scrambled

haunt

(of a spirit) visit (a place); come to mind continually; visit (a place) regularly; frequent; Ex. haunted house; Ex. haunted by his last words; N: place much frequented

episodic

(of a story or play) loosely connected; made up of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident in the course of an experience

demure

(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure

pejorative

(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression, because it patronized them.

felicitous

(of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen

rolling

(of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution of power to local governments

vivid

(of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description

catholic

(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes

mellifluous

(of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune

equivocal

(of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal

ingratiate

become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss

blush

become red in the face (from embarrassment or shame); become red or rosy; N.

genesis

beginning; origin

flirt

behave in a way that attracts (sexual) attention; deal triflingly with; N: one (or woman) given to flirting; ADJ. flirtatious

subservient

behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate; N. subservience

vainglorious

boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity

magniloquent

boastful; pompous

braggadocio

boasting

regatta

boat or yacht race

emend

correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement

malediction

curse

clip

cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener

truncate

cut the top off; shorten

abscission

cutting off; separation

decadence

decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent

unearth

dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching; Ex. He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal

disinter

dig up; unearth; OP. inter

delve

dig; search deeply; investigate

assiduous

diligent

recreant

disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person

insubordination

disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate

recalcitrant

disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child

unruly

disobedient; lawless; difficult to control

scrimmage

disorderly fight between two or more people

repudiate

disown; disavow; deny

disclaim

disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer

belittle

disparage; depreciate

fallacious

false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument

effigy

dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President

fraught

filled (with something unpleasant); full; Ex. fraught with danger and difficulties; CF. freight

elated

filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation

ascertain

find out for certain; make certain

austere

forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity

compress

force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.

bode

foreshadow; portend

presage

foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen

noisome

foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome

malodorous

foul-smelling

rubble

fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)

porous

full of pores; like a sieve

obsequy

funeral ceremony

dirge

funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)

purveyor

furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide

hindmost

furthest behind; farthest to the rear

jollity

gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay

earn

gain for the performance of service or labor; gain (something that one deserves); deserve

temporize

gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself

lope

gallop slowly

hiatus

gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break

pucker

gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold

glean

gather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; gather bit by bit (facts or information) often with difficulty

muster

gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N.

garner

gather; store up; amass

fervor

glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat

retrograde

go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.

kneel

go down on one's knee(s)

chalice

goblet; consecrated cup

adverse

going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile

transcendental

going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism

presumptuous

going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties

transition

going from one state of action to another

bullion

gold and silver in the form of bars

prosperity

good fortune and financial success; physical well-being

poise

good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position

camaraderie

good-fellowship; CF. comrade

jovial

good-natured; merry; cheerful

virtue

goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity

archipelago

group of closely located islands

primate

group of mammals including humans

junta

group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force)

camp

group sharing a common cause or opinion

burgeon

grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon

flourish

grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation (esp. in handwriting)

cumulative

growing by addition; accumulative

rampant

growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed

accretion

growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete

macabre

gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death

pendant(pendent)

hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)

pendulous

hanging; suspended

regale

entertain

gamut

entire range

ambience

environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature

begrudge

envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success.

gourmand

epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink

commensurate

equal in extent; of the same size

tantamount

equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount

transcendent

exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy

plethora

excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses

self-indulgence

excessive indulgence of one's own desire

detonation

explosion

extrinsic

external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic

depravity

extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave

incubate

hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in one's body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease

malicious

hateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. malice: desire to harm others; spite

misogynist

hater of woman; CF. misogyny

misogamy

hatred of marriage

supercilious

haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium

tend

have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one's attention; attend

vertebrate

having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column

consanguineous(consanguine)

having a common ancestor

concentric

having a common center

cognate

having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.

wan

having a pale or sickly color; pallid

serrated

having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf

bitter

having a sharp biting taste; ¾´; causing sharp pain to the body or mind; filled with resentment, disappointment, or other unpleasant feelings; Ex. bitter wind/sorrow/tears

sour

having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered; V.

verisimilar

having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible

musky

having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer

rancid

having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank

authoritative

having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive

civil

having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic

cognitive

having to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing

hale

healthy

communal

held in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune

facilitate

help bring about; make less difficult

conducive

helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards

beneficial

helpful; useful; advantageous

aristocracy

hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat

recluse

hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive

halting

hesitant; faltering; not fluent; Ex. halting steps/voice; V. halt: proceed or act with uncertainty; falter; hesitate; waver; stop

scruple

hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience

flinch

hesitate; shrink back (in fear of something unpleasant); Ex. She did not flinch in the face of danger.

potpourri

heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)

pitfall

hidden danger; concealed trap

irony

hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning

impede

hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block

cache

hiding place; V.

intellect

higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability

agog

highly excited; intensely curious

baroque

highly ornate

high-flown

highly pretentious or inflated

virtuoso

highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso

degradation

humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank

indulgent

humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence

waggish

humorous; mischievous; tricky

crossbreed

hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. inbreed

virtual

in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space

vassal

in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent

sound

in good condition; showing good judgment or good sense; thorough; complete; Ex. sound mind/investment/training

enamored

in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love

nominal

in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint

chaotic

in utter disorder

inert

inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state

cremate

incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium

nascent

incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music

sadistic

inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty

affront

insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally

insuperable

insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties

agenda

items of business at a meeting

rakish

jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.

splice

join together end to end to make one continuous length; fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of tape; N.

yoke

join together; unite; N: crossbar used to joining two draft animals

couple

join; unite; OP. uncouple

bantering

joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter

peregrination

journey; V. peregrinate

festive

joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival

lackadaisical

lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid

vapid

lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture

lackluster

lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull

flippant

lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about death; N. flippancy

insubstantial

lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial

bemoan

lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of

galaxy

large isolated system of stars, such as the Milky Way; collection of brilliant personalities

caldron(cauldron)

large kettle

slew

large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left

sledge

large sled drawn by work animals

galleon

large three-masted sailing ship

sleigh

large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice

tome

large volume; book

billow

large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows

salacious

lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk

scourge

lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict

terminus

last stop of railroad; end

sluggish

lazy; slow; inactive; lethargic; CF. slug: nail with no shell

seduce

lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive

livid

lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry

protagonist

leader or noticeable supporter of an idea; chief character in a play or story

diorama

life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background

inanimate

lifeless; not animate

boost

lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: push upward; increase

flick

light stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light quick blow; strike with a light quick blow (as from a whip); Ex. flick the switch

giddy

light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height

cadaverous

like a corpse; pale

vulpine

like a fox; crafty

glacial

like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. glacial epoch; CF. iceberg

leonine

like a lion

meteoric

like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex. meteoric rise to fame; N. meteor

ligneous

like wood

modicum

limited quantity; small amount; Ex. He does not have a modicum of sense; CF. moderate

qualified

limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify

queue

line (of waiting people or vehicles)

pedigree

line of ancestors; ancestry; lineage; ADJ. (of an animal) descended from of a chosen family; Ex. pedigree dog; CF. crane's foot

tarry

linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle

concatenate

link as in a chain

roster

list (of names)

repertoire

list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present; CF. repertory

rousing

lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up

animated

lively; spirited

coeval

living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age

vernacular

living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular

chameleon

lizard that changes color in different situations

abominate

loathe; hate

patois

local or provincial dialect

venue

location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come

syllogism

logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument

valid

logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport

linger

loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell lingered for days.

dawdle

loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing

lank

long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln

tirade

long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation

chronic

long established as a disease

pine

long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline

epic

long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand

longevity

long life; long duration

frock

long loose garment (worn by monks)

groove

long narrow channel made in a surface to guide the movement of something; Ex. groove of the record

slick

make smooth or glossy; N: smooth surface; Ex. oil slick; ADJ: smooth; glossy; deftly executed; adroit; glib

stultify

make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression

fuddle

make stupid or confused as with alcholic drink; N. in a fuddle: confused

attenuate

make thin; weaken

stun

make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; astound

alienate

make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of

denotation

meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation

dint

means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work

venison

meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb

carnivorous

meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore

automaton

mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself

officious

meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy

jaundice

medical condition in which the skin, the white part of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; affect with prejudice, envy, or hostility; bias

geriatrics

medical treatment and care of old age

rivet

metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; V: fasten with a rivet; engross

lode

metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)

regime

method of system or government

dart

move or throw suddenly and quickly

start

move suddenly or involuntarily; Ex. start at the sight of a snake

fumble

move the fingers and hands awkwardly (in search of something); mishandle or drop a ball that is in play; bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N.

