Consolidated Frequent Spelling Bee Word List A - F

candelabrum

a large candlestick or a lamp usually ornamented and having several arms or branches.

conflagration

a large disastrous fire involving numerous buildings.

clodhopper

a large heavy shoe.

avalanche

a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside.

bocaccio

a large olive to brown red-flushed rockfish of the Pacific coast from British Columbia to southern California.

destrier

a large powerful horse used as a war-horse by a medieval knight.

baboon

a large primate with a short tail and a doglike snout.

airedale

a large terrier with a wiry black and tan coat.

flagon

a large usually metal or pottery vessel with handle and spout and often a lid used to hold liquid.

buffalo

a large wild ox with a shaggy mane and short horns that was once abundant on the central and western plains of the United States.

financier

a large-scale investor.

extravaganza

a lavish or spectacular show or event.

furlough

a leave of absence granted to a governmental or institutional employee (as a soldier, civil servant, or missionary).

codicil

a legal instrument made subsequently to a will and modifying it in some respects.

estoppel

a legal preclusion by which one is prevented from alleging something previously denied or denying something previously alleged.

basilisk

a legendary reptile that has a fatal breath and glance.

esplanade

a level open stretch of paved or grassy ground; especially : one designed for walking or driving and often providing a vista (as over water).

brougham

a light closed horse-drawn carriage with the driver outside in front.

blanquette

a light meat (as veal or breast of chicken) in a white sauce.

bazooka

a light portable usually crew-served shoulder weapon used especially to launch armor-piercing rockets.

effleurage

a light stroking movement used in massage.

flibbertigibbet

a light-minded or silly restless person.

chandelier

a lighting fixture suspended from the ceiling and having two or more lights.

bungalow

a lightly built single-story house or cottage.

amice

a liturgical vestment consisting of an oblong piece of cloth usually of white linen, worn about the neck and shoulders and partly under the alb.

fandango

a lively Spanish dance usually performed by a man and woman with castanets and in triple time.

corpuscle

a living cell that is somewhat isolated and not aggregated into continuous tissues.

escarpment

a long cliff or steep slope separating two comparatively level or more gently sloping surfaces.

flagellum

a long tapering projection that is the primary organ of motion of many algae and bacteria.

centrifuge

a machine for whirling fluids rapidly to separate substances of different densities.

ecocatastrophe

a major destructive upset in the balance of nature especially when caused by the intervention of humans.

frontiersman

a man living at the edge of known civilization.

bimillenary

a 2000th anniversary or its celebration.

bicentennial

a 200th anniversary or its celebration.

firkin

a British unit of weight for butter equal to 56 pounds.

apparatchik

a Communist secret agent.

conga

a Cuban dance of African origin involving three steps followed by a kick and performed by a group in single file.

amphora

a Greek unit of capacity equal to 10.3 gallons or 39 liters.

cucaracha

a Mexican ballroom and nightclub dance.

borzoi

a Russian wolfhound.

bolero

a Spanish dance to music in threequarter time and characterized by sharp turns and revolutions of the body and stamping of the feet in syncopated rhythm.

barrio

a Spanish-speaking neighborhood or quarter in a city or town in the United States especially in the Southwest.

calypso

a balladlike improvisation in African rhythm usually satirizing current events first composed and sung in competition in the British West Indies.

cabriole

a ballet leap in which one leg is extended in mid-air and the other struck against it.

ferrule

a band or cap usually of metal enclosing the end of a cane, tool handle, table leg, or similar object to strengthen it or prevent splitting and wearing.

desperado

a bandit of the western frontier.

barricade

a barrier or obstacle that prevents passage.

caitiff

a base despicable person.

chamberlain

a bedchamber attendant for royalty or nobility.

archangel

a being in the heavenly hierarchy ranking above an angel.

adherent

a believer in or advocate of a particular thing, idea, or religion.

campanile

a bell tower usually freestanding.

accolade

a bestowal of praise.

diatribe

a bitter, abusive, and usually lengthy speech or piece of writing.

chromium

a blue-white metallic element found naturally only in combination and used especially in alloys and in electroplating.

cyanosis

a bluish or purplish discoloration (as of skin) due to deficient oxygenation of the blood.

blatherskite

a blustering, talkative, and often incompetent person.

clientele

a body of patrons or customers.

civitas

a body of people constituting a politically organized community.

constabulary

a body of policemen (as of a particular town, district, country).

aggregate

a body of units or parts somewhat loosely associated with one another.

clavicle

a bone in man situated just above the first rib on either side of the neck and having the form of a narrow elongated S.

balmoral

a boot or shoe that is laced in front; especially : an oxford shoe with quarters meeting and centered over a separate tongue.

carafe

a bottle usually made of glass with a narrow neck and spherical body and used to hold water or beverages.

bough

a branch of a tree.

etymology

a branch of linguistics concerned with the complete history of a linguistic form (as a word or morpheme).

cetology

a branch of zoology dealing with the whales.

boulevard

a broad thoroughfare often having grassplots with trees along the center or between curbings and sidewalks.

besom

a broom made with a bundle of twigs.

bouillon

a broth made by slow boiling of meat and especially beef in water.

Bordelaise

a brown sauce flavored with a table wine from the Gironde department of France, the capital of which is Bordeaux.

contusion

a bruise caused by external violence.

foundry

a building or establishment where metal or glass casting is carried on.

edification

a building up of the mind, character, or faith : intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement.

crystosphene

a buried sheet of ice under the tundra of North America formed by the freezing of spring water.

diapason

a burst of harmonious sound : melody, strain.

abacus

a calculating instrument for performing arithmetical processes by sliding counters by hand on rods or in grooves.

aspersion

a calumnious or defamatory expression or reflection.

dromedary

a camel of unusual speed, bred and trained especially for riding, and having a single large hump on the back.

bivouac

a camping out for a night.

bailiff

a court officer who seats witnesses and spectators, announces the entrance of the judge, and keeps order in the court.

fronton

a court or building for the game of jai alai.

antimacassar

a cover to protect the back or arms of furniture from Macassar oil or other hair preparations.

bayou

a creek, secondary watercourse, or minor river that is tributary to another river or other body of water.

croustade

a crisp shell (as of toasted or fried bread) in which to serve food.

ankh

a cross having a loop instead of an upper vertical arm used especially in ancient Egypt.

curmudgeon

a crusty, ill-tempered, or difficult and often elderly person.

codeine

a crystalline alkaloid usually made from morphine but feebler in action.

cinnamon

a culinary spice prepared from the bark of certain tropical trees.

basmati

a cultivated South Asian long grain rice.

cornucopia

a curved goat's horn from the mouth of which fruit and ears of corn overflow, emblematic of abundance—called also "horn of plenty." .

douanier

a customs officer.

corduroy

a cut-pile fabric with vertical ribs or wales, usually made of cotton.

charcoal

a dark-colored or black porous form of carbon used for fuel and various other mechanical, artistic, and chemical processes.

carcass

a dead body of a human being or an animal : corpse.

cadaver

a dead human or animal body usually intended for cutting so as to expose the several parts and their locations and connections.

decedent

a dead person; especially : a person who has recently died.

bouquiniste

a dealer in secondhand books.

bergschrund

a deep and often broad crevasse or series of such crevasses frequently occurring near the head of a mountain glacier.

couloir

a deep gorge.

chasm

a deep opening : a narrow, deep steep-walled valley, gorge or canyon.

beaker

a deep openmouthed thin vessel that often has a projecting lip for pouring and is used especially by chemists and pharmacists.

cuchifrito

a deep-fried cube of pork.

astigmatism

a defect of an optical system (as of the eye) that prevents light from focusing accurately and results in a blurred image.

dacquoise

a dessert made of baked layers of nut meringue with a filling usually of buttercream.

ambrosia

a dessert of a fruit or of mixed fruits topped with shredded coconut.

coelostat

a device consisting of a flat mirror that is turned slowly by a motor to reflect the Sun continuously into a fixed telescope.

albedometer

a device for measuring the reflection of light (as by snow).

bathymeter

a device for the sounding of depths.

calculator

a device used for computing amounts.

controversy

a difference marked especially by the expression of opposing views : dispute.

brannigan

a difference of opinion : controversy, squabble.

beriberi

a disease caused by a lack of or inability to assimilate vitamin B-1.

bacillus

a disease-producing bacterium.

camouflage

a disguise, behavior, or expedient adopted or designed to deceive or hide.

cioppino

a dish of fish and shellfish cooked in tomato sauce and usually seasoned with wine, spices, and herbs.

diplopia

a disorder of vision in which two images of a single object are seen, owing to unequal action of the eye muscles.

epithet

a disparaging or abusive word or phrase.

diaspora

a dispersion (as of people of a common national origin or of common beliefs).

enclave

a district or region (as in a city) inhabited by a particular race or set apart for a special purpose.

dyslexia

a disturbance of the ability to read.

afflatus

a divine imparting of knowledge or power : inspiration.

cynophilist

a dog fancier : one that is favorably disposed toward dogs.

dittology

a double reading or twofold interpretation (as of a biblical text).

caryatid

a draped female figure supporting an entablature in the place of a column or pilaster.

deluge

a drenching rain : downpour.

cheongsam

a dress with a slit skirt and a mandarin collar.

arbuscle

a dwarf tree or treelike shrub.

denizen

a dweller in a certain place or region.

cascade

a fall of water over steeply slanting rocks (as in a river or brook).

calumny

a false charge or misrepresentation intended to harm one's reputation : slander.

fallacy

a false or erroneous idea.

canard

a false or unfounded report or story; especially : a fabricated report (as by a newspaper).

cuckoo

a familiar European bird that is noted for its characteristic two-syllabled whistle and for its habit of laying its eggs in the nests of other birds for them to hatch.

brioche

a fancy roll of very light yeast dough rich with eggs and butter.

ballerina

a female ballet dancer.

danseuse

a female ballet dancer.

ananym

a fictitious name consisting of the real name written backwards.

fisticuffs

a fight with the fists : boxing.

analogy

a figure of speech involving an extended or elaborate comparison between two things or situations.

filament

a fine conductor that is rendered incandescent by the passage of an electric current.

complement

a finishing or consummating part, integral, or component.

caramel

a firm chewy candy often containing fruits and nuts and typically cut into small blocks.

flambeau

a flaming torch usually made by combining thick wicks saturated with a quick-burning substance (as pitch).

espadrille

a flat sandal having a fabric upper and a flexible often rope sole.

argosy

a fleet of ships or of anything likened to ships.

carnivore

a flesh-eating animal.

coronach

a lamentation for the dead as sung or played on the bagpipes in Scotland and Ireland : dirge.

embarcadero

a landing place; especially : a landing place on an inland waterway.

anaconda

a large arboreal snake of the boa family of tropical South America.

deciduous

falling off or shed at the end of the growing period, at certain seasons, or at certain stages of development.

conversant

familiar or acquainted by use or study : well-informed.

acquaintance

familiarity, experience.

axunge

fat or grease usually of pigs or of geese.

formicivorous

feeding on ants.

feminine

female.

febrility

feverishness.

bailiwick

field of activity : sphere of operations.

Armageddon

final and conclusive conflict between the forces of good and evil.

didactic

fitted or intended to teach.

egregious

flagrant : glaringly evident.

effrontery

flagrant boldness that is offensive or insolent : gall.

fulgurant

flashing like lightning : dazzling.

blossoming

flowering.

florid

flushed or tinged with red : ruddy.

arcing

following or describing a curving course.

convivial

fond of good company and festivity.

chaussure

footgear.

foist

force another to accept especially by stealth or deceit.

compelled

forced by physical necessity.

conglobe

form into a ball.

embezzlement

fraudulent appropriation of money by a person to whom it has been entrusted.

capriccioso

free and impulsive—used chiefly as a direction in music.

edulcorate

free from harshness (as of attitude) : make pleasant.

depurate

free from impurities or heterogeneous matter : purify, cleanse.

definite

free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity.

familiar

frequently seen or experienced.

bratwurst

fresh pork sausage.

amity

friendship and goodwill, especially as characterized by mutual acceptance and tolerance of potentially antagonistic standpoints or aims.

exotic

from another country : not native to the place where found.

commercial

from the point of view of profit : having profit as the primary aim.

espaliers

fruit trees or other plants trained to grow flat against a building, wall, railing, trellis, or other support.

boisterous

full of exuberant uninhibited and often excessive spirits.

frolicsome

full of gaiety and mirth : playful.

fervorous

full of intensity of feeling or expression.

beguile

gain the notice of by the use of wiles : charm.

echt

genuine, authentic.

apparition

ghost, phantom, specter.

cincture

girdle with or as if with a belt or band.

adumbrate

give a sketchy representation of : outline broadly, omitting details.

augur

give indirect evidence of : portend.

babblative

given to excessive talking : garrulous.

argumentative

given to or fond of disagreement : contentious.

cumbrous

giving trouble : vexatious.

coruscate

gleam with intermittent flashes : glitter, sparkle.

clinquant

glittering especially with gold decoration : showily ornate.

dyspeptic

gloomy or negative.

candescent

glowing or dazzling often from great heat.

billon

gold or silver alloyed with a considerable amount of some less valuable metal.

auriferous

gold-bearing—used of gravels and rocks.

eutaxy

good order or management.

contraband

goods or merchandise the importation, exportation, or sometimes possession of which is forbidden.

conscientious

governed by the dictates of the sense of right or wrong : honest, scrupulous.

carnage

great destruction of life (as in battle) : great bloodshed.

accrescent

growing continuously; specifically : growing larger after flowering.

fontinal

growing in or near springs.

arenaceous

growing in sandy places.

entomogenous

growing on or in the bodies of insects.

