TFA Vocabulary

wan |wän|

adjective (of a person's complexion or appearance) pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion : she was looking wan and bleary-eyed. See note at pale . • (of light) pale; weak : the wan dawn light. • (of a smile) weak; strained. • poetic/literary (of the sea) without luster; dark and gloomy. DERIVATIVES wanly adverb wanness noun ORIGIN Old English wann [dark, black,] of unknown origin. Thesaurus wan adjective 1 she looked so wan and frail pale, pallid, ashen, white, gray; anemic, colorless, bloodless, waxen, chalky, pasty, peaked, sickly, washed out, drained, drawn, ghostly. See note at pale 2 . antonym flushed. 2 the wan light of the moon dim, faint, weak, feeble, pale, watery, washy. antonym bright.

sonorous |ˈsänərəs|

adjective (of a person's voice or other sound) imposingly deep and full. • capable of producing a deep or ringing sound : the alloy is sonorous and useful in making bells. • (of a speech or style) using imposing language : they had expected the lawyers to deliver sonorous lamentations. • having a pleasing sound : she used the misleadingly sonorous name "melanoma" to describe it. DERIVATIVES sonorously adverb sonorousness noun ORIGIN early 17th cent.: from Latin sonorus (from sonor 'sound' ) + -ous . Thesaurus sonorous adjective 1 a sonorous voice resonant, rich, full, round, booming, deep, clear, mellow, orotund, fruity, strong, resounding, reverberant. 2 sonorous words of condemnation impressive, imposing, grandiloquent, magniloquent, high-flown, lofty, orotund, bombastic, grandiose, pompous, pretentious, overblown, turgid; oratorical, rhetorical; informal highfalutin.

guttural |ˈgətərəl|

adjective (of a speech sound) produced in the throat; harsh-sounding. • (of a manner of speech) characterized by the use of such sounds : his parents' guttural central European accent. noun a guttural consonant (e.g., k, g) or other speech sound. DERIVATIVES gutturally adverb ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from French, or from medieval Latin gutturalis, from Latin guttur 'throat.' Thesaurus guttural adjective the man who called had a guttural voice throaty, husky, gruff, gravelly, growly, growling, croaky, croaking, harsh, rough, rasping, raspy; deep, low, thick.

expedient |ikˈspēdēənt|

adjective (of an action) convenient and practical, although possibly improper or immoral : either side could break the agreement if it were expedient to do so. • (of an action) suitable or appropriate : holding a public inquiry into the scheme was not expedient. noun a means of attaining an end, esp. one that is convenient but considered improper or immoral : the current policy is a political expedient. DERIVATIVES expedience noun expediency noun expediently adverb ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin expedient- 'extricating, putting in order,' from the verb expedire (see expedite ). The original sense was neutral; the depreciatory sense, implying disregard of moral considerations, dates from the late 18th cent.

luxuriant |ləg zh oŏrēənt; lək sh oŏr-|

adjective (of vegetation) rich and profuse in growth; lush : forests of dark, luxuriant foliage | figurative luxuriant prose. See note at profuse . • (of hair) thick and healthy. DERIVATIVES luxuriance noun luxuriantly adverb ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from Latin luxuriant- 'growing rankly,' from the verb luxuriare, from luxuria 'luxury, rankness.' USAGE See usage at luxurious . Thesaurus luxuriant adjective luxuriant vegetation lush, rich, abundant, profuse, exuberant, riotous, prolific, vigorous; dense, thick, rank, rampant; informal jungly. See note at profuse . antonym barren, sparse. EASILY CONFUSED WORDS luxuriant, luxurious Luxuriant and luxurious are sometimes confused. Luxuriant means 'lush, profuse, prolific':: forests of dark luxuriant foliage; | luxuriant black eyelashes). Luxurious, a much more common word, means 'supplied with luxuries, extremely comfortable': | a luxurious mansion.

diminished |dimini sh t|

adjective 1 made smaller or less : a diminished role for local government. • [ predic. ] made to seem less impressive or valuable : she felt diminished by the report. 2 [ attrib. ] Music denoting or containing an interval that is one semitone less than the corresponding minor or perfect interval : a diminished fifth. diminish |dimini sh | verb make or become less : [ trans. ] a tax whose purpose is to diminish spending | [ intrans. ] the pain will gradually diminish. • [ trans. ] make (someone or something) seem less impressive or valuable : the trial has aged and diminished him. PHRASES ( the law of) diminishing returns used to refer to a point at which the level of profits or benefits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested. DERIVATIVES diminishable adjective ORIGIN late Middle English : blend of archaic minish [diminish] (based on Latin minutia 'smallness' ) and obsolete diminue [speak disparagingly] (based on Latin deminuere 'lessen' (in late Latin diminuere), from minuere 'make small' ).