creep

move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N.

occult

mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare

runic

mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N. rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm

requisite

necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary

tautological

needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true

dereliction

neglect of duty; abandonment

derelict

negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person

remiss

negligent; careless about a duty

whinny

neigh like a horse; CF. neigh: make the sound which horses make

titter

nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.

aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry)

nest of a large bird of prey

noncommittal

neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided

shoot

new growth from a plant

neologism

new or newly coined word or phrase

agility

nimbleness; ability to move quickly

patrician

noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian

uproar

noisy confusion

brawl

noisy quarrel

cipher

nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.

intangible

not able to be perceived by touch; vague

impenetrable

not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery

impassable

not able to be traveled or crossed

passive

not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance

irrelevant

not applicable; unrelated

impersonal

not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization

impartial

not biased; fair; N. impartiality

optional

not compulsory; left to one's choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options

unceremonious

not done politely without due formalities

unearthly

not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly

quaint

odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque

eccentricity

oddity; idiosyncrasy

license

official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V.

gazette

official periodical publication; newspaper

magistrate

official with power to administer the law

unctuous

oily; bland; insincerely suave

unguent

ointment

senility

old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia

pass\'e

old-fashioned; past the prime

chaperon

older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman

ellipsis

omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses

terrestrial

on or relating to the earth

humanitarian

one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism

culprit

one guilty of a crime

invalid

one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health

marsupial

one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat

caste

one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige

tyranny

oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress

sanguine

optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red

varnish

paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.

monochrome

painting in only one color; ADJ.

fresco

painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)

mauve

pale purple

pallid

pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion

mollycoddle

pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively

brochure

pamphlet

poseur

person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose

tanner

person who turns animal hides into leather

conformist

person who uncritically conforms to the customs of a group; OP. nonconformist: one who does not conform to accepted beliefs of norms

heckler

person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech)

pyromaniac

person with an insane desire to set things on fire

arbiter

person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware

coax

persuade by flattery

cajole

persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle

dissuade

persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion

pontifical

pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop

germinal

pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea

provincial

pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated

colloquial

pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression

thermal

pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air

infernal

pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction

inductive

pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general

agrarian

pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform

linguistic

pertaining to language

conjugal

pertaining to marriage

marital

pertaining to marriage

connubial

pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state

monetary

pertaining to money

pecuniary

pertaining to money

erotic

pertaining to passionate love or sexual love

nautical

pertaining to ships or navigation

alluvial

pertaining to soil deposits left by running water

metaphysical

pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality

vernal

pertaining to spring

sartorial

pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor

pharisaical

pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical

graphic

pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described

auroral

pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis

somatic

pertaining to the body; bodily; physical

cerebral

pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum

eugenic

pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race

tactile

pertaining to the organs or sense of touch

supplicate

petition humbly; pray to grant a favor

carping

petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble

minutiae

petty or trivial details; CF. minutia

epistemologist

philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology

clich\'e

phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\'ed

chorus

phrase repeated throughout a song or poem

topography

physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place

stalwart

physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower

pediatrician

physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics

obstetrician

physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife

oculist

physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes

cull

pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.

mosaic

picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.

riddle

pierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout; Ex. The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex. The whole report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve (separating earth from stone)

perforate

pierce; put a hole through

conifer

pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen

devout

pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope

buccaneer

pirate

freebooter

pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich

jug

pitcher; container for holding liquids

aphorism

pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic

apothegm(apophthegm)

pithy, compact saying

sententious

pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic

venom

poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous

viper

poisonous snake

toxic

poisonous; N. toxicity

prod

poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding

jab

poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows

antecedents

preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background

nicety

precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties

predator

predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation

prognosticate

predict (according to present indications)

predilection

preference; partiality

foreboding

premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant)

presentiment

premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear

concoct

prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction

regimen

prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer

latent

present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential

pass_off

present falsely; represent falsely to be

visionary

produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas

fertile

producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing good crops; V. fertilize

kinetic

producing motion; of motion

prolific

producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer

fruitful

producing results; profitable; prolific; producing in abundance

lachrymose

producing tears; tearful

desecrate

profane; violate the sanctity of

interdict

prohibit; forbid; N.

cornice

projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars); ó¸¶ Àå½Ä

extrapolation

projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information

protract

prolong; lengthen in time; draw out

salient

prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features

tout

promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise

tendentious

promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction

slur

pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble

tract

propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract

decorous

proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)

prim

proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper

finished

properly made and complete; Ex. finished product/performance

patrimony

property inherited from a father

sibylline

prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)

apocalyptic

prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse

decorum

propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct

drama

prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation

thrive

prosper; flourish

tutelary

protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities

remonstrate

protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest

gnarl

protruding knot on a tree; V.

bulge

protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude

prominent

protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent

protuberance

protrusion; swelling; bulge

authenticate

prove genuine

maxim

proverb; truth pithily stated

cater

provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)

defray

provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay

skimp

provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly

nourish

provide with food necessary for life and growth

endue

provide with some quality; endow

document

provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.

synoptic

providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis

circumspect

prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought

prize

pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)

paranoia

psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac

manifesto

public declaration of principles; statement of policy

coroner

public official who investigates any death thought to be of other than natural causes

archives

public records; place where public records are kept

expos\'e

public revelation of something discreditable

orator

public speaker

forum

public square of an ancient Roman city; public place for open discussion; court of law

purse

pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet

whiff

puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); short-lasting smell; hint; Ex. whiff of perfume/scandal

chastise

punish as by beating; criticize severely

pillory

punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.

punitive

punishing; Ex. punitive measures

castigation

punishment; severe criticism or disapproval

sheer

pure; thin and transparent; very steep

platonic

purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire

catharsis

purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art

perverse

purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity

dubious

questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety

inquisitor

questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition

repartee

quick clever reply

foray

raid; sudden raid or military advance; V.

bar

railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister

exalt

raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation

welt

raised mark from a beating or whipping

ken

range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken

peruse

read through with care; N. perusal

compliant

readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements

lectern

reading desk or stand for a public speaker

entity

real being

foster

rear; bring up (for a certain period only); encourage; promote the development of (feelings or ideas); Ex. help foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care although not related by blood; Ex. foster parents

ratiocination

reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically

maverick

rebel; nonconformist (in a group)

insurrection

rebellion; uprising

insurgent

rebellious; N.

repercussion

rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion

recipient

receiver

neophyte

recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant

desperado

reckless, desperate outlaw

compute

reckon; calculate

recumbent

reclining; lying down completely or in part

acknowledge

recognize; admit

reminiscence

recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past

conciliatory

reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)

recast

reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again

log

record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V.

genealogy

record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry

distill

refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew

intransigence

refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising

defiance

refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant

withhold

refuse to give; hold back; Ex. withholding tax

rebuttal

refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: refute; disprove

limbo

region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo

deplore

regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition

exult

rejoice

primogeniture

seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)

voluptuous

sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person

sentinel

sentry; lookout

sect

separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group

sever

separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra pay given an employee upon leaving a position

sunder

separate; part; CF. asunder

discrete

separate; unconnected

gradation

series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression

discourse

serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.

sober

serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober

gravity

seriousness; ADJ. grave

solemnity

seriousness; gravity

homily

sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic

minion

servile dependent; obsequious follower

subsidiary

serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N.