Baedeker

guidebook, handbook.

domiciliated

had established residence : resided.

arduous

hard to accomplish or achieve : difficult.

difficult

hard to understand : puzzling, obscure.

concinnity

harmony or fitness in the adaptation of parts to a whole or to each other.

cacophony

harsh or discordant sound.

envisage

have a mental picture of in advance of realization.

catenulate

having a chain-like form.

concentric

having a common center (as circles one within another).

esurient

having a huge appetite : greedy.

corpulent

having a large bulky body.

corrugated

having a ridged or furrowed surface.

acuate

having a sharp point : shaped like a needle : sharpened.

anagogic

having a spiritual meaning or a sense referring to the heavenly life.

cancellous

having a spongy or porous structure.

campodeiform

having an elongated and flattened shape—used especially of larvae of some beetles and other higher insects.

finite

having clear limits.

diphyodont

having deciduous and permanent sets of teeth successively.

corniculate

having horns or small horn-shaped processes.

bicameral

having or made up of two distinct legislative bodies.

crepitant

having or making a crackling sound : crackling.

actinic

having photochemical properties or effects.

barbellate

having short stiff hooked bristles or hairs.

abysmal

having the characteristics of an abyss : bottomless.

fuliginous

having the color of soot : dark, dusky.

akimbo

having the hands on the hips with the elbows projecting outward.

crenate

having the margin cut into rounded scallops.

cognoscitive

having the power of knowing.

foliiform

having the shape of a leaf.

dicerous

having two antennae.

affectionate

having warm regard : loving, fond.

corporeal

having, consisting of, or relating to a physical material body : not spiritual.

accumulate

heap up in a mass : pile up.

dungarees

heavy cotton work clothes made usually of heavy, coarse, durable, blue cotton twill.

colloquy

high-level serious discussion.

capital

highly meritorious : most enjoyable.

faveolate

honeycombed.

drepaniform

hooked or curved like a sickle.

falcate

hooked or curved like a sickle— used also of the Moon or an inferior planet when less than half its disk is illuminated.

enmity

hostility, animosity.

dinosauric

huge.

deleterious

hurtful, destructive.

dactyloscopy

identification by comparison of fingerprints.

diagnose

identify a condition by evaluating its signs and symptoms.

faineant

idle and ineffectual.

dyskinesia

impaired or abnormal motion of voluntary or involuntary muscle.

dyscalculia

impairment of mathematical ability due to an organic condition of the brain.

blotch

imperfection, blemish.

effervescent

impossible or difficult to restrain or suppress : bubbling, exuberant.

feckless

impractical and shiftless.

assiduously

in a diligent, attentive, or solicitous manner.

frenetically

in a frenzied, hectic manner.

flagitiously

in a grossly wicked manner.

deleteriously

in a hurtful or destructive manner.

anon

in a little while : soon, presently.

allargando

in a manner becoming gradually broader with the same or greater volume.

extraordinarily

in a manner beyond what is usual, regular, common, or customary.

effectually

in a manner producing the desired results.

convivially

in a manner that is fond of good company and festivity.

abruptly

in a manner that produces the effect of a sudden ending.

emphatically

in a markedly forceful manner.

farouche

lacking social graces and experience : marked by shyness and lack of polish.

edentulous

lacking teeth; especially : having lost teeth previously present.

ennui

languor or emptiness of spirit : boredom.

commodious

large or roomy and convenient.

cilantro

leaves of coriander used as a flavoring or garnish.

fallow

left untilled or unsown after plowing.

demesne

legal possession of land as one's own.

enervate

lessen the nerve, vitality, or strength of.

decelerate

lessen the speed of : slow down.

capitatim

levied or granted at so much per head.

fallibility

liability or proneness to err.

academia

life and interests associated with a school especially of higher learning.

badinage

light and playful repartee or wit : banter.

acicular

like a needle in shape : slender and pointed.

elitist

of or relating to a consciousness of being one of a segment or group regarded as socially superior.

epizootic

of or relating to a disease affecting many animals of one kind at the same time.

drupaceous

of or relating to a one-seeded indehiscent fruit having a hard bony endocarp, a usually fleshy mesocarp, and a thin exocarp that is either like a skin or dry and almost leathery.

carbonate

of or relating to a salt or ester of carbonic acid.

cribral

of or relating to a sieve : perforated.

amygdaline

of or relating to a tonsil.

eleemosynary

of or relating to charity : charitable, philanthropic.

chromatic

of or relating to color or color phenomena or sensations.

fiscal

of or relating to financial matters.

connubial

of or relating to marriage or the marriage state.

fluvial

of or relating to rivers.

explosive

of or relating to the act of violently expanding and bursting.

ceramic

of or relating to the art of fashioning clay into useful or ornamental objects.

ellipses

omissions of one or more words that are obviously understood but must be supplied to make a construction grammatically complete.

choreographer

one engaging in the composing and often the teaching of stage dancing.

curator

one in charge of the exhibits, research activities, and personnel of a museum, zoo, or other place of exhibit.

Appaloosa

one of a breed of rugged saddle horses distinguished by a mottled skin and a patch of white hair over the rump and loins that is blotched or dotted with darker color.

Cepheid

one of a class of pulsating stars whose intrinsic light variations are very regular.

bretelle

one of a pair of ornamental straps that go from the belt on the front of a dress over the shoulders to the belt in back.

echelon

one of a series of levels or grades (as of leadership or responsibility) in an organization or field of activity.

centaur

one of an ancient mythical Greek race imagined as men with the bodies of horses.

dowager

one of the elder women of assured position who tend to set the tone of an assembly, social group, or community.

aborigine

one of the native people especially as contrasted with an invading or colonizing people.

buccaneer

one of the pirates preying upon Spanish ships and settlements especially in the West Indies in the 17th century.

catechumen

one receiving rudimentary instruction in the doctrines of Christianity.

entomologist

one specializing in the study of insects.

advocate

one that argues for, defends, maintains, or recommends a cause or proposal.

antecessor

one that goes before.

cashier

one that handles customer payments for goods or services rendered.

analysand

one that is analyzed; specifically : one who is undergoing psychoanalysis.

cosmopolite

one that is at home in every country.

anathema

one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority.

chauffeur

one that is employed to operate a motor vehicle for the transportation of persons.

claviger

one that keeps the key or keys : custodian, warden.

drone

one that lives on the labors of others.

facilitator

one that makes something easier or less difficult.

canoeist

one that paddles a type of long narrow boat.

accomplice

one that participates with another in a crime either as principal or accessory.

cryptographer

one that practices the art of preparing or reading messages in a form intended to prevent their being read by those not privy to secrets of the form.

canvasser

one that takes or counts votes.

bellwether

one that takes the lead or initiative : leader.

dynamitard

one that uses explosives for anarchistic or other political acts of violence.

collaborator

one that works jointly with others.

calligrapher

one that writes a beautiful, ornamental, or stylized hand.

actuary

one trained in mathematics and statistics whose business it is to calculate insurance and annuity premiums, reserves, and dividends.

cicerone

one who acts as a guide to or shows the sights to.

doctrinaire

one who attempts to put into effect some especially political theory with little or no regard for practical difficulties.

acolyte

one who attends or assists : follower.

equilibrist

one who balances himself in unnatural positions and performs hazardous movements.

courier

one who carries messages, news, or information either with urgent haste or in accordance with a regular schedule.

fuguist

one who composes or performs fugues.

auctioneer

one who conducts the sale of goods at public auction usually as an agent on commission.

clinician

one who directs, is closely allied with, or works in or through a clinic or with clinical methods.

almoner

one who distributes charitable gifts, often for another.

evildoer

one who does wicked deeds.

canitist

one who dyes or tints hair especially in a beauty shop.

collateral

placed or regarded as side by side : parallel, coordinate, or corresponding in position, order, time, or significance.

daffodils

plants having flowers that have a large corona elongated into a trumpet.

dulcet

pleasing to the ear.

agreeable

pleasing to the mind or senses : to one's liking : pleasant.

ciguatera

poisoning caused by eating fish or mollusks with flesh toxic to man.

cogitate

ponder on or meditate upon.

flummery

porridge made of flour or meal.

altitude

position at a height.

asseveration

positive or emphatic affirmation or assertion : solemn declaration.

contingencies

possible future events or conditions or unforeseen occurrences that may necessitate special measures.

extravasate

pour out or erupt.

discretion

power of decision : individual judgment.

equinoctial

relating to either of the two times each year when the Sun crosses the equator and day and night are everywhere of equal length.

buccolingual

relating to or affecting the cheek and the tongue.

dermonecrotic

relating to or causing the death of skin tissue.

eczematous

relating to or having the characteristics of an inflammatory skin condition characterized by redness, itching, and lesions.

cupressineous

relating to or resembling the cypress.

anterior

relating to or situated near or toward the head or front.

Antarctic

relating to the South Pole or the region near it.

cnemial

relating to the shin or shinbone.

anabolic

relating to, characterized by, or promoting constructive metabolism.

assonance

relatively close juxtaposition of similar sounds especially of vowels.

acquittal

release or discharge from debt or other liability.

abdicate

relinquish formally, renounce.

bowdlerize

remove matter considered indelicate or otherwise objectionable from.

decorticate

remove the bark, husk, or other outer covering from.

bleach

remove the color or stains from.

aloof

removed or distant either physically or spiritually and usually by choice and with indifference to the feelings, opinions, or interests of others.

anaphora

repetition of a word or words at the beginning of two or more successive clauses or verses.

feliform

resembling a cat.

capillary

resembling a hair : fine, minute, slender.

butyraceous

resembling butter.

bulbous

resembling or suggesting a bulb especially in roundness or in the gross enlargement of a part.

Daliesque

resembling or suggesting the paintings of the Spanish surrealist artist Dali.

chartaceous

resembling paper : made of paper.

Ciceronian

resembling the Roman orator Cicero in oratorical or literary qualities.

azure

resembling the color of the unclouded sky.

echoed

resounded with sounds caused by reflections of sound waves.

emeritus

retired from an office after gaining recognition.

descent

rid of odor or smell.

deterrent

something that discourages or prevents from acting by fear or consideration of unpleasant attendant consequences.

effluent

something that flows out, as liquid discharged as waste (as water used in an industrial process).

bonanza

something that yields an often unexpectedly large profit.

condiment

something usually pungent, acid, salty, or spicy added to or served with food to enhance its flavor or to give added flavor : seasoning.

emollient

soothing especially to the skin or mucous membrane.

demulcent

soothing, softening.

brujo

sorcerer, witch doctor; especially : one that works black magic.

deprecated

sought to avert.

alegar

sour ale or vinegar made of ale.

abstemious

sparing in eating and drinking.

expatiate

speak or write at length or in considerable detail.

disparage

speak slightingly of.

blasphemous

speaking or writing irreverence toward God.

appropriate

specially suitable : fit, proper.

blandishment

speech, action, or device that flatters and tends to coax or cajole.

baronial

splendid, stately, spacious, ample.

butterfly

split almost entirely and spread apart in such a way as to resemble the spread wings of a butterfly.

cedilla

a mark placed under a letter to indicate a sound different from that which the unmodified character bears in certain situations.

barrage

a massive concentrated and usually continuous discharge or shower (as of missiles or blows).

dimension

a measurable aspect such as length or width.

derailleur

a mechanism for shifting gears on a bicycle that operates by moving the chain from one set of exposed gears to another.

electuary

a medicated paste prepared with honey or other sweet substance, used in veterinary practice, and administered by smearing on the teeth, gums, or tongue.

Bolshevik

a member of the Russian Communist Party.

bureaucrat

a member of the whole body of nonelected government officials.

antimony

a metalloid element that is commonly metallic silvery white, crystalline, and brittle and is used especially as a constituent of alloys.

emigrant

a person who leaves a country or region to establish permanent residence elsewhere.

deuteragonist

a person who serves as a foil to another.

diptych

a picture or series of pictures painted on two tablets connected by hinges.

escritoire

a piece of furniture resembling a bureau and providing a writing surface or desk area behind a hinged front that drops down.

feretory

a place for keeping an ornate coffin for the relics of a saint.

bethel

a place of worship, as a chapel for nonconformists.

bedlam

a place or scene of wild mad uproar.

balbriggan

a plain-stitch knitted often tubular usually cotton fabric used especially for underwear, hosiery, or sweaters.

detective

a plainclothes police officer.

bromeliad

a plant of a family of tropical American herbs or subshrubs.

clematis

a plant of a genus of oppositeleaved slightly woody vines or erect herbs having elongate plumose styles.

dahlia

a plant of a genus of tuberousrooted herbs having rayed flower heads.

celeriac

a plant of the parsley family grown for its turniplike edible root.

anemone

a plant or flower of a widely distributed genus of plants with showy flowers that lack petals but have showy sepals.

chasmophyte

a plant that grows in the crevices of rocks.

anemochore

a plant that has seeds or spores adapted to distribution by wind.

asparagus

a plant widely cultivated for its tender edible young shoots.

dais

a platform raised usually above the floor of a hall or large room to give distinction or prominence to those occupying it.

eclogue

a poem in which shepherds are introduced conversing.

abecedarius

a poem in which the lines or stanzas begin with the letters of the alphabet in regular order.

apartheid

a policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against certain population groups.

euphemism

a polite term used to avoid the direct naming of an unpleasant reality.

arabesque

a posture (as in ballet dancing) in ballet in which the body is bent forward from the hip on one leg with one arm extended forward and the other arm and leg backward in a line parallel to the floor.

bonsai

a potted plant (as a tree) dwarfed by special methods of culture.

dentifrice

a powder, paste, or liquid used in cleaning the teeth.

alnico

a powerful permanent-magnet alloy containing iron, nickel, aluminum, and one or more of the elements cobalt, copper, and titanium.

cereal

a prepared foodstuff of grain (as oatmeal or cornflakes) used especially as a breakfast food.

documentary

a presentation (as a film or novel) that has the objective quality, authority, or force of documentation in the representation of a scene, place, condition of life or of a social or political problem or cause.

charlatan

a pretender to medical knowledge : quack.

brankursine

a prickly European herb having rough, fuzzy leaves.

chapel

a private place of worship.

cavalcade

a procession of riders or carriages.

detritus

a product of disintegration or wearing away : fragment or fragmentary material.

botanist

a professional student of plants.

bastion

a projecting part of a fortification.

fermata

a prolongation at the discretion of the performer of a musical note, chord, or rest beyond its given time value.

corollary

a proposition that follows upon one just demonstrated and that requires no additional proof.

axiom

a proposition, rule, or maxim that has found general acceptance or is thought worthy thereof.

dipody

a prosodic unit or measure of two feet.

coroner

a public officer whose principal duty is to inquire into the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose is not due to natural causes.

ephemeris

a publication giving the computed places of the celestial bodies for each day of the year.

chalicosis

a pulmonary disease occurring among stonecutters that is caused by inhalation of stone dust.

biscuit

a quick bread made in a small shape from dough that has been rolled and cut or dropped and that is raised in the baking by a leavening agent other than yeast.

foray

a raid or brief invasion.

alcove

a recessed part (as a breakfast nook) of a room.

cochineal

a red dyestuff consisting of the dried bodies of the cochineal insect.

alpenglow

a reddish glow or sometimes the entire series of light phenomena seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains.

feud

a relationship of aggressive hostility : quarrel.

epyllion

a relatively short narrative poem resembling an epic in theme, tone, or style.

Buddhism

a religion of eastern and central Asia.

ayatollah

a religious leader among Shiite Muslims—used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imam.

advisory

a report giving information (as one issued by a weather bureau on the progress of a hurricane).

alligator

a reptile having a head not tapering to the snout and being in general much more sluggish than the typical crocodiles.

burgher

a resident of a town : townsman.

cabaret

a restaurant that provides entertainment, usually singing and dancing.

brocade

a rich oriental fabric with raised patterns embroidered in gold and silver threads.

flange

a rim or edge projecting at right angles to provide a means of attachment to another part.

autobahn

a road in Germany with double traffic lanes in each direction separated by a parkway.

breccia

a rock consisting of sharp fragments embedded in a fine-grained matrix (as sand or clay).

cruller

a small sweet cake made of a rich egg batter formed into twisted strips and fried brown in deep fat.

amertoy

a small terrierlike dog having a short sleek satiny coat and weighing between six and ten pounds.

cameo

a small theatrical or film role usually performed by a well-known actor and often limited to a single scene.

arboret

a small tree or shrub.

camionette

a small truck or bus.

coyote

a small wolf native to the western part of North America and well established northward in Alaska and eastward at least as far as New York state.

concussion

a smart or hard knock, blow, or collision; also : the shock of such a blow.

chignon

a smooth arrangement of hair worn at the back of the head especially at the nape of the neck.

escargot

a snail prepared for use as food.

fedora

a soft felt hat with a low crown creased lengthwise and with or without a high roll on the side brim.

beret

a soft flat visorless cap of woolen material originally worn by Basque peasants.

calcium

a soft, silver-white bivalent metallic element that occurs in combination with minerals and rocks.

aphorism

a terse and often ingenious formulation of a truth or sentiment usually in a single sentence.

baignoire

a theater box having low partitions that is in the lowest tier.

