare, from dis- 'apart, widely' + supare 'to throw.'

distrait

synonyms: distracted, preoccupied, absorbed, abstracted, distant, faraway; absentminded, vague, inattentive, in a brown study, woolgathering, with Origin mid 18th century: French, from Old French destrait, past participle of destraire 'distract,' from Latin distrahere 'pull apart' [see distract].

Fretful

synonyms: distressed, upset, miserable, unsettled, uneasy, ill at ease, uncomfortable, edgy, agitated, worked up, tense, stressed, restive, fidgety, antsy; querulous, irritable, cross, fractious, peevish, petulant, out of sorts, bad-tempered, irascible, grumpy, crotchety, captious, testy, tetchy,

fracas

synonyms: disturbance, brawl, melee, rumpus, skirmish, struggle, scuffle, scrum, clash, fisticuffs, altercation; informalscrap, dust-up, set-to, donnybrook; vulgar slangshitstorm ";the fracas in the alley Origin early 18th century: French, from fracasser, from Italian fracassare 'make an uproar.'

defunct

synonyms: disused, unused, inoperative, nonfunctioning, unusable, obsolete; no longer existing, discontinued; extinct " Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'deceased']: from Latin defunctus 'dead,' past participle of defungi 'carry out, finish,' from de- [expressing reversal] + fungi 'perform.'

vacillate

synonyms: dither, waver, be indecisive, be undecided, be ambivalent, hesitate, be of two minds, blow hot and cold, keep changing one's mind, be conflicted; fluctuate, oscillate, hem Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'sway unsteadily']: from Latin vacillat- 'swayed,' from the verb vacillare .

pedant

synonyms: dogmatist, purist, literalist, formalist, doctrinaire, perfectionist; quibbler, hair-splitter, casuist, sophist; informalnitpicker ";pedants insist tha Origin late 16th century: from French pédant, from Italian pedante, perhaps from the first element of Latin paedagogus [see pedagogue].

relegate

synonyms: downgrade, lower, lower in rank/status, put down, move down; demote, degrade ";cooperatives may be relegated to a secondary r Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'send into exile']: from Latin relegat- 'sent away, referred,' from the verb relegare, from re- 'again' + legare 'send.'

haggard

synonyms: drawn, tired, exhausted, drained, careworn, unwell, unhealthy, spent, washed out, run-down; gaunt, pinched, peaked, hollow-cheeked, hollow-eyed, thin, emaciated, wasted, Origin mid 16th century [used in falconry]: from French hagard ; perhaps related to hedge; later influenced by hag1.

imbibe

synonyms: drink, consume, quaff, guzzle, gulp [down]; informalknock back, down, swill, chug ";they'd imbibed too much whiskey"; drink [ Origin late Middle English [in the senses 'absorb or cause to absorb moisture' and 'take into solution']: from Latin imbibere, from in- 'in' + bibere 'to drink.'

quaff

synonyms: drink, swallow, gulp [down], guzzle, slurp, down, empty; imbibe, partake of, consume; informalkill, swig, swill, slug, knock back, toss off, chug, chugalug, scarf [down] ";they quaffed a few beers before heading hom Origin early 16th century: probably imitative of the sound of drinking.

agog

synonyms: eager, excited, impatient, keen, anxious, avid, in suspense, on tenterhooks, on the edge of one's seat, on pins and needles, waiting with bated breath ";tell us what happened—we're all agog!"; Origin mid 16th century: from Old French en gogues, from en 'in' + the plural of gogue 'fun.'

alacrity

synonyms: eagerness, willingness, readiness; enthusiasm, ardor, avidity, fervor, keenness; promptness, haste, swiftness, dispatch, speed ";we want to move with alacrity, and put a stop to improper conduct while it's still goin Origin late Middle English: from Latin alacritas, from alacer 'brisk.'

retrench

synonyms: economize, cut back, make cutbacks, make savings, make economies, reduce expenditure, be economical, be frugal, tighten Origin late 16th century [in the now formal usage]: from obsolete French retrencher, variant of retrancher, from re- [expressing reversal] + trancher 'to cut, slice.'

edifying

synonyms: educate, instruct, teach, school, Origin Middle English: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificare 'build,' from aedis 'dwelling' + facere 'make' [compare with edifice]. The word originally meant 'construct a building,' also 'strengthen,' hence to "build up" morally or spiritually.

uncanny

synonyms: eerie, unnatural, unearthly, preternatural, supernatural, otherworldly, ghostly, mysterious, strange, unsettling, abnormal, weird, bizarre, surreal, eldritch; informalc Origin late 16th century [originally Scots in the sense 'relating to the occult, malicious']: from un-1 'not' + canny.

dirge

synonyms: elegy, lament, burial hymn, threnody, requiem, funeral march; keen ";a lone bagpiper played the woeful di Origin Middle English [denoting the Office for the Dead]: from Latin dirige! [imperative] 'direct!,' the first word of an antiphon [Psalm 5:8] used in the Latin Office for the Dead.

discomfit

synonyms: embarrass, abash, disconcert, discompose, discomfort, take aback, unsettle, unnerve, Origin Middle English [in the sense 'defeat in battle']: from Old French desconfit, past participle of desconfire, based on Latin dis- [expressing reversal] + conficere 'put together' [see confection].

abash

synonyms: embarrassed, ashamed, shamefaced, remorseful, conscience-stricken, mortified, humiliated, humbled, chagrined, crestfallen, sheepish Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French abaïss- ; compare with Old French esbaïss-, lengthened stem of esbaïr, from es- 'utterly' + baïr 'astound.'

catharsis

synonyms: emotional release, relief, release, venting; purging, purgation, purification, cleansing; abreac Origin early 19th century [sense 2]: from Greek katharsis, from kathairein 'cleanse,' from katharos 'pure.' The notion of "release" through drama [sense 1] derives from Aristotle's Poetics .

intrude

synonyms: encroach on, impinge on, interfere in, trespass on/upon, infringe on, obtrude on/into, invade, violate, disturb, disrupt, interrupt; me Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'usurp an office or right'; originally as entrude ]: from Latin intrudere, from in- 'into' + trudere 'to thrust.'

cryptic

synonyms: enigmatic, mysterious, confusing, mystifying, perplexing, puzzling, obscure, abstruse, arcane, oracular, Delphic, ambiguous, elliptical, oblique; Origin early 17th century: from late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos 'hidden.' Sense 2 dates from the late 19th century.

prodigious

synonyms: enormous, huge, colossal, immense, vast, great, massive, gigantic, mammoth, tremendous, inordinate, monumental; amazing, astonishing, astounding, staggering, stunning, r Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'portentous']: from Latin prodigiosus, from prodigium 'portent' [see prodigy].

zest

synonyms: enthusiasm, gusto, relish, appetite, eagerness, keenness, avidity, zeal, fervor, ardor, passion; verve, vigor, liveliness, sparkle, fire, animation, vitality, dynamism, energy, brio, pep, spirit, exub Origin late 15th century: from French zeste 'orange or lemon peel,' of unknown origin.

inveigle

synonyms: entice, tempt, lure, seduce, beguile; wheedle, cajole, coax, persuade; informalsweet-talk, soft- Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'beguile, deceive'; formerly also as enveigle ]: from Anglo-Norman French envegler, alteration of Old French aveugler 'to blind,' from aveugle 'blind.'

ambiguous

synonyms: equivocal, ambivalent, open to debate/argument, arguable, debatable; obscure, unclear, imprecise, vague, a Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'indistinct, obscure']: from Latin ambiguus 'doubtful' [from ambigere 'waver, go around,' from ambi- 'both ways' + agere 'to drive'] + -ous.

ambivalent

synonyms: equivocal, uncertain, unsure, doubtful, indecisive, inconclusive, irresolute, of two minds, undecided, torn, in a quandary, on the fence, hesitating, wavering, vacillating, equivocating Origin early 20th century: from ambivalence [from German Ambivalenz ], on the pattern of equivalent .

efface

synonyms: erase, eradicate, expunge, blot out, rub out, wipe out, remove, eliminate; delete, cancel, obliterate ";the chalk drawings were eff Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'pardon or be absolved from [an offense]']: from French effacer, from e- [from Latin ex- 'away from'] + face 'face.'

expunge

synonyms: erase, remove, delete, rub out, wipe out, efface; cross out, strike out, blot out, destroy, obliterate, scratch, eradicate, eliminate, deep-six ";a moment that ca Origin early 17th century: from Latin expungere 'mark for deletion by means of points,' from ex- 'out' + pungere 'to prick.'

sap

synonyms: erode, wear away/down, deplete, reduce, l Origin Old English sæp, probably of Germanic origin. The verb [dating from the mid 18th century] is often interpreted as a figurative use of the notion "drain the sap from," but is derived originally from the verb sap2, in the sense 'undermine.'

elude

synonyms: evade, avoid, get away from, dodge, escape from, run from, run away from; lose, shake off, give the slip to, slip away from, throw off the scent; i Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'delude, baffle']: from Latin eludere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out, away from' + ludere 'to play.'

placid

synonyms: even-tempered, calm, tranquil, equable, unexcitable, serene, mild, 'calm, cool, and collected', composed, self-possessed, poised, easygoing, levelheaded, steady, unruffled, unperturbed, phlegm Origin early 17th century: from French placide, from Latin placidus, from placere 'to please.'

sublime

synonyms: exalted, elevated, noble, lofty, awe-inspiring, majestic, magnificent, glorious, superb, wonderful, marvelous, spl Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'dignified, aloof']: from Latin sublimis, from sub- 'up to' + a second element perhaps related to limen 'threshold,' limus 'oblique.'

plethora

synonyms: excess, overabundance, superabundance, surplus, glut, superfluity, surfeit, profusion; too many, too much, enough and to spare; informalmore —— than one can shake a stick at ";a Origin mid 16th century [in the medical sense]: via late Latin from Greek plēthōrē, from plēthein 'be full.'

fulsome

synonyms: excessive, extravagant, overdone, immoderate, inordinate, over-appreciative, flattering, adulatory, fawning, unctuous, ingratiating, cloying, saccharine; enthusiastic, effusive, rapturous, glowing, gushing, profuse, g Origin Middle English [in the sense 'abundant']: from full1 + -some1.

inordinate

synonyms: excessive, undue, unreasonable, unjustifiable, unwarrantable, disproportionate, unwarranted, unnecessary, needless, uncalled for, gratuitous, exorbitan Origin late Middle English: from Latin inordinatus, from in- 'not' + ordinatus 'arranged, set in order' [past participle of ordinare ].

enervate

synonyms: exhaust, tire, fatigue, weary, wear out, devitalize, drain, sap, weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, incapacitate, prostrate; i Origin early 17th century: from Latin enervat- 'weakened [by extraction of the sinews],' from the verb enervare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of' + nervus 'sinew.'

deplete

synonyms: exhaust, use up, consume, expend, drain, empty, milk; reduce, decrease, diminish; slim down Origin early 19th century [earlier [mid. 17th century] as depletion ]: from Latin deplet- 'emptied out,' from the verb deplere, from de- [expressing reversal] + plere 'fill' [from plenus 'full'].

absolve

synonyms: exonerate, discharge, acquit, vindicate; release, relieve, liberate, free, deliver, clear, exempt, let off; formalexculpate ";this fact does not absolve you from responsibility"; for Origin late Middle English: from Latin absolvere 'set free, acquit,' from ab- 'from' + solvere 'loosen.'

explicate

synonyms: explain, make explicit, clarify, make plain/clear, spell out, untangle; interpret, translate, elucidate, expound, illuminate, throw light on ";I'm not sure anyone could Origin mid 16th century: from Latin explicat- 'unfolded,' from the verb explicare, from ex- 'out' + plicare 'to fold.'

countenance

synonyms: face, features, physiognomy, profile; [facial] expression, look, appearance, aspect, mien; informalmug Origin Middle English: from Old French contenance 'bearing, behavior,' from contenir [see contain]. The early sense was 'bearing, demeanor,' also 'facial expression,' hence 'the face.'

conversant

synonyms: familiar with, acquainted with, au fait with, au courant with, at home with, well versed in, well Origin Middle English: from Old French, present participle of converser [see converse1]. The original sense was 'habitually spending time in a particular place or with a particular person.'

zealot

synonyms: fanatic, enthusiast, extremist, radical, young Turk, diehard, true believer, activist, militant; bigot, dogmatist, sec Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'member of an ancient Jewish sect']: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek zēlōtēs, from zēloun 'be jealous,' from zēlos [see zeal].

corpulent

synonyms: fat, obese, overweight, plump, portly, stout, chubby, paunchy, beer-bellied, heavy, bulky, chunky, well upholstered, well padded, well covered, meaty, fleshy, rotund, broad in the beam; informaltubby, pudgy, beefy, Origin late Middle English: from Latin corpulentus, from corpus 'body.'

providence

synonyms: fate, destiny, nemesis, kismet, God's will, divine intervention, predestination, predetermination, the stars; one's lot [in life]; archaicone's portion ";a life mapped Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin providentia, from providere 'foresee, attend to' [see provide].

doughty

synonyms: fearless, dauntless, determined, resolute, indomitable, intrepid, plucky, spirited, bold, valiant, brave, stouthearted, courageous; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, feisty, Origin late Old English dohtig, variant of dyhtig, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch duchtig and German tüchtig .

intrepid

synonyms: fearless, unafraid, undaunted, unflinching, unshrinking, bold, daring, gallant, audacious, adventurous, heroic, dynamic, spirited, indomitable; brave, courageous, valiant, valorous, Origin late 17th century: from French intrépide or Latin intrepidus, from in- 'not' + trepidus 'alarmed.'

decrepit

synonyms: feeble, infirm, weak, weakly, frail; disabled, incapacitated, crippled, doddering, tottering; old, elderly, aged, ancient, senile; informalpast it, over the hill, n Origin late Middle English: from Latin decrepitus, from de- 'down' + crepitus, past participle of crepare 'rattle, creak.'

fervid

synonyms: fervent, ardent, passionate, impassioned, intense, vehement, wholehearted, heartfelt, sincere, earnest; literaryperfervid ";fervid protestations of love" Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'glowing, hot']: from Latin fervidus, from fervere 'to boil.' Compare with fervent and fervor.

replete

synonyms: filled, full, well stocked, well supplied, crammed, packed, jammed, teeming, overflowing, bursting; informaljam-packed, chockablock, c Origin late Middle English: from Old French replet[e ] or Latin repletus 'filled up,' past participle of replere, from re- 'back, again' + plere 'fill.'

eloquent

synonyms: fluent, articulate, expressive, silver-tongued; persuasive, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, well expressed, effective, lucid, vivid, graphic; smooth-tongued, glib "; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin eloquent- 'speaking out,' from the verb eloqui [see eloquence].

vile

synonyms: foul, nasty, unpleasant, bad, disagreeable, horrid, horrible, dreadful, abominable, atrocious, offensive, obnoxious, odious, unsavory, repulsive, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome, hateful, nauseating, sickening; dis Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin vilis 'cheap, base.'

suffrage

synonyms: franchise, right to vote, the vote, enfranchisement, bal Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'intercessory prayers,' also 'assistance']: from Latin suffragium, reinforced by French suffrage . The modern sense of 'right to vote' was originally US [dating from the late 18th century].

candor

synonyms: frankness, openness, honesty, candidness, truthfulness, sincerity, forthrightness, directness, plai Origin late Middle English [in the Latin sense]: from Latin candor 'whiteness.' The current sense dates from the mid 18th century; the development of the senses paralleled that of candid.

amiable

synonyms: friendly, affable, amicable, cordial; war Origin late Middle English [originally in the senses 'kind' and 'lovely, lovable']: via Old French from late Latin amicabilis 'amicable.' The current sense, influenced by modern French aimable 'trying to please,' dates from the mid 18th century.

genial

synonyms: friendly, affable, cordial, amiable, w Origin mid 16th century: from Latin genialis 'nuptial, productive,' from genius [see genius]. The Latin sense was adopted into English; hence the senses 'mild and conducive to growth' [mid 17th century], later 'cheerful, kindly' [mid 18th century].

convivial

synonyms: friendly, genial, affable, amiable, congenial, agreeable, good-humored, cordial, warm, sociable, outgoing, gregarious, companionable, cl Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'fit for a feast, festive']: from Latin convivialis, from convivium 'a feast,' from con- 'with' + vivere 'live.'

Futile

synonyms: fruitless, vain, pointless, useless, ineffectual, ineffective, inefficacious, to no effect, of no use, in vain, to no avail, unavailing; unsuccessful, failed, thwarted; unproductive, barren, unp Origin mid 16th century: from Latin futilis 'leaky, futile,' apparently from fundere 'pour.'

inveigh

synonyms: fulminate against, declaim against, protest [against], rail against/at, rage at, remonstrate agai Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'carry in, introduce'; formerly also as enveigh ]: from Latin invehere 'carry in,' invehi 'be carried into, assail,' from in- 'into' + vehere 'carry.'

cardinal

synonyms: fundamental, basic, main, chief, primary, crucial, pivotal, prime, principal, paramount, preemi Origin Old English, from Latin cardinalis, from cardo, cardin- 'hinge.' Sense 1 of the noun has arisen through the notion of the important function of such priests as "pivots" of church life.

obsequies

synonyms: funeral rites, funeral service, funeral, burial, interment, entombment, Origin late Middle English: plural of obsolete obsequy, from Anglo-Norman French obsequie, from the medieval Latin plural obsequiae [from Latin exsequiae 'funeral rites,' influenced by obsequium 'dutiful service'].

droll

synonyms: funny, humorous, amusing, comic, comical, mirthful, hilarious; clownish, farcical, zany, quirky; jocular, lighthearted, whimsical, facetious, witty, clever, wry, tongue-in-che Origin early 17th century [as an adjective]: from French drôle, perhaps from Middle Dutch drolle 'imp, goblin.'

palaver

synonyms: fuss, commotion, trouble, rigmarole, folderol; informalsong and dance, performance, to-do, carrying-on, hoo-ha, hullabaloo, b Origin mid 18th century [in the sense 'a talk between tribespeople and traders']: from Portuguese palavra 'word,' from Latin parabola 'comparison' [see parable].

largess

synonyms: generosity, liberality, munificence, bounty, bountifulness, beneficence, altruism, charity, philanthropy, magnanimity, benevolence, charitableness, openhandedness, kindness, big-heartedness; formalbenefaction ";Bob too Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin largus 'copious.'

virtuoso

synonyms: genius, expert, master, past master, maestro, artist, prodigy, marvel, adept, professional, doyen, veteran; star, champion; informalhotshot, wizard, magician, pro, ace ";the Origin early 17th century: from Italian, literally 'learned, skillful,' from late Latin virtuosus [see virtuous].

obtain

synonyms: get, acquire, come by, secure, procure, come into the possession of, pick up, be given; gain, earn, achieve, attain; informalget hold of, get/lay one's hands on, get one's mitts on, land, net ";the Origin late Middle English: from Old French obtenir, from Latin obtinere 'obtain, gain.'

saturnine

synonyms: gloomy, somber, melancholy, moody, lugubrious, dour, glum, morose, un Origin late Middle English [as a term in astrology]: from Old French saturnin, from medieval Latin Saturninus 'of Saturn' [identified with lead by the alchemists and associated with slowness and gloom by astrologers].

viscous

synonyms: glutinous, gelatinous, thick, viscid, mucous, mucoid, mucilaginous, gummy, gluey, adhesive, tacky, adherent, treacly, syrupy; technicalviscoelastic; informalgooey, gloppy " Origin late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French viscous or late Latin viscosus, from Latin viscum 'birdlime.'

needling

synonyms: goad, provoke, bait, taunt, pester, harass, prick, prod, sting, tease; irritate, annoy, anger, vex, irk, nettle, pique Origin Old English nǣdl, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch naald and German Nadel, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin nere 'to spin' and Greek nēma 'thread.'

ornery

synonyms: grouchy, grumpy, cranky, crotchety, cantankerous, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dyspeptic, irascible, waspish; truculent, cussed, stubborn ";they finally realized that his illness was what had made him s Origin early 19th century: variant of ordinary, representing a dialect pronunciation.

kowtow

synonyms: grovel to, be obsequious to, be servile to, be sycophantic to, fawn over/on, cringe to, bow and scrape to, toady to, truckle to, abase oneself before, humble oneself to; curry favor with, dance attendance on, i Origin early 19th century: from Chinese kētóu, from kē 'knock' + tóu 'head.'

increase

synonyms: grow, get bigger, get larger, enlarge, expand, swell; rise, climb, escalate, soar, surge, rocket, shoot up, spiral; intensify, strengthen, extend, he Origin Middle English [formerly also as encrease ]: from Old French encreistre, from Latin increscere, from in- 'into' + crescere 'grow.'

macabre

synonyms: gruesome, grisly, grim, gory, morbid, ghastly, unearthly, grotesque, hideous, Origin late 19th century: from French macabre, from Danse Macabre 'dance of death,' from Old French, perhaps from Macabé 'a Maccabee,' with reference to a miracle play depicting the slaughter of the Maccabees.

fractious

synonyms: grumpy, bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, crotchety, grouchy, cantankerous, short-tempered, tetchy, testy, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-humored, peevish, cross, waspish, crabby, crusty, Origin late 17th century: from fraction, probably on the pattern of the pair faction, factious .