profane |prəˈfān; prō-|

adjective 1 relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; secular rather than religious : a talk that tackled topics both sacred and profane. • (of a person) not initiated into religious rites or any esoteric knowledge : he was an agnostic, a profane man. 2 (of a person or their behavior) not respectful of orthodox religious practice; irreverent : desecration of the temple by profane adolescents. • (of language) blasphemous or obscene. verb [ trans. ] treat (something sacred) with irreverence or disrespect : it was a serious matter to profane a tomb. DERIVATIVES profanation |ˌpräfəˈnā sh ən; ˌprō-| noun profanely adverb profaneness noun profaner noun ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [heathen] ): from Old French prophane, from Latin profanus 'outside the temple, not sacred,' from pro- (from pro 'before' ) + fanum 'temple.' Thesaurus profane adjective 1 subjects both sacred and profane secular, lay, nonreligious, temporal; formal laic. antonym religious, sacred. 2 a profane man irreverent, irreligious, ungodly, godless, unbelieving, impious, disrespectful, sacrilegious. antonym reverent. 3 profane language obscene, blasphemous, indecent, foul, vulgar, crude, filthy, dirty, smutty, coarse, rude, offensive, indecorous. antonym decorous. verb invaders profaned our sacred temples desecrate, violate, defile, treat sacrilegiously.

impotent |ˈimpətnt|

adjective 1 unable to take effective action; helpless or powerless : he was seized with an impotent anger. 2 (of a man) abnormally unable to achieve a sexual erection. • (of a male animal) unable to copulate. DERIVATIVES impotence noun impotency noun impotently adverb ORIGIN late Middle English : via Old French from Latin impotent- 'powerless,' from in- 'not' + potent- (see potent 1 ). Thesaurus impotent adjective 1 the legal sanctions are impotent powerless, ineffective, ineffectual, inadequate, weak, feeble, useless, worthless, futile; literary impuissant. antonym powerful, effective. 2 natural forces that humans are impotent to control unable, incapable, powerless, helpless. antonym able.

copious |kōpēəs|

adjective abundant in supply or quantity : she took copious notes. See note at prevalent . • archaic profuse in speech or ideas : I had been a little too copious in talking of my country. DERIVATIVES copiously adverb copiousness noun ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French copieux or Latin copiosus, from copia 'plenty.'

resolute |ˈrezəˌloōt; -lət|

adjective admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering : she was resolute and unswerving. DERIVATIVES resolutely adverb resoluteness noun ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [paid,] describing a rent): from Latin resolutus 'loosened, released, paid,' past participle of resolvere (see resolve ). THE RIGHT WORD Any of the above adjectives might apply to you if you take a stand on something and stick to it, or show your loyalty to a person, country, or cause. If you show unswerving loyalty to someone or something you are tied to (as in marriage, friendship, etc.), you would be described as faithful (: a faithful wife; a faithful Republican). Constant also implies a firm or steady attachment to someone or something, but with less emphasis on vows, pledges, and obligations; it is the opposite of fickleness rather than of unfaithfulness (: my grandfather's constant confidant). To be described as staunch carries loyalty one step further, implying an unwillingness to be dissuaded or turned aside (: a staunch friend who refused to believe the rumors that were circulating). To be called resolute means that you are both staunch and steadfast, but the emphasis here is on character and a firm adherence to your own goals and purposes rather than to those of others (: resolute in insisting upon her right to be heard). Determined and decisive are less forceful words. You can be decisive in almost any situation, as long as you have a choice among alternatives and don't hesitate in taking a stand (: decisive as always, she barely glanced at the menu before ordering). Determined, unlike resolute, suggests a stubborn will rather than a conscious adherence to goals or principles (: he was determined to be home before the holidays). Thesaurus resolute adjective Israelis and Palestinians held jittery but resolute hopes for peace determined, purposeful, resolved, adamant, single-minded, firm, unswerving, unwavering, steadfast, staunch, stalwart, unfaltering, unhesitating, persistent, indefatigable, tenacious, strong-willed, unshakable; stubborn, dogged, obstinate, obdurate, inflexible, intransigent, implacable, unyielding, unrelenting; spirited, brave, bold, courageous, plucky, indomitable; informal gutsy, spunky, feisty; formal pertinacious. antonym halfhearted. THE RIGHT WORD Any of the above adjectives might apply to you if you take a stand on something and stick to it, or show your loyalty to a person, country, or cause. If you show unswerving loyalty to someone or something you are tied to (as in marriage, friendship, etc.), you would be described as faithful (: a faithful wife; a faithful Republican). Constant also implies a firm or steady attachment to someone or something, but with less emphasis on vows, pledges, and obligations; it is the opposite of fickleness rather than of unfaithfulness ( | my grandfather's constant confidant). To be described as staunch carries loyalty one step further, implying an unwillingness to be dissuaded or turned aside ( | a staunch friend who refused to believe the rumors that were circulating). To be called resolute means that you are both staunch and steadfast, but the emphasis here is on character and a firm adherence to your own goals and purposes rather than to those of others ( | resolute in insisting upon her right to be heard). Determined and decisive are less forceful words. You can be decisive in almost any situation, as long as you have a choice among alternatives and don't hesitate in taking a stand ( | decisive as always, she barely glanced at the menu before ordering). Determined, unlike resolute, suggests a stubborn will rather than a conscious adherence to goals or principles ( | he was determined to be home before the holidays).