Euhemerism

a theory held by the Greek mythographer Euhemerus that the gods of mythology were but deified mortals.

dhurrie

a thick cotton cloth or carpet made in India.

chateaubriand

a thick tenderloin steak.

derelict

a thing voluntarily abandoned by its owner with the intention of not retaking it and rightly claimed by the first person who takes possession of it; specifically : a boat abandoned on the high seas.

bore

a tidal flood that regularly or occasionally rushes with a roaring noise into certain rivers.

deuce

a tie in tennis in points toward a game or in games requiring scoring of two consecutive points by one side to win the game or set.

cenotaph

a tomb or a monument erected in honor of a person whose body is elsewhere.

chisel

a tool consisting of a metal bar with a sharpened edge at one end that is used for chipping, carving, or cutting into solid material and is often driven by a mallet.

enchilada

a tortilla topped or rolled up with a highly seasoned meat or other filling and served with tomato sauce seasoned with chili.

camphor

a tough gumlike substance obtained especially from the wood and bark of the camphor tree and used chiefly as a stimulant in medicine.

bandalore

a toy with an automatically winding cord by which it is brought back to the hand when thrown.

delinquent

a transgressor against duty or law.

cartilage

a translucent elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of the embryos and very young of vertebrates and is for the most part converted into bone in the higher forms.

cellophane

a transparent sheet or tube of regenerated cellulose used chiefly for packaging food and merchandise.

carnival

a traveling enterprise consisting of such amusements as sideshows, games of chance, rides, and shooting galleries.

ailanthus

a tree of a small genus of East Indian and Chinese trees with greenish flowers.

eucalyptus

a tree or shrub native to western Australia.

audition

a trial performance to appraise an entertainer's merits.

babushka

a triangularly folded kerchief worn over the head and usually tied under the chin.

empanada

a turnover filled with meat.

cameline

a twilled camel's-hair fabric.

brigantine

a two-masted square-rigged sailing ship.

caisson

a two-wheeled vehicle for artillery ammunition attachable to a horsedrawn limber for marching.

debenture

a writing or certificate signed by a public officer as evidence of a debt or of a right to demand or receive a sum of money.

entente

a written or unwritten international understanding usually less formally binding than an alliance.

curtilage

a yard, courtyard, or other piece of ground included within a fence surrounding a dwelling house.

citronella

a yellowish essential oil with lemonlike odor obtained from either of two grasses and used especially as an insect repellent.

cygnet

a young swan.

awe

abashed reverence and fear inspired by authority or power.

capacious

able to contain a great deal.

durable

able to exist for a long time : lasting.

buoyant

able to regain high spirits after depression : lighthearted.

cholesterosis

abnormal deposition of cholesterol in the blood.

claustrophobia

abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces.

apathy

absence or lack of interest or concern : listlessness, indifference.

despotism

absolute government in which power is vested in a single ruler.

froufrou

abundant or excessive ornamentation (as ruffles, beading, flowers) in women's clothing.

bountiful

abundant, plentiful.

acerbity

acidity of temper or tone : astringency or sharpness of manner.

avuncular

acting or speaking with the familiarity, kindness, or indulgence of an uncle.

expeditious

acting with promptness or efficiency : speedy.

diurnal

active chiefly during the daytime.

crepuscular

active in the twilight.

colic

acute abdominal pain in man or animals.

bronchitis

acute or chronic inflammation in the lungs.

acumen

acuteness of mind : keenness of perception, discernment, or discrimination : shrewdness especially in practical matters.

borealization

adaptation (as of plants) to life in more northerly regions.

fossorial

adapted to digging.

accelerate

add to the speed of or quicken the motion of.

faithful

adherents of a system of religious belief.

encroachment

advancement beyond set limits.

counsel

advice, direction.

delirious

affected with frenzied excitement or wild enthusiasm.

dudgeon

aggrieved or angered feeling : ill humor.

concurrence

agreement in opinion.

breath

air charged with a certain fragrance, odor, or other suggestion.

dirigible

airship.

albeit

although.

cardinal

an American songbird, the male being bright red with a black face and pointed crest and the female being much duller in color.

batik

an Indonesian method of handprinting textiles by coating parts of the fabric with wax to resist dye and dipping in a cold dye solution.

bardiglio

an Italian marble commonly having a dark gray or bluish ground traversed by veins.

centaury

an Old World herb formerly used as a tonic.

coriander

an Old World herb whose ripened dried fruit is used for flavoring especially of pickles, curries, confectioneries, and liquor.

dwarf

an abnormally small person.

chandelle

an abrupt climbing turn of an airplane.

dossier

an accumulation of records, reports, miscellaneous pertinent data, and documents bearing on a single subject of study or investigation : file.

funambulist

an acrobat who performs feats on a rope extended through the air at some height.

approbation

an act of approving formally or authoritatively : sanction.

arraignment

an act of finding fault with : denunciation.

comedienne

an actress who plays in dramas of light and amusing character and typically with a happy ending.

diphtheria

an acute highly contagious bacterial disease chiefly of young children that is marked by swelling and obstruction of the throat.

dengue

an acute infectious disease characterized by sudden onset, headache, racking joint pain, and a rash and caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes.

bursar

an administrative officer (as of a monastery or college) in charge of funds : treasurer.

apology

an admission to another of a wrong or discourtesy done him or her accompanied by an expression of regret.

bullionist

an advocate of a metallic medium of exchange.

emissary

an agent or representative usually empowered to act more or less independently.

fungicide

an agent that destroys a group of lower plants including molds, rusts, mildews, mushrooms, and yeasts.

coacervate

an aggregate of colloidal droplets held together by electrostatic attractive forces.

covenant

an agreement that is usually formal, solemn, and intended as binding.

apologue

an allegorical narrative (as a beast fable) usually intended to convey a moral.

amalgam

an alloy of mercury with another metal.

annuity

an amount payable yearly or at other regular intervals (as quarterly) for a certain or uncertain period.

crustacean

an animal belonging to a large class of Arthropoda comprising the majority of the marine or freshwater arthropods (as lobsters, shrimps, crabs, and barnacles).

alpaca

an animal like a llama with fine long woolly hair and domesticated in Peru and adjacent countries.

amphibian

an animal or plant accustomed or adapted to life both on land and in the water.

formicary

an ant hill or ant nest.

chimpanzee

an anthropoid ape of equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla.

bascule

an apparatus or structure in which one end is counterbalanced by the other on the principle of the seesaw or by weights (as in a bascule bridge).

epiphany

an appearance or revelatory manifestation of a divine being or a god.

desman

an aquatic insectivorous mammal of Russia that resembles a mole.

formaldehyde

an aqueous solution that is used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative.

azimuth

an arc of the horizon measured between a fixed point and the vertical circle passing through the center of an object.

fiefdom

an area over which one exercises control.

enthymeme

an argument or truncated syllogism in which one of the propositions is understood but not stated.

brigadier

an army, marine, or air force officer ranking just below a major general and above a colonel.

balsam

an aromatic substance flowing spontaneously or by incision from a plant and not necessarily remaining liquid.

aqueduct

an artificial channel for conveying water.

cistern

an artificial reservoir or tank for holding or storing water or other liquids.

falsetto

an artificially high voice.

atelier

an artist's studio or workroom.

collage

an artistic composition of fragments of printed matter and other materials pasted on a picture surface.

acclivity

an ascending slope (as of a hill).

felsenmeer

an assemblage of rock fragments completely mantling the surface and commonly present in mountainous regions.

concierge

an attendant at the entrance of a building : doorkeeper.

convertible

an automobile having a top that may be folded back, lowered, or removed.

bradawl

an awl with a chisel edge used to make holes for screws or thin, small nails.

champignon

an edible fungus; especially : the common meadow mushroom.

embargo

an edict or order of the government prohibiting the departure or entry of ships of commerce at ports within its dominions.

disquisition

an elaborate analytical or explanatory discussion : discourse.

croupier

an employee of a gambling casino who watches, collects, and pays bets and assists the dealer in charge of the table.

burin

an engraver's tool having a steel blade ground obliquely to a sharp point.

bergamot

an essential oil much used in perfumery.

facsimile

an exact and detailed copy.

dromomania

an exaggerated desire to wander.

Adonis

an exceptionally handsome young man.

empleomania

an excessive desire for holding public office.

dumbbell

an exercise device that consists of round weights joined by a bar.

effluvium

an exhalation or smell especially when unpleasant.

Crusade

an expedition undertaken for a declared religious purpose.

bolide

an exploding or exploded meteor or meteorite.

benediction

an expression or utterance of blessing or good wishes.

erudition

an extensive knowledge acquired chiefly from books.

cuticle

an external membranous or hardened noncellular investment secreted by the outer surface of the body (as in arthropods).

exoskeleton

an external supportive or protective structure or framework of an insect.

essence

an extract (as from fruit) used as flavoring in cooking.

anise

an herb cultivated for its aromatic seeds.

colophon

an identifying mark, emblem, or device used by a printer or publisher sometimes on the title page, cover, shelfback, or jacket.

conspiracy

an illegal, treasonable, or treacherous plan to harm or destroy another person, group, or entity.

frontispiece

an illustration preceding and usually facing the title page of a book or magazine.

dystopia

an imaginary place which is distressingly wretched and whose people lead a fearful existence.

brockage

an imperfectly minted coin.

alfalfa

an important European leguminous forage plant.

dactylogram

an impression taken from a finger : fingerprint.

anagnorisis

an incident or solution of plot in tragedy in which the main character recognizes his or her own or some other character's true identity or discovers the true nature of his or her own situation.

diluent

an inert substance added to a mixture especially for reducing the concentration of active ingredients.

appendicitis

an inflammation of the appendix characterized usually by abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

causerie

an informal light conversation : chat.

bruise

an injury, especially one produced by a blow or collision, that does not break the surface it injures.

contretemps

an inopportune embarrassing occurrence : mishap, mischance.

amulet

an inscribed charm believed to protect or aid the wearer.

chrysalis

an insect (as a butterfly or moth) in the pupal stage of its development in which it is enclosed in a firm case.

commination

an instance or the action of announcing, warning of, or threatening punishment or vengeance.

chautauqua

an institution of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that combined popular education with entertainment, often presented outdoors or in a tent.

altazimuth

an instrument consisting of a telescope mounted so that it can swing horizontally and vertically.

clepsydra

an instrument designed to measure time by the flow of a quantity of water.

barometer

an instrument for determining the pressure of the atmosphere.

crescograph

an instrument for making perceptible the growth of plants.

anemometer

an instrument for measuring and indicating the force or speed of the wind.

ammeter

an instrument for measuring electric current.

brontometer

an instrument for measuring the phenomena of thunderstorms.

barothermograph

an instrument for recording both pressure and temperature (as of the atmosphere).

ceraunograph

an instrument for recording chronologically by pen the occurrence of thunder and lightning.

balalaika

an instrument of the guitar kind having a triangular wooden body and from two to four strings.

cryophorus

an instrument that illustrates the freezing of water by its own evaporation.

balcony

an interior projecting gallery in a public building (as a theater); specifically : such a gallery immediately above the main floor.

coterie

an intimate often exclusive group of persons having a binding common interest or purpose : clique.

chonolith

an intrusive igneous rock mass of wholly irregular form.

butte

an isolated hill or small mountain with steep or precipitous sides that usually has a smaller summit area than does a mesa.

blunderbuss

an obsolete short gun or firearm that had a large bore and was intended for shooting at close quarters without exact aim.

brevet

an official document from a government granting a privilege, title, or dignity.

census

an official enumeration of the population of a country, city, or other administrative district.

encomium

an often formal expression of warm or high praise : eulogy.

barracks

an often permanent building or set of buildings used especially for lodging soldiers.

fanchonette

an open tart covered with meringue or sometimes whipped cream.

aperture

an opening that restricts a beam of radiation or a stream of particles; specifically : the opening in a photographic lens that admits the light passing through.

embrasure

an opening with sides flaring outward in a wall or parapet of a fortification usually for allowing the firing of cannon.

claque

an opera hat with a collapsible crown.

eurytherm

an organism that tolerates a wide range of temperature.

consortium

an organization of persons having a common interest.

college

an organized group of persons engaged in a common pursuit, having a common duty or role and sometimes a charter or special rights and privileges.

caparison

an ornamental covering for a horse.

barbican

an outer defensive work of a city or castle.

chasuble

an outer ecclesiastical garment in the form of a sleeveless cloak or mantle that slips over the wearer's head but remains open at the sides.

frittata

an unfolded omelet often containing chopped vegetables or meats.

bachelor

an unmarried man of marriageable age.

choleric

angry, irate, wrathful.

fauna

animals in general or animal life especially as distinguished from flora.

appurtenant

annexed or belonging legally to some more important thing.

cask

any barrel-shaped vessel made of staves, headings, and hoops.

apparatus

any compound instrument or appliance designed for a specific mechanical or chemical action or operation.

accipiter

any hawk of the genus Accipiter (as the Cooper's hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, goshawk).

cicada

any insect of the family Cicadidae—called also "locust." .

creekology

any method of searching for oil based on a limited knowledge of geology and practiced especially by wildcat prospectors.

fluorocarbon

any of a class of chemically inert compounds (as tetrafluoroethylene) composed entirely of carbon and fluorine and used chiefly as lubricants and in making resins and plastics.

cephalopod

any of a class of marine mollusks including the squids, cuttlefishes, and octopuses all having around the front of the head a group of elongated muscular arms usually furnished with prehensile suckers or hooks.

cricetid

any of a family of small rodents including lemmings, voles, and hamsters.

elephant

any of a family of thickset extremely large nearly hairless herbivorous mammals that have a snout elongated into a muscular trunk and two incisors in the upper jaw developed especially in the male into large ivory tusks.

chernozem

any of a group of dark-colored zonal soils with a deep rich humus horizon found in regions (as the grasslands of central North America) of temperate to cool climate.

carbohydrate

any of a group of neutral compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen including the sugars and starches.

endorphin

any of a group of proteins with potent pain-killing properties that occur naturally in the brain.

barbiturate

any of a large group of acids or their salts that are used as sedatives, hypnotics, and antispamodics.

albatross

any of a number of large webfooted seabirds that are capable of long-continued flight.

amole

any of a number of plants utilized as a source of soap.

anchovy

any of a number of small herringlike fishes; especially : a common Mediterranean form esteemed for its rich and peculiar flavor.

echinoderm

any of a phylum of radially symmetrical marine animals that have a true body cavity, a calcareous exoskeleton, a bloodvascular system, a nervous system, and a water-vascular system that provides tentacles and organs of locomotion.

caladium

any of a small genus of tropical American plants with variously colored arrow-shaped leaves.

calculate

ascertain or determine by mathematical processes especially of some intricacy.

allege

assert, affirm, state without proof or before proving.

affiliate

attach as a member or branch : bring or receive into close connection.

doleful

attended with or indicating grief or a morose or despairing attitude.