credulous

synonyms: gullible, naive, too trusting, easily taken in, impressionable, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, unquestioning; innocent, ingenuous, inexperienced, unsophistica Origin late 16th century [in the general sense 'inclined to believe']: from Latin credulus [from credere 'believe'] + -ous.

encumber

synonyms: hamper, hinder, obstruct, impede, cramp, inhibit, restrict, limit, constrain, restrain, bog down, retard, slow [do Origin Middle English [in the sense 'cause trouble to, entangle'; formerly also as incumber ]: from Old French encombrer 'block up,' from en- 'in' + combre 'river barrage.'

stultify

synonyms: hamper, impede, thwart, frustrate, foil, suppress, smother ";social welfare was stultified by international trade regulations"; bore, make bored, dull, numb, benumb, stupefy ";he stultifies her with too Origin mid 18th century: from late Latin stultificare, from Latin stultus 'foolish.'

halcyon

synonyms: happy, golden, idyllic, carefree, blissful, joyful, joyous, contented; flourishing, thriving, prosperous, successful; se Origin late Middle English [in the mythological sense]: via Latin from Greek alkuōn 'kingfisher' [also halkuōn, by association with hals 'sea' and kuōn 'conceiving'].

inure

synonyms: harden, toughen, season, temper, condition; accustom, habituate, familiarize, acclimatize, adjust, adapt, desensitize ";t Origin late Middle English inure, enure, from an Anglo-Norman French phrase meaning 'in use or practice,' from en 'in' + Old French euvre 'work' [from Latin opera ].

detriment

synonyms: harm, damage, injury, hurt, impairment, loss, disadvantage, disservice, mischief ";local merchants fear the detriment to business that Origin late Middle English in the sense 'loss sustained by damage': from Old French, from Latin detrimentum, from detri-, stem of deterere 'wear away.'

pernicious

synonyms: harmful, damaging, destructive, injurious, hurtful, detrimental, deleterious, dangerous, adverse, inimical, unhealthy, unfavorable, bad, evil, baleful, wicked, malign, ma Origin late Middle English: from Latin perniciosus 'destructive,' from pernicies 'ruin,' based on nex, nec- 'death.'

inimical

synonyms: harmful, injurious, detrimental, deleterious, prejudicial, damaging, hurtful, destructive, ruinous, pernicious; antagonistic, contrary, antipathetic, unfavorable, adverse, opposed; hostile, unkind, u Origin early 16th century: from late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus [see enemy].

innocuous

synonyms: harmless, safe, nontoxic, innocent; edible, eatable ";an innocuous fungus"; inoffensive, unobjectionable, unexceptionable, harmless, mild, tame, anodyne, soft-focus ";an innocuous comment"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin innocuus, from in- 'not' + nocuus 'injurious' [see nocuous].

virago

synonyms: harridan, shrew, dragon, termagant, vixen; fishwife, witch, hellcat, she-devil, tartar, m Origin Old English [used only as the name given by Adam to Eve, following the Vulgate], from Latin, 'heroic woman, female warrior,' from vir 'man.' The current sense dates from late Middle English.

sybarite

synonyms: hedonist, sensualist, voluptuary, libertine, pleasure-seeker, epicure, bon vivant, bon viveur ";an exclusive resort that ca Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting an inhabitant of Sybaris, an ancient Greek city in southern Italy, noted for luxury]: via Latin from Greek Subaritēs .

dither

synonyms: hesitate, falter, waver, vacillate, change one's mind, be of two minds, be indecisive, be undecided; informalshilly-shally, dilly-dally ";stop dithering and make a decision" Origin mid 17th century [in the dialect sense 'tremble, quiver']: variant of dialect didder ; related to dodder1.

impede

synonyms: hinder, obstruct, hamper, hold back/up, delay, interfere with, disrupt, retard, slow [down], hobble, cripple; block, check, stop, scupper, scuttle, thwart, frustrate, ba Origin late 16th century: from Latin impedire 'shackle the feet of,' based on pes, ped- 'foot.' Compare with impeach.

appall

synonyms: horrify, shock, dismay, distress, outrage, scandalize; disgust, repel, rev Origin Middle English: from Old French apalir 'grow pale,' from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + palir 'to pale.' The original sense was 'grow pale,' later 'make pale,' hence 'dismay, horrify' [late Middle English].

belligerent

synonyms: hostile, aggressive, threatening, antagonistic, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, pugnacious, bellicose, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative; informalspoi Origin late 16th century: from Latin belligerant- 'waging war,' from the verb belligerare, from bellum 'war.'

antipathy

synonyms: hostility, antagonism, animosity, aversion, animus, enmi Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'opposition of feeling, nature, or disposition']: from French antipathie or Latin antipathia, from Greek antipatheia, from antipathēs 'opposed in feeling,' from anti 'against' + pathos 'feeli

gargantuan

synonyms: huge, enormous, vast, gigantic, very big, giant, massive, colossal, mammoth, immense, mighty, monumental, mountainous, titanic, towering, tremendous, elephantine, ki Origin late 16th century: from Gargantua, the name of a voracious giant in Rabelais' book of the same name [1534], + -an.

titanic

synonyms: huge, great, enormous, gigantic, massive, colossal, monumental, mammoth, immense, tremendous, mighty, stupendous, prodigious, gargantuan, Herculean; informalhumongous, ginormous, Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'relating to the sun']: from Greek titanikos, from Titan [see Titan].

abase

synonyms: humble, humiliate, belittle, demean, lower, degrade, debase, cheapen, discredit, bring Origin late Middle English: from Old French abaissier, from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + baissier 'to lower,' based on late Latin bassus 'short of stature.' The spelling has been influenced by base2.

mundane

synonyms: humdrum, dull, boring, tedious, monotonous, tiresome, wearisome, unexciting, uninteresting, uninvolving, uneventful, unvarying, u Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French mondain, from late Latin mundanus, from Latin mundus 'world.' Sense 1 dates from the late 19th century.

idolatry

synonyms: idolization, fetishization, fetishism, idol worship, adulation, adoration, reverence, veneration, glorification, lionization, hero-worshiping ";the prophets rail Origin Middle English: from Old French idolatrie, based on Greek eidōlolatreia, from eidōlon [see idol] + -latreia 'worship.'

malady

synonyms: illness, sickness, disease, infection, ailment, disorder, complaint, indisposition, affliction, infirmity, syndrome; informalbug, virus ";every time we visi Origin Middle English: from Old French maladie, from malade 'sick,' based on Latin male 'ill' + habitus 'having [as a condition].'

emulate

synonyms: imitate, copy, mirror, echo, follow, model oneself on; match, equal, parallel, be on a par with, be in the same league as, come close to; compete with, contend with, rival, su Origin late 16th century: from Latin aemulat- 'rivaled, equaled,' from the verb aemulari, from aemulus 'rival.'

imminent

synonyms: impending, close [at hand], near, [fast] approaching, coming, forthcoming, on the way, in the offing, in the pipeline, on the horizon, in the Origin late Middle English: from Latin imminent- 'overhanging, impending,' from the verb imminere, from in- 'upon, toward' + minere 'to project.'

insolent

synonyms: impertinent, impudent, cheeky, ill-mannered, bad-mannered, unmann Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'extravagant, going beyond acceptable limits']: from Latin insolent- 'immoderate, unaccustomed, arrogant,' from in- 'not' + solent- 'being accustomed' [from the verb solere ].

impudent

synonyms: impertinent, insolent, cheeky, cocky, brazen, bold, audacious; presumptuous, forward, disrespectful, insubordinate, bumptious, b Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'immodest, indelicate']: from Latin impudent-, from in- 'not' + pudent- 'ashamed, modest' [from pudere 'be ashamed'].

entreat

synonyms: implore, beg, plead with, pray, ask, request; bid, enjoin, appeal to, call on, petition, solicit Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'treat, act toward [someone]'; formerly also as intreat ]: from Old French entraitier, based on traitier 'to treat,' from Latin tractare 'to handle.'

insinuate

synonyms: imply, suggest, hint, intimate, indicate, let it be known, give someo Origin early 16th century [used in legal contexts in the sense 'enter [a document] in the official register']: from Latin insinuat- 'introduced tortuously,' from the verb insinuare, from in- 'in' + sinuare 'to curve.'

incarcerate

synonyms: imprison, put in prison, send to prison, jail, lock up, put under lock and key, put away, intern, confine, detain, hold, immure, put in chains, hold Origin mid 16th century: from medieval Latin incarcerat- 'imprisoned,' from the verb incarcerare, from in- 'into' + Latin carcer 'prison.'

ameliorate

synonyms: improve, make better, better, make improvements to, enhance, help, benefit, boost, amend; relieve, ease, mitigate; informaltweak, patch up ";measures were taken to ameliorate the si Origin mid 18th century: alteration of meliorate, influenced by French améliorer, from meilleur 'better.'

trenchant

synonyms: incisive, penetrating, sharp, keen, insightful, acute, focused, shrewd, razor-sharp, piercing; vigorous, forceful, strong, potent, telling, emphatic, forthright; mordant, Origin Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French, literally 'cutting,' present participle of trenchier [see trench].

proclivity

synonyms: inclination, tendency, leaning, disposition, proneness, propensity, bent, bias, penchant, predisposition; predilection, partiality, liking, preference, taste, fondnes Origin late 16th century: from Latin proclivitas, from proclivis 'inclined,' from pro- 'forward, down' + clivus 'slope.'

transcendent

synonyms: incomparable, matchless, peerless, unrivaled, inimitable, beyond compare/comparison, unparalleled, unequaled, without equal, second to none, unsurpassed, unsurpassable, nonp Origin late Middle English: from Latin transcendent- 'climbing over,' from the verb transcendere [see transcend].

nonpareil

synonyms: incomparable, matchless, unrivaled, unparalleled, unequaled, peerless, beyond compare, second to none, unsurpassed, unbeatable, inimitable; unique, Origin late Middle English: from French, from non- 'not' + pareil 'equal' [from popular Latin pariculus, diminutive of Latin par 'equal'].

augment

synonyms: increase, add to, supplement, build up, enlarge, expand, extend, raise, multiply, swell, grow; magnify, amplify, escalate; improve, boost; informalup, Origin late Middle English: from Old French augmenter [verb], augment [noun], or late Latin augmentare, from Latin augere 'to increase.'

incontrovertible

synonyms: indisputable, incontestable, undeniable, irrefutable, unassailable, beyond dispute, unquestionable, beyond question, indubitable, beyond doubt, unarguable, undebatable; certain, sure, definite, definitive, proven, decisive, conclusive, demonstrable, emphatic, categorical, airtight, water

maverick

synonyms: individualist, nonconformist, free spirit, unorthodox person, original, eccentric; rebel, dissenter, dissident, enfant terrible; informalcowboy, loose canno Origin mid 19th century: from the name of Samuel A. Maverick [1803-70], a Texas engineer and rancher who did not brand his cattle.

exasperated

synonyms: infuriate, incense, anger, annoy, irritate, madden, enrage, antagonize, provoke, irk, vex, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, rub the wrong way; infor Origin mid 16th century: from Latin exasperat- 'irritated to anger,' from the verb exasperare [based on asper 'rough'].

gumption

synonyms: initiative, resourcefulness, enterprise, ingenuity, imagination; astuteness, shrewdness, acumen, sense, common sense, wit, mother wit, practicality; spirit, backbone, pluck, mettle, nerve, courage, wherewithal; informalget Origin early 18th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.

naive

synonyms: innocent, unsophisticated, artless, ingenuous, inexperienced, guileless, unworldly, trusting; gullible, credulous, immature, callow, raw, green, wide-eyed; informalwet behind the ears, bo Origin mid 17th century: from French naïve, feminine of naïf, from Latin nativus 'native, natural.'

interpolate

synonyms: insert, interpose, interject, enter, add, incorporate, inset, put, introduce ";language models can be interpolated online Origin early 17th century: from Latin interpolat- 'refurbished, altered,' from the verb interpolare, from inter- 'between' + -polare [related to polire 'to polish'].

vapid

synonyms: insipid, uninspired, colorless, uninteresting, feeble, flat, dull, boring, tedious, tired, unexciting, uninspiring, unimaginative, uninvolving, lifeless, tame, vacuous, bland, Origin mid 17th century [used originally in description of drinks as 'lacking in flavor']: from Latin vapidus .

foment

synonyms: instigate, incite, provoke, agitate, excite, stir up, whip up, encourage, urge, fan the flames of ";they were accused of fomenti Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from French fomenter, from late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum 'poultice, lotion,' from fovere 'to heat, cherish.'

savant

synonyms: intellectual, scholar, sage, philosopher, thinker, wise/learned person; guru, master, pundit, pandit ";how out of place she was, a world-hungry young savant in a family of du Origin early 18th century: French, literally 'knowing [person],' present participle [used as a noun] of savoir .

lucid

synonyms: intelligible, comprehensible, understandable, cogent, coherent, articulate; clear, transparent; plain, simple, vivid, sharp, straightforwar Origin late 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin lucidus [perhaps via French lucide or Italian lucido ], from lucere 'shine,' from lux, luc- 'light.'

inherent

synonyms: intrinsic, innate, immanent, built-in, indwelling, inborn, ingrained, deep-rooted; essential, fundamental, basic, structural, organic; natural, instinctive Origin late 16th century: from Latin inhaerent- 'sticking to,' from the verb inhaerere, from in- 'in, toward' + haerere 'to stick.'

preface

synonyms: introduction, foreword, preamble, prologue, prelude; front matter; informalprelims, intro, le Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin praefatia, alteration of Latin praefatio[n-] 'words spoken beforehand,' from the verb praefari, from prae 'before' + fari 'speak.'

interloper

synonyms: intruder, encroacher, trespasser, invader, infiltrator; uninvited guest; outsider, st Origin late 16th century [denoting an unauthorized trader trespassing on the rights of a trade monopoly]: from inter- 'amid' + -loper as in archaic landloper 'vagabond' [from Middle Dutch landlooper ].

peevish

synonyms: irritable, fractious, fretful, cross, petulant, querulous, pettish, crabby, crotchety, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, sullen, grumpy, bad-tempered, short-tempered, touchy, testy, tetchy, snappish, ira Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'foolish, insane, spiteful']: of unknown origin.

irascible

synonyms: irritable, quick-tempered, short-tempered, hot-tempered, testy, touchy, tetchy, edgy, crabby, petulant, waspish, dyspeptic, snappish; cross, surly, crusty, grouchy, grum Origin late Middle English: via French from late Latin irascibilis, from Latin irasci 'grow angry,' from ira 'anger.'

pique

synonyms: irritation, annoyance, resentment, anger, displeasure, indignation, petulance, ill humor, vexation, exasperation, disgruntlement, discontent; offense, umbrage ";a fit of pique" Origin mid 16th century [denoting animosity between two or more people]: from French piquer 'prick, irritate.'

galvanize

synonyms: jolt, shock, startle, impel, stir, spur, prod, urge, motivate, stimulate, electrify, excite, rouse, arouse, awaken; invigorate, fire, animate, vitalize, energize, exhilarate Origin early 19th century [in the sense 'stimulate by electricity']: from French galvaniser [see Galvani, Luigi].

perpetuate

synonyms: keep alive, keep going, preserve, conserve, sustain, maintain, continue, extend, carry on, keep up, prolong; immortalize, commemorate, mem Origin early 16th century: from Latin perpetuat- 'made permanent,' from the verb perpetuare, from perpetuus 'continuing throughout' [see perpetual].

sumptuous

synonyms: lavish, luxurious, opulent, magnificent, resplendent, gorgeous, splendid, grand, lavishly appointed, palatial, rich; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'made or produced at great cost']: from Old French somptueux, from Latin sumptuosus, from sumptus 'expenditure' [see sumptuary].

lackadaisical

synonyms: lethargic, apathetic, listless, sluggish, spiritless, passionless; careless, lazy, lax, unenthusiastic, halfhearted, lukewarm, indifferent, unconcern Origin mid 18th century [also in the sense 'feebly sentimental']: from the archaic interjection lackaday, lackadaisy [see alack] + -ical.

torpid

synonyms: lethargic, sluggish, inert, inactive, slow, lifeless; languid, listless, lazy, idle, indolent, slothful, supine, passive, apathetic, phlegmatic, somnolent, sleepy, weary, tired ";torpid tourists travele Origin late Middle English: from Latin torpidus, from torpere 'be numb or sluggish.'

torpor

synonyms: lethargy, sluggishness, inertia, inactivity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, lassitude, laziness, idleness, indolence, sloth, acedia, passivity, somnolence, weariness, sleepiness ";the feeling of torpor lin Origin late Middle English: from Latin, from torpere 'be numb or sluggish.'

predilection

synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, partiality, taste, penchant, weakness, soft spot, fancy, inclination, leaning, bias, propensity Origin mid 18th century: from French prédilection, from Latin praedilect- 'preferred,' from the verb praediligere, from prae 'in advance' + diligere 'to select.'

penchant

synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, taste, relish, appetite, partiality, soft spot, love, passion, desire, fancy, whim, weakness, inclination, bent, bias, proclivity, predilection, predisposi Origin late 17th century: from French, 'leaning, inclining,' present participle of the verb pencher .

forfeit

synonyms: lose, be deprived of, surren Origin Middle English [originally denoting a crime or transgression, hence a fine or penalty for this]: from Old French forfet, forfait, past participle of forfaire 'transgress,' from for- 'out' [from Latin foris 'outside'] + faire 'do' [from Latin facere ].

boor

synonyms: lout, oaf, ruffian, thug, yahoo, barbarian, Neanderthal, brute, beast, lubber; informalclod, roughneck, troglodyte, knuckle-dragger, pig, peasant ";a civilized affair guarant Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'peasant']: from Low German būr or Dutch boer 'farmer.' Compare with Boer.

lumber

synonyms: lurch, stumble, trundle, shamble, shuffle, waddle; trudge, clump, stump, plod, tramp, tromp; informalgalumph ";elephants lumbered past"; clumsy, awkward, heavy-footed, slow, blundering, bumbling, inept, maladroit, u Origin late Middle English lomere, perhaps symbolic of clumsy movement.

decoy

synonyms: lure, bait, red herring; enticement, i Origin mid 16th century [earlier as coy ]: from Dutch de kooi 'the decoy,' from Middle Dutch de kouw 'the cage,' from Latin cavea 'cage.' Sense 2 of the noun is from the practice of using tamed ducks to lead wild ones along channels into captivity.

opulent

synonyms: luxurious, sumptuous, palatial, lavish, lavishly appointed, rich, splendid, magnificent, grand, grandiose, fancy; informalplush, classy, ritzy, posh, swanky, swank "; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'wealthy, affluent']: from Latin opulent- 'wealthy, splendid,' from opes 'wealth.'

mendacious

synonyms: lying, untruthful, dishonest, deceitful, false, dissembling, insincere, disingenuous, hypocritical, fraudulent, double-dealing, two-faced, Janus-faced, two-timing, duplicitous, perjured; u Origin early 17th century: from Latin mendax, mendac- 'lying' [related to mendum 'fault'] + -ious.

declaim

synonyms: make a speech, give an address, give a lecture, deliver a sermon; speak, hold forth, orate, preach, lecture, sermonize, moralize; informalsound off, spout, speec Origin late Middle English: from French déclamer or Latin declamare, from de- [expressing thoroughness] + clamare 'to shout.'

malevolent

synonyms: malicious, hostile, evil-minded, baleful, evil-intentioned, venomous, evil, malign, malignant, rancorous, vicious, vindictive, vengeful; literarymalefic, malefic Origin early 16th century: from Latin malevolent- 'wishing evil,' from male 'ill' + volent- 'wishing' [from the verb velle ].

tractable

synonyms: malleable, manageable, amenable, pliable, governable, yielding, complaisant, compliant, game, persuadable, accommodating, docile, biddable, obliging, obedient, submissive, meek ";our preschool t Origin early 16th century: from Latin tractabilis, from tractare 'to handle' [see tractate].

hoi polloi

synonyms: masses, common people, populace, public, multitude, rank and file, lower order[s], plebeians, proletariat; mob; derogatoryrabble, riffraff, [great] unwashed, [common] herd, proles, plebs; humoroussheeple; historicalthird estate ";in da Origin mid 17th century: Greek, literally 'the many

histrionic

synonyms: melodramatic, theatrical, dramatic, exaggerated, stagy, actorly, showy, affected, artificial, overacted, overdone; informalhammy, ham, campy ";a Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'dramatically exaggerated, hypocritical']: from late Latin histrionicus, from Latin histrio[n-] 'actor.'

baleful

synonyms: menacing, threatening, unfriendly, hostile, antagonistic, evil, evil-intentioned, vindictive, wicked, nasty, bitter, acrimonious, malevolent, malicious, malignant, malign, sinister; harmful, injurious, dangerous, destructive, noxious, pern Origin Old English bealufull [see bale2, -ful].

mirth

synonyms: merriment, high spirits, cheerfulness, cheeriness, hilarity, glee, laughter, gaiety, buoyancy, blitheness, euphoria, exhilaration, lightheartedness, joviality, joy, joyfulness, joyousness ";we could not hold back our mirth Origin Old English myrgth, of Germanic origin; related to merry.