imperious |impi(ə)rēəs|

adjective assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering : his imperious demands. DERIVATIVES imperiously adverb imperiousness noun ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from Latin imperiosus, from imperium 'command, authority, empire' ; related to imperare 'to command.' Compare with imperial . imperious adjective Black tells stories of imperious judges and duplicitous witnesses peremptory, high-handed, commanding, imperial, overbearing, overweening, domineering, authoritarian, dictatorial, autocratic, authoritative, lordly, assertive, bossy, arrogant, haughty, presumptuous; informal pushy, high and mighty.

poignant |poinyənt|

adjective evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret : a poignant reminder of the passing of time. See note at moving . • keenly felt : the sensation of being back at home was most poignant in the winter. • archaic sharp or pungent in taste or smell. DERIVATIVES poignance noun poignancy |-yənsē| noun poignantly |-yəntlē| adverb ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French, literally 'pricking,' present participle of poindre, from Latin pungere 'to prick.' Thesaurus poignant adjective they read aloud the poignant letters written by the victims' children touching, moving, sad, affecting, pitiful, piteous, pathetic, sorrowful, mournful, wretched, miserable, distressing, heart-rending, tearjerking, plaintive, tragic. See note at moving .

immanent |ˈimənənt|

adjective existing or operating within; inherent : the protection of liberties is immanent in constitutional arrangements. • (of God) permanently pervading and sustaining the universe. Often contrasted with transcendent . DERIVATIVES immanence noun immanency noun immanentism |-ˌtizəm| noun immanentist |-tist| noun ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from late Latin immanent- 'remaining within,' from in- 'in' + manere 'remain.' USAGE See usage at eminent . Thesaurus immanent adjective See inherent . See also note at eminent .

derisive |diˈrīsiv|

adjective expressing contempt or ridicule : a harsh, derisive laugh. DERIVATIVES derisively adverb derisiveness noun ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from derision , on the pattern of the pair decision, decisive. USAGE On the difference between derisive and derisory, see usage at derisory . Thesaurus derisive adjective shouting derisive comments mocking, jeering, scoffing, teasing, derisory, snide, sneering; disdainful, scornful, contemptuous, taunting, insulting; scathing, sarcastic.

capricious |kəpri sh əs;-prē-|

adjective given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior : a capricious and often brutal administration | a capricious climate. DERIVATIVES capriciously adverb capriciousness noun ORIGIN early 17th cent.: from French capricieux, from Italian (see capriccioso ). Thesaurus capricious adjective the capricious workings of fate fickle, inconstant, changeable, variable, mercurial, volatile, unpredictable, temperamental; whimsical, fanciful, flighty, quirky, faddish. antonym consistent.

ominous |ˈämənəs|

adjective giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious : there were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead. DERIVATIVES ominously adverb ominousness noun ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from Latin ominosus, from omen, omin- 'omen.' THE RIGHT WORD A sky filled with low, dark clouds might look ominous, but it probably wouldn't be considered portentous, even though the root words omen and portent are nearly synonymous. What is ominous is usually threatening and may imply impending disaster (: an ominous silence), while portentous is more often used to describe something that provokes awe or amazement ( | a portentous show of military strength) or a very important outcome ( | a portentous moment for the American people). Like ominous, foreboding implies that something evil is coming (: foreboding words that sent shivers through us), while forbidding suggests an unfriendly or threatening appearance ( | a dark, forbidding castle). Fateful and premonitory are less frightening words. What is fateful appears to have been inevitable or decreed by fate, with an emphasis on decisive importance (: a fateful meeting with her ex-boyfriend; a battle that would prove fateful). Anything that serves to warn beforehand is premonitory, whether or not the warning concerns something negative (: a premonitory dream about her father's death; a premonitory feeling about the exam). Thesaurus ominous adjective ominous clouds threatening, menacing, baleful, forbidding, sinister, inauspicious, unpropitious, unfavorable, unpromising; portentous, foreboding, fateful, premonitory; black, dark, gloomy; formal minatory; literary direful; rare minacious. antonym promising, auspicious. THE RIGHT WORD A sky filled with low, dark clouds might look ominous, but it probably wouldn't be considered portentous, even though the root words omen and portent are nearly synonymous. What is ominous is usually threatening and may imply impending disaster (: an ominous silence), while portentous is more often used to describe something that provokes awe or amazement ( | a portentous show of military strength) or a very important outcome ( | a portentous moment for the American people). Like ominous, foreboding implies that something evil is coming ( | foreboding words that sent shivers through us), while forbidding suggests an unfriendly or threatening appearance ( | a dark, forbidding castle). Fateful and premonitory are less frightening words. What is fateful appears to have been inevitable or decreed by fate, with an emphasis on decisive importance ( | a fateful meeting with her ex-boyfriend; a battle that would prove fateful). Anything that serves to warn beforehand is premonitory, whether or not the warning concerns something negative ( | a premonitory dream about her father's death; a premonitory feeling about the exam).