equivocate

avoid committing oneself in what one says : speak evasively.

cognizant

aware : perceiving with a degree of controlled thought or observation.

commemorate

call to remembrance as by speech, writing, or ceremony.

accrued

came by way of increase or addition.

ascribable

capable of being attributed to a supposed cause, source, or author.

frangible

capable of being broken : breakable, brittle, fragile.

feasible

capable of being done, executed, or effected.

flammable

capable of being easily ignited and of burning with extreme rapidity.

defeasible

capable of being or liable to being voided, annulled, or undone.

accessible

capable of being reached or easily approached.

erasable

capable of being rubbed or scraped out or removed from existence or memory.

fissile

capable of being split, cleft, or divided in the direction of the grain or along natural planes of cleavage.

discerptible

capable of being torn to pieces or pulled apart.

caustic

capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance by chemical action : corrosive.

contemplate

carefully and intently think about something : ponder.

boiserie

carved wood paneling.

bewitched

cast a spell over.

descried

caught sight of especially by watchful attention and careful observation of the distant, uncertain, or obscure.

extinguish

cause (as a fire or light) to cease burning.

astringe

cause (tissue) to draw together : constrict.

deceive

cause to believe the false : delude.

annul

cause to cease to exist : reduce to nothing.

asthmatic

caused by or affected with labored breathing.

ecstatic

caused by, expressing, or causing a state of exaltation or rapturous delight.

frigorific

causing cold.

flammeous

consisting of or resembling the color of flame.

cavernous

constituting or suggesting a large underground chamber.

caudal

constituting, belonging to, or relating to a tail.

aneroid

containing no liquid or functioning without the use of liquid.

farinaceous

containing or rich in starch.

fibrous

containing, consisting of, or like fibers.

coaration

cooperative tilling of soil as practiced by early village communities.

accurate

correct, exact, precise.

commensurate

corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree : proportionate.

equivalent

corresponding or virtually identical especially in effect or function.

bocage

countryside or landscape marked by intermingled patches of woodland and heath, small fields, tall hedgerows, and orchards.

callidity

craftiness, cunning, shrewdness.

fantasize

create or develop imaginative and often fantastic views, ideas, or explanations.

diadem

crown; specifically : an ornamental headband worn (as by Eastern monarchs) as a badge of royalty.

coagulate

curdle, clot.

aquiline

curving or hooked like an eagle's beak.

dunnage

cushioning or padding used in a shipping container to protect fragile articles against shock and breakage.

chamfer

cut off corners or edges (as of timber columns or beams).

bevel

cut or shape to an angle : put a slant on the edge of.

caliginous

dark, obscure.

antiquarian

dealing in old and rare books or in secondhand books.

diablerie

dealings with the devil or devils : witchcraft, sorcery.

dilapidated

decayed, deteriorated, injured, or fallen into partial ruin.

chicanery

deception by artful subterfuge or misrepresentation : trickery.

duplicity

deception by pretending to entertain one set of feelings and acting under the influence of another.

exploit

deed, act.

disappointed

defeated in expectation or hope.

blemish

defect, flaw.

barren

deficient in producing vegetation : bare, desolate.

delectable

deliciously flavored.

funicular

dependent on the tension of a cord or cable.

bereavement

deprivation; especially : loss of a loved one by death.

abseil

descent in mountaineering by means of a rope looped over a projection above.

exemplary

deserving imitation : commendable.

annihilate

destroy a considerable part of.

assess

determine the rate or amount of.

aberration

deviation from the natural state or from a normal type.

exsuccous

devoid of all juices or sap : dried up.

apolaustic

devoted to enjoyment.

discrepancy

difference, variation, inconsistency.

alien

different in nature or character : far removed.

abstruse

difficult to comprehend or understand.

esoteric

difficult to understand.

churlish

difficult to work with or deal with.

demurs

difficulties in making up one's mind : indecisions.

effusive

expressing or marked by unrestrained emotion : unduly demonstrative.

brevity

expression in few words : terseness, conciseness.

derogatory

expressive of low estimation or reproach : disdainful.

dolorous

expressive of sorrow or affliction.

expiate

extinguish the guilt incurred by : make conciliation for.

ardent

extremely loyal : devoted, faithful.

fealty

faithfulness, allegiance.

ecchymosis

the escape of blood into the tissues from ruptured blood vessels marked by a livid black-and-blue or purple spot or area.

consanguinity

the quality or state of being related by blood.

brawniness

the quality or state of having large strong muscles : muscular.

astuteness

the quality or state of having or displaying shrewd discernment and sagacity.

deficiency

the quality or state of lacking some quality, faculty, or characteristic necessary for completeness.

aurora

the redness of the sky just before the Sun rises.

cornice

the typically molded and projecting horizontal member that crowns an architectural composition.

elision

the use of a speech form that lacks a final or initial sound that a variant speech form has.

circumlocution

the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea.

filibuster

the use of extreme delaying tactics (as speaking merely to consume time) in an attempt to prevent action by the majority in a deliberative assembly.

creophagy

the use of flesh as food.

firmament

the vault or arch of the sky : heavens.

ablution

the washing of one's body or part of it as a religious rite.

clerisy

the well-educated or learned class : intelligentsia.

curriculum

the whole body of courses offered by an educational institution or one of its branches.

etymon

the word in a foreign language that is the source of a particular loanword.

cerumen

the yellow waxlike secretion from the glands of the external ear— called also "earwax." .

etiolation

the yellowing or whitening of a green plant through lack of sunlight.

circumambulate

wander about at leisure without definite purpose or as a result of indirection.

forage

wander or rove in search of food.

blitzkrieg

war conducted with great speed and force; specifically : a violent surprise offensive by massed air forces and mechanized ground forces in close coordination.

bonhomous

warmly genial.

estrepement

waste or needless destruction of lands; especially : damage wrought by a tenant for life.

dillydally

waste time by loitering or delay.

bilge

water that collects by seepage or leakage in the bottom of a ship or other vessel.

agape

spontaneous self-giving love expressed freely without calculation of cost or gain to the giver or merit on the part of the receiver.

brummagem

spurious especially in a cheap and showy way : phony, sham.

eminent

standing out so as to be readily perceived.

disingenuousness

state of being unworthily or meanly artful.

austere

stern and unyielding in appearance and manner.

epicurean

stimulating and satisfying to the senses.

condescended

stooped or bent to action or speech less formal or dignified than is customary in one's social rank.

disentangle

straighten out : unravel.

expunge

strike out, obliterate, or mark for deletion (as a word, line, or sentence).

duress

stringent compulsion by threat of danger, hardship, or retribution.

burly

strongly built : stout, sturdy.

contumacy

stubborn resistance to authority; specifically : willful contempt of court.

beleaguer

subject to oppressive or grievous forces.

crotchety

subject to whims, crankiness, or ill temper.

ersatz

substitute, synthetic : simulated.

dysphemism

substitution of a disagreeable, offensive, or disparaging word or expression for an agreeable or inoffensive one; also, a word or expression so substituted.

florisugent

sucking nectar from flowers.

brimstone

sulfur.

collabent

sunken or falling in : collapsing in the middle.

adminicle

support, auxiliary.

celeritous

swift-moving.

affinity

sympathy especially as marked by community of interest.

calisthenics

systematic exercises performed usually in rhythm and often in a group to improve the strength, suppleness, balance, and health of the body.

eviscerate

take out the entrails of : disembowel, gut.

blague

talk pretentiously and usually inaccurately or boastfully.

drivel

talk stupidly and carelessly without due thought, knowledge, or consideration.

attenuate

tapering gradually often into a long slender point.

acuminate

tapering to a slender point : pointed.

armistice

temporary suspension of hostilities as agreed upon by those engaged in the hostilities.

clemency

tendency to be mild and compassionate.

fissiparous

tending to break up into parts or to disintegrate : divisive, factional.

evocative

tending to call forth an emotional response.

formidable

tending to inspire awe or wonder usually by reason of notable size, quantity, superiority, or excellence.

depredatory

tending to lay waste or prey upon : plundering.

convergent

tending to move toward one point or each other.

dissymmetry

the absence of or the lack of balanced proportions.

allocation

the act of apportioning.

accession

the act of attaining or coming to high office or a position of honor or power.

enfranchisement

the act of endowing with a constitutional or statutory right or privilege; especially : the act of endowing with the right to vote.

auscultation

the act of listening to sounds arising within organs (as the lungs or heart) as an aid to diagnosis and treatment.

amelioration

the act of making better or the state of being made better : improvement.

embracery

the act of one who attempts to or acts so as to influence a court, jury, or other office or officer corruptly (as by promises, money, or threats).

denunciation

the act of pronouncing (as a person, idea, course of conduct, or political philosophy) as blameworthy or evil.

balneation

the act or action of bathing.

cachinnation

the act or action of laughing loudly or convulsively.

enlightenment

the act or means of furnishing with useful information.

bribery

the act or practice of giving or taking a reward, gift, or favor with a view to corrupt the conduct especially of a person in a position of trust (as a public official).

ascension

the act or process of going upward from a lower level or degree.

emancipation

the act or process of setting or making free; broadly : deliverance from any onerous and controlling power.

disintegration

the act or process of shattering suddenly : flying to bits.

deterrence

the act or process of turning aside, discouraging, or preventing from acting especially by fear.

egress

the act or right of going or coming out.

curvature

the act or state of deviating from a straight line or course typically with a rounded gradual effect.

blessing

the act or words of one who issues approval or praise.

aggrandizement

the act, action, or result of making great or greater (as in power, honor, or wealth).

fluxion

the action of flowing.

fluoridation

the adding of a binary compound of fluorine to drinking water.

concession

the admitting of a point claimed in argument; especially : the voluntary yielding of a disputable contention.

cauterize

burn or sear with a caustic brand.

evoke

call forth or up : summon.

enervated

lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor.

blather

voluble, foolish, or nonsensical talk.

edacious

voracious, devouring.

belligerent

waging war.

anastomosis

a joining of the parts of a branched system.

enfilade

arrangement (as of rooms, doorways, trees) in opposite and parallel rows.

cucurbit

(Note: Dictionary designates as attributive.) a many-seeded fleshy fruit plant with a hard rind (such as squashes, pumpkins, and certain gourds).

decuman

(of a wave) : extremely large.

cribbage

a card game for two and sometimes three or four players each of whom is dealt six cards one or two of which are discarded before play to form an extra hand for the dealer.

canasta

a card game that is a form of rummy played usually as a twohand or as a four-hand partnership game using two full decks plus four jokers.

cassoulet

a casserole of beans baked with herbs and pork sausage and sometimes other meats.

comet

a celestial body that consists of a fuzzy head usually surrounding a bright nucleus and that has an orbit varying in eccentricity.

badigeon

a cement or paste (as of plaster and powdered freestone) used to fill holes or cover defects in wood or stone.

cynosure

a center of attraction or interest.

auricle

a chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins and forces it into the ventricle or ventricles.

cachet

a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige or distinction or inspiring respect.

byssinosis

a chronic industrial disease associated with the inhalation of cotton dust over a long period of time.

epilepsy

a chronic nervous disorder of humans and other animals that involves changes in the state of consciousness and of motion.

cirrhosis

a chronic progressive disease of the liver.

dorcastry

a church auxiliary organized to plan and execute benevolent work.

cheroot

a cigar cut off square at both ends.

epicycle

a circle in which a planet moves and which has a center that is itself carried around at the same time on the circumference of a larger circle.

cromlech

a circle of monoliths usually enclosing a dolmen or mound.

dvandva

a class of compound words having two constituents that are equal in rank and related to each other as if joined by and.

cataract

a clouding of the lens of the eye obstructing the passage of light.

colliery

a coal mine and the buildings connected with it.

bise

a cold wind; especially : a cold dry north wind of southern France, Switzerland, and Italy.

fruticetum

a collection of shrubs grown for ornament or study.

aurelian

a collector and breeder of moths and butterflies.

acetylene

a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon that is explosive when compressed but safe if diluted with nitrogen or acetone.

bodega

a combined wineshop and grocery store.

chaffinch

a common Old World bird often kept as a cage bird and having in the male a reddish breast plumage and a cheerful song.

chlorine

a common nonmetallic element that is used chiefly as a powerful bleaching, oxidizing, and disinfecting agent.

doxology

a commonly short hymn or formula expressing praise to God.

concordat

a compact between a national government and a religious group establishing terms of agreement concerning matters of mutual interest.

eulogy

a composition (as a set oration) in commendation of someone or something (as of the character and accomplishments of a deceased person).

beaumontage

a composition used by artisans to fill and conceal holes or cracks in wood or metal.

acrostic

a composition usually in verse in which one or more sets of letters when taken in order form a word, a connected group of words, or the regular sequence of the letters of the alphabet.

chutney

a condiment that has the consistency of jam and is made of acid fruits with added raisins, dates, and onions and seasoned to taste with spices and vinegar.

emphysema

a condition characterized by airfilled, blisterlike expansions in the tissues of the lungs.

dysrhythmia

a condition characterized by various psychological and physiological effects and which occurs following long flight through several time zones and probably results from disruption of human body rhythms that occur in 24-hour cycles : jet lag.

catalepsy

a condition of suspended animation and loss of voluntary motion associated with hysteria and schizophrenia.

caucus

a conference of party or organization leaders to decide on policies, plans, appointees, or candidates.

agglomerate

a confused or jumbled mass, heap, or collection.

farrago

a confused, disordered, or irrational assemblage (as of words or ideas).

battalion

a considerable body of troops organized to act together : army.

caduceus

a conventionalized representation of a staff with two snakes curled around it and with two wings at the top.

frescade

a cool walk : shady place.

depilatory

a cosmetic for the temporary removal of undesired hair.

badminton

a court game played by two or four persons with light long-handled rackets and a shuttlecock volleyed over a net.

corymb

a flower cluster in which the flower stalks arise at different levels on the main axis and reach about the same height, forming a somewhat flattopped cluster.

boutonniere

a flower or bouquet worn in a buttonhole.

emanation

a flowing forth.

berylloid

a form consisting of a double 12- sided pyramid.

citadel

a fortress that commands a city both for control and defense; broadly : a strong fortress.

dreidel

a four-sided die that revolves like a spinning top, that is marked on each side with a different Hebrew letter, and that is used as a toy especially during the Hanukkah festival.

buckboard

a four-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle without springs with the platform fastened directly to the front and rear axle, usually with a seat above it often mounted on springs.

barouche

a four-wheeled shallow carriage with a driver's seat high in front, two double seats inside, one facing back and the other front, and a folding top over the back seat.

effigy

a full or partial representation especially of a person.

crinoline

a full stiff skirt or underskirt.

epicede

a funeral song or ode.

ergot

a fungal disease of rye and other cereals.

croquet

a game in which players drive wooden balls with mallets through a series of wickets set out on a lawn in a particular order.

bagatelle

a game played with a cue and usually nine balls on an oblong table having cups or both cups and arches at one end.

backgammon

a game played with dice and counters on a board divided into two tables each marked with 12 points in which each player tries to move his own counters from point to point and off the board.

cauliflower

a garden plant that is closely related to the cabbage and is grown for food.

chaplet

a garland or wreath to be worn on the head.

abalone

a gastropod mollusk that clings to rocks tenaciously with a broad muscular foot.