complementary

serving to complete something

premonitory

serving to warn

earmark

set aside (money or time) for a particular purpose

luster

shine; gloss (of a polished surface)

luminous

shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs

effulgent

shining brightly; brilliant

lustrous

shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair

fusillade

simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)

inasmuch_as

since; owing to the fact that

incantation

singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant

scuttle

sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull

tact

skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence

servitude

slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment

servile

slavish; cringing; N. servility

obsequious

slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic

doze

sleep lightly; nap

peccadillo

slight offense or fault; CF. sin

hazy

slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind

acidulous

slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic

catapult

slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult

slither

slip or slide

ramp

slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)

incline

slope; slant; Ex. steep incline

commune

small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature

facet

small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side

asteroid

small planet

pallet

small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet

microcosm

small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society

wrinkle

small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.

nip

snip off; stop something's growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill

suffuse

spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.

pervasive

spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate

incentive

spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity

espionage

spying

spat

squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel

pinch

squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger

adjutant

staff officer assisting the commander; assistant

musty

stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist

scotch

stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. È°µ¿À» ÁÙÀÌ´Â ÀǹÌ

philatelist

stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting

withstand

stand up against; resist successfully

lounge

stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way

inception

start; beginning

matrimony

state of being married

anonymity

state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous

multiplicity

state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element

responsiveness

state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment

turbulence

state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed

steadfast

steadily loyal; unswerving; steady

diligence

steadiness of effort; persistent hard work

filch

steal (things of small value)

plagiarize

steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap

prostrate

stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength

tension

stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people

subaltern

subordinate

appurtenances

subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing

authoritarian

subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father

abate

subside or moderate

emetic

substance causing vomiting; ADJ.

spate

sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents

dour

sullen; gloomy; stubborn

lap

take in food or drink with one's tongue; splash gently; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person

doff

take off; OP. don

disengage

uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage

underscore

underline; emphasize

luxuriate

take pleasure in great comfort

prate

talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly

blowhard

talkative boaster; braggart

loquacious

talkative; N. loquacity

soliloquy

talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation)

obelisk

tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid

trifling

trivial; unimportant

kaleidoscope

tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical effects; series of changing events; Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful

infidel

unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)

hindsight

understanding the nature of an event after it has actually happened

irresolute

uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution

untoward

unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter

unaccountable

unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious

inequity

unfairness; ADJ. inequitable

mishap

unfortunate accident

altruistic

unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism

imperturbable

unshakably calm; placid

pristine

unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition

impetuous

violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision

boisterous

violent; rough; noisy

unbridled

violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed

rapacious

voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds

blackball

vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote

constituency

voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)

swear

vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words

insomnia

wakefulness; inability to sleep

wade

walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes movement

tramp

walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking

tread

walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step

peripatetic

walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy

amble

walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly

mural

wall painting

welter

wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.

ramble

wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress

vagabond

wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp

artless

without guile; open and honest

swear-word

word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody''

verbatim

word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly

sophisticated

worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate

secular

worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal

threadbare

worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses

exacerbate

worsen; aggravate; embitter

idolatry

worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous

chaff

worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff

nugatory

worthless; futile

grapple

wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar

crinkle

wrinkle

prevaricate

lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)

hereafter

life after death

afterlife

life after death; later part of one's life

mollify

soothe an angry person

bigotry

stubborn intolerance

puny

tiny; weak; insignificant

gratuity

tip

caption

title; chapter heading; text under illustration

ruse

trick to deceive; stratagem

atrocity

brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious

scrupulous

conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker

deliberate

consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow

elixir

cure-all; panacea; something invigorating

duplicity

double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous

stodgy

dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book

audit

examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.

explicate

explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable

bookish

fond of books and reading

endearment

fond word or act; expression of affection

ambrosia

food of the gods

viand

food; CF. live

victuals

food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food

studious

given to diligent study

morbid

given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease

jocose

given to(having a tendency of) joking

odoriferous

giving off an odor

rabble

mob; noisy crowd

paragon

model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue

aperture

opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light

agape

openmouthed

rave

overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic

appease

pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement

placate

pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease

stipple

paint or draw with dots or short strokes

hostage

person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy so that the other side will do what the enemy demands

placid

peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake

amicable

peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement

pinnacle

peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame

acme

peak; pinnacle; highest point

podium

pedestal; raised platform

apiarist

person who keeps bees

contrite

penitent; repentant; N. contrition

founder

person who establishes (an organization or business)

kleptomaniac

person who has a compulsive desire to steal

cherubic

angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order

gadfly

animal-biting fly; irritating person

fauna

animals of a period or region; CF. flora

promulgate

announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication

optimist

person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism

prong

pointed projecting part

awl

pointed tool used for piercing

retribution

deserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF. pay back

malleable

(of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable

tumid

(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous

capsize

(of a boat) turn over

reprehensible

deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame

sonnet

14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern

h

4

reverend

deserving reverence; N: priest

proverb

adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially

enunciate

announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him.

leaven

add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise (by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens

elaboration

addition of details; intricacy

vex

annoy; distress

gall

annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation

chagrin

annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)

irksome

annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy

mass

Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony of the Eucharist

sluice

artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)

cleft

N: split

voyeur

Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others

pharisee

Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person

culvert

artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road

centurion

Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)

toga

Roman outer robe

saga

Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative

notch

V-shaped cut in a surface; V.

invidious

designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison

arcade

a covered passageway usually lined with shops

scad

a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes

collation

a light meal; collating

artisan

a manually skilled worker

regent

a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent

apiary

a place where bees are kept

carillon

a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played

renounce

abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's religion; N. renunciation

distrait

absentminded; distracted

imperative

absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done

incriminate

accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence

condign

adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved

viscid

adhesive; gluey

contiguous

adjacent to; touching upon

ursine

bearlike; pertaining to a bear

bestial

beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel

exhume

dig out of the ground; remove from a grave

thresh

beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw

acrid

bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent

feud

bitter prolonged quarrel (usually between two peoples or families); V. CF. Romeo and Juliet; CF. feudal, feudalism

diatribe

bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse

harrowing

agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth

adjacent

adjoining; neighboring; close by

compromise

adjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one's principle; N.

acclimate

adjust to climate or environment; adapt

ward

administrative division of a city; division in a hospital or prison; incompetent person placed under the protection of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert

suffragist

advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); CF. suffrage

mannered

affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech

gustatory

affecting or relating to the sense of taste

assent

agree; accept; N. assessment

jibe

agree; be in harmony with; gibe

concur

agree; coincide; happen at the same time

amiable

agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly

palatable

agreeable; pleasing to the taste

accord

agreement

bargain

agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power

omniscient

all-knowing

omnipotent

all-powerful; having unlimited power

purported

alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists

progenitor

ancestor

antediluvian

antiquated; extremely ancient

archaic

antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.

solicitous

anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude

perquisite(perk)

any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car

canker

any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer

refuse

anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash

apposite

appropriate; fitting

approbation

approval

ratify

approve formally; confirm; verify

sanction

approve; ratify; N: permission; penalty intended to enforce compliance

countenance

approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance

endorse

approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal

advent

arrival

hinterlands

back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland

demeanor

behavior; bearing

decapitate

behead

ubiquitous

being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity

arrears

being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done

singular

being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior

gall

bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; ´ãÁó(bile); CF. gall bladder

acerbity

bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)

outlandish

bizzare; peculiar; unconventional

graphite

black form of carbon used in lead pencils

obsidian

black volcanic rock

denigrate

blacken; defame

clientele

body of customers

quagmire

bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself

guffaw

boisterous laughter; V.

revelry

boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration

encumber

burden; N. encumbrance

luminary

celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object that gives light (as a celestial body)

reprove

censure; rebuke; N. reproof

kernel

central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)

mace

ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike medieval weapon

formality

ceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence to rules; something done just for form's sake; Ex. mere formality

ordination

ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest

certitude

certainty

curb

chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain

shackle

chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.