punctilious

synonyms: meticulous, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, careful, painstaking, rigorous, perfectionist, methodical, particular, strict; fussy, fastidious, finicky, pedantic; informalnitpick Origin mid 17th century: from French pointilleux, from pointille, from Italian puntiglio [see punctilio].

embezzle

synonyms: misappropriate, steal, thieve, pi Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'steal']: from Anglo-Norman French embesiler, from besiler in the same sense [compare with Old French besillier 'maltreat, ravage'], of unknown ultimate origin. The current sense dates from the late 16th century.

fallacy

synonyms: misconception, misbelief, delusion, mistaken impression, error, misapprehension, misinterpretation, m Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'deception, guile'; gradually superseding Middle English fallace ]: from Latin fallacia, from fallax, fallac- 'deceiving,' from fallere 'deceive.'

qualm

synonyms: misgivings, doubts, reservations, second thoughts, worries, concerns, anxiety; hesitation, hesitance, hesitancy, demur, reluctance, disinclination, appr Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'momentary sick feeling']: perhaps related to Old English cw[e]alm 'pain,' of Germanic origin.

conflate

synonyms: mix, blend, fuse, unite, integrate ";the plot gets weighed down when the writers conflate too many issues into one e Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'fuse or melt down metal']: from Latin conflat- 'kindled, fused,' from the verb conflare, from con- 'together' + flare 'to blow.'

derision

synonyms: mockery, ridicule, jeers, sneers, taunts; disdain, disparagement, denigration, disrespect, insults; scorn, contempt; lampooning, satire ";Quincy's memoirs incited the derision of his siblin Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin derisio[n-], from deridere 'scoff at.'

sardonic

synonyms: mocking, satirical, sarcastic, ironical, ironic; cynical, scornful, contemptuous, derisive, d Origin mid 17th century: from French sardonique, earlier sardonien, via Latin from Greek sardonios 'of Sardinia,' alteration of sardanios, used by Homer to describe bitter or scornful laughter.

paradigm

synonyms: model, pattern, example, exemplar, template, standard, prototype, archetype ";why should your sets of values be the paradigm for the rest of Origin late 15th century: via late Latin from Greek paradeigma, from paradeiknunai 'show side by side,' from para- 'beside' + deiknunai 'to show.'

sententious

synonyms: moralistic, moralizing, sanctimonious, self-righteous, pietistic, pious, priggish, judgmental; pompous, pontific Origin late Middle English: from Latin sententiosus, from sententia 'opinion' [see sentence]. The original sense was 'full of meaning or wisdom,' later becoming depreciatory.

lugubrious

synonyms: mournful, gloomy, sad, unhappy, doleful, glum, melancholy, woeful, miserable, woebegone, forlorn, somber, solemn, serious, sorrowful, morose, dour, cheerless, joyless, dismal; funereal, sepulchral; informaldown Origin early 17th century: from Latin lugubris [from lugere 'mourn'] + -ous.

addle

synonyms: muddled, confused, muzzy, fuddled, befuddled, dazed, disoriented, disorientated, fuzzy; informalwoozy ";Patricia was noticeably addled after Pete sudden Origin Middle English: from Old English adela 'liquid filth,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aal and German Adel 'mire, puddle.'

variegated

synonyms: multicolored, multicolor, many-colored, many-hued, polychromatic, varicolored, colorful, prismatic, rainbow, kaleidoscopic; mottled, striated, marbled, streaked, speckled Origin mid 17th century: from Latin variegat- 'made varied' [from the verb variegare, from varius 'diverse'] + -ed2.

ingenuous

synonyms: naive, innocent, Origin late 16th century: from Latin ingenuus, literally 'native, inborn,' from in- 'into' + an element related to gignere 'beget.' The original sense was 'noble, generous,' giving rise to 'honorably straightforward, frank,' hence 'innocently frank' [late 17th century].

insular

synonyms: narrow-minded, small-minded, inward-looking, parochial, provincial, small-town, shortsighted, hidebound, blinkered; set in one's ways, inflexible, rigid, entrenched; illiberal, int Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting an islander]: from late Latin insularis, from insula 'island.'

incumbent

synonyms: necessary for one to, essential that, required that, imperative that; compulsory for one to, binding on one to, mandat Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Anglo-Latin incumbens, incumbent-, from Latin incumbere 'lie or lean on,' from in- 'upon' + a verb related to cubare 'lie.'

remiss

synonyms: negligent, neglectful, irresponsible, careless, thoughtless, heedless, lax, slack, slipshod, lack Origin late Middle English: from Latin remissus 'slackened,' past participle of remittere . The early senses were 'weakened in color or consistency' and [in describing sound] 'faint, soft.'

peripatetic

synonyms: nomadic, itinerant, traveling, wandering, roving, roaming, migrant, migratory, unsettled ";I could never Origin late Middle English [denoting an Aristotelian philosopher]: from Old French peripatetique, via Latin from Greek peripatētikos 'walking up and down,' from the verb peripatein .

insouciance

synonyms: nonchalance, unconcern, indifference, heedlessness, calm, equanimity, composure, ease, airiness; informalcool ";through his own profligacy and insouciance in raising Origin late 18th century: French, from insouciant, from in- 'not' + souciant 'worrying' [present participle of soucier ].

ecumenical

synonyms: nondenominational, universal, catholic, latitudinarian, all-embracing, all-inclusive ";the local churches are sponsoring an ecumen Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'belonging to the universal Church']: via late Latin from Greek oikoumenikos, from oikoumenē 'the [inhabited] earth.'

protest

synonyms: objection, complaint, exception, disapproval, challenge, dissent, demurral, remonstr Origin late Middle English [as a verb in the sense 'make a solemn declaration']: from Old French protester, from Latin protestari, from pro- 'forth, publicly' + testari 'assert' [from testis 'witness'].

recondite

synonyms: obscure, abstruse, arcane, esoteric, recherché, profound, difficult, complex, complicated, involved; incomprehensible, unfathomable, impene Origin mid 17th century: from Latin reconditus 'hidden, put away,' past participle of recondere, from re- 'back' + condere 'put together, secrete.'

abstruse

synonyms: obscure, arcane, esoteric, little known, recherché, rarefied, recondite, difficult, hard, puzzling, perplexing, cryptic, enigmatic, Delphic, complex, compli Origin late 16th century: from Latin abstrusus 'put away, hidden,' from abstrudere 'conceal,' from ab- 'from' + trudere 'to push.'

archaic

synonyms: obsolete, out of date, old-fashioned, outmoded, behind the times, bygone, anachronistic, antiquated, superannuated, antediluvian, old world, old-fangled; ancient, old, extinct, d Origin mid 19th century: from French archaïque, from Greek arkhaikos, from arkhaios, from arkhē 'beginning.'

refractory

synonyms: obstinate, stubborn, mulish, pigheaded, obdurate, headstrong, self-willed, wayward, willful, perverse, contrary, recalcitrant, obstreperous, disobedient, difficult; infor Origin early 17th century: alteration of obsolete refractary, from Latin refractarius 'stubborn' [see also refract].

elicit

synonyms: obtain, draw out, extract, bring out, evoke, call forth, bring forth, induce, prompt, generate, engender, trigger, provoke; fo Origin mid 17th century: from Latin elicit- 'drawn out by trickery or magic,' from the verb elicere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + lacere 'entice, deceive.'

manifest

synonyms: obvious, clear, plain, apparent, evident, patent, palpable, distinct, definite, blatant, overt, glaring, barefaced, explicit, transparent, conspicuous, undisguised, unmistakable, noticeable, perceptible, visible, recogni Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin manifestus .

sporadic

synonyms: occasional, infrequent, irregular, periodic, scattered, patchy, isolated, odd; intermittent, spasmodic, fitful, desultory, erratic, unpredictable; nonconse Origin late 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek sporadikos, from sporas, sporad- 'scattered'; related to speirein 'to sow.'

heinous

synonyms: odious, wicked, evil, atrocious, monstrous, abominable, detestable, contemptible, reprehensible, despicable, egregious, horrific, terrible, awful, abhorrent, loathsome, hideous, unspeakable, ex Origin late Middle English: from Old French haineus, from hair 'to hate,' of Germanic origin.

errant

synonyms: offending, guilty, culpable, misbeha Origin Middle English [sense 2]: sense 1 from Latin errant- 'erring,' from the verb errare ; sense 2 from Old French errant 'traveling,' present participle of errer, from late Latin iterare 'go on a journey,' from iter 'journey.' Compare with arrant.

tender

synonyms: offer, proffer, present, put forward, propose, sug Origin mid 16th century [as a legal term meaning 'formally offer a plea or evidence, or money to discharge a debt,' also as a noun denoting such an offer]: from Old French tendre, from Latin tendere 'to stretch, hold forth' [see tend1].

portent

synonyms: omen, sign, signal, token, forewarning, warning, danger sign, foreshadowing, prediction, forecast, prophecy, harbinger, augury, auspice, presage; writing on the wall, indication, hint; Origin late 16th century: from Latin portentum 'omen, token,' from the verb portendere [see portend].

ubiquitous

synonyms: omnipresent, ever-present, everywhere, all over the place, pervasive, universal, worldwide, global; rife, prevalent, far-reaching, inescapable ";after WWII, television became Origin mid 19th century: from modern Latin ubiquitas [from Latin ubique 'everywhere,' from ubi 'where'] + -ous.

arduous

synonyms: onerous, taxing, difficult, hard, heavy, laborious, burdensome, strenuous, vigorous, back-breaking; demanding, tough, challenging, formidable; exhausting, tiring, punishing, grueling; uphill, steep; informalkilling; t Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arduus 'steep, difficult' + -ous.

iridescent

synonyms: opalescent, nacreous; shimmering, luminous, glittering, sparkling, dazzling, shining, gleaming, glowing, lustrous, scintillating; kaleidoscopic, rainbow-colored, multicolored; literaryglistering, coruscating, effulgen Origin late 18th century: from Latin iris, irid- 'rainbow' + -escent.

providential

synonyms: opportune, advantageous, favorable, auspicious, propitious, heaven-sent, welcome, golden, lucky, happy, fortunate, felicitous, timely, well timed, seasonable, convenient, expedient ";we won with the aid of a provid Origin mid 17th century: from providence, on the pattern of evidential .

travail

synonyms: ordeal, trial, tribulation, trial and tribulation, trouble, hardship, privation, stress; drudgery, toil, slog, effort, exertion, labor, work, endeavor, s Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin trepalium 'instrument of torture,' from Latin tres 'three' + palus 'stake.'

prosaic

synonyms: ordinary, everyday, commonplace, conventional, straightforward, routine, r Origin late 16th century [as a noun denoting a prose writer]: from late Latin prosaicus, from Latin prosa 'straightforward [discourse]' [see prose]. Current senses of the adjective date from the mid 18th century.

obsolete

synonyms: outdated, out of date, outmoded, old-fashioned, démodé, passé, out of fashion; no longer in use, disused, fallen into disuse, behind the times, superannuated, outworn Origin late 16th century: from Latin obsoletus 'grown old, worn out,' past participle of obsolescere 'fall into disuse.'

belabor

synonyms: overelaborate, labor, dwell on, harp on about, hammer away at; overdo, overplay, overdramatize, make too much of, place too much emphasis on; informalbeat to death, drag out, make a big thing of, blow out o Origin late Middle English: from be- [expressing transitivity] + the verb labor.

connotation

synonyms: overtone, undertone, undercurrent, implication, hidden meaning, nuance, hint, echo, vibrations, association, intimation, suggestion, suspicion, insinuation ";there was a connota Origin mid 16th century: from medieval Latin connotatio[n-], from connotare 'mark in addition' [see connote].

Cosset

synonyms: pamper, indulge, overindulge, mollycoddle, coddle, baby, pet, mother, nanny, nursemaid, pander to, spoil Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting a lamb brought up by hand, later a spoiled child]: probably from Anglo-Norman French coscet 'cottager,' from Old English cotsǣta 'cottar.'

accomplice

synonyms: partner in crime, associate, accessory, abettor, confe Origin mid 16th century: alteration [probably by association with accompany] of Middle English complice 'an associate,' via Old French from late Latin complex, complic- 'allied,' from com- 'together' + the root of plicare 'to fold.'

vehement

synonyms: passionate, forceful, ardent, Origin late Middle English [describing pain or temperature, in the sense 'intense, high in degree']: from French véhément or Latin vehement- 'impetuous, violent,' perhaps from an unrecorded adjective meaning 'deprived of mind,' influenced by vehere 'carry.'

hiatus

synonyms: pause, break, gap, lacuna, interval, intermission, interlude, interruption, suspension, lull, respite, time out, time off, recess; informalbreather, letup ";the sp Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting a physical gap or opening]: from Latin, literally 'gaping,' from hiare 'gape.'

defray

synonyms: pay [for], cover, meet, square, settle, clear, discharge ";the reserve fun Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'spend money']: from French défrayer, from dé- [expressing removal] + obsolete frai 'cost, expenses' [from medieval Latin fredum 'a fine for breach of the peace'].

salary

synonyms: pay, wages, earnings, payment, remuneration, fee[s], stipend, income; informaltake-home; formalemolument ";an annual raise in his s Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French salarie, from Latin salarium, originally denoting a Roman soldier's allowance to buy salt, from sal 'salt.'

climax

synonyms: peak, pinnacle, height, high[est] point, top; acme, zenith; culmination, crowning point, crown, crest; highlight, high spot, high-water mar Origin mid 16th century [in rhetoric]: from late Latin, from Greek klimax 'ladder, climax.' The sense 'culmination' arose in the late 18th century.

idiosyncrasy

synonyms: peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity, mannerism, trait, singularity, quirk, tic, whim, vagary, caprice Origin early 17th century [originally in the sense 'physical constitution peculiar to an individual']: from Greek idiosunkrasia, from idios 'own, private' + sun 'with' + krasis 'mixture.'

incisive

synonyms: penetrating, acute, sharp, sharp-witted, razor-sharp, keen, astute, trenchant, shrewd, piercing, cutting, perceptive, insightful, percipient, per Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'cutting, penetrating']: from medieval Latin incisivus, from Latin incidere 'cut into' [see incise].

impecunious

synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, indigent, insolvent, hard up, poverty-stricken, needy, destitute; in straitened circumstances, unable to make ends meet; i Origin late 16th century: from in-1 'not' + obsolete pecunious 'having money, wealthy' [from Latin pecuniosus, from pecunia 'money'].

destitute

synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny [to one's name]; needy, Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'deserted, abandoned, empty']: from Latin destitutus, past participle of destituere 'forsake,' from de- 'away from' + statuere 'to place.'

discern

synonyms: perceive, make out, pick out, detect, recognize, notice, observe, see, spot; identify, determine, distinguish; literarydescry, espy ";they could discern a slender figure, probabl Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin discernere, from dis- 'apart' + cernere 'to separate.'

imperious

synonyms: peremptory, high-handed, commanding, imperial, overbearing, overweening, domineering, authoritarian, dictatorial, autocratic, authoritativ Origin mid 16th century: from Latin imperiosus, from imperium 'command, authority, empire'; related to imperare 'to command.' Compare with imperial.

quintessence

synonyms: perfect example, exemplar, prototype, stereotype, picture, epitome, embodiment, ideal, apotheosis; best, pick, prime, acme, crème de la crème ";it's the quintessence of Origin late Middle English [as a term in philosophy]: via French from medieval Latin quinta essentia 'fifth essence.'

pervade

synonyms: permeate, spread through, fill, suffuse, be diffused through, imbue, penetrate, filter through, percolate through, infuse, perfuse, flow through; charge, steep, saturate, Origin mid 17th century [also in the sense 'traverse']: from Latin pervadere, from per- 'throughout' + vadere 'go.'

epitome

synonyms: personification, embodiment, incarnation, paragon; essence, quintessence, archetype, paradigm; exemplar, model, soul, example; height ";the sanatorium there is Origin early 16th century: via Latin from Greek epitomē, from epitemnein 'abridge,' from epi 'in addition' + temnein 'to cut.'

permeate

synonyms: pervade, spread through, fill, filter through, diffuse through, imbue, penetrate, pass through, percolate through, perfuse, charge, suffuse, steep, impregnate, Origin mid 17th century: from Latin permeat- 'passed through,' from the verb permeare, from per- 'through' + meare 'pass, go.'

querulous

synonyms: petulant, peevish, pettish, complaining, fractious, fretful, irritable, testy, tetchy, cross, snappish, crabby, crotchety, cantankerous, miserable, moody, grumpy, bad-tempered, sullen, sulk Origin late 15th century: from late Latin querulosus, from Latin querulus, from queri 'complain.'

quaint

synonyms: picturesque, charming, swe Origin Middle English: from Old French cointe, from Latin cognitus 'ascertained,' past participle of cognoscere . The original sense was 'wise, clever,' also 'ingenious, cunningly devised,' hence 'out of the ordinary' and the current sense [late 18th century].

tautology

synonyms: pleonasm, repetition, reiteration, redundancy, superfluity, duplication ";avoid such tautology as ";let's all work together, everyone, as a team"; Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek, from tautologos 'repeating what has been said,' from tauto- 'same' + -logos [see -logy].

aplomb

synonyms: poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, calmness, composure, collectedness, levelheadedness, sangfroid, equilibrium, equanimity; informalunflappability ";the judge Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'perpendicularity, steadiness']: from French, from à plomb 'according to a plummet.'

noxious

synonyms: poisonous, toxic, deadly, harmful, dangerous, pernicious, damaging, destructive; unpleasant, nasty, disgusting, awful, dreadful, horrible, terrible; vile, revolting, foul, nauseating, appalling, offensive; malodorous Origin late 15th century: from Latin noxius [from noxa 'harm'] + -ous.

virulent

synonyms: poisonous, toxic, venomous, noxious, deadly, lethal, fatal, dangerous, harmful, injurious, pernicious, damaging, destructive; literarydeathly ";virulent herbicide Origin late Middle English [originally describing a poisoned wound]: from Latin virulentus, from virus 'poison' [see virus].

euphemism

synonyms: polite term, indirect term, circumlocution, substitute, alternative, understatement, genteelism ";'influential person' is the local euphemism for underworld don" Origin late 16th century: from Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein 'use auspicious words,' from eu 'well' + phēmē 'speaking.'

grandiloquent

synonyms: pompous, bombastic, magniloquent, pretentious, ostentatious, high-flown, orotund, florid, flowery; overwro Origin late 16th century: from Latin grandiloquus, literally 'grand-speaking,' from grandis 'grand' + loqui 'speak.' The ending was altered in English by association with eloquent.

indigent

synonyms: poor, impecunious, destitute, penniless, impoverished, insolvent, poverty-stricken; needy, in need, hard up, disadvanta Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin indigent- 'lacking,' from the verb indigere, from indi- [strengthened form of in- 'into'] + egere 'to need.'

salacious

synonyms: pornographic, obscene, indecent, crude, lewd, vulgar, dirty, filthy; erotic, titillating, arousing, suggestive, sexy, risqué, ribald, smutty, bawdy; X-rated; informalporn, porno, blue, XXX; euphemisticadul Origin mid 17th century: from Latin salax, salac- [from salire 'to leap'] + -ious

presage

synonyms: portend, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy, be an omen of, herald, be a sign of, be the harbinger of, warn of, be a presage of, signal Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: via French from Latin praesagium, from praesagire 'forebode,' from prae 'before' + sagire 'perceive keenly.'

defer

synonyms: postpone, put off, delay, hold over, hold off [on], put back; shelve, suspend, sta Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'put on one side']: from Old French differer 'defer or differ,' from Latin differre, from dis- 'apart' + ferre 'bring, carry.' Compare with defer2 and differ.

feasible

synonyms: practicable, practical, workable, achievable, attainable, realizable, viable, realistic, sensible, reasonable, within reason; suitable, possible, expedient; informaldoable ";a Origin late Middle English: from Old French faisible, from fais-, stem of faire 'do, make,' from Latin facere .

pragmatic

synonyms: practical, matter-of-fact, sensible, down-to-earth, commo Origin late 16th century [in the senses 'busy, interfering, conceited']: via Latin from Greek pragmatikos 'relating to fact,' from pragma 'deed' [from the stem of prattein 'do']. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.

extol

synonyms: praise enthusiastically, go into raptures about/over, wax lyrical about, sing the praises of, praise to the skies, acclaim, exalt, eulogize, adulate, rhapsodize over, rave about, enthuse about/ov Origin late Middle English: from Latin extollere, from ex- 'out, upward' + tollere 'raise.'

obviate

synonyms: preclude, prevent, remove, get rid of, do away with, get around, rule out, eliminate, make/render unnecessary ";our latest agreement obviates any further discussion of the mat Origin late 16th century: from late Latin obviat- 'prevented,' from the verb obviare, based on Latin via 'way.'

forestall

synonyms: preempt, get in before; anticipate, second-guess; nip in the bu Origin Old English foresteall 'an ambush' [see fore- and stall]. As a verb the earliest sense [Middle English] was 'intercept and buy up [goods] before they reach the market, so as to raise the price' [formerly an offense].