chiclero

a gatherer of latex from the sapodilla tree.

dysphoria

a generalized state of feeling unwell or unhappy.

arrogance

a genuine or assumed feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing manner.

diphthong

a gliding monosyllabic sound that starts at or near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves to or toward the position for another.

anabasis

a going or marching up; especially : a military advance.

democracy

a government by the people : rule of the majority.

duarchy

a government by two rulers having equal power.

analemma

a graduated scale shaped like a figure 8 and showing the Sun's declination for each day of the year usually constituting part of a sundial and often shown on globes.

chorus

a group of dancers and usually singers supporting the featured players in a musical comedy or revue.

cordillera

a group of mountain ranges forming a mountain system of great linear extent.

ensemble

a group of supporting players, singers, or dancers.

archipelago

a group or cluster of islands.

coalescence

a growing together or union in one body, form, or group.

frankincense

a gum resin containing volatile oil.

caracole

a half turn either to the right or the left executed by a mounted horse.

flokati

a hand-woven Greek wool rug with a thick shaggy pile.

binoculars

a handheld optical instrument composed of two telescopes and a focusing device and usually having prisms to increase magnifying ability.

butterscotch

a hard candy made by boiling together brown sugar, corn syrup, and water.

chapeau

a hat.

altiplano

a high plateau or plain : tableland.

calumet

a highly ornamented ceremonial pipe of the North American Indians that was smoked at sacrifices and other magical or religious rites and on state occasions.

emerald

a highly prized gemstone of rich green color.

balaclava

a hoodlike knitted cap covering the head, neck, and part of the shoulders and worn especially by soldiers and mountaineers.

brucellosis

a human disease characterized by extreme exhaustion and generalized aches and pains and acquired through infected animal products.

culgee

a jeweled plume worn in India on the turban.

arsenic

a metalloid element that is used in small amounts in alloys and in the form of its compounds chiefly as poisons (as insecticides), in pharmaceutical preparations, and in glass.

decistere

a metric unit of capacity equal to 1/10 cubic meter.

busby

a military full-dress hat made of fur with a bag usually of cloth of the color of the facings of the regiment hanging from the top on the right.

caudillo

a military leader (as in a Latin- American country) usually of guerrilla or irregular forces loyal to him or her personally.

foible

a minor flaw or shortcoming in personal character or behavior : failing, weakness.

conglomerate

a mixture gathered from various sources : a composite mass.

cinematographer

a motion-picture camera operator.

debouchment

a mouth or outlet especially of a river.

aileron

a movable portion of an airplane wing or a movable airfoil external to the wing for imparting a rolling motion and thus providing lateral control.

calliope

a musical instrument consisting of a series of crude steam or air whistles used on riverboats and in circuses and carnivals.

charactonym

a name especially for a fictional character that suggests a distinctive trait of the character.

flannel

a napped cotton fabric of soft yarns.

aretalogy

a narrative of the miraculous deeds of a god or hero.

clique

a narrow exclusive circle or group of people.

cluse

a narrow gorge cutting transversely through an otherwise continuous ridge.

bandage

a narrow length of fabric used to cover a wound, hold a dressing in place, immobilize an injured part, or apply pressure.

fissure

a narrow opening, chasm, or crack of some length and considerable depth usually occurring from some breaking, rending, or parting.

demijohn

a narrow-necked bottle of glass or stoneware that is enclosed in wickerwork and has one or two wicker handles.

conduit

a natural or artificial channel through which water or other fluid passes or is conveyed.

admiral

a naval officer of high rank.

chevelure

a nebulous envelope (as around the nucleus of a comet).

discotheque

a nightclub for dancing to recorded music.

aspartame

a noncarbohydrate crystalline compound that is formed from the amino acids phenylalanine and aspartic acid and is used as a lowcalorie sweetener.

buran

a northeasterly wind of gale force in Russia and central Asia usually identified with sandstorms in summer and blizzards in winter.

cadre

a nucleus or core group especially of trained personnel or active members of an organization who are capable of assuming leadership or of training and indoctrinating others.

fusillade

a number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession especially with small arms : volley.

einkorn

a one-grained wheat that is regarded by some as the most primitive wheat and is grown especially in poor soils in central Europe.

castanets

a pair of rhythm instruments consisting of two shells made of ivory, wood, or plastic which are fastened together to hang from the thumb and are clicked by the other fingers.

champagne

a pale orange yellow to light grayish yellowish brown.

cosmogenesis

a part of the science of astronomy that deals with the origin and development of the universe.

aporia

a passage in speech or writing incorporating or presenting a difficulty or doubt.

ampicillin

a penicillin that is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and is used to treat various infections of the urinary, respiratory, and intestinal tracts.

fennel

a perennial European herb introduced to North America and cultivated for the aromatic flavor of its seeds.

cologne

a perfumed liquid composed of alcohol and certain aromatic oils.

century

a period of 100 years.

factotum

a person having many diverse activities or responsibilities : a general servant.

buffoon

a person professionally engaged in entertaining others by tricks, gestures, or comic pantomime.

defendant

a person required to make answer in an action or suit in law or equity or in a criminal action.

deipnosophist

a person skilled in table talk.

engineer

a person trained to plan and supervise projects in a technical field.

cheapskate

a person unwilling to share expenses or give : miser.

carpenter

a person who builds or repairs with wood.

broadcaster

a person who disseminates news on radio or television.

docent

a person who guides groups through a museum or art gallery and discusses and comments on the exhibits.

bowline

a rope fastened near the middle of the perpendicular edge of a square sail and used to keep the weather edge of the sail taut forward when the ship is close-hauled.

balustrade

a row of short supports topped by a rail to serve as an open parapet.

drisheen

a sausage prepared with sheep's blood, milk, and seasonings.

burgoo

a savory highly seasoned stew or thick soup containing several kinds of meat and vegetables originally served at political rallies, barbecues, picnics, and community occasions.

cointise

a scarf worn on a lady's headdress or as a token of favor on a knight's helmet.

eremology

a science concerned with the desert and its phenomena.

ekistics

a science dealing with human settlements and drawing on the research and experience of professionals in various fields (as architecture, engineering, city planning, and sociology).

euthenics

a science that deals with developing human well-being and efficient functioning through the improvement of environmental conditions.

drogue

a sea anchor (as a canvas bag with a hooped mouth) used to reduce the speed of a boat and keep her head into the wind.

cryptonym

a secret name.

arcanum

a secret or mysterious knowledge or information known only to the initiate.

chrestomathy

a selection of passages from various authors compiled as an aid to learning a language.

cafeteria

a self-service restaurant or lunchroom.

adagio

a series of sustained and perfectly controlled dance movements displaying balance and grace.

cavalletti

a series of timber jumps that are adjustable in height for schooling horses.

carillon

a set of fixed bells pitched in a chromatic series of at least two octaves and sounded by hammers controlled by a keyboard.

blizzard

a severe and prolonged snowstorm.

chiffon

a sheer plain-weave very lightweight clothing fabric usually given a dull soft finish.

blucher

a shoe having the tongue and vamp cut in one piece and the quarters lapped over the vamp and laced together for closing.

cudgel

a short heavy stick used as an instrument for punishment or a weapon.

fughetta

a short or condensed musical piece in which one or two melodic themes are repeated by successively entering voices.

epigram

a short poem with a witty or satirical point.

bludgeon

a short stick used as a weapon usually having one thick, heavy, or loaded end.

bravura

a show of daring or brilliancy.

coulisse

a side scene of the stage in a theater or the space between the side scenes.

credenza

a sideboard, buffet, or bookcase without legs whose base rests flat on the floor.

beacon

a signal fire or lighthouse commonly on a hill, tower, or pole.

cocoon

a silky or fibrous protective encasement created by a larval insect for shelter during the pupal stage.

ecumenopolis

a single city encompassing the whole world that is held to be a possibility of the future.

bradyseism

a slow quiet upward or downward movement of Earth's crust.

coracle

a small boat made by covering a wicker frame with hide or leather.

estaminet

a small café : bistro.

demitasse

a small cup of coffee usually taken black.

dachshund

a small dog of a breed of German origin having long drooping ears, commonly a short sleek coat, and the legs short in comparison with the body length.

flotilla

a small fleet or a fleet of small watercraft.

covey

a small flock or number of birds of the same kind—used typically of partridges and certain related birds.

flautino

a small flute : piccolo.

canary

a small greenish-yellow finch extensively bred as a cage bird and singer.

charango

a small guitar of Spanish America with a body typically made of an animal shell.

bibelot

a small household ornament or decorative object : trinket.

coronet

a small or lesser crown usually signifying a high rank below that of a sovereign.

edelweiss

a small perennial herb growing high in the Alps.

chinchilla

a small rodent the size of a large squirrel having very soft fur of a pearly gray color and native to the mountains of Peru and Chile but now extensively bred in captivity.

bisagre

a small spiny cactus of Mexico and the southwestern United States that is sometimes cut into slices and candied.

bartizan

a small structure overhanging or projecting from a building for lookout or defense.

chowder

a soup or stew of seafood (as clams or white-fleshed sea fishes) usually made with milk and containing salt pork or bacon, onions, and potatoes and sometimes other vegetables.

annoyance

a source of vexation or irritation : bothersome disturbance.

croup

a spasmodic laryngitis in infants and children characterized by episodes of difficult breathing and hoarse cough.

bariolage

a special effect in violin playing obtained by playing in rapid alternation upon open and stopped strings.

economist

a specialist in or student of the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of commodities.

ecologist

a specialist in the branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environment.

comradeliness

a spirit of friendly familiarity and goodwill.

dulcamara

a sprawling Old World poisonous plant that is common as a weed in America and has purple flowers and oval coral-red berries and that has a taste at first sweetish and then bitter.

equilibrium

a state of dynamic balance attained in a reversible chemical reaction when the velocities in both directions are equal.

anarchy

a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority.

dithyramb

a statement or piece of writing in an exalted impassioned style usually in praise of something.

entrecote

a steak cut from between the ribs; sometimes : sirloin.

anaglyph

a stereoscopic still or moving picture producing a threedimensional effect when viewed through colored filters.

fricassee

a stew of meat or other foods in light or brown gravy.

achondrite

a stony meteorite devoid of the granular structures known as chondrules.

delicatessen

a store where ready-to-eat food products (as cooked meats and prepared salads) are sold.

arsenal

a storehouse or source of supply for arms, ammunition, or other military equipment.

allegory

a story in which people, things, and happenings have a hidden or symbolic meaning.

aardwolf

a striped hyenalike mammal of southern and eastern Africa that feeds chiefly on carrion and insects.

dullard

a stupid person.

antifoulant

a substance (as paint for use on the bottom of a boat) designed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate an accumulation of deposits.

carcinogen

a substance or agent producing or inciting cancerous growth.

antecedent

a substantive word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun, typically by a following pronoun.

debacle

a sudden breakdown : collapse.

coup

a sudden decisive exercise of localized or concentrated force unseating the personnel of a government.

apoplexy

a sudden loss of consciousness followed by paralysis caused by hemorrhage within the brain— called also "stroke." .

cataphract

a suit of armor for the whole body.

farthingale

a support worn especially in the 16th century beneath a skirt to swell out and extend it at the hip line.

aerosol

a suspension of ultramicroscopic solid or liquid particles in air or gas.

cardigan

a sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front and usually has a round or V-shaped collarless neck.

custard

a sweetened mixture of milk and eggs that is baked, boiled, or frozen.

affidavit

a sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or before an authorized officer.

cantor

a synagogue official who sings or chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in prayer.

bureaucracy

a system of administration marked by lack of initiative and flexibility, by indifference to human needs or public opinion, and by a tendency to defer decisions to superiors or to impede action with red tape.

anticyclone

a system of winds that rotates about a center of high atmospheric pressure.

cessation

a temporary or final ceasing or discontinuance (as of action).

cabana

a tentlike often portable shelter with a projecting canopy over an open side facing a beach or swimming pool.

decibel

a unit for measuring the relative loudness of sounds equal approximately to the smallest degree of difference of loudness ordinarily detectable by the human ear.

fresnel

a unit of frequency equal to 1 trillion cycles per second.

centimeter

a unit of length equal to 1/100 meter.

fathom

a unit of length equal to 6 feet based on the distance between fingertips of a man's outstretched arms and used especially for measuring the depth of water.

barrel

a unit of measure for petroleum equal to 42 gallons.

chancellor

a university officer of high rank.

burrito

a usually baked flour tortilla rolled or folded around a filling (as of meat, beans, or cheese).

attrition

a usually gradual loss of personnel from causes normal or peculiar to a given situation (as death, retirement, and resignation in a labor force) often without filling the vacancies.

bevy

a usually large group or collection.

candelabra

a usually ornate and often heavy and large standard supporting a candlestick or lamp.

anthology

a usually representative collection of selected literary pieces or passages.

anecdote

a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or curious incident.

chartreuse

a variable color averaging a brilliant yellow green.

filasse

a vegetable fiber prepared for manufacture.

celery

a vegetable with leafstalks that are eaten raw or cooked.

amber

a very hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin that takes a fine polish.

condor

a very large American vulture having the head and neck bare and being one of the largest and most powerful of flying birds.

boysenberry

a very large bramble fruit with a flavor like a raspberry especially valued for canning and preserving.