hap

chance; luck

padre

chaplain (in the armed forces)

temperament

characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress

generic

characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus

arraign

charge in court; indict

vociferous

clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)

friction

clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against

talon

claw of bird

expurgate

clean; remove offensive parts of a book

bouillon

clear beef (or meat) soup

saccharine

cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin

bludgeon

club; heavy-headed weapon; V.

gauche

clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth

lout

clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides ?

maladroit

clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling

fodder

coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for livestock; CF. food

abusive

coarsely insulting; physically harmful

rooster

cock; adult male chicken

convoluted

coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain

bleak

cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing

clavicle

collarbone

amass

collect (gradually, in a very large amount)

corpus

collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse

menagerie

collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo

agglomeration

collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass; heap

complement

complete; consummate; make perfect; N.

integral

complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part

hue

color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue

enjoin

command; order; forbid

plebeian

common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician

deign

condescend; stoop

bestow

confer

mentor

counselor; teacher

credo

creed

fissure

crevice; crack

belated

delayed

disavowal

denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim

centigrade

denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius)

panoramic

denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area

gainsay

deny

crave

desire; want intensely

vile

despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander

annihilate

destroy

sedulous

diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity

industrious

diligent; hard-working; N. industry

favoritism

display of partiality toward a favored person

flaunt

display ostentatiously; Ex. ``Honey, if you've got it, flaunt it !''

sanctimonious

displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety

refute

disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation

disseminate

distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)

delete

erase; strike out

misapprehension

error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend

blunder

error; stupid mistake

arcane

esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener

gist

essence; main point; substance

crux

essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance

interjection

exclamation; Ex. ``Ouch''

pretext

excuse

gaudy

flashy; showy

blithe(blithesome)

gay; joyous

surmise

guess; N.

eventual

happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory

concurrent

happening at the same time; in agreement

hypnosis

induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize

intelligentsia

intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily)

lust

intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.

anvil

iron block used in hammering out metals

conviction

judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief

gaunt

lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren

prank

mischievous trick

recurrent

occurring again and again

seasonable

occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute

sporadic

occurring irregularly; intermittent

functionary

official (who performs a particular function)

tribune

official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people

outcast

one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.

commonplace

ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark

epoch

period of time

ruthless

pitiless; merciless; cruel

cemetery

place for burying the dead

copious

plentiful

forward

presumptuous or bold

feign

pretend

dissimulate

pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble

obtrude

push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive

imperil

put in danger

culinary

relating to cooking or kitchen

forswear

renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure

abjure

renounce upon oath

remediable

reparable

conscientious

scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker

scorch

sear; N.

emancipate

set free; liberate

gregarious

sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group

pacify

soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to

poultice

soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body

tempo

speed of music

celerity

speed; rapidity

dispatch

speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill

stamp

step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; N. stamping; implement used to stamp; impression stamped; mark; Ex. Her remarks bear the stamp of truth.

robust

strong; vigorous

sustenance

sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food

bravado

swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery

incredulity

tendency to disbelief

Occident

the West

molecule

the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance

ambivalence

the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions

histrionic

theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior

larceny

theft; Ex. petit larceny

motif

theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure

abstract

theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational

weary

tired after long work; V.

jaded

tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite

stigma

token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful

abortive

unsuccessful; fruitless

inept

unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate

unsullied

untarnished; CF. sully

dowdy

untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman

disheveled

untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel

slovenly

untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless

coercion

use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce

husband

use sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband one's energy; CF. house holder

futile

useless; hopeless; ineffectual

veto

vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto

exasperate

vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)

taper

very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end

oscillate

vibrate pendulumlike; waver

crass

very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior

nefarious

very wicked

mammal

vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young

foul

very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means; N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit a foul

execrable

very bad; detestable

gingerly

very carefully; ADJ.

wary

very cautious; watchful

corpulent

very fat; N. corpulence

munificent

very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience

pernicious

very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia

martial

warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law

chafe

warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.

cordial

warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome

admonish

warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove

dire

warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food

ablution

washing

fritter

waste (time or money on unimportant things)

litter

waste material thrown away (as bits of paper scattered untidily); V: cover untidily with scattered litter

emasculate

weaken; castrate

invalidate

weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify

extenuate

weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)

enervate

weaken; take away energy from

infirmity

weakness

imbecility

weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool

tycoon

wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon

masquerade

wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise

imponderable

weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound

gush

(of liquid) pour out in large quantities from a hole; make an excessive display of feeling (without true feeling); Ex. Blood gushed from the wound.

sinewy

(of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone

debonair

(of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition

legato

(of music) played smoothly

hardy

(of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) able to stand inclement(stormy) weather

dutiful(duteous)

(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)

plenary

(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power

stringent

(of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions

amalgamate

(of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body

crotchety

(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion

ungainly

(of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument

perspicacious

(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute

leery

(of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious

inimical

(of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy

glaring

(of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly bright; shining intensely and blindingly

unmitigated

(of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster

rife

(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current

extant

(of something written or painted) still in existence

perspicuous

(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments

didactic

(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism

impassioned

(of speech) filled with passion; fervent

acute

(of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain

sallow

(of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice

ebb

(of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide

stentorian

(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad

dingy

(of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain

raucous

(of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts

overwhelm

(of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief

stagnant

(of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial output

torrid

(of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs

sultry

(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous

muggy

(of weather) warm and damp

remunerative

(of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble

cursive

(of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined

polity

(particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity

shambles

(place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles.

upright

(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral

wont

(the stated person's) habit or custom; habitual procedure; ADJ. wonted: customary

bloated

(unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air

ventral

abdominal

plasticity

ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay

mutablility

ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant

foresight

ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future

prescience

ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient

empathy

ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy

motility

ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously

caliber

ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber

soluble

able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved

tangible

able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof

buoyant

able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market

amphibian

able to live both on land and in water; N.

solvent

able to pay all depths; N. solvency

effectual

able to produce a desired effect; valid

discriminating

able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination

elastic

able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material

protean

able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will

ambulatory

able to walk

aberrant

abnormal or deviant

dys-

abnormal; impaired

anomalous

abnormal; irregular

abrogate

abolish

consistency

absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous

anarchy

absence of governing body; state of disorder

assimilate

absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)

refrain

abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus

celibate

abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy

pr\'ecis

abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text

recondite

abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret

preposterous

absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous

plenitude

abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty

affluence

abundance; wealth

luxuriant

abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate

invective

abuse

scurrilous

abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark

vituperative

abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively

chasm

abyss; very deep crack

spoonerism

accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; Ex. ``Let me sew you to your sheet'' for ``Let me show you to your seat''; CF. William Spooner

fortuitous

accidental; by chance; N. fortuity

adventitious

accidental; casual; happening by chance

wean

accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes

habituate

accustom or familiarize; addict

inured

accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; CF. unfeeling

wangle

achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.

appropriate

acquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate

exonerate

acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt

arbitrate

act as judge (at the request of both sides)

incarnation

act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation

vivisection

act of dissecting living animals

outrage

act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive

orientation

act of finding oneself in society; orienting

summation

act of finding the total; summing-up; summary (esp. one given by the judge at the end of a trial)

lookout

act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide view; person who keeps watch

ambush

act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V.

provision

act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions of the agreement

recital

act of reciting publicly; detailed account; performance of music or dance (by a solo performer)

diversion

act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse

volition

act of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.

usage

act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used

disjunction

act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive

clown

act stupidly; play the fool; N.

pantomime

acting without dialogue; V.

stealth

action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy

animosity

active enmity

vigor

active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous

anguish

acute pain; extreme suffering

addendum

addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book)

accessory

additional object; useful but not essential thing

anachronism

an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic

dissection

analysis; cutting apart in order to examine

assay

analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)

forebears(forbears)

ancestors

pedigree

ancestry; lineage

papyrus

ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant

indignation

anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant

wrath

anger; fury

rake

angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular

irate

angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath

parasite

animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside

ruminant

animal that ruminates; ADJ.