malevolent |məlevələnt|

adjective having or showing a wish to do evil to others : the glint of dark, malevolent eyes | some malevolent force of nature. DERIVATIVES malevolence noun malevolently adverb ORIGIN early 16th cent.: from Latin malevolent- 'wishing evil,' from male 'ill' + volent- 'wishing' (from the verb velle). Thesaurus malevolent adjective a malevolent glare malicious, hostile, evil-minded, baleful, evil-intentioned, venomous, evil, malign, malignant, rancorous, vicious, vindictive, vengeful; literary malefic, maleficent. antonym benevolent.

incipient |insipēənt|

adjective in an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop : he could feel incipient anger building up | an incipient black eye. • (of a person) developing into a specified type or role : we seemed more like friends than incipient lovers. DERIVATIVES incipience noun incipiency noun incipiently adverb ORIGIN late 16th cent.(as a noun denoting a beginner): from Latin incipient- 'undertaking, beginning,' from the verb incipere, from in- 'into, toward' + capere 'take.' Thesaurus incipient adjective the system detects incipient problems early developing, growing, emerging, emergent, dawning, just beginning, inceptive, initial, inchoate; nascent, embryonic, fledgling, in its infancy, germinal. antonym full-blown.

esoteric |ˌesəˈterik|

adjective intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest : esoteric philosophical debates. DERIVATIVES esoterically |-(ə)lē| adverb esotericism |-ˈterəˌsizəm| noun esotericist |-ˈterəsist| noun ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from Greek esōterikos, from esōterō, comparative of esō 'within,' from es, eis 'into.' Compare with exoteric . Thesaurus esoteric adjective in attendance were more than 50 antiques dealers brimming with esoteric knowledge abstruse, obscure, arcane, recherché, rarefied, recondite, abstract; enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, Delphic; complex, complicated, incomprehensible, opaque, impenetrable, mysterious.

requisite |ˈrekwəzət|

adjective made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations : the application will not be processed until the requisite fee is paid. See note at necessary . noun a thing that is necessary for the achievement of a specified end : she believed privacy to be a requisite for a peaceful life. DERIVATIVES requisitely adverb ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin requisitus 'searched for, deemed necessary,' past participle of requirere (see require ). Thesaurus requisite adjective he lacks the requisite skills necessary, required, prerequisite, essential, indispensable, vital. See note at necessary . antonym optional. noun a requisite for a successful career necessity, essential, essential requirement, prerequisite, precondition, sine qua non; informal must.

inadvertent |ˌinədˈvərtnt|

adjective not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning : many French leaders cannot accept at all that American dominance is inadvertent. • (of a mistake) made through lack of care. DERIVATIVES inadvertence noun inadvertency noun inadvertently adverb ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from in- 1 [not] + Latin advertent- 'turning the mind to' (from the verb advertere). The noun inadvertence dates from late Middle English . Thesaurus inadvertent adjective an inadvertent omission unintentional, unintended, accidental, unpremeditated, unplanned, innocent, uncalculated, unconscious, unthinking, unwitting, involuntary; careless, negligent. antonym deliberate.

plaintive |plāntiv|

adjective sounding sad and mournful : a plaintive cry. DERIVATIVES plaintively adverb plaintiveness noun ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French plaintif, -ive, from plainte 'lamentation' (see plaint ). Thesaurus plaintive adjective a plaintive cry mournful, sad, wistful, doleful, pathetic, pitiful, piteous, melancholy, sorrowful, unhappy, wretched, woeful, forlorn, woebegone; literary dolorous.