Chihuahua

a very small round-headed largeeared short-coated dog reputed to antedate Aztec civilization.

crucible

a vessel or melting pot that is used for melting and calcining a substance (as metal and ore) which requires a high degree of heat.

casserole

a vessel usually having a cover and a handle and in which food may be baked and served.

beguine

a vigorous popular dance of the islands of Saint Lucia and Martinique somewhat like the rumba.

flamenco

a vigorous rhythmic dance of the Andalusian Gypsies.

cataclysm

a violent geologic change involving sudden and extensive alterations of Earth's surface.

concerto

a virtuoso piece for solo instrument or voice and orchestra that usually has three contrasting movements.

berceuse

a vocal or instrumental composition of a soothing character.

florilegium

a volume or collection of brief extracts or writings : anthology.

cartel

a voluntary often international combination of independent private enterprises supplying like commodities or services that agree to limit their competitive activities (as by regulating quantity or quality of output).

cummerbund

a waistband worn in place of a vest with men's dress clothes.

duvet

a warm bedcover : quilt, comforter.

chinook

a warm moist southwest wind of the Pacific coastal region from Oregon northward.

caveat

a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices.

estuary

a water passage where the tide meets the current of a stream.

ephedrine

a white crystalline alkaloid used often in the form of a salt (as the sulfate) chiefly in relieving hay fever, asthma, and nasal congestion.

aspirin

a white crystalline compound of salicylic acid used especially in tablet form as a pain-killer.

artifice

a wily or artful stratagem.

bikini

a woman's abbreviated two-piece bathing suit.

boudoir

a woman's dressing room, bedroom, or private sitting room.

bonnet

a woman's head covering of cloth or straw usually tied under the chin.

cloche

a woman's small helmetlike hat usually with deep rounded crown and very narrow brim.

acronym

a word formed from the initial letter or letters of each of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term.

compendium

a work treating in brief form the important features of a whole field of knowledge or subject matter category.

cinnabar

artificial red mercuric sulfide used principally as a pigment.

enzyme

any of a very large class of complex proteinaceous substances that are produced by living cells and that are essential to life by acting as catalysts.

diabetes

any of certain abnormal conditions characterized by the secretion and excretion of excessive amounts of urine.

bandicoot

any of certain small active insectivorous and herbivorous marsupial mammals found in Oceania.

fritillary

any of numerous butterflies that usually are orange with black spots on the upper side of both wings and have silvery spots on the underside of the hind wings.

barnacle

any of numerous marine crustaceans that are free-swimming as larvae but fixed to rocks or floating objects as adults.

aphid

any of numerous small sluggish insects that suck the juices from plants, causing damage to the plants.

amaryllis

any of several African bulbous herbs grown for their large showy flowers.

flamingo

any of several aquatic birds that have remarkably long legs and neck, webbed feet, and usually rosy-white plumage.

auk

any of several black and white short-necked diving seabirds that nest in colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

armadillo

any of several burrowing chiefly nocturnal mammals having body and head encased in an armor of small bony plates.

crimson

any of several deep or vivid reds or purplish reds of rather indefinite range.

cholera

any of several diseases of man and domestic animals usually marked by severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

cellulose

any of several fibrous substances constituting the chief part of the cell walls of plants and of many fibrous products.

billiards

any of several games played on an oblong table in which small balls are driven against one another or into pockets by means of a cue.

caribou

any of several large deer of northern North America.

avocet

any of several rather large longlegged shore birds having webbed feet and a slender upwardly curved bill.

ermine

any of several weasels that assume white winter fur usually with more or less black on the tail.

facula

any of the bright regions of the Sun's photosphere seen most easily near the Sun's edge and occurring most frequently in proximity to sunspots.

asphodel

any of various Old World usually perennial herbs that bear their flowers in long erect racemes.

buzzard

any of various birds of prey, such as a turkey vulture or condor.

calico

any of various cheap cotton fabrics with figured patterns.

cormorant

any of various dark-colored webfooted seabirds.

emanometer

any of various devices designed to measure quantities or intensity of a heavy gaseous element produced by radioactive disintegration.

conch

any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks.

fleabane

any of various plants of the family Compositae that are supposed to drive away fleas.

antelope

any of various ruminant mammals of Africa and southwest Asia that differ from the true oxen especially in lighter racier build and horns directed upward and backward.

antipasto

any of various savory foods usually served as appetizers : hors d'oeuvre.

excise

any of various taxes on privileges (as of engaging in a particular trade or sport) that are often assessed in the form of a license or other fee.

acre

any of various units of land area.

constellation

any one of 88 arbitrary configurations of stars or an area of the celestial sphere covering one of these configurations.

forsythia

any plant of a small genus of ornamental shrubs that have bright yellow flowers which appear before the leaves in early spring.

acacia

any plant of the genus of woody plants of warm regions having pinnate leaves and white or yellow flower clusters.

chrysanthemum

any plant or flower of a large genus of perennial herbs that are widely distributed in the Old World and that are cultivated for their showy often double and brightly colored flower heads.

attitude

any posture held momentarily in dancing.

fascism

any program for setting up a centralized autocratic national regime with severely nationalistic policies exercising rigid censorship and forcible suppression of opposition.

delicious

appealing to one of the bodily senses, especially that of taste.

armature

armor.

connote

arouse as an inseparably associated idea or feeling : imply, suggest.

dreadful

arousing feelings of disapproval or dissatisfaction.

collate

arrange or assemble (paper, sheets, or forms) according to an orderly system.

cacography

bad handwriting.

calvities

baldness.

allegro

ballet steps performed in a lively, fast tempo.

bacciferous

bearing berries.

coniferous

bearing cones.

floriferous

bearing flowers; especially : blooming freely.

eponymous

bearing the name of, being, or relating to one for whom or which something is named.

bronze

become like bronze, a moderate yellowish brown alloy of copper and tin, especially in color.

deliquesce

become soft or liquid with age.

erubescent

becoming red : reddening.

churrasco

beef broiled on a spit over an open fire or grilled under an oven flame.

filial

befitting a child in relation to his or her parents.

demeanor

behavior toward others : outward manner.

circuitous

being a circular or winding course : indirect, roundabout.

culminant

being at greatest altitude or on the meridian.

chaotic

being in a state of or marked by utter confusion completely wanting in order, sequence, organization, or predictable operation.

embryonic

being in an early and undeveloped stage.

bizarre

being strikingly out of the ordinary or at variance with some standard, real or implied.

dreary

being without liveliness, cheer, joy, or hope.

evidentiary

being, relating to, or affording evidence.

credulity

belief or readiness of belief especially on slight or uncertain evidence.

characteristic

belonging to or especially typical of the essential nature of.

cruciferous

belonging to or having the characteristics of the mustards or related plants.

carotid

belonging to or situated near either of the two main arteries that supply blood to the head.

circumstantial

belonging to, consisting of, influenced by, or dependent on conditions, facts, or events accompanying others.

ecclesiastical

belonging to, suggestive of, or suitable for use in a church building or service of worship.

anglaise

boiled and served without sauce.

cavort

bound, prance, or frisk about.

concentrate

bring all one's powers, faculties, or activities to bear : focus.

finessing

bringing about or managing by adroit manipulation.

edifice

building; especially : a large or massive structure (as a church or government building).

fraught

burdened or menaced with.

catalytic

causing, involving, or relating to the change in the rate of a chemical reaction brought about by often small amounts of a substance that is unchanged chemically at the end of the reaction.

acrimonious

caustic, biting, or rancorous, especially in feeling, language, or manner : bitter.

excoriate

censure scathingly.

abeyance

cessation or suspension (as of a customary practice).

caramelize

change (sugar or the sugar content of a food) into a brittle brown substance by heating to about 170- 180 C.

euphoric

characterized by a feeling of wellbeing or elation.

erudite

characterized by a love of knowledge for its own sake : devoted to the pursuit of learning.

Fauntleroy

characterized by a short tailored jacket, knee-length trousers, rather frilly shirt, wide collar with rounded corners, or large loose bow.

aleatoric

characterized by chance or random elements.

ebullient

characterized by enthusiasm or exuberance.

colossal

characterized by extremely great bulk, extent, force, strength, power, or effect.

congenial

characterized by friendly sociability.

expensive

characterized by high price or cost.

amicable

characterized by or as if by friendship and goodwill.

fraudulent

characterized by or based on trickery or deceit especially when involving misrepresentation.

dilatory

characterized by procrastination or delay : slow.

autumnal

characterized by qualities associated with or suggested by the season between summer and winter.

brutal

characterized by ruthlessness and insensitivity.

diaphanous

characterized by such fineness and delicacy of texture as to permit seeing through.

coincidental

characterized by the concurrence of events between which there is no causal connection.

ambivalent

characterized by, suggestive of, motivated by, or exhibiting contradictory emotional or psychological attitude.

desolate

charactized by abandonment, isolation, or barrenness.

custody

charge or control (as of a suspect) exercised by a person or an authority.

alacrity

cheerful readiness : eagerness.

eupeptic

cheerful, optimistic.

aristoi

citizens of high rank making up a governing body.

exonerate

clear from accusation or blame.

exculpate

clear from alleged fault or guilt.

blazon

coat of arms.

consensus

collective opinion : the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned.

boycott

combine against (a person, employer, a group of persons, or a nation) in a policy of suspension of dealings or relations for economic or political reasons.

correspond

communicate with a person by exchange of letters.

aplomb

complete confidence or assurance in oneself : poise.

engrossed

completely occupied or absorbed.

blatant

completely or crassly obvious : brazen.

abidance

compliance.

eclectic

composed of elements drawn from various sources.

floscular

composed of florets.

conchitic

composed of shells.

extemporaneous

composed, performed, or uttered on or as if on the spur of the moment.

bamboozle

conceal one's true motives from someone, especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end or achieve an advantage : mislead, hoodwink.

brachylogy

conciseness of expression.

abracadabra

confused or unintelligible language : nonsense.

embarrassment

confusion or discomposure of mind.

atrichia

congenital or acquired baldness.

conquistador

conqueror; specifically : any one of the leaders in the Spanish conquest of America, especially of Mexico and Peru, in the 16th century.

contrition

consciousness of guilt or sin giving rise to humility and sorrow.

furfuraceous

consisting of or covered with flaky particles : scaly, scurfy.

crystal

consisting of or resembling quartz that is transparent or nearly so and that is either colorless or only slightly tinged.

amblyopia

dimness of sight without apparent change in the eye structures associated especially with the toxic effects of certain drugs or chemicals or with dietary deficiencies.

disembogue

discharge water from an outlet or mouth.

desuetude

discontinuance from use, practice, exercise, or functioning : a state of protracted suspension or of apparent abandonment.

eloquence

discourse marked by apt and fluent diction and imaginative fervor.

entremets

dishes (as vegetables or savories) served in addition to the main course of a meal.

deceitful

dishonest.

dimissory

dismissing or granting leave to depart.

deranged

disordered, unbalanced.

dissipated

dispelled, dissolved.

altercation

dispute carried on with feeling (as anger).

anorthopia

distorted vision in which straight lines appear bent.

dissuade

divert by advice or persuasion : turn from something by reasoning.

eradicate

do away with : destroy completely.

furtive

done by stealth : secret.

brazen

done in the open or in plain sight with or as if with complete scorn of public opinion, the common good, or ethical principle.

debris

down or destroyed.

exsiccate

drive moisture from (as by the action of heat).

desiccate

dry up or cause to dry up : deprive or exhaust of moisture.

fulvous

dull brownish yellow.

drudgery

dull, fatiguing, or unrelieved work or expenditure of effort.

facile

easily accomplished or attained.

friable

easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder.

dirigisme

economic planning and control by the state.

frugal

economical in the use or expenditure of resources.

coquetry

effort or action intended to attract admiration, gallantry, or affection without responsive feeling.

equinox

either of the two times each year when the Sun crosses the equator and day and night are everywhere of equal length, being about March 21st and September 23rd.

fluorescent

emitting electromagnetic radiation especially in the form of visible light.

braggadocio

empty boasting or bragging.

embellish

enhance, amplify, or garnish (an account) by elaboration with inessential but decorative or fanciful details.

cardiomegaly

enlargement of the heart.

amuse

entertain or occupy in a pleasant manner.

coordinate

equal in rank, quality, or significance.

equanimity

evenness of mental disposition : emotional balance especially under stress.

allergy

exaggerated or pathological reaction (as by sneezing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual.

autopsy

examination of the body after death, usually with dissection.

evaluate

examine and judge concerning the worth, quality, significance, amount, degree, or condition of.

avarice

excessive desire for wealth or gain.

fanaticism

excessive enthusiasm and intense uncritical devotion usually toward some controversial matter (as religion, politics, or philosophy).

exorbitant

excessive.

authoritative

exercising or assuming power to influence the outward behavior of others.

arrogant

exhibiting a level of superiority that is inconsistent with one's position.

futilitarian

exhibiting or based on an attitude of uselessness.

extraneous

existing or originating outside or beyond.

construe

explain the sense or intention of often to one's own satisfaction or according to or in conformity with a given set of circumstances.

facilely

in an easy manner : with ease or assurance.

desultorily

in an erratic, wavering manner.

blasphemously

in an impiously irreverent manner.

docilely

in an obedient or submissive manner.

cabochon

in convex form highly polished but not faceted.

forsooth

in truth : certainly.

disputatious

inclined to argue for or against something asserted or maintained.

declivate

inclining downward : sloping.

crescive

increasing, growing.

enigmatic

inexplicable, puzzling.

extrapolate

infer from a trend within an already observed interval.

bursitis

inflammation of a fluid-filled cavity in a joint of the body.

catarrh

inflammation of a mucous membrane in humans or animals characterized by congestion and secretion of mucus.

arthritis

inflammation of one or more joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes.

folliculitis

inflammation of one or more small cavities in the skin.

encephalitis

inflammation of the brain, especially when due to infectious agents or their toxins.

duodenitis

inflammation of the first part of the small intestine.

dermatitis

inflammation of the skin typically marked by reddening, swelling, and scaling.

daedal

ingeniously formed or working : like a maze : intricate.

arenicolous

inhabiting or burrowing in sand : growing in sand soil.

faculties

inherent capabilities, powers, or functions.

epitaphs

inscriptions on or at tombs or graves in memory of those buried there.

appalling

inspiring dismay : shocking.

chilblains

instances of redness and swelling of toes, fingers, nose, or ears or sometimes cheeks in cold weather accompanied by itching and burning of skin.

dereliction

intentional or conscious neglect (as of principles).

consciousness

intuitively perceived knowledge of something in one's inner self.

anastrophe

inversion of the usual syntactical order of words for rhetorical effect.

binary

involving a choice or condition of two alternatives only (as on-off or yes-no).

Damoclean

involving imminent danger.

artesian

involving, relating to, or supplied by the upward movement of water under hydrostatic pressure in rocks or unconsolidated material beneath Earth's surface.

fulminate

issue or send forth censures or invectives menacingly or authoritatively.

bijouterie

jewelry in which delicate or intricate metalwork contributes more to the value than do the constituent materials.

ferruminate

join together (as metals) : solder.

cement

join, unite, or cause to adhere by or as if by means of a binding element.

exuberant

joyously unrestrained and enthusiastic.

escamotage

juggling, hand trickery.

asphyxiated

killed or made unconscious by obstruction of normal breathing.

benevolence

kindly disposition to do good and promote the welfare of others.

benignant

kindly, mild, gentle.

dissimilitude

lack of resemblance.

feral

lacking a human personality due to being reared in isolation from all or nearly all human contacts.

diffident

lacking confidence in oneself : distrustful of one's own powers.

corybantic

like or in the spirit of the attendants or priests of the nature goddess Cybele noted for wildly emotional processions and rites; specifically : wild, frenzied.

embrocation

liniment.

concatenate

link together : unite in a series or chain.

catadromous

living in fresh water and going to the sea to spawn.

adjacent

living nearby or sitting or standing relatively near or close together.

aquatic

living wholly or chiefly in or on water.

endophytous

living within the tissues of plants.

alopecia

loss of hair, wool, or feathers : baldness.

amnesia

loss of memory : forgetfulness.

anaudia

loss of voice : inability to articulate.

couchant

lying down with the head up.

delitescent

lying hidden : obfuscated, latent.

emaciated

made lean by impairment (as from hunger).

cloudy

made or consisting of fog, mist, or haze.

deciphered

made out, read, or interpreted despite obscuration.

ascertained

made sure of : discovered.

feint

make a pretense of.

ameliorate

make better : improve.

elucidate

make intelligible by clear explanation or careful analysis.

exacerbate

make more violent or bitter : intensify the bad qualities of.

consecrate

make or declare sacred or holy.

commercialize

make use of for profit-seeking purposes.

aggravate

make worse, more serious, or more severe.

calefacient

making warm : heating.

demarcate

mark by bounds.

benevolent

marked by a kindly disposition to promote the happiness and prosperity of others.

aureate

marked by a rhetorical style that is affected, grandiloquent, and heavily ornamental.

blissful

marked by a state of complete or ecstatic happiness.

energetic

marked by energy.

chivalrous

marked by especial courtesy and high-minded disinterested consideration to women.