totem

animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole

harass

annoy by repeated attacks

aloof

apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.

siren

apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature

gyroscope

apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc.

ostensible

apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition

loom

appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged, indistinct, or distorted form); Ex. The shadow of the gallows loomed threateningly. N: apparatus for making thread into cloth

verisimilitude

appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth

propitiate

appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory

mitigate

appease; moderate; make or become less in force or intensity

acclaim

applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise

lubricate

apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance that reduces friction

accost

approach and speak first to a person

converge

approach; tend to meet; come together

conduit

aqueduct; passageway for fluids

fervent

ardent; zealous; hot

fervid

ardent; zealous; hot

parish

area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church

callus

area of thick hard skin

haggle

argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain)

disputatious

argumentative; fond of argument

stem_from

arise from; originate from

militia

army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers

battalion

army unit made up of four or more companies

incite

arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion

provocative

arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation

odious

arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile

codify

arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs

graduate

arrange into categories or grades; divide into marked intervals (for use in measurement); Ex. graduated ruler

graduated

arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.)

hierarchy

arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority

rig

arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails

symmetry

arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity; ADJ. symmetrical

meter

arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by accentual rhythm)

apprehend

arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension

hubris

arrogance; excessive self-conceit

overweening

arrogant; presumptuous

incendiary

arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb

gastronomy

art and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome

rhetoric

art of effective communication; art of using language effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric; ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is expected as ``Who knows it ?''

choreography

art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances

prosody

art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse

treatise

article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly

affected

artificial; pretended

factitious

artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears

aesthetic

artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics

ashen

ash-colored; deadly pale

assail

assault

compile

assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary

acquiesce

assent; agree passively; comply without protest

contention

assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition

allocate

assign; set apart for a particular purpose

succor

assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N.

abet

assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage

consort

associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)

quench

assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress

pose

assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.

posture

assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude

supposititious

assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical

imposture

assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor

supposition

assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose

premise

assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based

dumbfound(dumfound)

astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck

heinous

atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime

append

attach

annex

attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one

bombardment

attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard

polemic

attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy

revile

attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)

iconoclastic

attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images

offensive

attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense

court

attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster

engage

attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle

personable

attractive (in personality or appearance)

prepossessing

attractive; CF. preoccupying ?

comely

attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance

impute

attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation

dictum

authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)

decree

authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree

magisterial

authoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex. magisterial manner

pundit

authority on a subject; expert; learned person

proxy

authorized agent; authority to act for another

postmortem

autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem

covetous

avaricious; desirous of (someone else's possessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else's possessions)

antipathy

aversion; dislike or opposition

shirk

avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger

eschew

avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks

accolade

award of merit; strong praise and approval

unwieldy

awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable

thrifty

careful about money; economical; N. thrift

selective

careful in choosing; having an effect only on certain things; not general; Ex. eclectic weed killer

tactful

careful no to cause offence; OP. tactless

studied

carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark

lax

careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. lax service

plane

carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat

vulture

carrion-eating birds

scabbard

case for a sword blade; sheath

quiver

case for arrows

bewitch

cast a spell over; captivate completely

cavalier

casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight

offhand

casual; done without prior thought or preparation

cursory

casual; hastily done with little attention to detail

descry

catch sight of (something distant)

pander

cater to (the low desires of others)

grievance

cause of complaint; complaint

indoctrinate

cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism

conjure

cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.

nauseate

cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea

germinate

cause to sprout; sprout

suspend

cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in abeyance; defer; hang from above; exclude for a period from a position; Ex. suspended state; Ex. suspend judgment; Ex. suspended from the team; N. suspension

generate

cause; produce; create

engender

cause; produce; give rise to

prompt

cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an actor); ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue

touching

causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched

problematic

causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic.

carcinogenic

causing cancer; N. carcinogen

sublime

causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter

grim

causing great fear; unrelenting; determined in spite of fear; Ex. grim smile

analgesic

causing insensitivity to pain; N.

nauseous

causing nausea; feeling nausea

pestilential(pestilent)

causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)

pathetic

causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching

vitriolic

causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass

prudent

cautious; careful; prudential

chary

cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold

odds

chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with

vicissitude

change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China

veer

change in direction; swerve

metamorphosis

change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis

ossify

change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas

shift

change position or place; exchange (one thing) for another; change in direction or position; Ex. shift the stolen goods; N. group of workers which takes turns with other groups; working period of such a group

variegate

change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)

gerrymander

change voting district lines in order to favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + (sala)mander

innovation

change; something newly introduced; introduction of something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce (something new); be creative; ADJ. innovative

fickle

changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless

volatile

changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street

migrant

changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; N: one that migrates

universal

characterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic; Ex. universal agreement; Ex. a subject of universal interest

impeach

charge (a public official) with crime in office; raise doubts about; indict; Ex. impeach a witness's credibility

indict

charge; N. indictment

mountebank

charlatan; boastful pretender

quack

charlatan; impostor

talisman

charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer

amulet

charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck

winsome

charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gracious; engaging

engaging

charming; attractive

idyllic

charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene

babble

chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N.

jabber

chatter rapidly or unintelligibly

tawdry

cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry

cozen

cheat; hoodwink; swindle

swindler

cheater

fraudulent

cheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; N. fraud: deception; swindle

jaunty

cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat

alacrity

cheerful promptness without reluctance

geniality

cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. genial: cheerful and good-tempered

fermentation

chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation

masticate

chew

ruminate

chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); mull over(ponder)

arch-

chief; first; Ex. archbishop

cardinal

chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order

puerile

childish; immature; CF. puer: boy

infantile

childish; infantlike

progeny

children; offspring; descendants

indiscriminate

choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions

draw

choosing of a lot or card

chortle

chuckle with delight; N.

prelate

church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)

curmudgeon

churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person

rotunda

circular building or hall covered with a dome

exculpate

clear from blame or guilt

vindicate

clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate one's claim; CF. vindicator

distinctive

clearly different from others of the same kind

distinct

clearly different; clearly noticed

perspicuity

clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity

chaplain

clergyman attached to a chapel

resourceful

clever and imaginative (in dealing with difficult situations); N. resource, resourcefulness

sly

clever in deceiving; secretive; not telling one's intentions

cunning

clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in deceiving; deceit

shrewd

clever; astute

precipice

cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice

clime

climate

clamber

climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble

scale

climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of musical tones

surveillance

close observation of a person (esp. one under suspicion); watching; guarding

rapport

close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony

circuit

closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place

attire

clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel

outfit

clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit

raiment

clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear.

buffoonery

clowning

spectrum

colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism; broad and continuous range; Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts

pigment

coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)

militant

combative; bellicose; N.

pugnacity

combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature

merger

combination (of two business corporations); act of merging

amalgam

combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth

coalesce

combine; fuse; N. coalescence

compound

combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings; Ex. factory compound; CF. complex

synthesis

combining parts or separate things into a whole; the whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthesize

intervene

come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention

rally

come or bring together; call up or summon (forces, vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate (after illness or difficulty); N: act of rallying; mass gathering

accrue

come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual

convene

come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council

solace

comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble

malapropism

comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop

zany

comic; crazy; N: clown; comical person (given to outlandish behavior)

fiat

command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done

bid

command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N: offer of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain something; Ex. bid for freedom

memorialize

commemorate

embark

commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey

annotate

comment; make explanatory notes

perpetrate

commit an offense; do (something wrong)

hackneyed

commonplace; trite

tumult

commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly

analogous

comparable; similar

simile

comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as

glamor

compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous

urgent

compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands

compulsion

compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse

reparation

compensation (for loss or wrong); amends; Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair

lexicographer

compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of compiling a dictionary

whine

complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication)

rail

complain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing against injustices

snivel

complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me.