absurd

synonyms: preposterous, ridiculous, ludicrous, farcical, laughable, risible, idiotic, stupid, foolish, silly, inane, imbecilic, insane, harebrained, cockamamie; unreasonable, irrational Origin mid 16th century: from Latin absurdus 'out of tune,' hence 'irrational'; related to surdus 'deaf, dull.'

officiate

synonyms: preside over, be in charge of, take charge of, direct, head [up]; oversee, superintend, supervise, conduct, run; referee, umpire, judge, adjudicate; emcee ";he officiated the gam Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin officiare 'perform divine service,' from officium [see office].

malinger

synonyms: pretend to be ill, feign [an] illness, fake [an] illness; shirk; informalgoof off ";he was put on repor Origin early 19th century: back-formation from malingerer, apparently from French malingre, perhaps formed as mal- 'wrongly, improperly' + haingre 'weak,' probably of Germanic origin.

equivocate

synonyms: prevaricate, be evasive, be noncommittal, be vague, be ambiguous, dodge the question, beat ar Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'use a word in more than one sense']: from late Latin aequivocat- 'called by the same name,' from the verb aequivocare, from aequivocus [see equivocal].

precept

synonyms: principle, rule, tenet, canon, doctrine, command, order, decree, dictate, dictum, injunction, commandment; mitzvah; formalprescript ";the precept Origin late Middle English: from Latin praeceptum, neuter past participle of praecipere 'warn, instruct,' from prae 'before' + capere 'take.'

lucrative

synonyms: profitable, profit-making, gainful, remunerative, moneymaking, paying, high-income, well paid, bankable; rewarding, worthwhile; thriving, flourishing, successful, bo Origin late Middle English: from Latin lucrativus, from lucrat- 'gained,' from the verb lucrari, from lucrum [see lucre].

protract

synonyms: prolong, lengthen, extend, draw out, drag out, spin out, stretch out, string out, elongate; carry on, continue, keep up, perpetuate ";the opposition will try to prot Origin mid 16th century: from Latin protract- 'prolonged,' from the verb protrahere, from pro- 'out' + trahere 'to draw.'

prescient

synonyms: prophetic, predictive, visionary; psychic, clairvoyant; farsighted, prognostic, divinatory; insightful, intuitive, perceptive, percipient ";the outcome was Origin early 17th century: from Latin praescient- 'knowing beforehand,' from the verb praescire, from prae 'before' + scire 'know.'

decorum

synonyms: propriety, seemliness, decency, good taste, correctness; politeness, courtesy, good manners; dignity, respectability, modesty, demureness ";he had acted wit Origin mid 16th century [as a literary term, denoting suitability of style]: from Latin, neuter of the adjective decorus 'seemly.'

rail

synonyms: protest [against], fulminate against, inveigh against, rage against, speak out against, make a stand against; expostulate about, criticize, denounce, con Origin late Middle English: from French railler, from Provençal ralhar 'to jest,' based on an alteration of Latin rugire 'to bellow.'

remonstrate

synonyms: protest, complain, expostulate; argue with, take issue with ";"I'm not a child!" he remonstrated" Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'make plain']: from medieval Latin remonstrat- 'demonstrated,' from the verb remonstrare, from re- [expressing intensive force] + monstrare 'to show.'

clairvoyant

synonyms: psychic, fortune teller, crystal gazer; medium, spiritualist; telepath, mind-reader ";a woman c Origin late 17th century [in the sense 'clear-sighted, perceptive']: from French, from clair 'clear' + voyant 'seeing' [from voir 'to see']. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.

livid

synonyms: purplish, bluish, dark, discolored, purple, grayish-blue; bruised; angry, black and blue ";a Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'of a bluish leaden color']: from French livide or Latin lividus, from livere 'be bluish.' The sense 'furiously angry' dates from the early 20th century.

perplex

synonyms: puzzle, baffle, mystify, bemuse, bewilder, confound, confuse, disconcert, dumbfound, throw, Origin late 15th century [as the adjective perplexed ]: from the obsolete adjective perplex 'bewildered,' from Latin perplexus 'entangled,' based on plexus 'interwoven,' from the verb plectere .

scruple

synonyms: qualms, compunction, pangs/twinges of conscience, hesitation, reservations, second thoughts, doubt[s], misgivings, uneasiness, reluctance ";he had no sc Origin late Middle English: from French scrupule or Latin scrupulus, from scrupus, literally 'rough pebble,' [figuratively] 'anxiety.'

discursive

synonyms: rambling, digressive, meandering, wandering, maundering, diffuse, long, lengthy, wordy, verbose, long-winded, prolix; circuitous Origin late 16th century: from medieval Latin discursivus, from Latin discurs-, literally 'gone hastily to and fro,' from the verb discurrere [see discourse].

peruse

synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; More browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, g Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'use up, wear out']: perhaps from per- 'thoroughly' + use, but compare with Anglo-Norman French peruser 'examine.'

peruse

synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, glance Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'use up, wear out']: perhaps from per- 'thoroughly' + use, but compare with Anglo-Norman French peruser 'examine.'

insurrection

synonyms: rebellion, revolt, uprising, mutiny, revolution, insurgence, riot, sedition, subversion; civil disorder, unrest, anarchy; coup [d'état] ";the suspects all escaped after a prison insurre Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin insurrectio[n-], from insurgere 'rise up.'

alleviate

synonyms: reduce, ease, relieve, take the edge off, deaden, dull, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, mitigate, a Origin late Middle English: from late Latin alleviat- 'lightened,' from the verb alleviare, from Latin allevare, from ad- 'to' + levare 'raise,' influenced by levis 'light.'

replenish

synonyms: refill, top up, fill up, recharge, freshen ";she replenished their glass Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'supply abundantly']: from Old French repleniss-, lengthened stem of replenir, from re- 'again' [also expressing intensive force] + plenir 'fill' [from Latin plenus 'full'].

abstain

synonyms: refrain from, desist from, hold back from, forbear; give up, renounce, avoid, shun, eschew, forgo, go without, do without; refuse, decline; informalcut out; formalabjure ";Benjamin Origin late Middle English: from Old French abstenir, from Latin abstinere, from ab- 'from' + tenere 'hold

repudiate

synonyms: reject, renounce, abandon, give up, turn one's back on, disown, cast off, lay aside; formalforswear, abjure; literaryforsake ";he repudiated Origin late Middle English [originally an adjective in the sense 'divorced']: from Latin repudiatus 'divorced, cast off,' from repudium 'divorce.'

exult

synonyms: rejoice, be joyful, be happy, be delighted, be elated, be ecstatic, be overjoyed, be jubilant, be rapturous, be in raptures, be thrilled, jump for joy, be on c Origin late 16th century: from Latin exsultare, frequentative of exsilire 'leap up,' from ex- 'out, upward' + salire 'to leap.'

inexorable

synonyms: relentless, unstoppable, inescapable, inevitable, unavoidable, irrevocable, unalterable; persistent, continuous, nonstop, steady, interminable, incessant, unceasing, u Origin mid 16th century: from French, or from Latin inexorabilis, from in- 'not' + exorabilis [from exorare 'entreat'].

germane

synonyms: relevant, pertinent, applicable, apposite, material; apropos, appropriate, apt, fitting, suitable; connected, related, akin Origin early 17th century: variant of german, with which it was synonymous from Middle English. The current sense has arisen from a usage in Shakespeare's Hamlet .

nostalgia

synonyms: reminiscence, remembrance, recollection; wistfulness, regret, sentimentality; homesickness ";a nostalgia for traditiona Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'acute homesickness']: modern Latin [translating German Heimweh 'homesickness'], from Greek nostos 'return home' + algos 'pain.'

expostulate

synonyms: remonstrate with, disagree with, argue with, take issue with, protest against, reason against, express disagr Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'demand how or why, state a complaint']: from Latin expostulat- 'demanded,' from the verb expostulare, from ex- 'out' + postulare 'demand.'

contrite

synonyms: remorseful, repentant, penitent, regretful, sorry, apologetic, rueful, sheepish, hangdog, ashamed, chastened, shamefaced, cons Origin Middle English: from Old French contrit, from Latin contritus, past participle of conterere 'grind down, wear away,' from con- 'together' + terere 'rub.'

recant

synonyms: renounce, disavow, deny, repudiate, renege on; formalforswear, abjure ";he was forced to recant his political beliefs"; change one's mind, be apostate; raretergiversate ";he r Origin mid 16th century: from Latin recantare 'revoke,' from re- [expressing reversal] + cantare 'sing, chant.'

abjure

synonyms: renounce, relinquish, reject, forgo, disavow, abandon, deny, repudiate, give up, wash one's hands of; eschew, abstain from, refrain from; informalkick, pack in; disaffirm; literaryforsake; formalforswear, Origin late Middle English: from Latin abjurare, from ab- 'away' + jurare 'swear.'

abrogate

synonyms: repeal, revoke, rescind, repudiate, overturn, annul; disallow, cancel, invalidate, nullify, void, negate, dissolve, countermand, declare null and void, disc Origin early 16th century: from Latin abrogat- 'repealed,' from the verb abrogare, from ab- 'away, from' + rogare 'propose a law.'

penitent

synonyms: repentant, contrite, remorseful, sorry, apologetic, regretful, conscience-stricken, rueful, ashamed, shamefaced, abject, in sackcloth and ashes ";she stood there looking like a penitent Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitent- 'repenting,' from the verb paenitere .

supplant

synonyms: replace, supersede, displace, take over from, substitute for, override ";paved highways supplanted the network of dirt roads"; oust, usurp, overthrow, remove, topple Origin Middle English: from Old French supplanter or Latin supplantare 'trip up,' from sub- 'from below' + planta 'sole.'

delegate

synonyms: representative, envoy, emissary, commissioner, agent, deputy, commissary; spokesperson, spokesman, spokeswoman; ambassador, plenipotentiary ";union delegat Origin late Middle English: from Latin delegatus 'sent on a commission,' from the verb delegare, from de- 'down' + legare 'depute.'

castigate

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, censure, upbraid, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste, give someone a piece of one's mind; informalrake/haul over the coals, tell off Origin early 17th century: from Latin castigare 'reprove,' from castus 'pure, chaste.'

upbraid

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste, give someon Origin late Old English upbrēdan 'allege [something] as a basis for censure,' based on braid in the obsolete sense 'brandish.' The current sense dates from Middle English.

reprove

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scold, admonish, chastise, chide, upbraid, berate, take to task, rake/haul over the coals, criticize, censure Origin Middle English [also in the senses 'reject' and 'censure']: from Old French reprover, from late Latin reprobare 'disapprove' [see reprobate].

reticent

synonyms: reserved, withdrawn, introverted, inhibited, diffident, shy; uncommunicative, unforthcoming, unresponsive, tight-lipped, buttoned-up, qui Origin mid 19th century: from Latin reticent- 'remaining silent,' from the verb reticere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + tacere 'be silent.'

abdicate

synonyms: resign, retire, stand down, step down, bow out, renounce the throne; archaicdemit ";the king abdicated in 1936"; resign from, relinquish, renounce, give up, surren Origin mid 16th century: from Latin abdicat- 'renounced,' from the verb abdicare, from ab- 'away, from' + dicare 'declare.'

immune

synonyms: resistant to, not subject to, not liab Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'free from [a liability]']: from Latin immunis 'exempt from public service or charge,' from in- 'not' + munis 'ready for service.' Senses relating to physiological resistance date from the late 19th century.

revere

synonyms: respect, admire, honor, think highly of, esteem, hold in high esteem, hold in high regard, look up to, put on a pedestal, lionize, reverence ";she is revered as a na Origin mid 17th century: from French révérer or Latin revereri, from re- [expressing intensive force] + vereri 'to fear.'

deference

synonyms: respect, respectfulness, dutifulness; submissiveness, submission, obedience, surrender, accession, capitulation, acquiescence, complaisance, obeisance ";his writings show excessive deference to the wealth Origin mid 17th century: from French déférence, from déférer 'refer' [see defer2].

trammeled

synonyms: restrict, restrain, constrain, hamper, confine, hinder, handicap, obstruct, impede, hold back, tie down, hamstring, sh Origin late Middle English [sense 2 of the noun]: from Old French tramail, from a medieval Latin variant of trimaculum, perhaps from Latin tri- 'three' + macula 'mesh.'

rescind

synonyms: revoke, repeal, cancel, reverse, overturn, overrule, annul, nullify, void, invalidate, quash, abolish; vacate; formalabrogate ";the court can rescind a bankruptcy order"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin rescindere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + scindere 'to divide, split.'

countermand

synonyms: revoke, rescind, reverse, undo, repeal, retract, withdraw, quash, overturn, overrule, cancel, annul, invalidate, nullify, n Origin late Middle English: from Old French contremander [verb], contremand [noun], from medieval Latin contramandare, from contra- 'against' + mandare 'to order.'

repugnance

synonyms: revulsion, disgust, abhorrence, repulsion, loathing, hatred, detestation, aversion, distaste, antipath Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'opposition']: from Old French repugnance or Latin repugnantia, from repugnare 'oppose,' from re- [expressing opposition] + pugnare 'to fight.'

bawdy

synonyms: ribald, indecent, risqué, racy, rude, spicy, sexy, suggestive, titillating, naughty, improper, indelicate, indecorous, off-color, earthy, barnyard, broad, locker-room, Rabelaisian; pornographic, obscene, vulgar, crude, coarse, lewd, dirty, filthy, smutty, unseemly, salacious, prurient, l

risque

synonyms: ribald, rude, bawdy, Rabelaisian, racy, earthy, indecent, suggestive, improper, naughty, locker-room; vulgar, dirty, smutty, crude, coarse, obscene, lewd, X-rated; informalblue, raunchy; off-color ";risqué stories"; Origin mid 19th century: French, past participle of risquer 'to risk.'

deride

synonyms: ridicule, mock, scoff at, jibe at, make fun of, poke fun at, laugh at, hold up to ridicule, pillory; disdain, disparage, denigrate, dismiss, slight; sneer at, scorn, insult; informalknock, pooh-pooh ";the kid I used to deride in j Origin mid 16th century: from Latin deridere 'scoff at.'

ascendant

synonyms: rising [in power], on the rise, on the way up, up-and-coming, flourishing, prospering, burgeoning ";his onetime political supporters have become the ascendant electoral Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin ascendent- 'climbing up,' from the verb ascendere [see ascend].

reprobate

synonyms: rogue, rascal, scoundrel, miscreant, good-for-nothing, villain, wretch, rake, degenerate, libertine, debauchee; informal,cad; archaicb Origin late Middle English [as a verb]: from Latin reprobat- 'disapproved,' from the verb reprobare, from re- [expressing reversal] + probare 'approve.'

ferret

synonyms: rummage, feel around, grope around, forage around, fish around/about, poke around/about; search through, hunt through, rifle through ";she ferreted Origin late Middle English: from Old French fuiret, alteration of fuiron, based on late Latin furo 'thief, ferret,' from Latin fur 'thief.'

abscond

synonyms: run away, escape, bolt, flee, make off, take flight, take off, decamp; make a break for it, take to one's heels, make a quick getaway, beat a hasty ret Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'hide, conceal [oneself]']: from Latin abscondere 'hide,' from ab- 'away, from' + condere 'stow.'

bucolic

synonyms: rustic, rural, pastoral, country, countryside; literaryArcadian, sylvan, georgic ";their farm had been used as the bucolic setting for two major motion pictur Origin early 16th century [denoting a pastoral poem]: via Latin from Greek boukolikos, from boukolos 'herdsman,' from bous 'ox.'

sacrosanct

synonyms: sacred, hallowed, respected, inviolable, inviolate, unimpeachable, invulnerable, untouchable, inalienable; protected, defended, secure, safe ";the separation of churc Origin late 15th century: from Latin sacrosanctus, from sacro 'by a sacred rite' [ablative of sacrum ] + sanctus 'holy.'

melancholy

synonyms: sadness, sorrow, unhappiness, woe, desolation, melancholia, dejection, depression, desponden Origin Middle English: from Old French melancolie, via late Latin from Greek melankholia, from melas, melan- 'black' + kholē 'bile,' an excess of which was formerly believed to cause depression.

repeat

synonyms: say again, restate, reiterate, go/run through again, recapitulate; informalrecap ";she repeated her story"; recite, quote, parrot, regurgitate ";children can repeat large chunks of Origin late Middle English: from Old French repeter, from Latin repetere, from re- 'back' + petere 'seek.'

adage

synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, proverb, aphorism, saw, dictum, byword, precept, motto, truism, platitude, cliché, apophthegm, commonplace ";I should have remembered the old adage 'look befor Origin mid 16th century: from French, from Latin adagium 'saying,' based on an early form of aio 'I say.'

vituperate

synonyms: scold, revile, upbraid, criticize; blame, abuse, insult, vilifiy, denounce, denigrate, disparage; formalcastigate ";he began vituperating the ";social Origin mid 16th century: from Latin vituperat- 'censured, disparaged,' from the verb vituperare, from vitium 'fault' + parare 'prepare.'

searing

synonyms: scorching, blistering, sweltering, blazing [hot], burning, fiery, torrid; informalboiling [hot], baking [hot], sizzling, roasting ";the searing heat"; intense, excruciating, agonizing, sharp, stabbing, shooting, st Origin Old English sēar [adjective], sēarian [verb], of Germanic origin.

rogue

synonyms: scoundrel, villain, miscreant, reprobate, rascal, good-for-nothin Origin mid 16th century [denoting an idle vagrant]: probably from Latin rogare 'beg, ask,' and related to obsolete slang roger 'vagrant beggar' [many such cant terms were introduced toward the middle of the 16th century].

compunction

synonyms: scruples, misgivings, qualms, worries, unease, uneasiness, doubts, reluctance, reservations; Origin Middle English: from Old French componction, from ecclesiastical Latin compunctio[n-], from Latin compungere 'prick sharply,' from com- [expressing intensive force] + pungere 'to prick.'

fastidious

synonyms: scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, meticulous; perfectionist, fussy, finicky, overparticu Origin late Middle English: from Latin fastidiosus, from fastidium 'loathing.' The word originally meant 'disagreeable, distasteful,' later 'disgusted' Current senses date from the 17th century.

staid

synonyms: sedate, respectable, quiet, serious, serious-minded, steady, conventional, traditional, unadventurous, unenterprising, set in one's ways, sober, proper, decorous, formal, stuffy, stiff, priggish; informalstarchy, buttoned-down, Origin mid 16th century: archaic past participle of stay1.

abstemious

synonyms: self-denying, temperate, abstinent, moderate, self-disciplined, restrained, self-restrained, sober, austere, ascetic, puritanical, spartan, hair-shirt ";the monks here ha Origin early 17th century: from Latin abstemius [from ab- 'from' + a word related to temetum 'strong drink'] + -ous.

bumptious

synonyms: self-important, conceited, arrogant, self-assertive, pushy, pompous, overbearing, cocky, swaggering; proud, haughty, overweening, egotistical; informalsnooty, uppity ";our bumptious cousin thinks she's God's Origin early 19th century: humorously from bump, on the pattern of fractious .

hedonism

synonyms: self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, lotus-eating, sybaritism; intemperance, immoderation, extravagance, luxury, high living ";they feel that television promotes hedonism among all its viewers, especially ch Origin mid 19th century: from Greek hēdonē 'pleasure' + -ism.

maudlin

synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, emotional, overemotional, t Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting Mary Magdalen]: from Old French Madeleine, from ecclesiastical Latin Magdalena [see magdalene]. The sense of the adjective derives from allusion to pictures of Mary Magdalen weeping.

mawkish

synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, maudlin, cloying, sickly, saccharine, sugary, oversweet, syrupy, nauseating; informalmushy, slushy, sloppy, schmaltzy, wee Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'inclined to sickness']: from obsolete mawk 'maggot,' from Old Norse mathkr, of Germanic origin.

obsequious

synonyms: servile, ingratiating, sycophantic, fawning, unctuous, oily, oleaginous, groveling, cringing, subservient, submissive, slavish; inf Origin late 15th century [not depreciatory in sense in early use]: from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium 'compliance,' from obsequi 'follow, comply with.'

instigate

synonyms: set in motion, get underway, get off the ground, start, commence, begin, initiate, launch, institute, set up, inaugurate, establ Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'urge on']: from Latin instigat- 'urged, incited,' from the verb instigare, from in- 'toward' + stigare 'prick, incite.'

austere

synonyms: severe, stern, strict, harsh, steely, flinty, dour, grim, cold, frosty, unemotional, unfriendly; formal, stiff, reserved, aloof, forbidding; grave, solemn, serious, unsmiling, unsympathetic, unforgi Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin austerus, from Greek austēros 'severe.'

acerbic

synonyms: sharp, sarcastic, sardonic, mordant, trenchant, cutting, razor-edged, biting, piercing, stinging, searing, scathing, caustic, bitter, acrimonious, astringent, abrasive, harsh, wounding, hurtful, unkind, cruel, virulent, v Origin mid 19th century: from Latin acerbus 'sour-tasting' + -ic.