draconian

marked by extreme severity or cruelty : harsh, rigorous.

doughty

marked by fearless resolution and by stoutness in contest or struggle : valiant.

felicitous

marked by general happiness or good fortune.

dismal

marked by gloom, dejection, somberness, or depression of spirits.

cantankerous

marked by ill humor, irritability, and determination to disagree.

aculeate

marked by incisiveness : stinging, pointed.

cavalier

marked by lofty disregard of others' interests, rights, or feelings.

chronic

marked by long duration and by frequent recurrence over a long time.

fecund

marked by noteworthy intellectual productivity and inventiveness.

egalitarian

marked by or adhering to a belief that all persons are equal in intrinsic worth and are entitled to equal access to the rights and privileges of their society.

effulgent

marked by or as if by brightly shining light.

censorious

marked by or given to an inclination to discover and severely condemn especially social, moral, or artistic errors.

decorous

marked by propriety and good taste.

declamatory

marked by rhetorical effect or display : stilted.

fatuous

marked by want of intelligence and rational consideration.

clandestine

marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy and concealment.

disparity

marked difference (as in age, rank, grade, condition, quantity, quality, or kind).

enneastyle

marked with columniation with nine columns across the front.

atrocious

markedly inferior in quality.

cartonnage

material consisting of linen or papyrus glued together in many thicknesses and usually coated with stucco.

archivalia

material preserved in or suitable for preservation in rooms for the exhibition of a collection.

brochette

meat broiled on a skewer.

auxiliary

offering or providing help, assistance, or support especially by interaction.

culpable

meriting condemnation or censure especially as criminal or as conducive to accident, loss, or disaster.

despicable

meriting hatred, scorn, or loathing.

contemptible

meriting scorn and condemnation as paltry, mean, base, or vile.

bellipotent

mighty in war.

exaggerate

misrepresent on the side of largeness (as of size, extent, or value) : overstate the truth.

brume

mist, fog.

febrifugal

mitigating or removing fever.

canaille

mob, rabble, riffraff.

banausic

moneymaking, breadwinning : vocational.

fianchetto

move (a bishop) in a chess game to the position Knight 2.

canter

move at or as if at a three-beat gait resembling but smoother and slower than the gallop.

divagate

move or extend in different directions from a common point.

catapult

move with a suddenness or force as if propelled by a device that hurls heavy stones.

fluctuant

moving like a wave : varying and unstable.

centripetal

moving, proceeding, or acting in a direction toward a center or axis.

assassinate

murder (usually a prominent person).

comparatively

nearly, approximately.

extinct

no longer living : deceased, dead.

compunction

normal human regret, pity, or anxiety : remorse.

desultory

not cogently relevant : digressive.

dissentient

not concurring : disagreeing.

capricious

not guided by steady judgment, intent, or purpose.

cavil

object or criticize adversely for trivial reasons.

cozened

obtained by artful wheedling or tricky dishonesty.

concomitant

occurring along with or at the same time as and with or without causal relationship.

fortuitous

occurring by chance without evident causal need or relation or without deliberate intention.

eutrophic

of a lake : rich in dissolved nutrients but frequently shallow and with seasonal oxygen deficiency.

ecru

of a textile : a light grayish yellowish brown that is yellower and lighter than gravel.

beige

of a variable color averaging light grayish yellowish brown.

chocolate

of a warm light brown color approximating the color of fresh milk chocolate.

cumbersome

of an excessive size, shape, or length : unwieldy.

apocryphal

of doubtful authenticity : fictitious, spurious, untrustworthy.

elephantine

of enormous size or weight : uncommonly large : immense, massive.

fervent

of great intensity; specifically : characterized by often deep intensity of feeling or expression.

frivolous

of little weight or importance.

ballistic

of or belonging to the hurling of missiles.

anosmic

of or characterized by loss or impairment of the sense of smell.

Connecticut

of or from the state of Connecticut.

coronary

of or involving the blood vessels of the heart; broadly : of or relating to the heart.

bibliothecarial

of or related to a library.

Einsteinian

of or relating to American physicist and mathematician Albert Einstein or his theories.

baptismal

of or relating to the ceremony of admitting one into membership in a Christian church with the use of water by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling.

blepharal

of or relating to the eyelids.

Cytherean

of or relating to the goddess Venus or to the planet Venus.

caloric

of or relating to the heat-producing or energy-producing value of food.

culinary

of or relating to the kitchen or cookery.

apsidal

of or relating to the point of a celestial body's orbit at which it is farthest from the center of attraction.

bilateral

of or relating to the right and left sides of a central area.

aerodynamic

of or relating to the science that treats of the motion of air and other gaseous fluids.

chymous

of or relating to the semifluid mass of partly digested food resulting from the action of gastric juice.

cutaneous

of or relating to the skin.

celestial

of or relating to the sky.

cislunar

of or relating to the space between Earth and the Moon or the Moon's orbit.

atmospheric

of or relating to the whole mass of air surrounding Earth.

eidetic

of or relating to voluntarily producible visual images having almost photographic accuracy : vivid, lifelike.

agate

of or resembling a fine-grained chalcedony frequently mixed with opal and having various colors arranged in stripes or bands; especially : of the color of agate.

alabaster

of or resembling alabaster; specifically : having a nearly white color and a light-diffusing surface.

evanescent

of short life or duration : fleeting.

festucine

of the color straw yellow.

coeval

of the same or equal age or antiquity.

consummate

of the very highest or finest : supremely excellent.

anonymous

of unknown or unnamed source or origin (as authorship, donorship, workmanship).

equatorial

of, at, or relating to the equator.

bourgeois

of, belonging to, or characteristic of the townsman or the social middle class.

alimentary

of, concerned with, or relating to nourishment or to the function of nutrition.

fiduciary

of, having to do with, or involving a confidence or trust.

Chaucerian

of, relating to, befitting, or resembling the English medieval writer Geoffrey Chaucer or his writings.

contrapuntal

of, relating to, or according to the rules of melodic part writing.

Freudian

of, relating to, or according with the theories of Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud and his system of psychoanalysis.

cathedral

of, relating to, or being a bishop's church.

Copernican

of, relating to, or being the astronomic system of Copernicus in which the Sun is taken as the center of the planets.

cyclical

of, relating to, or belonging to a regularly recurring succession of events or phenomena.

Assyrian

of, relating to, or characteristic of Assyria, an ancient empire of western Asia.

Babylonian

of, relating to, or characteristic of Babylonia, an ancient country of southern Mesopotamia.

barbaric

of, relating to, or characteristic of one who lacks refinement, gentleness, learning, or artistic or literary culture.

Byzantine

of, relating to, or characteristic of the eastern Roman Empire.

Castilian

of, relating to, or characteristic of the standard Spanish language.

bioluminescent

of, relating to, or characterized by the emission of light from living organisms as the result of internal oxidative changes.

argillaceous

of, relating to, or containing clay or clay minerals.

cyclonic

of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a rotating storm.

baroque

of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of artistic expression prevalent especially in the 17th century, marked by elaborate and sometimes grotesque ornamentation.

Catullian

of, relating to, or like the Roman poet Catullus or his lyric poems.

femoral

of, relating to, or located near the thigh.

chrematistic

of, relating to, or occupied in the gaining of wealth.

bacteriolytic

of, relating to, or producing the destruction or dissolution of bacterial cells.

Dantesque

of, relating to, or resembling the Italian writer Dante or his writings.

Aeschylean

of, relating to, or suggestive of the Greek tragic poet Aeschylus.

Dostoevskian

of, relating to, or typical of the Russian novelist Fedor Dostoevski or his writings.

auricular

of, relating to, or using the ear or the sense of hearing.

fulsome

offensive to the senses : disgusting.

connoisseur

one who is an expert in a subject; especially : one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge.

amanuensis

one who is employed to write from dictation or to copy what another has written.

franchisee

one who is granted a right to operate a unit in a chain of business establishments.

culprit

one who is guilty of a crime or other wrongdoing.

apostle

one who is sent forth : messenger.

apprentice

one who learns a trade, art, or craft by practical experience under skilled workers.

brigand

one who lives by plunder usually as a member of a band.

agnostic

one who maintains a continuing doubt about the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimates.

bookkeeper

one who maintains accounts.

disclaimant

one who makes a denial or disavowal of legal claim.

acrobat

one who performs gymnastic feats or exercises.

forecaster

one who predicts weather conditions on the basis of correlated meteorological observations.

apothecary

one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes : pharmacist.

druggist

one who sells medicine : pharmacist.

balletomane

one who takes extraordinary delight in artistic dance performances.

drosophilist

one who uses the vinegar fly in the study of genetics.

dawdler

one who wastes time in idle lingering.

coadjutor

one who works together with another usually in a somewhat subordinate position : assistant.

caterer

one whose business is to arrange for and supervise all the details relating to food service for any social affair.

entourage

one's attendants or subordinates.

cognomen

one's family name : surname.

broach

open up (a subject) for discussion or debate.

alfresco

open-air.

countervail

oppose or exert force against : counteract.

empirical

originating in or relying or based on factual information, observation, or direct sense experience usually as opposed to theoretical knowledge.

extraterrestrial

originating or existing outside Earth or its atmosphere.

askew

out of line : to one side.

baragouin

outlandish unintelligible speech.

dazzling

overpowering with brightness : shining.

chiragra

pain in the hand.

cephalalgia

pain inside the head : headache.

brochure

pamphlet, booklet.

bulgur

parched crushed wheat as prepared and used as a dietary staple in Turkey and adjacent regions.

cronyism

partiality to familiar friends especially as evidenced in the appointing of political hangers-on to office without due regard for their qualifications.

auspices

patronage and kindly guidance : protection.

endemic

peculiar to a locality or region.

desquamate

peel off in the form of scales.

culturati

people intensely interested in the artistic and intellectual aspects or content of human activity.

foraminate

perforated.

allemande

perform a step with arms interlaced.

beneficent

performing acts of kindness and charity.

character

personality as represented or realized in fiction or drama.

deracinated

physically, mentally, or emotionally separated from one's racial, social, or intellectual group.

alveolate

pitted like a honeycomb.

ensconce

place or hide (as oneself) securely : conceal.

cache

place or store in safety or concealment.

ectoplasm

the emanation from a spiritualistic medium that is believed to effect telekinesis and similar phenomena.

eligible

preferable, desirable.

copious

present in large quantity : plentiful, abundant, lavish.

current

presently elapsing.

fustian

pretentious writing or speech : an inflated style : bombast.

ecumenism

principles and practices relating to or promoting worldwide Christian unity.

churn

produce or be in violent agitation.

feracious

producing abundantly : prolific.

flammiferous

producing flame or bright with flame.

eudaemonic

producing happiness : based on the idea of happiness as the proper end of conduct.

ditokous

producing two eggs or young at a time.

arpeggio

production of the tones of a chord in succession and not simultaneously.

emolument

profit or perquisites from office, employment, or labor.

brachiate

progress by swinging from one hold to another by the arms.

condemn

pronounce as ill-advised, reprehensible, wrong, or evil.

fulcrum

prop, support; specifically : the support about which a lever turns.

corroborate

provide evidence of the truth of : confirm.

accommodate

provide with lodgings.

finialed

provided with a capping ornament.

fenestrated

provided with or characterized by windows.

beguiling

provoking pleased interest and diverting from concern or vexation.

brouhaha

publicity, attention, or excitement far beyond the merits or importance of its cause.

extricate

pull out.

extirpate

pull up or out by or as if by the roots or stem.

fantoccini

puppets moved by strings or mechanical devices.

clothe

put garments on.

equipoise

put or hold in a state of equilibrium or balance.

concoct

put together : devise, fabricate.

chivalry

qualifications or character of the ideal knight of the age of chivalry according to the romantic tradition of courtesy, gallantry, and honor.

amenable

readily brought to yield or submit : responsive, tractable.

expostulate

reason earnestly with a person for purposes of dissuasion or remonstrance.

frondeur

rebel, malcontent, dissident.

assimilate

receive into the mind and consider and thoroughly comprehend.

farcical

receiving or meriting laughter or amused scorn as utterly without claim to serious consideration or as laughably inept.

audacious

recklesslessly venturesome : presumptuously bold.

deuteranopia

red-green blindness believed due to a defect in the optic nerve.

assuage

reduce to a state of peace, calm, or quiet : mollify, pacify.

albedo

reflective power.

disobey

refuse or fail to abide by orders, rules, or laws.

abdomen

region of an insect's body.

Fahrenheit

relating or conforming to a thermometric scale on which under standard atmospheric pressure the boiling point of water is at 212 degrees and the freezing point at 32 degrees.

cubic

relating to a crystal form that consists of six similar, mutually perpendicular faces.

academic

relating to a school, especially an institution of higher education.

candidacy

the quality or state of being one that is likely or worthy to gain a post, position, or distinction.

conundrums

riddles based on some fanciful or fantastic resemblance between things quite unlike and forming a puzzling question whose answer is or involves a pun.

adamantine

rigidly firm : unyielding.

corral

round up and drive (livestock) into a pen.

circinate

rounded in outline : characterized by or having the form of a flat coil of which the apex is the center.

arithmocracy

rule of the majority.

diagonal

running across from corner to corner.

blitz

rush (a passer) in football from a position as a linebacker or defensive back.

exiguous

scanty in amount : meager, narrow.

dearth

scarcity : lack of a present necessity.

cynology

scientific study of the dog especially in respect to its natural history.

collusion

secret agreement : secret cooperation for a fraudulent or deceitful purpose.

comprehend

see the nature, significance, or meaning of.

flaunting

seeking to attract attention especially by appearing or acting brash and brazen.

confiscate

seize by or as if by public authority.

decimate

select by lot and kill every tenth person of.

egocentric

self-centered, selfish.

decompose

separate or resolve into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds.

epitomize

serve as the typical representation of.

billeted

served with an official order directing that a member of a military force be provided with board and lodging (as in a private home).

ancillary

serving to aid or assist : auxiliary : supplementary.

anodyne

serving to assuage pain : soothing.

allocate

set apart and earmark or designate.

emblazon

set off conspicuously (as by rich or brilliant decorations).

dolioform

shaped like a barrel.

fabiform

shaped like a bean.

belemnoid

shaped like a dart.

calculiform

shaped like a pebble.

botuliform

shaped like a sausage.

bursiculate

shaped like a small pouch or purse.

cochleariform

shaped like a spoon.

decussate

shaped like an X.

conchiform

shell-shaped.

brachygraphy

shorthand : a method of writing rapidly by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols for letters, words, or phrases.

flamboyantly

showy and unrestrained manner.

chiffonade

shredded or finely cut vegetables used in soup or salad dressing.

frisson

shudder, quiver, chill; especially : a pleasurable sensation of fright or gloom : thrill.

eschewal

shunning, avoidance.

feigning

simulating falsely.

antipodal

situated at the opposite sides of the earth.

abattoir

slaughterhouse.

cappelletti

small cases of dough usually filled with meat or cheese.

diminutive

small especially in size : tiny.

bavardage

small talk, chitchat.

braunschweiger

smoked liver sausage.

blarney

smooth wheedling talk.

affability

sociability.

consuetude

social usage : custom, habit.

floppety

soft and flexible.

affianced

solemnly promised (oneself or another) in marriage : betrothed.