grouse

complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike game bird

grumble

complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N.

unanimity

complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous

bliss

complete happiness; ADJ. blissful

sovereignty

complete independence and self-government (of a country); supremacy of authority; power to govern

consummate

complete; V.

absolute

complete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism

imbroglio

complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil

improvise

compose on the spur of the moment

sedate

composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative

collected

composed; calm; self-possessed

fathom

comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water

addiction

compulsive habitual need

palm

conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off; Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the painting as a real Renoir

secrete

conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism; CF. secretive

narcissist

conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus

smirk

conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile (often at someone else's misfortune); V.

plausible

conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious

hermetic

concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult

olfactory

concerning the sense of smell

mercantile

concerning trade or merchants

pithy

concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty

terse

concise; abrupt; pithy

brevity

conciseness; shortness of duration

coda

concluding section of a musical or literary composition

peroration

conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length

finale

conclusion; concluding part

damn

condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation

denounce

condemn; criticize; N. denunciation

doom

condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V.

abridge

condense or shorten

anemia

condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic

squalor

condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story

analgesia

condition of being unable to feel pain

standstill

condition of no movement or activity; stop

florescence

condition or period of flowering

healthful

conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air

wholesome

conducive to mental or physical health; healthful

sedition

conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious

parley

conference (between opponents); CF. speak

corroborate

confirm; support; strengthen

discord

conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played)

compliance

conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply

befuddle

confuse thoroughly

fluster

confuse; make nervous and confused; N.

muddle

confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion

obfuscate

confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand

confound

confuse; puzzle

disconcert

confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb

hubbub

confused uproar; loud noise; din

bemused

confused; lost in thought; preoccupied

welter

confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data

coagulate

congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant

natal

connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal

historical

connected with history; based on events in history (whether regarded as important or not)

nexus

connection

gourmet

connoisseur of food and drink; epicure

epicure

connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus

subjugate

conquer; bring under control

anoint

consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)

notable

conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted

flagrant

conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous

collusion

conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude

constitution

constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions

liaison

contact that keeps parties in communication; communication between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection

taint

contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch

scurvy

contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C

base

contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron

vie

contend; compete

vying

contending; CF. vie

lottery

contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots

persist

continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent

persevere

continue steadily in spite of difficulties

din

continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition

knit

contract into wrinkles; grow together; join together closely; make (a fabric or garment) by interwining yarn or thread; Ex. knit the brow; Ex. The bones should knit together in a few weeks.

belie

contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.

contravene

contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention

antithesis

contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical

foil

contrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinctive characteristics of another

dominate

control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; ³»·Á´Ùº¸´Ù

ascendancy

controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant

amenities

convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies

mores

conventions; moral standards; moral customs

tan

convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure to the sun

cogent

convincing

broil

cook by direct heat; N.

facsimile

copy

replica

copy

travesty

copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon

transcribe

copy; write a copy of; N. transcription

lace

cord used to draw and tie together two opposite edges (as of a shoe); delicate fabric made of fine threads; V: draw together by tying a lace

pith

core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance

conglomerate

corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V.

cadaver

corpse; dead human body

disabuse

correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief

orthography

correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics

amend

correct; change ; generally for the better

congruence

correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity

debauch

corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)

pervert

corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural

perversion

corruption; turning from right to wrong

barrister

counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar

reckon

count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose

recrimination

countercharges; V. recriminate

bogus

counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview

forge

counterfeit; reproduce fraudulently; form by heating in a forge and hammering into shape; move with a sudden increase of speed or power; Ex. forged ahead in the last two years; N: furnace where metals are heated

mettle

courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome

pluck

courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave

tribunal

court of justice

deference

courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery

chivalrous

courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry

comity

courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations

fawning

courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness

glaze

cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex. unglazed pottery

gild

cover with a thin layer of gold

craven

cowardly

pusillanimous

cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted

quail

cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart

bovine

cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm

crevice

crack; fissure

wily

crafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem

Machiavellian

crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power

hurtle

crash; rush; move with great speed; Ex. hurtling runaway train

grovel

crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; behave in a servile manner

statutory

created by statute or legislative action; regulated by statute; Ex. statutory age limit

juncture

crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining

animadversion

critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval

pan

criticize harshly

askew

crookedly; slanted; at an angle

throng

crowd (of people or things); V.

horde

crowd; swarm

diadem

crown

shack

crude cabin

hut

crude dwelling; shack

fell

cruel; (of a disease) deadly

mash

crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl

pulverize

crush or grind into very small particles

squash

crush; quash; suppress

quash

crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court

oatmeal

crushed oats used for making porridge

exclaim

cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory

limpid

crystal clear

therapeutic

curative; N. therapy

panacea

cure-all; remedy for all diseases

quizzical

curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance

draught

current of air (through a room or to a fire); act of pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of liquid swallowed at a time

execrate

curse; express abhorrence for; detest

imprecation

curse; swearword

aquiline

curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose

convex

curving outward

pare

cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a knife); trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses

excise

cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision

prune

cut away; trim

retrench

cut down; cut down expenses; economize

dismember

cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb

amputate

cut off part of body; prune (a limb)

fell

cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down (with a missile)

hew

cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N.

sarcasm

cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic

trenchant

cutting; incisive; keen

debut

d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society

chore

daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task

quotidian

daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine

diurnal

daily; occurring during the daytime

marred

damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure

perdition

damnation; complete ruin; hell

humid

damp; N. humidity

dank

damp; unpleasantly wet

hazardous

dangerous

audacious

daring; bold; N. audacity

murky

dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom

somber

dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow

opaque

dark; not transparent; N. opacity

obscure

dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning

eclipse

darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse

reverie

daydream; abstracted musing

defunct

dead; no longer in use or existence

stalemate

deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked

lethal

deadly

demise

death

obituary

death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ.

disembark

debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark

libertine

debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\'e; CF. free

gangrene

decay of body tissue caused by insufficient blood supply (usually following injury); ADJ. gangrenous

decomposition

decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts

putrid

decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity

guile

deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile

delude

deceive

wheedle

deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her

hoodwink

deceive; delude

inveigle

deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly

beguile

deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile

illusive

deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive

artifice

deception; trickery

stratagem

deceptive scheme; clever trick

delusive

deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises

resolve

decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision; N. resolution

conclusive

decisive; ending all debate

hatch

deck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: emerge from an egg; produce (young) from an egg

avow

declare openly; N. avowal

decipher

decode; CF. indecipherable

adorn

decorate

embroider

decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish

garnish

decorate; add a garnish to; decorate (food or drink) with small items such as lemon slices; N.

fringe

decorative edge of hanging threads; edge

wane

decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N.

edict

decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command

ordain

decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination

ordinance

decree; authoritative order

consecrate

dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor

infer

deduce; conclude; N. inference

ignominy

deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominous defeat

tureen

deep dish for serving soup

grudge

deep feeling of dislike; Ex. grudge fight; V.

coma

deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow

remorse

deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach

inveterate

deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old

profound

deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity

ingrained

deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice

slander

defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; V. ADJ. slanderous

libel

defamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a person's character; V. ADJ. libelous

discredit

defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful

foil

defeat; frustrate; prevent from being successful; thwart; CF. fail

rampart

defensive mound of earth

feebleminded

deficient in intelligence; very stupid

sully

defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one's hands in menial labor

mulct

defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the boy of his legacy

unfrock

defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority

debase

degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement

crestfallen

dejected; dispirited

retard

delay (in development); ADJ. retarded: (as of a child) slower in development

dilatory

delaying; tending to delay

calculated

deliberately planned; likely

filigree

delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork

finesse

delicate skill; V: handle with finesse

dainty

delicate; delicately beautiful; fastidious; not easy to please; Ex. dainty movement/dress

choice

delicate; of very fine quality

exquisite

delicate; very finely made; extremely beautiful; Ex. exquisite piece of jewelry

acquittal

deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner

cataclysm

deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change

hallucination

delusion; false idea; false perception of objects with a compelling sense of their reality; objects so perceived; V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory

exact

demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from him; N. exaction

peremptory

demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock

laborious

demanding much work or care; tedious

inveigh

denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink

atheistic

denying the existence of God; N. atheism

abscond

depart secretly and hide

exodus

departure (of a large number of people)

contingent

dependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency

bearing

deportment; connection

turpitude

depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude

bereaved

deprived of (someone beloved through death)

bereft

deprived of (something valuable); lacking

devolve

deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to

taunt

deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.