diaphanous

synonyms: sheer, fine, delicate, light, thin, insubstantial, floaty, flimsy, filmy, silken, chiffony, gossamer, gossamer-thin, gauzy; translucent, transparent, see-through ";a Origin early 17th century: from medieval Latin diaphanus, from Greek diaphanēs, from dia 'through' + phainein 'to show.'

luminous

synonyms: shining, bright, brilliant, radiant, dazzling, glowing, gleaming, scintillating, lustrous; luminescent, phosphorescent, fluorescent, incandescent ";the luminous face of the alarm clock"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French lumineux or Latin luminosus, from lumen, lumin- 'light.'

trauma

synonyms: shock, upheaval, distress, stress, strain, pain, anguish, suffering, upset, agony, misery, sorrow, grief, heartache, heartbreak, torture; ordeal, trial, tribulation, trouble, worry, anxiety; nightmare, hell, hellishness; war-weari Origin late 17th century: from Greek, literally 'wound.'

harridan

synonyms: shrew, termagant, virago, harpy, vixen, nag, hag, crone, dragon, ogress; fishwife, hellcat, she-devil, gorgon; martinet, tartar; informalold bag, old bat, battle-ax, witch; archaicscold ";Steve tried Origin late 17th century [originally slang]: perhaps from French haridelle 'old horse.'

canny

synonyms: shrewd, astute, smart, sharp, sharp-witted, discerning, penetrating, discriminating, perceptive, perspicacious, wise, worldly-wise, sagacious; cunning, crafty, wily, as sharp as a tack, savvy; dat Origin late 16th century [originally Scots]: from can1 [in the obsolete sense 'know'] + -y

diffident

synonyms: shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, meek, unconfident, un Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'lacking confidence or trust in someone or something']: from Latin diffident- 'failing in trust,' from the verb diffidere, from dis- [expressing reversal] + fidere 'to trust.'

adroit

synonyms: skillful, adept, dexterous, deft, nimble, able, capable, skilled, expert, masterly, masterful, master, practiced, handy, polished, slick, proficient, accomplished, gifted, talented; quick-witted, quick-th Origin mid 17th century: from French, from à droit 'according to right, properly.'

sordid

synonyms: sleazy, dirty, seedy, seamy, unsavory, tawdry, cheap, debased, degenerate, dishonorable, disreputa Origin late Middle English [as a medical term in the sense 'purulent']: from French sordide or Latin sordidus, from sordere 'be dirty.' The current senses date from the early 17th century.

glib

synonyms: slick, pat, fast-talking, smooth-talking; disingenuous, insincere, facile, shallow, superficial, flippant; smooth, silver- Origin late 16th century [also in the sense 'smooth, unimpeded']: ultimately of Germanic origin; related to Dutch glibberig 'slippery' and German glibberig 'slimy.'

lethargy

synonyms: sluggishness, inertia, inactivity, inaction, slowness, torpor, torpidity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, laziness, idlen Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin lethargia, from Greek lēthargia, from lēthargos 'forgetful,' from the base of lanthanesthai 'forget.'

modicum

synonyms: small amount, particle, speck, fragment, scrap, crumb, grain, morsel, shred, dash, drop, pinch, soupçon, jot, iota, whit, atom, smattering, scintilla, hint, suggestion, tinge; informalsmidgen, tad Origin late 15th century: from Latin, neuter of modicus 'moderate,' from modus 'measure.'

natty

synonyms: smart, stylish, fashionable, dapper, debonair, dashing, spruced up, well dressed, chic, elegant, trim; informalsnazzy, trendy, snappy, nifty, sassy, spiffy, fly, kicky, styling/stylin', sharp ";he's looking pretty da Origin late 18th century [originally slang]: perhaps related to neat1.

sodden

synonyms: soaking, soaked [through], wet [through], saturated, drenched, sopping wet, wringing wet ";his clothes were sodden"; waterlogged, soggy, saturated, boggy, swampy, miry, marshy; heavy, so Origin Middle English [in the sense 'boiled, cooked by boiling']: archaic past participle of seethe.

expatiate

synonyms: speak/write at length, go into detail, expound, dwell, dilate, expand, enlarge, elaborate; formalperorate ";he Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'roam freely']: from Latin exspatiari 'move beyond one's usual bounds,' from ex- 'out, from' + spatiari 'to walk' [from spatium 'space'].

conjecture

synonyms: speculation, guesswork, surmise, fancy, presumption, assumption, theory, postulation, supposi Origin late Middle English [in the senses 'to divine' and 'divination']: from Old French, or from Latin conjectura, from conicere 'put together in thought,' from con- 'together' + jacere 'throw

extravagant

synonyms: spendthrift, profligate, improvident, wasteful, prodigal, lavish ";an extravagant li Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'unusual, abnormal, unsuitable']: from medieval Latin extravagant- 'diverging greatly,' from the verb extravagari, from Latin extra- 'outside' + vagari 'wander.'

mettle

synonyms: spirit, fortitude, strength of character, moral fiber, steel, determination, resolve, resolution, backbone, grit, true grit, courage, courageousness, bravery, valor, fearlessness, daring; informalguts, Origin mid 16th century: specialized spelling [used for figurative senses] of metal.

mar

synonyms: spoil, impair, disfigure, detract from, blemish, scar; mutilate, deface, deform ";an ugly scar marred his features"; spoil, ruin, impair, damage, wreck; harm, hurt, blight, taint, Origin Old English merran 'hinder, damage,' of Germanic origin; probably related to Dutch marren 'loiter.'

patron

synonyms: sponsor, backer, financier, benefactor, benefactress, contributor, subscriber, donor; philanthropist, promoter, friend, supporter; informalangel ";a patron of the ar Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin patronus 'protector of clients, defender,' from pater, patr- 'father.'

disseminate

synonyms: spread, circulate, distribute, disperse, promulgate, propagate, publicize, communicate, pass on, put about, make known ";much of our funding is used to d Origin late Middle English: from Latin disseminat- 'scattered,' from the verb disseminare, from dis- 'abroad' + semen, semin- 'seed.'

stalwart

synonyms: staunch, loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, constant, trusty, solid, hard-working, steadfast, redoubtable, unwavering ";a stalwart Origin late Middle English: Scots variant of obsolete stalworth, from Old English stǣl 'place' + weorth 'worth.'

pilfer

synonyms: steal, thieve, take, snatch, purloin, loot; informalswipe, rob, nab, rip off, lift, "liberate", "borrow", filch, sna Origin late Middle English [as a noun in the sense 'action of pilfering, something pilfered']: from Old French pelfrer 'to pillage,' of unknown origin. Compare with pelf.

insidious

synonyms: stealthy, subtle, surreptitious, cunning, crafty, treacherous, artful, sly, wily, shifty, underhanded, indirect; informalsneaky "; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin insidiosus 'cunning,' from insidiae 'an ambush or trick,' from insidere 'lie in wait for,' from in- 'on' + sedere 'sit.'

dour

synonyms: stern, unsmiling, unfriendly, severe, forbidding, gruff, surly, grim, sullen, solemn, austere, stony ";they were barely acknowledged by the dour r Origin late Middle English [originally Scots]: probably from Scottish Gaelic dúr 'dull, obstinate, stupid,' perhaps from Latin durus 'hard.'

extant

synonyms: still existing, in existence, existent, surviving, remaining, undestroyed ";ext Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'accessible, able to be publicly seen or reached']: from Latin exstant- 'being visible or prominent, existing,' from the verb exstare, from ex- 'out' + stare 'to stand.'

fetid

synonyms: stinking, smelly, foul-smelling, malodorous, reeking, pungent, acrid, high, rank, foul, noxious, humming; informalfunky; literarynoisome, miasmic, miasmal; i Origin late Middle English: from Latin fetidus [often erroneously spelled foetidus ], from fetere 'to stink.' Compare with fetor.

bolster

synonyms: strengthen, reinforce, boost, fortify, renew; support, sustain, buoy up, prop up, shore up, maintain, aid, help; augment, increase ";an occasional word of thanks wou Origin Old English [in the sense 'long, thick pillow'], of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bolster and German Polster .

swagger

synonyms: strut, parade, stride; walk confidently; informalsashay ";we swaggered into the arena"; boast, brag, bluster, crow, gloat; strut, posture, blow one's own horn, lord it; informalshow off, swank ";try to swagger less Origin early 16th century: apparently a frequentative of the verb swag.

obdurate

synonyms: stubborn, obstinate, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, pigheaded, bullhea Origin late Middle English [originally in the sense 'hardened in sin, impenitent']: from Latin obduratus, past participle of obdurare, from ob- 'in opposition' + durare 'harden' [from durus 'hard'].

obtuse

synonyms: stupid, slow-witted, slow, dull-witted, unintelligent, ignorant, simpleminded, witless; insensitive, imperceptive, uncomprehending; informaldim, dimwitted, de Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'blunt']: from Latin obtusus, past participle of obtundere 'beat against' [see obtund].

urbane

synonyms: suave, sophisticated, debonair, worldly, cultivated, cultured, civilized, cosmopolitan; smooth, polished, refined, self-possessed; courteous, polite, well mannered, mannerly, civil, charming Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'urban']: from French urbain or Latin urbanus [see urban].

debonair

synonyms: suave, urbane, sophisticated, cultured, self-possessed, self-assured, confident, charming, gracious, courteous, gallant, chivalrous, gentlemanly, refined, polishe Origin Middle English [in the sense 'meek or courteous']: from Old French debonaire, from de bon aire 'of good disposition.'

abate

synonyms: subside, die down/away/out, lessen, ease [off], let up, decrease, diminish, moderate, d Origin Middle English [in the legal sense 'put a stop to [a nuisance]']: from Old French abatre 'to fell,' from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + batre 'to beat' [from Latin battere, battuere 'to beat'].

compendious

synonyms: succinct, pithy, short and to the point, concise, compact, condensed, compressed, abridged, summarized, synoptic, capsule; informalsnap Origin late Middle English: from Old French compendieux, from Latin compendiosus 'advantageous, brief,' from compendium 'profit, saving, abbreviation.'

tribulation

synonyms: suffering, distress, trouble, misery, wretchedness, unhappiness, sadness, heartach Origin Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin tribulatio[n-], from Latin tribulare 'press, oppress,' from tribulum 'threshing board [constructed of sharp points],' based on terere 'rub.'

morose

synonyms: sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhap Origin mid 16th century: from Latin morosus 'peevish,' from mos, mor- 'manner.'

superfluous

synonyms: surplus [to requirements], nonessential, redundant, unneeded, excess, extra, [to] spare, remaining, unused, left over, in excess, waste ";superfluous material"; unnecessary, unneeded, redundant, un Origin late Middle English: from Latin superfluus, from super- 'over' + fluere 'to flow.'

reconnoiter

synonyms: survey, make a reconnaissance of, explore; investigate, examine, scrutinize, inspect, observe, take a look at; patrol; informalcheck out, scope out, recon ";two of our best Origin early 18th century: from obsolete French reconnoître, from Latin recognoscere 'know again' [see recognize].

dulcet

synonyms: sweet, soothing, mellow, honeyed, mellifluous, euphonious, pleasant, agreeable; melodious, melodic, lilting, lyrical, silvery, golden Origin late Middle English doucet, from Old French doucet, diminutive of doux, from Latin dulcis 'sweet.' The Latin form influenced the modern spelling.

unctuous

synonyms: sycophantic, ingratiating, obsequious, fawning, servile, groveling, subservient, cringing, humble, hypocritical, insincere, gushing, effusive; glib, s Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'greasy']: from medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus 'anointing,' from unguere 'anoint.'

umbrage

synonyms: take offense, take exception, be aggrieved, be affronted, be annoyed, be angry, be indig Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French, from Latin umbra 'shadow.' An early sense was 'shadowy outline,' giving rise to 'ground for suspicion,' whence the current notion of 'offense.'

compete

synonyms: take part, participate, play, be a competitor, be involved; enter ";they competed in a tennis tournament"; contend with, vie with, battle Origin early 17th century: from Latin competere, in its late sense 'strive or contend for [something],' from com- 'together' + petere 'aim at, seek.'

voluble

synonyms: talkative, loquacious, garrulous, verbose, wordy, Origin late 16th century: from French, or from Latin volubilis, from volvere 'to roll.' Earlier use in late Middle English included the senses 'rotating around an axis' and 'having a tendency to change,' also meanings of the Latin word.

garrulous

synonyms: talkative, loquacious, voluble, verbose, chatty, chattering, gossipy; effusive, expansive, forthcoming, conversational, communicative; informalmouthy, gabby, gassy, windy, having the gift of [the Origin early 17th century: from Latin garrulus [from garrire 'to chatter, prattle'] + -ous.

pedagogue

synonyms: teacher, schoolteacher, schoolmaster, schoolmistress, master, mistress, tutor; lecturer, academic, don, professor, instructor, educa Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek paidagōgos, denoting a slave who accompanied a child to school [from pais, paid- 'boy' + agōgos 'guide'].

dire

synonyms: terrible, dreadful, appalling, frightful, awful, atrocious, grim, alarming; grave, serious, disastrous, calamitous, ruinous, hopeless, irretrievable, wretched, desperate, parlous; formalgrievous ";the dire economic situatio Origin mid 16th century: from Latin dirus 'fearful, threatening

curt

synonyms: terse, brusque, abrupt, clipped, blunt, short, monosyllabic, summary; snappish, snappy, sharp, tart; gruff, offhand, unceremonious, ungracious, rude, impolite, discourteous, uncivil "; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'short, shortened']: from Latin curtus 'cut short, abridged.'

occult

synonyms: the supernatural, the paranormal, supernaturalism, magic, black magic, witch Origin late 15th century [as a verb]: from Latin occultare 'secrete,' frequentative of occulere 'conceal,' based on celare 'to hide'; the adjective and noun from occult- 'covered over,' from the verb occulere .

proliterait

synonyms: the workers, working-class people, wage earners, the working classes, the common people, the lower classes, the masses, the rank and file, the third estate, the plebeians; the lumpen, the lumpenp Origin mid 19th century: from French prolétariat, from Latin proletarius [see proletarian].

cogitate

synonyms: think about/on/over, contemplate, consider, mull over, meditate on, muse on/over, ponder, reflect on, deliberate on/over, ruminate on/over; dwell on, Origin late 16th century: from Latin cogitat- 'considered,' from the verb cogitare, from co- 'together' + agitare 'turn over, consider.'

frugal

synonyms: thrifty, economical, careful, cautious, prudent, provident, unwasteful, sparing, scrimping; abstemious, abstinent, austere, self-denying, ascetic, monkish, spartan; parsimonious, mi Origin mid 16th century: from Latin frugalis, from frugi 'economical, thrifty,' from frux, frug- 'fruit.'

pusillanimous

synonyms: timid, timorous, cowardly, fearful, faint-hearted, lily-livered, spineless, craven, shrinking; informalchicken, gutless, wimpy, wimpi Origin late Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin pusillanimis [translating Greek olugopsukhos ], from pusillus 'very small' + animus 'mind,' + -ous.

fraction

synonyms: tiny part, fragment, snippet, snatch, smattering, selection ";only a fraction of the collection"; tiny amount, little, bit, touch, soupçon, trifle, mite, Origin late Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin fractio[n-] 'breaking [bread],' from Latin frangere 'to break.'

harangue

synonyms: tirade, diatribe, lecture, polemic, rant, fulmination, broadside, attack, onslaught; crit Origin late Middle English: from Old French arenge, from medieval Latin harenga, perhaps of Germanic origin. The spelling was later altered to conform with French harangue [noun], haranguer [verb].

diatribe

synonyms: tirade, harangue, onslaught, attack, polemic, denunciation, broadside, fulmination, condemnation, censure, criticism; informa Origin late 16th century [denoting a disquisition]: from French, via Latin from Greek diatribē 'spending of time, discourse,' from dia 'through' + tribein 'rub.'

flag

synonyms: tire, grow tired/weary, weaken, grow weak, wilt, droop, fade, run out of steam ";they were flagging toward the finish"; fade, decline, wane, ebb, diminish, decrease, lessen, Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'flap about loosely, hang down']: related to obsolete flag 'hanging down.'

indefatigable

synonyms: tireless, untiring, unflagging, unwearied; determined, tenacious, dogged, single-minded, assiduous, industrious, hard-working, unswerving, unfaltering, u Origin early 17th century: from French, or from Latin indefatigabilis, from in- 'not' + de- 'away, completely' + fatigare 'wear out.'

brook

synonyms: tolerate, allow, stand, bear, abide, put up with, endure; accept, permi Origin Old English brūcan 'use, possess,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bruiken and German brauchen . The current sense dates from the mid 16th century, a figurative use of an earlier sense 'digest, stomach.'

knell

synonyms: toll, tolling, dong, resounding, reverberation; death knell; archaictocsin ";the knell of Origin Old English cnyll [noun], cnyllan [verb]; related to Dutch knal [noun], knallen [verb] 'bang, pop, crack.' The current spelling [dating from the 16th century] is perhaps influenced by bell1.

poignant

synonyms: touching, moving, sad, affecting, pitiful, piteous, pathetic, sorrowful, mournful, wretched, miserable, distressing, heart-rending, tearjerking, plaintive, tra Origin late Middle English: from Old French, literally 'pricking,' present participle of poindre, from Latin pungere 'to prick.

taint

synonyms: trace, touch, suggestion, hint, tinge; stain, blot, blemish, stigma, black mark, discredit, dishonor, di Origin Middle English [as a verb in the sense 'convict, prove guilty']: partly from Old French teint 'tinged,' based on Latin tingere 'to dye, tinge'; partly a shortening of attaint.

transient

synonyms: transitory, temporary, short-lived, short-term, ephemeral, impermanent, brief, short, momentary, fleeting, passing, here today and gone tomorrow; literaryevanescent, Origin late 16th century: from Latin transient- 'going across,' from the verb transire, from trans- 'across' + ire 'go.'

itinerant

synonyms: traveling, peripatetic, wandering, roving, roaming, touring, saddlebag, nomadic, gypsy, migrant, vagrant Origin late 16th century [used to describe a judge traveling on a circuit]: from late Latin itinerant- 'traveling,' from the verb itinerari, from Latin iter, itiner- 'journey, road.'

perfidy

synonyms: treachery, duplicity, deceit, deceitfulness, disloyalty, infidelity, faithlessness, unfaithfulness, betrayal, treason, double-dealing, untrustworthiness, Origin late 16th century: via French from Latin perfidia, from perfidus 'treacherous,' based on per- 'to ill effect' + fides 'faith.'

subterfuge

synonyms: trickery, intrigue, deviousness, deceit, deception, dishonesty, cheating, duplicity, guile, cunning, craftiness, chicanery, pretense Origin late 16th century: from French, or from late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugere 'escape secretly,' from subter- 'beneath' + fugere 'flee.'

malcontent

synonyms: troublemaker, mischief-maker, agitator, dissident, rebel, rabble-rouser; discontent, complainer, grumbler, moaner, whiner; informalgrouch, grump, bellyacher, kvetch, squeaky wheel ";a group of malcontents" Origin late 16th century: from French, from mal 'badly, ill' + content 'pleased.'

veracity

synonyms: truthfulness, truth, accuracy, correctness, faithfulness, fidelity; reputability, honesty, sincerity, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability, scrupulousness, ethi Origin early 17th century: from French véracité or medieval Latin veracitas, from verax 'speaking truly' [see veracious

ramshackle

synonyms: tumbledown, dilapidated, derelict, decrepit, neglected, run-down, gone to rack and ruin, beat-up, crumbling, decaying; ri Origin early 19th century [originally dialect in the sense 'irregular, disorderly']: alteration of earlier ramshackled, altered form of obsolete ransackled 'ransacke

abscess

synonyms: ulcer, ulceration, cyst, boil, blister, sore, pustule, carbuncle, pimple, wen, whitlow, canker; inflamm Origin mid 16th century: from Latin abscessus 'a going away,' from the verb abscedere, from ab- 'away from' + cedere 'go,' referring to the elimination of infected matter via the pus.

implacable

synonyms: unappeasable, unforgiving, unsparing; inexorable, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, relentless, ruthless, remorseless, merciless, heartless, pitil Origin late Middle English: from Latin implacabilis, from in- 'not' + placabilis [see placable].

precarious

synonyms: uncertain, insecure, unpredictable, risky, parlous, hazardous, dangerous, unsafe; unsettled, unstable, unsteady, shaky; informaldicey, chancy, iffy ";those steps look a bit precariou Origin mid 17th century: from Latin precarius 'obtained by entreaty' [from prex, prec- 'prayer'] + -ous.

uncouth

synonyms: uncivilized, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, unpolished, unsophisticated, bush-league, common, plebeian, low, rough, rough-hewn, coarse, loutish, boorish, oafish, troglodyte; ch Origin Old English uncūth 'unknown,' from un-1 'not' + cūth [past participle of cunnan 'know, be able'].

obscure

synonyms: unclear, uncertain, unknown, in doubt, doubtful, dubious, mysterious, hazy, vague, indeterminate, concealed, hidden ";the truth is that many aspects of a war's out Origin late Middle English: from Old French obscur, from Latin obscurus 'dark,' from an Indo-European root meaning 'cover.'