adjunct

something joined or added to another thing but not essentially a part of it.

behemoth

something of oppressive or monstrous size or power.

delicacy

something pleasing to eat that is accounted rare or luxurious.

dolorifuge

something that banishes or mitigates grief.

bugaboo

something that causes fear or distress often out of proportion to its actual importance in a situation.

acoustics

the aggregate of qualities (as absence of echo or reverberation) of an enclosure (as an auditorium) or other area that affects production, control, transmission, reception, and perception of sound.

atmosphere

the air of a given place especially as affected by a particular characteristic (as heat, moisture, wholesomeness, or unwholesomeness).

anomaly

the angular distance of a planet from its perihelion as seen from the Sun.

edaphon

the animal and plant life present in soils.

anniversary

the annual recurrence of a date marking an event or occurrence of notable importance.

bibliopegy

the art of binding books.

decoupage

the art of decorating surfaces by applying cutouts and then coating them with several layers of a finish such as lacquer or varnish.

cynegetics

the art of hunting.

cerography

the art of making characters or designs in or with wax.

elocution

the art of oratorical or expressive public speaking.

fresco

the art of painting on freshly spread moist lime plaster with pigments suspended in a water vehicle.

architecture

the art or science of building; specifically : the art or practice of designing and building structures in accordance with principles determined by aesthetic and practical or material considerations.

forensics

the art or study of argumentative discourse.

archery

the art, practice, or skill of shooting with bow and arrow.

anabibazon

the ascending node of the Moon's orbit with the ecliptic.

agronomy

the branch of agriculture that deals with field crop production and soil management.

cytology

the branch of biology concerned with the study of cells as vital units with reference to their structure, function, multiplication, pathology, and life history.

botany

the branch of biology dealing with plant life.

dehiscence

the bursting open of a capsule or pod at maturity.

couture

the business of designing, making, and selling fashionable expensive custom-made women's clothing.

feasibility

the capability of being done, executed, or effected.

fuselage

the central body portion of an airplane designed to accommodate the crew and the passengers or cargo.

convection

the circulatory motion that occurs in a fluid at a nonuniform temperature owing to the variation of its density and the action of gravity.

calabash

the common bottle gourd.

cybernetics

the comparative study of the automatic control system formed by the nervous system and brain and by mechanical-electrical communication systems and devices (as computers or thermostats).

circuit

the complete path of an electric current.

divestiture

the compulsory transfer of title or disposal of interests (as stock in a corporation) upon government order.

ambiguity

the condition of admitting of two or more meanings, of being understood in more than one way, or of referring to two or more things at the same time.

commitment

the consignment or sentencing to confinement (as in a prison or mental hospital).

catenary

the curve assumed by a perfectly flexible cord hanging freely from two fixed points.

carrion

the dead and putrefying flesh of an animal.

baccalaureate

the degree of bachelor conferred by universities and colleges.

anthography

the description of flowers.

electrolysis

the destruction of hair roots with an electric current.

bouquet

the distinctive fragrance (as of a wine or brandy) derived from the processes of fermentation and aging.

aureity

the distinctive properties of gold.

diocese

the district in which a bishop has churchly authority.

catastasis

the dramatic complication immediately preceding the climax of a play.

digitalis

the dried leaf of the purple foxglove containing substances that are used to prepare a drug that is a heart stimulant.

allegiance

the duty of fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to his sovereign or government.

banana

the elongated often curved and usually tapering fruit of the banana plant having soft pulpy flesh and a rind that is usually yellow when ripe.

caterpillar

the elongated wormlike larva of a butterfly or moth.

dashing

vigorously active : spirited.

dressage

the execution by a horse of maneuvers involving changes of gait, pace, and airs in response to barely perceptible movements of a rider's hands, legs, and weight.

countenance

the expressive appearance of one's face : look, expression.

commiseration

the feeling or showing of sorrow or the expression of condolence for the wants or distresses of another.

catastrophe

the final action that completes the unraveling of the plot in a tragedy : denouement.

denouement

the final outcome, result, or unraveling of the main dramatic complication in a play or other work of literature.

cotyledon

the first leaf or one of the first pair or whorl of leaves developed by the embryo in seed plants and in ferns and related plants.

coloratura

the florid ornamentation in vocal music (as runs, trills, arpeggios).

artichoke

the flower head of a tall herb that resembles a thistle and is cooked as a vegetable.

etiquette

the forms required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life.

chassis

the frame upon which is mounted the body (as of an automobile or airplane).

derrick

the framework or tower over a deep drill hole (as that of an oil well) for supporting the tackle for boring or for hoisting and lowering.

almond

the fruit of a small tree; especially : the nutlike stone or kernel of this tree.

encore

the further appearance of a performer or an additional performance requested by an audience.

equator

the great circle of the celestial sphere whose plane is perpendicular to the axis of Earth.

bruxism

the habit of unconsciously gritting or grinding the teeth especially in situations of stress or during sleep.

empyrean

the highest heaven or heavenly sphere in ancient and medieval cosmology usually described as a sphere of fire or light.

acme

the highest point or stage (as of growth or development).

deltiology

the hobby of collecting postcards.

baronet

the holder of a dignity or degree of honor ranking immediately below a baron and above a knight.

abscissa

the horizontal coordinate of a point in a plane Cartesian coordinate system obtained by measuring parallel to the x-axis.

appetite

the immediate desire to eat when food is present.

cashew

the kidney-shaped nut of a tropical American tree naturalized in all warm countries.

aposiopesis

the leaving of a thought explicitly incomplete in writing or speaking often by a sudden breaking off and shifting of grammatical construction.

doublure

the lining of a book cover; especially : an ornamental lining.

apocope

the loss of one or more sounds or letters from the end of a word.

aphasia

the loss or impairment of the power to use words as symbols of ideas that results from a brain lesion.

antonomasia

the making of a common noun or verb from a proper name.

foliage

the mass of leaves of a plant as produced in nature : leafage.

alchemy

the medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy whose aims were the transmutation of base metals into gold.

artillery

the missiles discharged by the weapons of war.

catachresis

the misuse of words.

equity

the money value of a property or of an interest in a property in excess of claims or liens (as mortgaged indebtedness) against it.

akropodion

the most prominent point on the back of the heel.

eclipse

the obscuration of one celestial body by another.

colonelcy

the office, rank, or commission of a colonel.

echolalia

the often pathological repetition of what is said by other people as if imitating them.

entrepreneur

the organizer of an economic venture; especially : one who organizes, owns, manages, and assumes the risks of a business.

epidermis

the outer layer of the skin of a vertebrate.

ceiling

the overhead inside lining of a room.

chancel

the part of a church in which is located the altar or communion table, the pulpit, and the lectern and which is customarily on a higher level than the nave.

epitasis

the part of a play developing the main action and leading to the catastrophe.

crescendo

the peak of a gradual increase (as in physical or emotional force or intensity).

barognosis

the perception of weight by the cutaneous and muscle senses.

barratry

the persistent incitement of litigation.

dichotomy

the phase of the Moon or an inferior planet in which just half its disk appears illuminated.

confluence

the place of meeting of two streams.

alibi

the plea of having been elsewhere at the time an act was committed.

bifurcation

the point at which separation or branching into two parts, areas, aspects, or connected segments occurs.

ectocanthion

the point at which the outer ends of the upper and lower eyelids meet.

apogee

the point in the orbit of a satellite of Earth (as the Moon or an artificial body) at the greatest distance from the center of Earth.

apastron

the point in the orbit of one star of a binary where it is farthest from the other.

aphelion

the point of a planet's or comet's orbit most distant from the Sun.

apex

the point of the heavens toward which a celestial body is moving at a given time.

embouchure

the position and use of the lips in producing a musical tone on a wind instrument.

efficacy

the power to produce an effect : effectiveness.

farad

the practical meter-kilogramsecond unit of capacitance equal to the capacitance of a capacitor between whose plates there appears a potential of 1 volt when it is charged by 1 coulomb.

connivery

the practice of cooperating secretly, especially in a wrongful act.

banditry

the practice of roving about and pillaging especially in semiorganized groups.

espionage

the practice of spying or using spies to obtain information about the plans and activities especially of a foreign government or a competing company.

buffoonery

the practices of a clown or clownish person; especially : coarse loutish behavior.

demagoguery

the principles or practices of rabble-rousers.

acclimatization

the process of adapting to a new temperature, altitude, environment, or situation.

amendment

the process of changing or modifying in any way for the better (as a motion, bill, act, or constitution).

cyclogenesis

the process of development or intensification of a rotating storm system.

alluviation

the process that results in deposits of clay, silt, sand, or gravel at places in rivers or estuaries where stream velocity is decreased.

firnification

the process whereby snow becomes partially compacted and forms the surface part of the upper end of a glacier.

benison

the pronouncing of a blessing : benediction.

boniface

the proprietor of a hotel, nightclub, or restaurant.

avocado

the pulpy green or purple somewhat pear-shaped edible fruit of various tropical American trees.

curiousness

the quality of being inquisitive.

banality

the quality of lacking originality, freshness, or novelty.

egocentricity

the quality or state of being concerned with oneself rather than with others.

fogginess

the quality or state of being covered or enveloped with vapor condensed to fine particles of water suspended in the lower atmosphere.

dubiety

the quality or state of being doubtful or skeptical : uncertainty.

docility

the quality or state of being easily taught, led, or managed.

fidelity

the quality or state of being faithful or loyal (as to a person, cause, party, or nation).

competency

the quality or state of being functionally adequate.

felicity

the quality or state of being happy.

contrariety

the quality or state of being in opposition or disagreement.

dormancy

the quality or state of being inactive.

autonomy

the quality or state of being independent, free, and selfdirecting.

facetiosity

the quality or state of being jocular in an often clumsy or inappropriate way.

brininess

the quality or state of being like salt water or the sea.

balminess

the quality or state of being mild or soothing.

frivolity

the quality or state of being not serious : playfulness.

doughiness

the quality or state of being not thoroughly baked.

certainty

the quality or state of being objectively fixed, settled.

alliteration

the repetition usually initially of a sound that is usually a consonant in two or more neighboring words or syllables (as in "daring deed").

efflorescence

the result or culminating feature of a developmental process : outgrowth, flower.

antithesis

the rhetorical opposing or contrasting of ideas by means of grammatically parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences.

chayote

the rounded or pear-shaped fruit of a West Indian annual vine of the cucumber family that is widely cultivated as a vegetable.

ballistics

the science of the motion of powder-propelled projectiles in flight.

dietetics

the science or art of applying the principles of nutrition to the feeding of individuals or groups under different economic conditions or for hygienic or therapeutic purposes.

astronomy

the science that treats of the celestial bodies.

bibliotics

the scientific study of handwriting, documents, and writing materials especially for determining genuineness or authorship.

areology

the scientific study of the planet Mars.

curtain

the screen separating the stage from the auditorium of a theater.

doyen

the senior male member of a body or group (as of a diplomatic corps).

conscience

the sense of right or wrong within the individual.

dialysis

the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes.

crescent

the shape or figure defined by a convex and a concave edge.

flexure

the slight bending of an astronomical observing instrument caused by the weight of its parts.

eiderdown

the small fluffy under feathers of any of several large northern sea ducks.

bourgeoisie

the social and economic middle class.

argot

the special vocabulary and idiom (as slang) of a particular social group or class.

discomfiture

the state of being disconcerted or abashed : confusion, embarrassment.

arability

the state of being fit for tillage and crop production.

brightness

the state of being radiant : lustrous.

fruition

the state of being real, accomplished, or complete.

affiliation

the state or relation of being attached as a member or branch.

demography

the statistical study of the characteristics of human populations especially with reference to size and density, growth, distribution, migration, and vital statistics.

fortitude

the strength or firmness of mind that enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage.

casuistry

the study of or the doctrine that deals with cases of conscience.

cryology

the study of snow and ice.

epistemology

the study of the method and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity; broadly : the theory of knowledge.

defervescence

the subsidence of a fever.

ecesis

the successful establishment of a plant or animal in a new environment or habitat.

embolism

the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by a foreign or abnormal particle (as a bubble of air or a blood clot).

debridement

the surgical removal of lacerated, devitalized, or contaminated tissue.

empennage

the tail assembly of an aircraft.

dramaturgy

the technical devices that are used in writing plays and that tend to distinguish the play from other literary forms.

coalition

the temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states to achieve a common purpose.

bole

the trunk of a tree.

candlewick

the twisted threads of soft cotton yarn contained in a candle.

appendages

things accompanying or appended to another thing and usually subordinate or not essential to it.

carpaccio

thinly sliced raw meat or fish served with a sauce.

audience

those attending a stage or film production or viewing a televised program.

disciples

those who receive instruction from another : followers.

concept

thought, idea, notion.

confetti

tiny colored paper disks or paper streamers so made as to scatter readily when thrown.

barnstorm

tour through rural districts staging theatrical performances in large farm buildings or makeshift theaters.

commute

travel back and forth regularly or frequently.

flippant

treating or tending to treat with unsuitable levity that which is serious or to which respect is due.

agitated

troubled in mind : disturbed, excited.

fossilize

turn (as remains of organisms from past geologic eras) into a mineralized form in Earth's crust.

acescent

turning sour or tending to turn sour.

adenoidal

typical or suggestive of one affected with abnormally enlarged glands in the back of the throat.

atrophy

undergo a wasting away or progressive decline.

chauvinism

undue especially invidious partiality for a group or place to which one belongs or has belonged.

alliance

union or connection especially between families, states, parties, or individuals.

anschluss

union; especially : political or economic union of one government or territory with another.

coalesce

unite by growth into one body.

acrid

unpleasantly sharp or strong to the taste or to the smell.

chimerical

unreal and existing only as the product of wild unrestrained imagination.

candor

unreserved, honest, or sincere expression.

discalced

unshod, barefooted.

cajolery

use of delusive enticements.

eureka

used to express triumph concerning a discovery.

enunciate

utter articulate sounds.

despair

utter loss of hope.

exclamation

vehement expression (as of protest, reproach, or complaint).

fortissimo

very loud—used as a direction in music.

fibrillation

very rapid irregular contractions of the muscle fibers of the heart resulting in a lack of synchronism between heartbeat and pulse beat.

dolcissimo

very sweet or soft—used as a direction in music.

chagrin

vexation, disquietude, or distress of mind brought on by humiliation, hurt pride, disappointment, or consciousness of failure or error.

environs

vicinity, neighborhood.

exhaustion

weariness following overstrain or overexertion.

fatigue

weariness from work or exertion.

abrasion

wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction.

candent

white or glowing usually from great heat.

altogether

wholly, completely, thoroughly.

conciliate

win over from a state of hostility or distrust : appease.

alary

wing-shaped or fan-shaped.

abstention

withholding of a vote.

crocheting

working with needlework consisting of the interlocking of looped stitches formed with a single thread and a hooked needle.

authentic

worthy of acceptance or belief by reason of conforming to fact or reality.

estimable

worthy of esteem or respect.

abominable

worthy of or causing loathing or hatred.

commendable

worthy of praise.

flotsam

wreckage of a ship or its cargo found floating on the sea.

cuneiform

written in characters composed of strokes having the form of a wedge or arrowhead.

epistolary

written in the form of a series of letters.

awry

wrong, amiss.