deducible

derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning

derivation

deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word

posterity

descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior

lineage

descent; ancestry

sacrilegious

desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred

forsake

desert; abandon; renounce

renegade

deserter; traitor; ADJ.

defection

desertion

comeuppance

deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke

merit

deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise

culpable

deserving blame; blameworthy

venerable

deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get

monogram

design composed of one or more initials of a name; V.

raze

destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground

obliterate

destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village

defoliate

destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant

corrode

destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period)

holocaust

destruction by fire; CF. burnt whole; CF. Holocaust

carnage

destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals

demolition

destruction; V. demolish

scion

detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant

resolution

determination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute: firm or determined in purpose

resolve

determination; resolution; firmness of purpose

predetermine

determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly

canvass

determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N.

bent

determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination

dogged

determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert's dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean

loathe

detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; Ex. loathsome smell

abhor

detest; hate

abominable

detestable; extremely unpleasant

odium

detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)

depose

dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify

ravage

devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms

swerve

deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course; Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car swerved to the right.

aberration

deviation from the normal; mental disorder

sensual

devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips

pious

devout; religious; N. piety

piety

devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious

sleight

dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks

diabolical

diabolic; devilish; fiendish

horoscope

diagram of the positions of stars at a given moment (eg. of a person's birth) used by astrologers

lexicon

dictionary

suffocate

die or kill from lack of air; suppress

disparity

difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity

diverse

differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity: variety; dissimilitude; lack of resemblance

plight

difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament

predicament

difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma

fastidious

difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky

inscrutable

difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious

nebula

diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy

quarry

dig into (to get stone); N: mine; ä¼®Àå

quandary

dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go.

application

diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself

reduce

diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into components by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce the house to rubble; N. reduction

sap

diminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of (a fortification); Ex. The element kryptonite sapped his strength.

refectory

dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school)

protocol

diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport.

address

direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one's efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech

subsidy

direct financial aid by government, etc.; V. subsidize: assist with a subsidy

beeline

direct quick route

referendum

direct vote by all the people

plebiscite

direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)

ragamuffin

dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes

smudge

dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.

filth

dirty matter; ADJ. filthy

incapacitate

disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity

dissent

disagree

pushy

disagreeably aggressive

dissension

disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group

disapprobation

disapproval; condemnation

calamity

disaster; misery

insightful

discerning; perceptive

chasten

discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate

recant

disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement

discombobulated

discomposed; confused

faze

disconcert; dismay; embarrass

disjointed

disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin

dissonance

discord

cacophonous

discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds

dishearten

discourage

bandy

discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with

virus

disease communicator

rabies

disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal (causing madness and death)

unravel

disentangle; solve

disenfranchise

disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise

dishonor

disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable

demean

disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave

dissemble

disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend

repugnance

disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive

fulsome

disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire

downcast

disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward

unkempt

disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb

skulduggery(skullduggery)

dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election

dissolution

disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life

disaffected

disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty

appall

dismay; shock deeply

vindictive

disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak

clemency

disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement

impugn

dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight

contest

dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N.

discount

disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; deduct from a cost

notoriety

disrepute; ill fame

dissident

dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.

heterogeneous

dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar elements or plants

disband

dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.

girth

distance around something; circumference

remote

distant in manner; aloof

repulsion

distaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. repulsive: causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel (not `repulse')

cloying

distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess

unsavory

distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation

pronounced

distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp

mannerism

distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in art (according to a set of styles)

feature

distinctive part of the faces (as the eyes or mouth); features: overall appearance of the face; prominent or distinctive quality; prominent article; film; V: make prominent

discriminate

distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference

discernible

distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement

awry

distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.

caricature

distortion; burlesque

dispense

distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule

perturb

disturb greatly

discompose

disturb the composure of; confuse

partition

divide into parts

stratified

divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify

bifurcated

divided into two branches; forked

charisma

divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism

schism

division into factions (esp. within a religious body); split

dichotomy

division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)

precinct

division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college

canto

division of a long poem

stanza

division of a poem (composed of two or more lines)

genus

division of animals or plants, below a family and above a species

drudge

do drudgery; N: person who drudges

reciprocate

do or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move backwards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights

tractable

docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability

quay

dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)

cardiologist

doctor specializing in ailments of the heart

podiatrist

doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics

psychiatrist

doctor who treats mental diseases

tenet

doctrine; dogma

maleficient

doing evil; N. maleficience

homespun

domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy

hegemony

dominance especially of one nation over others

imperious

domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor

nocturnal

done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne

perfunctory

done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss

surreptitious

done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden

underhand(underhanded)

done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)

expeditious

done with speed; quick; N. expedition

bolt

door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a door); gobble down

quiescent

dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence

potion

dose (of liquids); liquid dose

misgivings

doubts

declivity

downward slope

conscript

draftee; person forced into military service; V.

matin\'ee(matinee)

dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon

oratorio

dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata

elicit

draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)

limn

draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?

liability

drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible (for paying)

pensive

dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over

bedizen

dress with vulgar finery

flotsam

drifting wreckage

tipple

drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink

swill

drink greedily

imbibe

drink in

nectar

drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees

quaff

drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); ²Ü²©²Ü²© ¸¶½Ã´Ù; CF. sip

repel

drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion

urge

drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action

impel

drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action

ferret

drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive out (as from a hiding place); expel; uncover or discover by searching; Ex. ferret out the secret; N. small fierce animal which catches rats and rabbits by going into their holes

exorcise

drive out evil spirits

repellent

driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N.

propulsive

driving forward; N. propulsion

flag

droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging

lethargic

drowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggishness and inactivity

anodyne

drug that relieves pain or trouble; ÁøÅëÁ¦; opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement

apothecary

druggist; pharmacist

bacchanalian

drunken

carousal

drunken revel; V. carouse

provender

dry food for livestock; fodder

desiccate

dry up

stolid

dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected

drab

dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life

humdrum

dull; monotonous

gnome

dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards

abide

dwell; abide by: comply with; put up with; tolerate; Ex. abide by the rules; Ex. I can't abide rude people.

abode

dwelling place; home

moribund

dying; at the point of death; CF. death

gusto

eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm

zeal

eager enthusiasm (to a cause or ideal); ADJ. zealous

inquisitive

eager for knowledge; unduly curious

germ

earliest form of an organism; seed or bud; something that may develop into something larger or more important; microbe

levee

earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise

palliate

ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)

facile

easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex. facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; something that facilitates an action; amenity; Ex. with great facility

affable

easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly

combustible

easily burned; N. CF. combustion

gullible

easily deceived

squeamish

easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant things; fastidious; Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish.

lucid

easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity

accessible

easy to approach; obtainable

erode

eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks.

gobble

eat very quickly

corrosive

eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce

omnivorous

eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything

ecclesiastic

ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman

reverberate

echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated across the valley.

ecosystem

ecological community together with its environment

brink

edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the Grand Canyon

weird

eerie; strange; unnatural

effectuate

effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation

articulate

effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints

effective

effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph

economy

efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources

exertion

effort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert oneself: make a great effort

refulgent

effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. refulgent moon

maudlin

effusively sentimental

ovoid

egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate

egotistical

egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited

correlate

either of the correlated things; V.