intransigent

synonyms: uncompromising, inflexible, unbending, unyielding, diehard, unshakab Origin late 19th century: from French intransigeant, from Spanish los intransigentes [a name adopted by the extreme republicans in the Cortes, 1873-74]; based on Latin in- 'not' + transigere 'come to an understanding.'

indifferent

synonyms: unconcerned, uninterested, uncaring, casual, nonchalant, offhand, uninvolved, une Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'having no partiality for or against']: via Old French from Latin indifferent- 'not making any difference,' from in- 'not' + different- 'differing' [see different].

eccentric

synonyms: unconventional, uncommon, abnormal, irregular, aberrant, anomalous, odd, queer, strange, peculiar, we Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting a circle or orbit not having the earth precisely at its center]: via late Latin from Greek ekkentros, from ek 'out of' + kentron 'center.'

recalcitrant

synonyms: uncooperative, intractable, obstreperous, truculent, insubordinate, defiant, rebellious, willful, wayward, headstrong, self-willed, contrary, perverse Origin mid 19th century: from Latin recalcitrant- 'kicking out with the heels,' from the verb recalcitrare, based on calx, calc- 'heel.'

minion

synonyms: underling, henchman, flunky, lackey, hanger-on, follower, servant, hireling, vassal, stooge, toady, sycophant; informalyes-man, trained seal, bootlicker, brown-noser, suck-up ";if working for you means being your minion, I'm not t Origin late 15th century: from French mignon, mignonne .

malaise

synonyms: unhappiness, uneasiness, unease, discomfort, melancholy, depression, despondency, dejection, angst, ennui; lassitude, listlessness, languor, weariness; indisposition, ailment, infirmity, i Origin mid 18th century: from French, from Old French mal 'bad' [from Latin malus ] + aise 'ease.'

forlorn

synonyms: unhappy, sad, miserable, sorrowful, dejected, despon Origin Old English forloren 'depraved, morally abandoned,' past participle of forlēosan 'lose,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch verliezen and German verlieren, and ultimately to for- and lose. Sense 1 dates from the 16th century.

homogenous

synonyms: uniform, identical, unvaried, consistent, indistinguishable, homologous, homogenized; alike, similar, the same, much the same, all of a piece, melting-pot ";should the members of a society become so homogeneo Origin late 19th century: from homo- 'same' + Greek genos 'race, kind' + -ous.

inadvertent

synonyms: unintentional, unintended, accidental, unpremeditated, unplanned, innocent, uncalculated, unconscious, unthinking, unwittin Origin mid 17th century: from in-1 'not' + Latin advertent- 'turning the mind to' [from the verb advertere ]. The noun inadvertence dates from late Middle English.

catholic

synonyms: universal, diverse, diversified, wide, broad, broad-based, eclectic, liberal, latitudinarian; compr Origin late Middle English [sense 2 of the adjective]: from Old French catholique or late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos 'universal,' from kata 'with respect to' + holos 'whole.'

heterodox

synonyms: unorthodox, nonconformist, dissenting, dissident, rebellious, renegade; heretical, blasphemous, recusant, apostate, skeptical; f Origin early 17th century [originally as a noun denoting an unorthodox opinion]: via late Latin from Greek heterodoxos, from heteros 'other' + doxa 'opinion.'

adventitious

synonyms: unplanned, unpremeditated, accidental, chance, fortuitous, serendipitous, coincidental, casual, random ";he felt that the conversation was not entirely adven Origin early 17th century: from Latin adventicius 'coming to us from abroad' [from advenire 'arrive'] + -ous [see also -itious2].

obnoxious

synonyms: unpleasant, disagreeable, nasty, distasteful, offensive, o Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'vulnerable [to harm]']: from Latin obnoxiosus, from obnoxius 'exposed to harm,' from ob- 'toward' + noxa 'harm.' The current sense, influenced by noxious, dates from the late 17th century.

restive

synonyms: unruly, diso Origin late 16th century: from Old French restif, -ive, from Latin restare 'remain.' The original sense, 'inclined to remain still, inert,' has undergone a reversal; the association with the refractory movements of a horse gave rise to the current sense 'fidgety, restless.'

obstreperous

synonyms: unruly, unmanageable, disorderly, undisciplined, uncontrollable, rowdy, disruptive, truculent, difficult, refractory, rebelliou Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'clamorous, vociferous']: from Latin obstreperus [from obstrepere, from ob- 'against' + strepere 'make a noise'] + -ous.

flustered

synonyms: unsettle, make nervous, unnerve, agitate, ruffle, upset, bother, put on edge, disquiet, disturb, worry, perturb, disconcert, confuse, throw o Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'make slightly drunk']: perhaps of Scandinavian origin and related to Icelandic flaustra 'hurry, bustle.'

taciturn

synonyms: untalkative, uncommunicative, reticent, unforthcoming, quiet, secretive, tight-lipped, buttoned-up, close-mouthed; silent, mute, dumb, inarticulate; reserved, withdrawn ";our taciturn daughter has suddenly become Origin late 18th century: from Latin taciturnus, from tacitus [see tacit].

agitate

synonyms: upset, perturb, fluster, ruffle, disconcert, unnerve, disquiet, disturb, distress, unsettle, unhinge; informalrattle, faze, discombobulate ";a Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'drive away']: from Latin agitat- 'agitated, driven,' from agitare, frequentative of agere 'do, drive.'

enjoin

synonyms: urge, encourage, admonish, press; instruct, direct, require, order, command, tell, call on, demand, charge; formaladjure; Origin Middle English [formerly also as injoin ]: from Old French enjoindre, from Latin injungere 'join, attach, impose,' from in- 'in, toward' + jungere 'to join.'

exhort

synonyms: urge, encourage, call on, enjoin, charge, press; bid, appeal to, entreat, implore, beg; formaladjure; literarybeseech ";the president exhorted state legislatures to beef Origin late Middle English: from Old French exhorter or Latin exhortari, from ex- 'thoroughly' + hortari 'encourage.'

feckless

synonyms: useless, worthless, incompetent, inept, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well; lazy, idle, slothful, indolent, irresponsible, shiftless; informalno-good, no-account ";the feckless Origin late 16th century: from Scots and northern English dialect feck [from effeck, variant of effect] + -less.

evanescent

synonyms: vanishing, fading, evaporating, melting away, disappearing; ephemeral, fleeting, short-lived, short-term, transitory, transient, fugitive, tem Origin early 18th century [in the sense 'almost imperceptible']: from Latin evanescent- 'disappearing,' from the verb evanescere [see evanesce].

abysmal

synonyms: very bad, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, disgraceful, deplorable, shameful, hopeless, lamentable; informalrotten, appalling, crummy, pathetic, pitiful, woeful, useless, lousy, dir Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: from abysm. Sense 1 dates from the early 19th century.

opprobrium

synonyms: vilification, abuse, vituperation, condemnation, criticism, censure, denunciation, defamation, denigration, castigation, disparagement, obloquy, derogation, slander, Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'infamy,' from opprobrum, from ob- 'against' + probrum 'disgraceful act.'

obloquy

synonyms: vilification, opprobrium, vituperation, condemnation, denunciation, abuse, criticism, censure, defamation, denigration, calumny, insults; informalflak; formalca Origin late Middle English: from late Latin obloquium 'contradiction,' from Latin obloqui, from ob- 'against' + loqui 'speak.'

aspersion

synonyms: vilify, disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, impugn, belittle, criticize, condemn, decry, denounce, pillory; malign, slander, libel, discredit; Origin late Middle English [denoting the sprinkling of water, especially at baptism]: from Latin aspersio[n-], from aspergere [see asperse].

mercurial

synonyms: volatile, capricious, temperamental, excitable, fickle, changeable, unpredictable, variable, p Origin late Middle English [sense 3 of the adjective]: from Latin mercurialis 'relating to the god Mercury,' from Mercurius 'Mercury.' Sense 1 of the adjective dates from the mid 17th century.

profligate

synonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, improvident, prodigal ";profligate local authorities"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'overthrown, routed']: from Latin profligatus 'dissolute,' past participle of profligare 'overthrow, ruin,' from pro- 'forward, down' + fligere 'strike down.'

debilitate

synonyms: weaken, enfeeble, enervate, devitalize, sap, drain, exhaust, weary, fatigue, prostrate; undermine, impair, indispose, incapacitate, cripple, disable, paralyze, immobilize; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin debilitat- 'weakened,' from the verb debilitare, from debilitas [see debility].

foible

synonyms: weakness, failing, shortcoming, flaw, imperfection, blemish, Origin late 16th century [as an adjective in the sense 'feeble']: from obsolete French, in Old French fieble [see feeble]. Both noun senses also formerly occurred as senses of the word feeble and all date from the 17th century

extirpate

synonyms: weed out, destroy, eradicate, stamp out, root out, wipe out, eliminate, suppress, crush, put down, put an end to, get rid of ";the use of every legal measure to extirpate this horrible Origin late Middle English [as extirpation ]: from Latin exstirpare, from ex- 'out' + stirps 'a stem.'

outlandish

synonyms: weird, queer, far out, quirky, zany, eccentric, idiosyncratic, unconventional, unorthodox, funny, bizarre, unusual, singular, extraordinary, strange, unfamiliar, peculiar, odd, curious; More informaloffbeat, off t Origin Old English ūtlendisc 'not native,' from ūtland 'foreign country.'

iniquity

synonyms: wickedness, sinfulness, immorality, impropriety; vice, evil, sin; villainy, criminality; odiousness, atrocity, egregiousness; outrage, monstrosity, obscenity, repr Origin Middle English: from Old French iniquite, from Latin iniquitas, from iniquus, from in- 'not' + aequus 'equal, just.'

eclectic

synonyms: wide-ranging, broad-based, extensive, comprehensive, encyclopedic; varied, diverse, catholic, all-embracing, multifaceted, multifarious, heterogeneous, m Origin late 17th century [as a term in philosophy]: from Greek eklektikos, from eklegein 'pick out,' from ek 'out' + legein 'choose.'

prudent

synonyms: wise, well judged, sensible, politic, judicious, sagacious, sage, shrewd, advisable, well advised ";it is prudent to obtain consent"; cautious, care Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin prudent-, contraction of provident- 'foreseeing, attending to' [see provident].

epigram

synonyms: witticism, quip, jest, pun, bon mot; saying, maxim, adage, aphorism, apophthegm; informalone-liner, wisecrack, [old] chestnut ";a collection of humorous Origin late Middle English: from French épigramme, or Latin epigramma, from Greek, from epi 'upon, in addition' + gramma [see -gram1].

verbose

synonyms: wordy, loquacious, garrulous, talkative, voluble; long-winded, flatulent, lengthy, prolix, tautological, pleonastic, periphrastic, circumlocutory, circuitous, wandering, discursive, digressive, rambling; informalmouthy, Origin late 17th century: from Latin verbosus, from verbum 'word.'

cosmopolitan

synonyms: worldly, worldly-wise, well travelled, experienced, unprovincial, cultivated, cultured, sophisticated, suave, urbane, glamorous, fashionable, stylish; informaljet-setting, cool, hip, styling/stylin' ";a cosmopolitan audience"; Origin mid 17th century [as a noun]: from cosmopolite + -an.

perturb

synonyms: worry, upset, unsettle, disturb, concern, trouble, disquiet; disconcert, discomfit, unnerve, alarm, bother, distress, dismay, gnaw at, agitate, fluster, ruffle, dis Origin late Middle English: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbare, from per- 'completely' + turbare 'disturb.'

sallow

synonyms: yellowish, jaundiced, pallid, wan, pale, anemic, bloodless, pasty; unhealthy, sickly, washed out; informallike death warmed over; icteric ";a disturbingly sallow complex Origin Old English salo 'dusky,' of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse sǫlr 'yellow,' from a base meaning 'dirty.'

myriad

synonyms:a multitude, a large/great number, a large/great quantity, scores, quantities, a mass, a host, droves, a horde; informallots, loads, masses, stacks, scads, tons, hundreds, thousand Originmid 16th century [sense 2 of the noun]: via late Latin from Greek murias, muriad-, from murioi '10,000.

subside

synonyms:abate, let up, quiet down, calm, slacken [off], ease [up], relent, die down, recede, lessen, soften, diminish, decline, dwindle, weaken, fade, wane, ebb ";wait until the storm subsi Originlate 17th century: from Latin subsidere, from sub- 'below' + sidere 'settle' [related to sedere 'sit']

pedigree

synonyms:ancestry, descent, lineage, line [of descent], genealogy, family tree, extraction, derivation, origin[s], heritage, parentage, bloodline, dual heritage, background, Originlate Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French pé de grue 'crane's foot,' a mark used to denote succession in pedigrees

provoke

synonyms:arouse, produce, evoke, cause, give rise to, occasion, call forth, elicit, induce, excite, spark off, touch off, kindle, generat Originlate Middle English [also in the sense 'invoke, summon']: from Old French provoquer, from Latin provocare 'challenge,' from pro- 'forth' + vocare 'to call.

presume

synonyms:assume, suppose, dare say, imagine, take it, expect, believe, think, surmise, guess, judge, conjecture, speculate, postulate, presu Originlate Middle English: from Old French presumer, from Latin praesumere 'anticipate' [in late Latin 'take for granted'], from prae 'before' + sumere 'take.

choleric

synonyms:bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, angry, grumpy, grouchy, crotchety, testy, cranky, crusty, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, peevish, cross, frac OriginMiddle English [in the sense 'bilious']: from Old French cholerique, via Latin from Greek kholerikos, from kholera [see choler]

abound

synonyms:be plentiful, be abundant, be numerous, proliferate, superabound, be thick on the ground; informalgrow on trees ";cafe OriginMiddle English [in the sense 'overflow, be abundant']: from Old French abunder, from Latin abundare 'overflow,' from ab- 'from' + undare 'surge' [from unda 'a wave']

asset

synonyms:benefit, advantage, blessing, good point, strong point, selling point, strength Originmid 16th century [in the plural in the sense 'sufficient estate to allow discharge of a will']: from an Anglo-Norman French legal term, from Old French asez 'enough,' based on Latin ad 'to' + satis 'enoug

terse

synonyms:brief, short, to the point, concise, succinct, crisp, pith Originearly 17th century: from Latin tersus 'wiped, polished,' from the verb tergere . The original sense was 'polished, trim, spruce,' [relating to language] 'polished, polite,' hence 'concise and to the point' [late 18th century]

evoke

synonyms:bring to mind, put one in mind of, conjure up, summon [up], invoke, elicit, induce, kindle, stimulate, stir up, awaken, arouse, call forth; recall, echo, capture ";the music Originearly 17th century [sense 2]: from Latin evocare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of, from' + vocare 'to call.

desultory

synonyms:casual, cursory, superficial, token, perfunctory, half-hearted, lukewarm; random, aimless, errat Originlate 16th century [also in the literal sense 'skipping around']: from Latin desultorius 'superficial' [literally 'relating to a vaulter'], from desultor 'vaulter,' from the verb desilire

engender

synonyms:cause, be the cause of, give rise to, bring about, occasion, lead to, result in, produce, create, generate, arouse, rouse, inspire, provoke, OriginMiddle English [formerly also as ingender ]: from Old French engendrer, from Latin ingenerare, from in- 'in' + generare 'beget' [see generate]

advocate

synonyms:champion, upholder, supporter, backer, promoter, proponent, exponent, spokesman, spokeswoman, spokesperson, campaigner, f OriginMiddle English: from Old French avocat, from Latin advocatus, past participle [used as a noun] of advocare 'call [to one's aid],' from ad- 'to' + vocare 'to call.

suave

synonyms:charming, sophisticated, debonair, urbane, polished, refined, poised, self-possessed, dignified, civilized, gentlemanly, gall Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'gracious, agreeable']: from Old French, or from Latin suavis 'agreeable.' The current sense dates from the mid 19th century

protagonist

synonyms:chief/central/principal/main/leading character, chief/central/principal/main/leading participant, chief/central/principal/main/leading figure, chief/central/principal/main/leading playe Originlate 17th century: from Greek prōtagōnistēs, from prōtos 'first in importance' + agōnistēs 'actor.

pugnacious

synonyms:combative, aggressive, antagonistic, belligerent, bellicose, warlike, quarrelsome, argumentative, contentious, disputatious, hostile, threatening, truculent; fiery, hot-tempered ";this Originmid 17th century: from Latin pugnax, pugnac- [from pugnare 'to fight,' from pugnus 'fist'] + -ious

consummate

synonyms:complete, conclude, finish, accomplish, achieve; ex Originlate Middle English [as an adjective in the sense 'completed, accomplished']: from Latin consummat- 'brought to completion,' from the verb consummare, from con- 'altogether' + summa 'sum total,' feminine of summus 'highest, supreme.

convoluted

synonyms:complicated, complex, involved, elaborate, serpentine, labyrinthine, tortuous, tangled, Byzantine; Rube Goldberg; confused, confusing, bewi Originlate 18th century: past participle of convolute, from Latin convolutus, past participle of convolvere 'roll together, intertwine' [see convolve]

despicable

synonyms:contemptible, loathsome, hateful, detestable, reprehensible, abhorrent, abominable, awful, heinous; odious, vile, low, mean, abject, shameful, ignominious, shabby, ignoble, disreputable, discreditable, unwo Originmid 16th century: from late Latin despicabilis, from despicari 'look down on.

depraved

synonyms:corrupt, perverted, deviant, degenerate, debased, immoral, unprincipled; debauched, dissolute, lic Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'pervert the meaning or intention of something']: from Old French depraver or Latin depravare, from de- 'down, thoroughly' + pravus 'crooked, perverse.

embellish

synonyms:decorate, adorn, ornament; beautify, enhance, grace; trim, garnish, gild; deck, bedeck, festoon, emblazon; informaltart up, pimp; literarybejewel, bedizen ";weapo Originlate Middle English: from Old French embelliss-, lengthened stem of embellir, based on bel 'handsome,' from Latin bellus

aspire

synonyms:desire, hope for, dream of, long for, yearn for, set one's heart on, wish for, want, be desirous of; aim for, seek, pursue, set one's sights on ";Jen aspires to a career in veterinary medici Originlate Middle English: from French aspirer or Latin aspirare, from ad- 'to' + spirare 'breathe.

scathing

synonyms:devastating, extremely critical, blistering, searing, withering, scorching, fierce, ferocious, savage, severe, stinging, biting, cutting, mordant, trenchant, virulent, caustic, vit OriginMiddle English: from Old Norse skathi [noun], skatha [verb]; related to Dutch and German schaden [verb]

digress

synonyms:deviate, go off on a tangent, get off the subject, get sidetracked, lose the thread, turn aside/away, depart, drift, stray, wander ";I have digressed from the original pl Originearly 16th century: from Latin digress- 'stepped away,' from the verb digredi, from di- 'aside' + gradi 'to walk.

dismal

synonyms:dingy, dim, dark, gloomy, dreary, drab, dull, bleak, cheerless, depress Originlate Middle English: from earlier dismal [noun], denoting the two days in each month that in medieval times were believed to be unlucky, from Anglo-Norman French dis mal, from medieval Latin dies mali 'evil days.

incredulous

synonyms:disbelieving, skeptical, unbelieving, distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious, doubtful, dubious, unconvinced; cynical ";we were incredulous when the congressman was Originlate 16th century: from Latin incredulus [from in- 'not' + credulus 'believing, trusting,' from credere 'believe'] + -ous

negotiate

synonyms:discuss terms, talk, consult, parley, confer, debate; compromise; mediate, intercede, arbitrate, moderate, conciliate; barga Originearly 17th century: from Latin negotiat- 'done in the course of business,' from the verb negotiari, from negotium 'business,' from neg- 'not' + otium 'leisure.

eradicate

synonyms:eliminate, get rid of, remove, obliterate; exterminate, destroy, annihilate, kill, wipe out; abolish Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'pull up by the roots']: from Latin eradicat- 'torn up by the roots,' from the verb eradicare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + radix, radic- 'root.

commensurate

synonyms:equivalent, equal, corresponding, correspondent, comparable, proportionate, proportional ";they had privileges but commensurate duties";appropriate to, in kee Originmid 17th century: from late Latin commensuratus, from com- 'together' + mensuratus, past participle of mensurare 'to measure.

assay

synonyms:evaluation, assessment, appraisal, analysis, examination, test/tests, testing, inspec OriginMiddle English [in the general sense 'testing, or a test of, the merit of someone or something']: from Old French assai [noun], assaier [verb], variant of essai 'trial,' essayer 'to try' [see essay]

perpetual

synonyms:everlasting, never-ending, eternal, permanent, unending, endless, without end, lasting, long-lasting, constant, abiding, enduring, perennial, tim OriginMiddle English: from Old French perpetuel, from Latin perpetualis, from perpetuus 'continuing throughout,' from perpes, perpet- 'continuou

ostracize

synonyms:exclude, shun, spurn, cold-shoulder, reject, shut out, avoid, ignore, snub, cut dead, keep at arm's length, leave out in the cold; blackba Originmid 17th century: from Greek ostrakizein, from ostrakon 'shell or potsherd' [on which names were written, in voting to banish unpopular citizens]

extenuating

synonyms:excuse, mitigate, palliate, make allowances for, make excuses for, defend, vindicate, justify; diminish, lessen, moderate, qualify, play down " Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'make thin, emaciate']: from Latin extenuat- 'made thin,' from the verb extenuare [based on tenuis 'thin']

ebullient

synonyms:exuberant, buoyant, cheerful, joyful, cheery, merry, jolly, sunny, jaunty, lighthearted, elated; animated, sparkling, vivacious, Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'boiling']: from Latin ebullient- 'boiling up,' from the verb ebullire, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + bullire 'to boil.