specious |spē sh əs|

adjective superficially plausible, but actually wrong : a specious argument. • misleading in appearance, esp. misleadingly attractive : the music trade gives Golden Oldies a specious appearance of novelty. DERIVATIVES speciously adverb speciousness noun ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [beautiful] ): from Latin speciosus 'fair,' from species (see species ). Thesaurus specious adjective specious reasoning misleading, deceptive, false, fallacious, unsound, spurious, casuistic, sophistic. Dictionary manifest 1 |manəfest| adjective clear or obvious to the eye or mind : the system's manifest failings. verb [ trans. ] display or show (a quality or feeling) by one's acts or appearance; demonstrate : Ray manifested signs of severe depression. • (often be manifested in) be evidence of; prove : bad industrial relations are often manifested in disputes and strikes. • [ intrans. ] (of an ailment) become apparent through the appearance of symptoms : a disorder that usually manifests in middle age. • [ intrans. ] (of a ghost or spirit) appear : one deity manifested in the form of a bird. DERIVATIVES manifestly adverb ORIGIN late Middle English : via Old French from Latin manifestus. Thesaurus manifest verb 1 she manifested signs of depression display, show, exhibit, demonstrate, betray, present, reveal; formal evince. antonym hide. 2 his positive potential is manifested by his art be evidence of, be a sign of, indicate, show, attest to, reflect, bespeak, prove, establish, evidence, substantiate, corroborate, confirm; literary betoken. antonym mask. adjective his manifest lack of interest obvious, clear, plain, apparent, evident, patent, palpable, distinct, definite, blatant, overt, glaring, barefaced, explicit, transparent, conspicuous, undisguised, unmistakable, noticeable, perceptible, visible, recognizable. antonym secret. Dictionary pandemonium |pandəmōnēəm| noun wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar : pandemonium broke out. ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: modern Latin (denoting the place of all demons, in Milton's Paradise Lost), from pan- [all] + Greek daimōn 'demon.' Thesaurus pandemonium noun we heard a bang and then there was complete pandemonium bedlam, chaos, mayhem, uproar, turmoil, tumult, commotion, confusion, anarchy, furor, hubbub, rumpus; informal hullabaloo, hoopla. antonym peace. Dictionary esoteric |esəterik| adjective intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest : esoteric philosophical debates. DERIVATIVES esoterically |-(ə)lē| adverb esotericism |-terəˌsizəm| noun esotericist |-terəsist| noun ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from Greek esōterikos, from esōterō, comparative of esō 'within,' from es, eis 'into.' Compare with exoteric. Thesaurus esoteric adjective in attendance were more than 50 antiques dealers brimming with esoteric knowledge abstruse, obscure, arcane, recherché, rarefied, recondite, abstract; enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, Delphic; complex, complicated, incomprehensible, opaque, impenetrable, mysterious. Dictionary approbation |ˌaprəbā sh ən| noun formal approval or praise : the opera met with high approbation. DERIVATIVES approbative |aprəˌbātiv; əprōbətiv| adjective approbatory |əprōbəˌtôrē| adjective ORIGIN late Middle English : via Old French from Latin approbatio(n-), from the verb approbare (see approbate ). Thesaurus approbation noun at age 45, he was still seeking his parents' approbation approval, acceptance, endorsement, appreciation, respect, admiration, commendation, praise, congratulations, acclaim, esteem, applause; consent; rare laudation. antonym criticism. Dictionary voluble |välyəbəl| adjective speaking or spoken incessantly and fluently : she was as voluble as her husband was silent. See note at talkative . DERIVATIVES volubility |ˌvälyəbilətē| noun volubleness noun volubly |-blē| adverb ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from French, or from Latin volubilis, from volvere 'to roll.' Earlier use in late Middle English included the senses [rotating around an axis] and [having a tendency to change,] also meanings of the Latin word. Thesaurus voluble adjective she was as voluble as her husband was silent talkative, loquacious, garrulous, verbose, wordy, chatty, gossipy, effusive, gushing, forthcoming, conversational, communicative, expansive; articulate, fluent; informal mouthy, motormouthed, gabby, gassy, windy, talky. See note at talkative . antonym taciturn.

benevolent |bəˈnevələnt|

adjective well meaning and kindly : a benevolent smile. • (of an organization) serving a charitable rather than a profit-making purpose : a benevolent fund. DERIVATIVES benevolence noun benevolently adverb ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French benivolent, from Latin bene volent- 'well wishing,' from bene 'well' + velle 'to wish.' Thesaurus benevolent adjective 1 a benevolent patriarch kind, kindly, kindhearted, bighearted, good-natured, good, benign, compassionate, caring, altruistic, humanitarian, philanthropic; generous, magnanimous, munificent, unselfish, openhanded, beneficent; literary bounteous. antonym unkind, tightfisted. 2 a benevolent institution charitable, nonprofit, not-for-profit; formal eleemosynary.

idolatrous |īˈdälətrəs|

adjective worshiping idols : the idolatrous peasantry. • treating someone or something as an idol : America's idolatrous worship of the auto.