resilient

elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune)

medium

element that is a creature's natural environment; nutrient setting in which microorganisms are cultivated; appropriate occupation or means of expression; channel of communication; compromise; middle position between extremes; intervening substance through which something else is transmitted

component

element; ingredient

rudimentary

elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language

elevation

elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the house

apotheosis

elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something

dismiss

eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal

elliptical

elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out

manumit

emancipate; free from slavery or bondage

abash

embarrass

defalcate

embezzle

reek

emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench

detached

emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment

engaged

employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict

devoid

empty; lacking

vacuous

empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity

embed(imbed)

enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass

environ

enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)

aviary

enclosure for birds; large cage

encipher

encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher

hortatory

encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort

termination

end; V. terminate

jeopardize

endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger

interminable

endless

incarnate

endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody

dynamic

energetic; vigorously active

worldly

engrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual; of the material world

rapt

engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener

season

enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning

sphinx-like

enigmatic; mysterious

savor

enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality

relish

enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest

abyss

enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit

prodigious

enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory

astronomical

enormously large or extensive

ample

enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space

incense

enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor

matriculate

enroll (in college or graduate school); CF. matrix

mire

entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire

penetrate

enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand

verve

enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor

ovation

enthusiastic applause

devotee

enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach

allure

entice; attract; tempt

unexceptionable

entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism

entree(entr\'ee)

entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle

solicit

entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer

suppliant

entreating; beseeching; N.

parity

equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate

accoutre

equip; N. accoutrement

paraphernalia

equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry

attribute

essential quality; V: ascribe; explain

intrinsic

essential; inherent; built-in

appraise

estimate value of; N. appraisal

elusive

evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me.

incident

event; event that causes a crisis

perpetual

everlasting

biennial

every two years

credential

evidence concerning one's authority; written proof of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court.

apparent

evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement

manifest

evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly

machinations

evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve an evil end; V. machinate

fiend

evil spirit; devil

baleful

evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look

sinister

evil; ominous

malefactor

evildoer; criminal

gestate

evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period of development from conception until birth

precise

exact

plumb

exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of

inflated

exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)

hyperbole

exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola

autopsy

examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.

collate

examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)

scrutinize

examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny

surpass

exceed

egoism

excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical

hysteria

excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hysteric: person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: attack of hysteria

fanaticism

excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic

superfluous

excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity

meticulous

excessively careful (with great attention to detail); painstaking; scrupulous

rhapsody

excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it)

hypercritical

excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities)

obese

excessively fat; N. obesity

prude

excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature); N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety

ornate

excessively or elaborately decorated

uxorious

excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife

ejaculation

exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate

except

exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality

dominant

exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive

grueling

exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race

artful

exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice

halfhearted

exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm

iridescent

exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence

expatriate

exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country

subsistence

existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level)

congenital

existing at birth

primordial

existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary

egress

exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress

dilate

expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)

distend

expand; swell out

oust

expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting

seasoned

experienced

vicarious

experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ

queasy

experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy

adept

expert at; very skilled

expound

explain

gloss_over

explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults

construe

explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue

elucidate

explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid

exegesis

explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages

legend

explanatory list of symbols on a map

expository

explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition

probe

explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe

debunk

expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule

traduce

expose to slander

condole

express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow

deprecate

express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory

gloat

express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated over the stolen jewels.

decry

express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films

derogatory

expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage

significant

expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant

ironic

expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner

potential

expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth

plaintive

expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song

eulogy

expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize

idiom

expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic

eloquence

expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced

bowdlerize

expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler

cordon

extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; (¾î±ú¿¡¼ °Üµå¶û ¹ØÀ¸·Î °ÉÄ¡´Â) Àå½Ä ¸®º»; V.

pterodactyl

extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger

prowess

extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle

turmoil

extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil

penury

extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy

opulence

extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant

blatant

extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy

jingoist

extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism

exacting

extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety

parched

extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)

ravenous

extremely hungry; voracious

destitute

extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience

draconian

extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician

minuscule(miniscule)

extremely small

lilliputian

extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels

minute

extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting

astigmatism

eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism

vision

eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural

physiognomy

face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features

brave

face courageously; Ex. brave the storm

visage

face; appearance

grimace

facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V.

founder

fail completely; sink; CF. flounder

default

failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.

equitable

fair; impartial; OP. inequitable

equity

fairness; justice; OP. inequity

philanderer

faithless lover; flirt

ravel

fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist

drip

fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops

plummet

fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.

windfall

fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event

deciduous

falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth

dilapidated

falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation

delusion

false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that

perjury

false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath

spurious

false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments

renown

fame; ADJ. renowned

conversant

familiar with; having knowledge of

ancestry

family descent; ADJ. ancestral

grotesque

fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement)

bizarre

fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional

chimerical

fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature

leave-taking

farewell or departure

modish

fashionable; conforming to the current fashion

fleet

fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral

latch

fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch; V: close with a latch

fussy

fastidious; finicky; easily upset

kismet

fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.

patriarch

father and ruler of a family or tribe

beget

father; become the father of; produce; give rise to

demerit

fault; bad quality

captious

faultfinding; too critical

impeccable

faultless

propitious

favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign

auspicious

favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices

nepotism

favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew

claustrophobia

fear of being locked in

acrophobia

fear of heights

hydrophobia

fear of water; rabies

xenophobia

fear or hatred of foreigners; N. xenophobe

trepidation

fear; nervous apprehension

apprehensive

fearful; discerning

timorous

fearful; timid; demonstrating fear

intrepid

fearless

practicable

feasible

plume

feather, esp. large or showy one; something that rises into the air (like the shape of a feather); Ex. plume of smoke: ¹ö¼¸ ±¸¸§

plumage

feathers of a bird;

lineaments

features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line

commiserate

feel or express pity or sympathy for

euphoria

feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric

affinity

feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages

nausea

feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness

simulate

feign; imitate

pretend

feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense

visceral

felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate

vixen

female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew

ewe

female sheep

amazon

female warrior

pen

fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose

frond

fern leaf; palm or banana leaf

fecundity

fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young

febrile

feverish

demoniac(demoniacal)

fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil

ferocious

fierce; violent; N. ferocity

melee

fight

dossier

file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back

replenish

fill up again

aghast

filled with great surprise or fear; horrified

sordid

filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story

d\'enouement

final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained

ultimate

final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.

aversion

firm dislike

assurance

firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in fron of his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure; make (something) certain to heappen; make (someone) feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured; confident in one's own ability; showing certainty

inherent

firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic

tenacity

firmness; persistence

primal

first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence

primary

first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first

draft

first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript

arable

fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land

tantrum

fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.

paroxysm

fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst

spasmodic

fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion

propriety

fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary

aptitude

fitness; talent

moodiness

fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: state of mind or emotion

rig

fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election

ration

fixed portion; V: distribute as rations

flaccid

flabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid muscles

panache

flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. ÀÜ ¾Æ·¡·Î õÀ» »©³»´Â ¼Ø¾¾

meretricious

flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute

floe

flat mass of floating ice

delta

flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river

blandishment

flattery

adulation

flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved

sherbet

flavored dessert ice

armada

fleet of warships

fugitive

fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large

evanescent

fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce

carnal

fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body

pliant

flexible; easily influenced

pliable

flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable

supple

flexible; limber; pliant

willowy

flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow

lithe

flexible; supple; CF. limber

limber

flexible; supple; pliable; V.

coquette

flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.

inundate

flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work

deluge

flood; rush; V.

parquet

floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece

trickle

flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.

dribble

flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.

exude

flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation

influx

flowing into

confluence

flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together

flux

flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux

glib

fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick

voluble

fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility

flit

fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower

ensue

follow (as a result)

subsequent