physiognomy

synonyms:face, features, countenance, expression, look, mien; informalmug, puss; literaryvisage, lineaments ";his Originlate Middle English: from Old French phisonomie, via medieval Latin from Greek phusiognōmonia 'judging of a man's nature [by his features],' based on gnōmōn 'a judge, interpreter.

equitable

synonyms:fair, just, impartial, even-handed, unbiased, unprejudiced, egalitarian; disinterested, objective, neutral, nonpartisan, open-minded; informalfair and square ";a plan to distribute the burden of taxes in an equitable w Originmid 16th century: from French équitable, from équité [see equity]

ascertain

synonyms:find out, discover, get to know, work out, make out, fathom, learn, deduce, divine, discern, see, understand, comprehend; establish, determine, verify, confirm; fig Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'assure, convince']: from Old French acertener, based on Latin certus 'settled, sure.

facetious

synonyms:flippant, flip, glib, frivolous, tongue-in-cheek, ironic, sardonic, joking, jokey, jocular, playful, sportive, teasing, mischievous; witty, Originlate 16th century [in the general sense 'witty, amusing']: from French facétieux, from facétie, from Latin facetia 'jest,' from facetus 'witty.

compel

synonyms:force, pressure, press, push, urge; dragoon, browbeat, bully, intimidate, strong-arm; oblige, require, make; informallean on, put the screws on ";he compelled them to leave their land";exact, extort, d Originlate Middle English: from Latin compellere, from com- 'together' + pellere 'drive.

affable

synonyms:friendly, amiable, genial, congenial, cordial, warm, pleasant, nice, likable, personable, charming, agreeable, sympathetic, simpatico, good-humored, good-natured, jolly, kindl Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin affabilis, from the verb affari, from ad- 'to' + fari 'speak.

flippant

synonyms:frivolous, facetious, tongue-in-cheek; disrespectful, i Originearly 17th century: from flip1 + -ant, perhaps on the pattern of heraldic terms such as couchant and rampant . Early senses included 'nimble' and 'talkative,' hence 'playful,' giving rise to the current use 'lacking seriousness.

munificent

synonyms:generous, bountiful, openhanded, magnanimous, philanthropic, princely, handsome, lavish, liberal, charitable, big-hearted, beneficent; literarybounteous ";a munif Originlate 16th century: from Latin munificent-, stem of munificentior, comparative of munificus 'bountiful,' from munus 'gift.

vivid

synonyms:graphic, evocative, realistic, lifelike, faithful, authentic, clear, detailed, lucid, eloquent, striking, arresting, impressive, colorful, rich, picturesque, dramatic, lively, stimulating, interesting, fascinating, scintilla Originmid 17th century: from Latin vividus, from vivere 'to live.

transpire

synonyms:happen, occur, take Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'emit as vapor through the surface']: from French transpirer or medieval Latin transpirare, from Latin trans- 'through' + spirare 'breathe.' The sense 'be revealed' [mid 18th century] is a figurative use comparable with 'leak out.

pristine

synonyms:immaculate, perfect, in mint condition, as new, unspoiled, spotless, flawless, impeccable, clean, fresh, new, virgin Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'original, former, primitive and undeveloped']: from Latin pristinus 'former.' The senses 'unspoiled' and 'spotless' date from the 1920s

callow

synonyms:immature, inexperienced, juvenile, adolescent, naive, green, raw, untried, unworldly, unsophisticated; informalwet behind the ears ";she toyed OriginOld English calu 'bald'; probably from Latin calvus 'bald.' This was extended to mean 'unfledged,' which led to the present sense 'immature.

impunity

synonyms:immunity, indemnity, exemption [from punishment], freedom from liability, nonliability, license; amnesty, dispensation, reprieve, pardon, exoneration; stay of execut Originmid 16th century: from Latin impunitas, from impunis 'unpunished,' from in- 'not' + poena 'penalty' or punire 'punish.

impetuous

synonyms:impulsive, rash, hasty, overhasty, reckless, heedless, careless, foolhardy, bullheaded, headstrong, incautious, imprudent, injudicious, ill-considered, unthought-out; spontan Originlate Middle English: from Old French impetueux, from late Latin impetuosus, from impetere 'to assail, attack.

abeyance

synonyms:in suspension, in a state of suspension, in a state of dormancy, in a state of uncertainty, in remission; pending, suspended, deferred Originlate 16th century [in the legal sense]: from Old French abeance 'aspiration to a title,' from abeer 'aspire after,' from a- 'toward' + beer 'to gape.

voracious

synonyms:insatiable, unquenchable, unappeasable, prodigious, uncontrollable, compulsive, gluttonous, greedy, rapacious; enthusiastic, eager, keen, avid, desirous, hungry, ravenous; informalpiggish; rareesurient ";her vo Originmid 17th century: from Latin vorax, vorac- [from vorare 'devour'] + -ious

innuendo

synonyms:insinuation, s Originmid 16th century [as an adverb in the sense 'that is to say, to wit,' used in legal documents to introduce an explanation]: Latin, 'by nodding at, by pointing to,' ablative gerund of innuere, from in- 'toward' + nuere 'to nod.' The noun dates from the late 17th century

risible

synonyms:laughable, ridiculous, absurd, comical, comic, amusing, funny, hilarious, humorous, droll, farcical, silly, ludicrous, hysterical; informalrib-tickling, Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'inclined to laughter']: from late Latin risibilis, from Latin ris- 'laughed,' from the verb ridere

indolent

synonyms:lazy, idle, slothful, loafing, do-nothing, sluggardly, shiftless, lackadaisical, languid, inactive, underactive, inert, sluggish, lethargic, to Originmid 17th century: from late Latin indolent-, from in- 'not' + dolere 'suffer or give pain.' The sense 'idle' arose in the early 18th century

erudite

synonyms:learned, scholarly, educated, knowledgeable, well read, well informed, intellectual; intelligent, clever, academic, literary; bookish, highbrow, sophisticated, ce Originlate Middle English: from Latin eruditus, past participle of erudire 'instruct, train' [based on rudis 'rude, untrained']

lascivious

synonyms:lecherous, lewd, lustful, licentious, libidinous, salacious, lubricious, prurient, dirty, smutty, naughty, indecent, ribald; informalblue; formalconcupiscent ";his las Originlate Middle English: from late Latin lasciviosus, from Latin lascivia 'lustfulness,' from lascivus 'lustful, wanton.

prolix

synonyms:long-winded, verbose, wordy, pleonastic, discursive, rambling, long-drawn-out, overlong, lengthy, protracted, interminable; informalwindy, waffly ";his p Originlate Middle English: from Old French prolixe or Latin prolixus 'poured forth, extended,' from pro- 'outward' + liquere 'be liquid.

complicate

synonyms:make [more] difficult, make complicated, mix up, confuse, muddle; informalmess up, screw up, snarl up ";invol Originearly 17th century [in the sense 'combine, entangle, intertwine']: from Latin complicat- 'folded together,' from the verb complicare, from com- 'together' + plicare 'to fold.

promulgate

synonyms:make known, make public, publicize, spread, communicate, propagate, disseminate, broadcast, promote, preach; lit Originmid 16th century: from Latin promulgat- 'exposed to public view,' from the verb promulgare, from pro- 'out, publicly' + mulgere 'cause to come forth' [literally 'to milk']

intercede

synonyms:mediate, intermediate, arbitrate, conciliate, negotiate, moderate; intervene, interpose, step in, act; plead, petition, advocate ";a third party was called in to intercede" Originlate 16th century: from French intercéder or Latin intercedere 'intervene,' from inter- 'between' + cedere 'go.

alloy

synonyms:mixture, mix, amalgam, fusion, meld, blend, compound, combination, composite, union; technicaladmixture ";modern pewter is an alloy of ti Originlate 16th century: from Old French aloi [noun] and French aloyer [verb], both from Old French aloier, aleier 'combine,' from Latin alligare 'bind.

agile

synonyms:nimble, lithe, supple, limber, acrobatic, fleet-footed, light-footed, light on one's feet; literaryfleet, lightsome ";she was as agile as a monkey";alert, sharp, acute, shrewd, astute, perceptive, quick-witted ";an ag Originlate Middle English: via French from Latin agilis, from agere 'do.

demur

synonyms:object, take exception, take issue, protest, cavil, dissent; voice reservations, be unwilling, be reluctant, balk, think twice; drag OriginMiddle English [in the sense 'linger, delay']: from Old French demourer [verb], demeure [noun], based on Latin de- 'away, completely' + morari 'delay.

rococo

synonyms:ornate, fancy, elaborate, extravagant, baroque; Morefussy, busy, ostentatious, showy; flowery, florid, flamboyant, high-flown, magniloquent, orotund, bombastic, overwrought, overblown, inflated, turgid; informalhighfaluti Originmid 19th century: from French, humorous alteration of rocaille

petulant

synonyms:peevish, bad-tempered, querulous, pettish, fretful, cross, irritable, sulky, snappish, Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'immodest']: from French pétulant, from Latin petulant- 'impudent' [related to petere 'aim at, seek']. The current sense [mid 18th century] is influenced by pettish

destitute

synonyms:penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny [to one's name]; needy, in stra Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'deserted, abandoned, empty']: from Latin destitutus, past participle of destituere 'forsake,' from de- 'away from' + statuere 'to plac

travesty

synonyms:perversion of, distortion of, corruption of, misrepresentation of, poor imi Originmid 17th century [as an adjective in the sense 'dressed to appear ridiculous']: from French travesti 'disguised,' past participle of travestir, from Italian travestire, from trans- 'across' + vestire 'clothe.

aplomb

synonyms:poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, calmness, composure, collectedness, levelheadedness, sangfroid, equilibrium, equanimity; informalunflappability ";the judges wer Originlate 18th century [in the sense 'perpendicularity, steadiness']: from French, from à plomb 'according to a plummet.

penurious

synonyms:poor, poor as a church mouse, poverty-stricken, destitute, necessitous, impecunious, impoverished, indigent, needy, in need/want, badly off, in reduced/straitened circumstances, hard u Originlate 16th century: from medieval Latin penuriosus, from Latin penuria 'need, scarcity' [see penury]

portend

synonyms:presage, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy; be a sign, warn, be an omen, indicate, herald, signal, bode, promise, threaten, signify, spell, denote; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode ";the sig Originlate Middle English: from Latin portendere, based on pro- 'forth' + tendere 'stretch.

assume

synonyms:presume, suppose, take it [as given], take for granted, take as read, conjecture, surmise, conclude, deduce, infer, reckon, reason, think, fancy, believe, understand, gather, figure ";I assumed he wanted me t Originlate Middle English: from Latin assumere, from ad- 'toward' + sumere 'take.

persuade

synonyms:prevail on, coax, convince, get, induce, win over, bring around, coerce, influence, sway, inveigle, entice, tempt, lure, cajole, wheedle; procure; informalsweet-talk, twist someone's arm; Originlate 15th century: from Latin persuadere, from per- 'through, to completion' + suadere 'advise.

preclude

synonyms:prevent, make it impossible for, rule out, stop, prohibit, debar, bar, hinder, impede, inhibit, exclude ";his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal l Originlate 15th century [in the sense 'bar [a route or passage]']: from Latin praecludere, from prae 'before' + claudere 'to shut.

aegis

synonyms:protection, backing, support, patronage, sponsorship, charge, care, guidance, control, guardianship, trusteeship, agency, safeguarding, shelter, umbrella, aid, assis Originearly 17th century [denoting armor or a shield, especially that of a god]: via Latin from Greek aigis 'shield of Zeus.

apply

synonyms:put in an application for, put in for, try [out] for, bid for, appeal for, petition for, sue for, register for, audition for; request, seek, solicit [for], claim, as Originlate Middle English: from Old French aplier, from Latin applicare 'fold, fasten to,' from ad- 'to' + plicare 'to fold.

reprimand

synonyms:rebuke, reproof, admonishment, admonition, reproach, scolding, upbraiding, finger-wagging, censure; informalrap over the knuckl Originmid 17th century: from French réprimande, via Spanish from Latin reprimenda 'things to be held in check,' neuter plural gerundive of reprimere [see repress]

penitent

synonyms:repentant, contrite, remorseful, sorry, apologetic, regretful, conscience-stricken, rueful, ashamed, shamefaced, abject, in sackcloth and ashes ";she stood there looking like a penitent child OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitent- 'repenting,' from the verb paenitere

supersede

synonyms:replace, take the place of, take over from, succeed; supplant, displace, oust Originlate 15th century [in the sense 'postpone, defer']: from Old French superseder, from Latin supersedere 'be superior to,' from super- 'above' + sedere 'sit.' The current sense dates from the mid 17th century

evince

synonyms:reveal, show, make plain, manifest, indicate, display, exhibit, demonstrate, evidence, attest to; convey, communicate, proclaim, bespeak; informalooze ";his letters ev Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'prove by argument or evidence']: from Latin evincere 'overcome, defeat' [see evict]

consecrate

synonyms:sanctify, bless, make holy, make sacred; dedicate to God, devote, reserve, set apart; anoint, ordain; Originlate Middle English: from Latin consecrat- 'dedicated, devoted as sacred,' from the verb consecrare, from con- [expressing intensive force] + sacrare 'dedicate,' from sacer 'sacred.

ensconce

synonyms:settle, install, plant, position, seat, sit; establish, nestle; hide away, tuck away; informalpark, plonk ";Agnes ensconced herself i Originlate 16th century [in the senses 'fortify' and 'shelter within or behind a fortification'; formerly also as insconce ]: from en-1, in-2 'in' + sconce2

cynic

synonyms:skeptic, doubter, doubting Tho Originmid 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin cynicus, from Greek kunikos ; probably originally from Kunosarges, the name of a gymnasium where Antisthenes taught, but popularly taken to mean 'doglike, churlish,' kuōn, kun- 'dog' becoming a nickname for a Cynic

impale

synonyms:stick, skewer, spear, spike, transfix, harpoon; pierce, stab, run through; literarytranspierce ";her knife impaled the counter like a Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'enclose with stakes or pales']: from French empaler or medieval Latin impalare, from Latin in- 'in' + palus 'a stake.

vagrant

synonyms:street person, homeless person, tramp, hobo, drifter, down-and-out, derelict, beggar; itinerant, wanderer, nomad, traveler, vagabond, transient; informalbag lady, bum; literarywayfarer "; Originlate Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French vagarant 'wandering around,' from the verb vagrer

pungent

synonyms:strong, powerful, pervasive, penetrating; sharp, acid, sour, biting, bitter, tart, vinegary, tangy; highly flavored, aromatic, spicy, piquant, peppery, hot ";a punge Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'very painful or distressing']: from Latin pungent- 'pricking,' from the verb pungere

obstinate

synonyms:stubborn, unyielding, inflexible, unbending, intransigent, intractable, obdurate, mulish, bullheaded, stubborn as a mule, pigheaded, self-willed, strong-willed, headstrong, willful, contrary, perverse, reca OriginMiddle English: from Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare 'persist.

appropriate

synonyms:suitable, proper, fitting, apt, right; Morerelevant, pertinent, apposite; convenient, opportune; seemly, befitting; formalad rem; archaicmeet ";t Originlate Middle English: from late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare 'make one's own,' from ad- 'to' + proprius 'own, proper.

morose

synonyms:sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhappy, l Originmid 16th century: from Latin morosus 'peevish,' from mos, mor- 'manner.

propensity

synonyms:tendency, inclination, predisposition, proneness, proclivity, readiness, liability, disposition, leaning, weakness ";his propen Originlate 16th century: from archaic propense [from Latin propensus 'inclined,' past participle of propendere, from pro- 'forward, down' + pendere 'hang'] + -ity

larceny

synonyms:theft, stealing, robbery, pilfering, thieving; burglary, housebreaking, breaking and entering; informalfilching, swiping, pinching; formalpecul Originlate 15th century: from Old French larcin, from Latin latrocinium, from latro[n-] 'robber,' earlier 'mercenary soldier,' from Greek latreus

radical

synonyms:thoroughgoing, thorough, complete, total, comprehensive, exhaustive, sweeping, far-reaching, wide-ranging, extensive, across the board, profound, major, s Originlate Middle English [in the senses 'forming the root' and 'inherent']: from late Latin radicalis, from Latin radix, radic- 'root.

diminutive

synonyms:tiny, small, little, petite, elfin, minute, miniature, mini, minuscule, compact, pocket, toy, midget, un Originlate Middle English [as a grammatical term]: from Old French diminutif, -ive, from late Latin diminutivus, from Latin deminut- 'diminished,' from the verb deminuere [see diminish]

certain

synonyms:unquestionable, sure, definite, beyond question, not in doubt, indubitable, undeniable, irrefutable, indisputable; obvious, evident, recognized, confirmed, accepted, acknowledged, undisputed, undoubted, unquestion OriginMiddle English: from Old French, based on Latin certus 'settled, sure.

bedlam

synonyms:uproar, pandemonium, commotion, mayhem, confusion, disorder, chaos, anarchy, lawlessness; furor, upheaval, hubbub, hoopla, turmoil, riot, Originlate Middle English: early form of Bethlehem, referring to the hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, used as an institution for the insane

secede

synonyms:withdraw from, break away from, break with, separate [oneself] from, leave, split with, split off from, disaffiliate from, resign from, pull out of; informalquit ";the southern states seceded from the Union, prec Originearly 18th century: from Latin secedere, from se- 'apart' + cedere 'go.

meretricious

synonyms:worthless, valueless, cheap, tawdry, trashy, Brummagem, tasteless, kitsch, kitschy; false, artificial, fake, imitation; informaltacky, chintzy ";the meretriciou Originearly 17th century: from Latin meretricius [adjective from meretrix, meretric- 'prostitute,' from mereri 'be hired'] + -ous

provenance

t synonyms: origin, source, place of origin; birthplace, fount, roots, pedigree, derivation, root, etymology; formalradix ";the provenance of the paintings"; Origin late 18th century: from French, from the verb provenir 'come or stem from,' from Latin provenire, from pro- 'forth' + venire 'come.'

prattle

talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way Origin mid 16th century: from Middle Low German pratelen, from praten [see prate].

bloviate

talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way Origin mid 19th century: perhaps from blow1.

bluster

talk in a loud, aggressive, or indignant way with little effect synonyms: rant, rave, thunder, bellow, sound off; be overbearing; informalthrow one's weight around/about ";he started blustering about the general election"; Origin late Middle English: ultimately imitative.

maunder

talk in a rambling manner synonyms: ramble, prattle, blather, rattle, chatter, jabber, babble; informalyak, yatter ";he maundered on about his problems"; Origin early 17th century: perhaps from obsolete maunder 'to beg.'

rave

talk wildly or incoherent synonyms: talk wildly, babble, jabber, talk incoherently ";he was raving about the fires of hell"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'show signs of madness']: probably from Old Northern French raver ; related obscurely to [Middle] Low German reven 'be senseless, rave.'

voluble

talkative; speaking easily; glib The voluble man and his reserved wife proved the old saying that opposites attract. Synonyms: loquacious; verbose

savor

taste [good food or drink] and enjoy it completely synonyms: relish, enjoy [to the full], appreciate, delight in, revel in, luxuriate in, bask in ";she wanted to savor every moment"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin sapor, from sapere 'to taste.'

loquacious

te synonyms: talkative, voluble, communicative, expansive, garrulous, unreserved, chatty, gossipy, gossiping; informalhaving the gift of [the] gab, gabby, gassy, motormouthed, talky, windy ";a loquacious little boy"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin loquax, loquac- [from loqui 'talk'] + -ious.

deracinate

tear [something] up by the roots Originlate 16th century: from French déraciner, from dé- [expressing removal] + racine 'root' [based on Latin radix ]

lacerate

tear or make deep cuts in [flesh or skin] synonyms:cut [open], gash, slash, tear, rip, rend, shred; score, scratch, scrape, graze; wound, injure, hurt ";the nail has lacerated his left arm" Originlate Middle English: from Latin lacerat- 'mangled,' from the verb lacerare, from lacer 'mangled, torn.

protean

tendin synonyms:ever-changing, variable, changeable, mutable, kaleidoscopic, inconstant, inconsistent, unstable, shifting, unsettled, fluctuating, fluid, wavering, vacillating, mercurial, volatile; technicallabile ";the protean nature of mental disorders" Originlate 16th century: from Proteus + -an

soporific

tending to induce drowsiness or sleep synonyms: sleep-inducing, sedative, somnolent, calmative, tranquilizing, narcotic, opiate; drowsy, sleepy, somniferous; hypnotic ";soporific drugs"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin sopor 'sleep' + -ific.