degenerate

adjective |diˈjenərit| 1 having lost the physical, mental, or moral qualities considered normal and desirable; showing evidence of decline : a degenerate form of a higher civilization. See note at depraved . 2 technical lacking some property, order, or distinctness of structure previously or usually present, in particular • Mathematics relating to or denoting an example of a particular type of equation, curve, or other entity that is equivalent to a simpler type, often occurring when a variable or parameter is set to zero. • Physics relating to or denoting an energy level that corresponds to more than one quantum state. • Physics relating to or denoting matter at densities so high that gravitational contraction is counteracted either by the Pauli exclusion principle or by an analogous quantum effect between closely packed neutrons. • Biology having reverted to a simpler form as a result of losing a complex or adaptive structure present in the ancestral form. noun |diˈjenərit| an immoral or corrupt person. verb |diˈjenəˌrāt| [ intrans. ] decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally : the quality of life had degenerated | the debate degenerated into a brawl. DERIVATIVES degeneracy |-rəsē| noun degenerately |-ritlē| adverb ORIGIN late 15th cent.: from Latin degeneratus 'no longer of its kind,' from the verb degenerare, from degener 'debased,' from de- 'away from' + genus, gener- 'race, kind.' Thesaurus degenerate adjective 1 a degenerate form of classicism debased, degraded, corrupt, impure; formal vitiated. antonym pure. 2 her degenerate brother corrupt, decadent, dissolute, dissipated, debauched, reprobate, profligate; sinful, ungodly, immoral, unprincipled, amoral, dishonorable, disreputable, unsavory, sordid, low, ignoble. See note at depraved . antonym moral. noun a group of degenerates reprobate, debauchee, profligate, libertine, roué. verb 1 their quality of life had degenerated deteriorate, decline, slip, slide, worsen, lapse, slump, go downhill, regress, retrogress; go to rack and ruin; informal go to pot, go to the dogs, hit the skids, go into/down the toilet. antonym improve. 2 the muscles started to degenerate waste (away), atrophy, weaken.

duly |d(y)oōlē|

adverb in accordance with what is required or appropriate; following proper procedure or arrangement : a document duly signed and authorized by the inspector | | the ceremony duly began at midnight. • as might be expected or predicted : I used the tent and was duly impressed. Thesaurus duly adverb 1 the document was duly signed properly, correctly, appropriately, suitably, fittingly. 2 he duly arrived to collect Alice at the right time, on time, punctually.

evangelist |iˈvanjəlist|

noun 1 a person who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith, esp. by public preaching. • a layperson engaged in Christian missionary work. • a zealous advocate of something : he is an evangelist of junk bonds. 2 the writer of one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) : St. John the Evangelist. DERIVATIVES evangelistic |iˌvanjəˈlistik| adjective ORIGIN Middle English (sense 2) : from Old French évangéliste, via ecclesiastical Latin from ecclesiastical Greek euangelistēs, from euangelizesthai 'evangelize.' Thesaurus evangelist noun the first evangelist I ever heard of was Billy Graham preacher, missionary, gospeler, proselytizer, crusader; informal Bible-thumper.

dynamism |dīnəmizəm|

noun 1 the quality of being characterized by vigorous activity and progress : the dynamism and strength of the economy. • the quality of being dynamic and positive in attitude : he was known for his dynamism and strong views. 2 chiefly historical Philosophy the theory that phenomena of matter or mind are due to the action of forces rather than to motion or matter. DERIVATIVES dynamist noun ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: from Greek dunamis 'power' + -ism . Thesaurus dynamism noun the dynamism in his performance energy, spirit, liveliness, zestfulness, vitality, vigor, forcefulness, power, potency, positivity; aggression, drive, ambition, enterprise; magnetism, passion, fire; informal pep, get-up-and-go, vim and vigor, guts, feistiness, gumption.

multitude |məltət(y)oōd|

noun a large number : a multitude of medical conditions are due to being overweight. • ( the multitudes) large numbers of people : the multitudes using the roads. • ( the multitude) a large gathering of people : Father Peter addressed the multitude. • ( the multitude) the mass of ordinary people without power or influence : placing ultimate political power in the hands of the multitude. • archaic the state of being numerous : they would swarm over the river in their multitude. PHRASES cover a multitude of sins see cover . ORIGIN Middle English : via Old French from Latin multitudo, from multus 'many.' Thesaurus multitude noun 1 a multitude of birds a lot, a great/large number, a great/large quantity, a host, a horde, a mass, a swarm, an abundance, a profusion; scores, quantities, droves; informal a slew, lots, loads, masses, stacks, heaps, piles, tons, dozens, hundreds, thousands, millions, gazillions. 2 Father Philip addressed the multitude crowd, gathering, assembly, congregation, flock, throng, horde, mob; formal concourse. 3 political power in the hands of the multitude common people, people, populace, masses, rank and file, commonality, plebeians; hoi polloi, mob, proletariat, common herd; informal great unwashed, rabble, proles, plebs.

dialect |ˈdīəˌlekt|

noun a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group : this novel is written in the dialect of Trinidad. • Computing a particular version of a programming language. DERIVATIVES dialectal |ˌdīəˈlektəl| adjective ORIGIN mid 16th cent.(denoting the art of investigating the truth of opinions): from French dialecte, or via Latin from Greek dialektos 'discourse, way of speaking,' from dialegesthai 'converse with' (see dialogue ). THE RIGHT WORD When a New York City cab driver calls out the window, "Hey, wassa madda wichoo?" he is using the vernacular, which is the authentic, natural pattern of speech among those belonging to a certain community. In some areas of London, on the other hand, one might hear the Cockney dialect, which is a form or variety of a language that is confined to a specific group or locality; it has its own pronunciation, usage, and vocabulary, and may persist for generations or even centuries (: he spoke in the dialect of the Appalachian backwoodsman). A teenager who tells his parents to "Chill out" is using slang, which is a very informal language that includes "substitute" vocabulary ("wheels" for car, "rug" for toupee), grammatical distortions, and other departures from formal or polite usage. Argot refers to the slang of a group that feels threatened by the hostility of society as a whole; it traditionally refers to the slang used by criminals and thieves, although it may refer to any peculiar language that a clique or other closely knit group uses to communicate with each other. At one time cant was a synonym for argot, but now it usually refers to pompous, inflated language or the hackneyed use of words and phrases by members of a particular class or profession (: the cant of the fashion industry). In contrast to cant, which can at least be understood, jargon is nearly impossible for the average person to decipher. This term refers to the technical or highly specialized language used by members of an occupational or professional group (: medical jargon; | the jargon of the theater). If you are frustrated because you can't understand the language used by a particular class or group, you're apt to refer to their way of talking as lingo, which is a term for any language that is not readily understood (: she tried to reason with the cab driver, but she couldn't understand his lingo). Thesaurus dialect noun the island dialect was influenced by the Spanish in the sixteenth century regional language, local language, local speech, vernacular, patois, idiom; regionalisms, localisms; informal lingo. THE RIGHT WORD When a New York City cab driver calls out the window, "Hey, wassa madda wichoo?" he is using the vernacular, which is the authentic, natural pattern of speech among those belonging to a certain community. In some areas of London, on the other hand, one might hear the Cockney dialect, which is a form or variety of a language that is confined to a specific group or locality; it has its own pronunciation, usage, and vocabulary, and may persist for generations or even centuries (: he spoke in the dialect of the Appalachian backwoodsman). A teenager who tells his parents to "Chill out" is using slang, which is a very informal language that includes "substitute" vocabulary ("wheels" for car, "rug" for toupee), grammatical distortions, and other departures from formal or polite usage. Argot refers to the slang of a group that feels threatened by the hostility of society as a whole; it traditionally refers to the slang used by criminals and thieves, although it may refer to any peculiar language that a clique or other closely knit group uses to communicate with each other. At one time cant was a synonym for argot, but now it usually refers to pompous, inflated language or the hackneyed use of words and phrases by members of a particular class or profession ( | the cant of the fashion industry). In contrast to cant, which can at least be understood, jargon is nearly impossible for the average person to decipher. This term refers to the technical or highly specialized language used by members of an occupational or professional group ( | medical jargon, | the jargon of the theater). If you are frustrated because you can't understand the language used by a particular class or group, you're apt to refer to their way of talking as lingo, which is a term for any language that is not readily understood ( | she tried to reason with the cab driver, but she couldn't understand his lingo).

lament |ləment|

noun a passionate expression of grief or sorrow : his mother's night-long laments for his father | a song full of lament and sorrow. • a song, piece of music, or poem expressing such emotions. • an expression of regret or disappointment; a complaint : there were constant laments about the conditions of employment. verb [ trans. ] mourn (a person's loss or death) : he was lamenting the death of his infant daughter. See note at mourn . • [ intrans. ] ( lament for/over) express one's deep grief about. • [ reporting verb ] express regret or disappointment over something considered unsatisfactory, unreasonable, or unfair : [ trans. ] she lamented the lack of shops in the town | [with direct speech ] Thomas Jefferson later lamented, "Heaven remained silent." DERIVATIVES lamentation |laməntā sh ən| noun lamenter noun ORIGIN late Middle English (as a verb): from French lamenter or Latin lamentari, from lamenta (plural) 'weeping, wailing.' Thesaurus lamentation noun the survivors' lamentation weeping, wailing, crying, sobbing, moaning, lament, keening, grieving, mourning.

miscreant |ˈmiskrēənt|

noun a person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law. • archaic a heretic. adjective (of a person) behaving badly or in a way that breaks a law or rule : her miscreant husband. • archaic heretical. ORIGIN Middle English (as an adjective in the sense [disbelieving] ): from Old French mescreant, present participle of mescreire 'disbelieve,' from mes- 'mis-' + creire 'believe' (from Latin credere). Thesaurus miscreant noun the South Street playground has been taken over by a pack of drug-dealing miscreants criminal, culprit, wrongdoer, malefactor, offender, villain, lawbreaker, evildoer, delinquent, hoodlum, reprobate; Law malfeasant.