tenacious

tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely synonyms:firm, tight, fast, clinging; strong, forceful, powerful, unshakable, immovable, iron ";his tenacious grip" Originearly 17th century: from Latin tenax, tenac- [from tenere 'to hold'] + -ious

garrulous

tending to talk a lot The garrulous parakeet distracted its owner with its continuous talking. Synonyms: effusive; loquacious

probity

the synonyms: integrity, honesty, uprightness, decency, morality, rectitude, goodness, virtue, right-mindedness, trustworthiness, truthfulness, honor ";the committee feels that he has demonstrated little probity in this matter"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin probitas, from probus 'good.'

pedestal

the synonyms: plinth, base, support, mounting, stand, foundation, pillar, column, pier; socle ";a bust on a pedestal"; Origin mid 16th century: from French piédestal, from Italian piedestallo, from piè 'foot' [from Latin pes, ped-, which later influenced the spelling] + di 'of' + stallo 'stall.'

calumny

the synonyms: slander, defamation [of character], character assassination, libel; vilification, traducement, obloquy, verbal abuse; informalmudslinging, trash-talk; rarecontumely ";voters were tired of the candidates' endless barrage of calumny"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin calumnia .

catalysis

the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst Origin mid 19th century: from modern Latin, from Greek katalusis, from kataluein 'dissolve,' from kata- 'down' + luein 'loosen.'

ablution

the act of washing oneself [often used Origin late Middle English: from Latin ablutio[n-], from abluere, from ab- 'away' + luere 'wash.' The original use was as a term in chemistry and alchemy meaning 'purification by using liquids,' hence 'purification of the body by washing' [mid 16th century].

attrition

the action o synonyms: wearing down, wearing away, weakening, debilitation, enfeebling, sapping, attenuation; gradual loss ";the battle would result in further attrition of their already lame naval force"; Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from late Latin attritio[n-], from atterere 'to rub.'

egress

the action of going out of or leaving a place synonyms:departure, exit, withdrawal, retreat, exodus; escape ";a means of egress" Originmid 16th century: from Latin egressus 'gone out,' from the verb egredi, from ex- 'out' + gradi 'to step.

valediction

the action of saying farewell synonyms: farewell, goodbye, adieu, leave-taking; parting words ";he departed without a valediction"; Origin mid 17th century: based on Latin vale 'goodbye' + dicere 'to say,' on the pattern of benediction .

declamation

the action or art of de synonyms: speech, address, lecture, sermon, homily, discourse, oration, recitation, disquisition, monologue ";he delivered a passionate declamation"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'a set speech']: from Latin declamatio[n-], from the verb declamare [see declaim].

gustation

the action or faculty of tasting Origin late 16th century: from Latin gustatio[n-], from gustare 'to taste,' from gustus 'taste.'

syncretism

the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cu Origin early 17th century: from modern Latin syncretismus, from Greek sunkrētismos, from sunkrētizein 'unite against a third party,' from sun- 'together' + krēs 'Cretan' [originally with reference to ancient Cretan communities].

rhetoric

the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the us synonyms: oratory, eloquence, command of language, way with words ";a form of rhetoric"; Origin Middle English: from Old French rethorique, via Latin from Greek rhētorikē [tekhnē ] '[art] of rhetoric,' from rhētōr 'rhetor.'

remission

the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty synonyms: cancellation, setting aside, suspension, revocation; formalabrogation ";the remission of all fees"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin remissio[n-], from remittere 'send back, restore' [see remit].

etiology

the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition Origin mid 16th century: via medieval Latin from Greek aitiologia, from aitia 'a cause' + -logia [see -logy].

metabolism

the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life Origin late 19th century: from Greek metabolē 'change' [from metaballein 'to change'] + -ism.

dissolution

the closing down synonyms: cessation, conclusion, end, ending, termination, winding up/down, discontinuation, suspension, disbanding; prorogation, recess ";the dissolution of the legislative session"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin dissolutio[n-], from the verb dissolvere [see dissolve].

harmony

the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progr synonyms: euphony, polyphony; tunefulness, melodiousness, mellifluousness ";musical harmony"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin harmonia 'joining, concord,' from Greek, from harmos 'joint

peroration

the concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience Origin late Middle English: from Latin peroratio[n-], from perorare 'speak at length' [see perorate].

fate

the development synonyms: destiny, providence, the stars, chance, luck, serendipity, fortune, kismet, karma ";what has fate in store for me?"; Origin late Middle English: from Italian fato or Old French fat or [later] from their source, Latin fatum 'that which has been spoken,' from fari 'speak.'

patois

the dialect of the synonyms:vernacular, [local] dialect, regional language; jargon, argot, cant; informal[local] lingo ";he recognized the patois of New Orleans in her speech" Originmid 17th century: French, literally 'rough speech,' perhaps from Old French patoier 'treat roughly,' from patte 'paw.

mores

the essential or characteristic customs and conv synonyms:customs, conventions, ways, way of life, traditions, practices, habits; lifeways; formalpraxis ";the mores of the day would have prevented her from voicing political opinions" Originlate 19th century: from Latin, plural of mos, mor- 'custom.

teleology

the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by postulated causes Origin mid 18th century [denoting the branch of philosophy that deals with ends or final causes]: from modern Latin teleologia, from Greek telos 'end' + -logia [see -logy].

action

the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim synonyms:measures, steps, activity, movement, work, operation ";the need for local community action" Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin actio[n-], from agere 'do, act.

denouement

the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the p synonyms: finale, final scene, epilogue, coda, end, ending, finish, close; culmination, climax, conclusion, resolution, solution ";the film's denouement"; Origin mid 18th century: French dénouement, from dénouer 'unknot.'

rudiment

the first principles of a subject synonyms:basics, fundamentals, essentials, first principles, foundation; informalnuts and bolts, ABCs ";the rudiments of sign language" Originmid 16th century: from French, or from Latin rudimentum, from rudis 'unwrought,' on the pattern of elementum 'element.

ambrosia

the food of the gods Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek, 'elixir of life,' from ambrotos 'immortal.'

impetus

the force or energy with wh synonyms:momentum, propulsion, impulsion, motive force, driving force, drive, thrust; energy, force, power, push, strength ";the flywheel lost all its impetus" Originmid 17th century: from Latin, 'assault, force,' from impetere 'assail,' from in- 'toward' + petere 'seek.

cession

the formal giving up of rights, property, or territory, especially by a state Originlate Middle English: from Latin cession-, from cedere 'cede.

apotheosis

the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax Origin late 16th century: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek apotheōsis, from apotheoun 'make a god of,' from apo 'from' + theos 'god.'

apogee

the highest point in the development of something; the climax or culmination Origin late 16th century: from French apogée or modern Latin apogaeum, from Greek apogaion [diastēma ] '[distance] away from earth,' from apo 'from' + gaia, gē 'earth.'

usury

the illegal action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest OriginMiddle English: from Anglo-Norman French usurie, or from medieval Latin usuria, from Latin usura, from usus 'a use' [see use]

argot

the jargon or slang of a particular group or cl synonyms: jargon, slang, idiom, cant, parlance, vernacular, patois; dialect, speech, language; informallingo ";the argot of the theater"; Origin mid 19th century [originally denoting the jargon or slang of criminals]: from French, of unknown origin.

fratricide

the killing of one's brother or sister Originlate 15th century [denoting a person who kills their brother or sister, derived from Latin fratricida ]: the primary current sense comes via French from late Latin fratricidium, from frater 'brother' + -cidium [see -cide]

prognosis

the likely course of a disease or ailment synonyms:forecast, prediction, prognostication, prophecy, divination, augury ";it is difficult to make an accurate prognosis" Originmid 17th century: via late Latin from Greek prognōsis, from pro- 'before' + gignōskein 'know.

nadir

the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organizatio synonyms: lowest point, lowest level, all-time low, bottom, rock-bottom; informalpits ";the nadir of his career"; Origin late Middle English [in the astronomical sense]: via French from Arabic naẓīr [as-samt ] 'opposite [to the zenith].'

epiphany

the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi [Matthew 2:1-12] Origin Middle English: from Greek epiphainein 'reveal.' The sense relating to the Christian festival is via Old French epiphanie and ecclesiastical Latin epiphania .

doyen

the most respected or prominent person in a particular field Origin late 17th century: via French from Old French deien [see dean1].

abscission

the natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and ripe fruit Origin early 17th century: from Latin abscissio[n-], from abscindere, from ab- 'off, away' + scindere 'to cut.'

iota

the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet [ Ι, ι ], transliterated as 'i. synonyms: bit, speck, mite, scrap, shred, ounce, scintilla, atom, jot, grain, whit, trace; informalsmidgen, smidge, tad; archaicscruple ";nothing she said made an iota of difference";

proboscis

the nose of a mammal, especially when it is long and mobile, such as the trunk of an elephant or the snout of a tapir Originearly 17th century: via Latin from Greek proboskis 'means of obtaining food,' from pro 'before' + boskein '[cause to] feed.

prosody

the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry Origin late 15th century: from Latin prosodia 'accent of a syllable,' from Greek prosōidia 'song sung to music, tone of a syllable,' from pros 'toward' + ōidē 'song.'

sortilege

the practice of foretelling the future from a card or other item drawn at random from a collection Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin sortilegium 'sorcery,' from Latin sortilegus 'sorcerer,' from sors, sort- 'lot, chance' + legere 'choose.'

usury

the practice of lending money at exorbitant rates The moneylender was convicted of usury when it was discovered that he charged 50 percent interest on all his loans. Synonym: loan-sharking

paucity

the presence of something only in small or synonyms: scarcity, sparseness, sparsity, dearth, shortage, poverty, insufficiency, deficiency, lack, want ";the police cannot act with such a paucity of evidence"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French paucite or Latin paucitas, from paucus 'few.'

accretion

the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of synonyms: accumulation, formation, collecting, cumulation, buildup, accrual; growth, increase ";the accretion of sediments"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin accretion-, from accrescere 'become larger' [see accrete].

preemption

the purchase of goods or shares by one person or party before the opportunity is offered to others Originearly 17th century: from medieval Latin praeemptio[n-], from the verb praeemere, from prae 'in advance' + emere 'buy.

asseveration

the solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something Origin mid 16th century: from Latin asseveratio[n-], from the verb asseverare, from ad- 'to' + severus 'serious.'

propinquity

the state of being close to someone or something; proximity Origin late Middle English: from Old French propinquité, from Latin propinquitas, from propinquus 'near,' from prope 'near to.'

hebetude

the state of being dull or lethargic Origin early 17th century: from late Latin hebetudo, from hebes, hebet- 'blunt.'

sobriety

the state of being sober synonyms: soberness, clearheadedness; abstinence, teetotalism, nonindulgence, abstemiousness, temperance ";she noted his sobriety"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French sobriete or Latin sobrietas, from sobrius [see sober].

tedium

the state of being tedious synonyms: monotony, boredom, ennui, uniformity, routine, dreariness, dryness, banality, vapidity, insipidity ";she loathed the tedium of housework"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin taedium, from taedere 'be weary of.'

pediment

the triangular upper part of the front of a building in classical style, typically surmounting a portico of columns Origin late 16th century [as periment ]: perhaps an alteration of pyramid.

satire

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's synonyms: mockery, ridicule, derision, scorn, caricature; irony, sarcasm ";he has become the subject of satire"; Origin early 16th century: from French, or from Latin satira, later form of satura 'poetic medley.'

pleonasm

the use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning [e.g., see with one's eyes ], either as a fault of style or for emphasis Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein 'be superfluous.'

solipsism

the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist Origin late 19th century: from Latin solus 'alone' + ipse 'self' + -ism.

cerebration

the working of the brain; thinking

hagiolatry

the worship of saints

hagiography

the writing of the lives of saints

viscous

thick and adhesive, like a slow-flowing liquid Most viscous liquids, like oil or homey, become even thicker as they are cooled down. Synonyms: gelatinous; glutinous; thick

extrude

thrust or force out synonyms: force out, thrust out, express, eject, expel, release, emit ";machines extrude the plastics that become jars and bottles"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin extrudere, from ex- 'out' + trudere 'to thrust.'

foment

to arouse or incite The rebels tried to foment revolution through their attacks on the government. Synonyms: agitate; impassion; inflame; instigate; kindle

slake

to calm down or moderate In order to slake his curiosity, Bryan finally took a tour backstage at the theater. Synonyms: moderate; quench; satisfy

expurgate

to censor Government propagandists expurgated all negative references to the dictator from the film. Synonyms: bowdlerize; cut; sanitize

yoke

to join together As soon as the farmer had yoked his oxen together, he began to plow the fields. Synonyms: bind; harness; pair

ameliorate

to make better; to improve The doctor was able to ameliorate the patient's suffering using painkillers. Synonyms: amend; better; improve; pacify; upgrade

dissemble

to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character The villain could dissemble to the police no longer - he admitted the deed and tore up the floor to reveal the stash of stolen money. Synonyms: act; affect; assume; camouflage; cloak; counterfeit; cover up; disguise; dis simulate; fake; feign; mask; masquerade; pose; pretend; put on; sham

supplant

to replace (another) by force; to take the place of The overthrow of the government meant a new leader to supplant the tyrannical former one. Synonyms: displace; supersede

requite

to return or repay Thanks for offering to lend me $1,000, but I know I'll never be able to requite your generosity. Synonyms: compensate; reciprocate

satiate

to satisfy fully or overindulge His desire for power was so great that nothing less than complete control of the country could satiate it. Synonyms: cloy; glut; gorge; surfeit

upbraid

to scold sharply The teacher upbraided the student for scrawling graffiti all over the walls of the school. Synonyms: berate; chide; rebuke; reproach; tax

sully

to tarnish; to taint With the help of a public relations firm, he was able to restore his sullied reputation. Synonym: besmirch; defile

officious

too helpful; meddlesome While planning her wedding, Maya discovered just how officious her future mother-in-law could be. Synonyms: eager; intrusive; unwanted

scintilla

trace amount This poison is so powerful that no more than a scintilla of it is needed to kill a horse. Synonyms: atom; iota; mote; spark; speck

pellucid

translucently clear synonyms:translucent, transparent, clear, crystal clear, crystalline, glassy, limpid, unclouded, gin-clear ";the pellucid waters" Originearly 17th century: from Latin pellucidus, from perlucere 'shine through.

peregrinate

travel or wander around from place to place Origin late 16th century: from Latin peregrinat- 'traveled abroad,' from the verb peregrinari, from peregrinus 'foreign, traveling.'

stratagem

trick designed to deceive an enemy The Trojan Horse must be one of the most successful military stratagems used in all of history. Synonyms: artifice; feint; maneuver; ruse; wile

cozen

trick or deceive Origin late 16th century: perhaps from obsolete Italian cozzonare 'to cheat,' from cozzone 'middleman, broker,' from Latin cocio 'dealer.'

folderol

trivial or nonsensical fuss

contort

twist or bend out of its normal shape synonyms:twist, bend out of shape, distort, misshape, warp, buckle, deform ";her face was contorted with grief" Originlate Middle English: from Latin contort- 'twisted around, brandished,' from the verb contorquere, from con- 'together' + torquere 'twist.

tacit

u synonyms: implicit, understood, implied, hinted, suggested; unspoken, unstated, unsaid, unexpressed, unvoiced; taken for granted, taken as read, inferred ";tacit promises"; Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'wordless, noiseless']: from Latin tacitus, past participle of tacere 'be silent.'

ineluctable

unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable Origin early 17th century: from Latin ineluctabilis, from in- 'not' + eluctari 'struggle out.'

rebarbative

unattractive and objectionable Origin late 19th century: from French rébarbatif, -ive, from Old French se rebarber 'face each other "beard to beard" aggressively,' from barbe 'beard.'

rambunctious

uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous synonyms: boisterous, rowdy, obstreperous, wild, turbulent, unruly, disorderly ";rambunctious preschoolers"; Origin mid 19th century: of unknown origin.

raffish

unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner synonyms: rakish, unconventional, Bohemian; devil-may-care, casual, careless; louche, disreputable, dissolute, decadent ";donning a raffish cap"; Origin early 19th century: from riffraff + -ish1.

intuit

understand or work out by instinct Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'instruct, teach']: from Latin intuit- 'contemplated,' from the verb intueri, from in- 'upon' + tueri 'to look.'

arcane

understood by few; mysteri synonyms: mysterious, secret; enigmatic, esoteric, cryptic, obscure, abstruse, recondite, recherché, impenetrable, opaque ";processes as old and arcane as the language of the law"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arcanus, from arcere 'to shut up,' from arca 'chest.'

stolid

unemotional; lacking sensitivity The prisoner appeared stolid and unaffected by the judge's harsh sentence. Synonyms: apathetic; impassive; indifferent; phlegmatic; stoic; unconcerned

infelicitous

unfortunate; inappropriate

plenary

unqualified; absolute synonyms: unconditional, unlimited, unrestricted, unqualified, absolute, sweeping, comprehensive; plenipotentiary ";the council has plenary powers in this matter"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin plenarius 'complete,' from plenus 'full.'

unconscionable

unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust After she promised me the project, the fact that she gave it to someone else is unconscionable. Synonyms: dishonorable; indefensible

variegated

varied; marked with different colors The variegated foliage of the jungle allows it to support thousands of different animal species. Synonym: diversified

sapient

wise, or attempting to appear wise Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin sapient- 'being wise,' from the verb sapere .

rococo

very highly ornamented; relating to an 18th century artistic style of elaborate ornamentation The ornate furniture in the house reminded Tatiana of the rococo style. Synonyms: intricate; ornate

exiguous

very small synonyms: meager, inadequate, insufficient, small, scanty, paltry, negligible, modest, deficient, miserly, niggardly, beggarly; informalmeasly, stingy, piddling ";Bob Cratchit's exiguous wages"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin exiguus 'scanty' [from exigere 'weigh exactly'] + -ous.

lurid

very vivid in co synonyms: bright, brilliant, vivid, glaring, shocking, fluorescent, flaming, dazzling, intense; gaudy, loud, showy, bold, garish, tacky ";lurid colors"; Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'pale and dismal in color']: from Latin luridus ; related to luror 'wan or yellow color.'

tenuous

very weak or slight synonyms: slight, insubstantial, meager, flimsy, weak, doubtful, dubious, questionable, suspect; vague, nebulous, hazy ";a tenuous connection"; Origin late 16th century: formed irregularly from Latin tenuis 'thin' + -ous.

vim

vitality and energy The vim with which she worked so early in the day explained why she was so productive. Synonyms: force power

penance

voluntary self-punishment i synonyms:atonement, expiation, self-punishment, self-mortification, self-abasement, amends; punishment, penalty ";true penance requires honest self-examination" OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitentia 'repentance,' from the verb paenitere 'be sorry.

propitiate

w synonyms: appease, placate, mollify, pacify, make peace with, conciliate, make amends to, soothe, calm ";my attempts to propitiate you are useless"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin propitiat- 'made favorable,' from the verb propitiare, from propitius 'favorable, gracious' [see propitious].

sidle

walk in a furtive, unobtrusive, or timid manner, especially sideways or obliq synonyms: creep, sneak, slink, slip, slide, steal, edge, inch, move furtively ";the sheriff sidled up to the window on the north side of the cabin"; Origin late 17th century: back-formation from sideling [see sidelong].

traipse

walk or move wearily or reluctantly synonyms: trudge, trek, tramp, tromp, trail, plod, drag oneself, slog, schlep ";I haven't the time to go traipsing around art galleries"; Origin late 16th century [as a verb]: of unknown origin. The noun [sense 2] is first recorded in the late 17th century.

trudge

walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh synonyms: plod, tramp, tromp, drag oneself, walk heavily, walk slowly, plow, slog, toil, trek; informaltraipse, galumph ";they trudged through two miles of wet snow"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: of unknown origin.

dawdle

waste time; be slow synonyms: linger, dally, take one's time, be slow, waste time, idle; delay, procrastinate, stall, dilly-dally, lollygag; archaictarry ";they dawdled over breakfast"; Origin mid 17th century: related to dialect daddle, doddle 'dally.'

Felicitous

well chosen or suited to the circumstances synonyms: apt, well chosen, fitting, suitable, appropriate, apposite, pertinent, germane, relevant ";his nickname was particularly felicitous";

askance

with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval synonyms: suspiciously, skeptically, cynically, mistrustfully, distrustfully, doubtfully, dubiously; disapprovingly, contemptuously, scornfully, disdainfully ";they look askance at anything foreign"; Origin late 15th century: of unknown origin.

staccato

with each sound or note sharply detached or separated from the others Origin Italian, literally 'detached.'

akimbo

with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward Origin late Middle English: from in kenebowe in Middle English, probably from Old Norse.

verbose

wordy The professor's answer was so verbose that his student forgot what the original question had been. Synonyms: long-winded; loquacious; prolix; superfluous

juvenilia

works produced by an author or artist while still young Origin early 17th century: from Latin, neuter plural of juvenilis [see juvenile].

malfeasance

wrongdoing, especially by a public official Origin late 17th century: from Anglo-Norman French malfaisance, from mal- 'evil' + Old French faisance 'activity.' Compare with misfeasance.

coveted

yearn to possess synonyms:desire, yearn for, crave, have one's heart set on, want, wish for, long for, hanker after/for, hunger after/for, thirst for ";even with all they have, they covet the wealth of others" OriginMiddle English: from Old French cuveitier, based on Latin cupiditas [see cupidity]