orator |ôrətər; är-|

noun a public speaker, esp. one who is eloquent or skilled. DERIVATIVES oratorial |ˌôrətôrēəl| adjective ORIGIN late Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French oratour, from Latin orator 'speaker, pleader. Thesaurus orator noun Patrick Henry, the great orator speaker, public speaker, speech-maker, lecturer, declaimer, rhetorician, rhetor.

abomination |əˌbäməˈnā sh ən|

noun a thing that causes disgust or hatred : the Pharisees regarded Gentiles as an abomination to God | informal concrete abominations masquerading as hotels. • a feeling of hatred : their abomination of indulgence. ORIGIN Middle English : from Latin abominatio(n-), from the verb abominari (see abominate ). Thesaurus abomination noun 1 in both wars, internment was an abomination atrocity, disgrace, horror, obscenity, outrage, evil, crime, monstrosity, anathema, bane. 2 she looked upon his kitschy decor with abomination detestation, loathing, hatred, aversion, antipathy, revulsion, repugnance, abhorrence, odium, execration, disgust, horror, hostility. antonym liking, love.

pauper |ˈpôpər|

noun a very poor person. • historical a recipient of government relief or public charity. DERIVATIVES pauperdom |-dəm| noun pauperism |-ˌrizəm| noun pauperization |ˌpôpəriˈzā sh ən| noun pauperize |-ˌrīz| verb ORIGIN late 15th cent.: from Latin, literally 'poor.' The word's use in English originated in the Latin legal phrase in forma pauperis, literally 'in the form of a poor person' (allowing nonpayment of costs). Thesaurus pauper noun the story of a lowly pauper who rises to the top of a major crime syndicate poor person, indigent, down-and-out; informal have-not.

emanation |ˌeməˈnā sh ən|

noun an abstract but perceptible thing that issues or originates from a source : she saw the insults as emanations of his own tortured personality. • the action or process of issuing from a source : the risk of radon gas emanation. • a tenuous substance or form of radiation given off by something : vaporous emanations surround the mill's foundations. • archaic Chemistry a radioactive gas formed by radioactive decay of a solid. • a body or organization that has its source or takes its authority from another : the commission is an emanation of the state. • (in various mystical traditions) a being or force that is a manifestation of God. Thesaurus emanation noun 1 an emanation of his tortured personality product, consequence, result, fruit. 2 radon gas emanation discharge, emission, radiation, effusion, outflow, outpouring, flow, leak; technical efflux.

quarrel 1 |kwôrəl; kwä-|

noun an angry argument or disagreement, typically between people who are usually on good terms : he made the mistake of picking a quarrel with John. • [usu. with negative ] a reason for disagreement with a person, group, or principle : we have no quarrel with the people of the country, only with the dictator. verb ( -reled , -reling ; Brit. -relled, -relling) [ intrans. ] have an angry argument or disagreement : stop quarreling with your sister. • ( quarrel with) take exception to or disagree with (something) : some people quarrel with this approach. DERIVATIVES quarreler noun ORIGIN Middle English (in the sense [reason for disagreement with a person] ): from Old French querele, from Latin querel(l)a 'complaint,' from queri 'complain.' THE RIGHT WORD Fighting is an unfriendliness that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. A husband and his wife may have a quarrel, which suggests a heated verbal argument, with hostility that may persist even after it is over (: it took them almost a week to patch up their quarrel). Siblings tend to have squabbles, which are childlike disputes over trivial matters, although they are by no means confined to childhood (: frequent squabbles over who would pick up the check). A spat is also a petty quarrel, but unlike squabble, it suggests an angry outburst followed by a quick ending without hard feelings (: another spat in an otherwise loving relationship). A row is more serious, involving noisy quarreling and the potential for physical violence (: a row that woke the neighbors). Neighbors are more likely to have an altercation, which is usually confined to verbal blows but may involve actual or threatened physical ones (: an altercation over the location of the fence). A dispute is also a verbal argument, but one that is carried on over an extended period of time (: an ongoing dispute over who was responsible for taking out the garbage). Two families who have been enemies for a long time are probably involved in a feud, which suggests a bitter quarrel that lasts for years or even generations (: the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys). There is no dignity at all in being involved in a wrangle, which is an angry, noisy, and often futile dispute in which both parties are unwilling to listen to the other's point of view.

decree |diˈkrē|

noun an official order issued by a legal authority. • the issuing of such an order : the king ruled by decree. • a judgment or decision of certain law courts. verb ( -crees , -creed , -creeing ) [ trans. ] order (something) by decree : the government decreed a ban on any contact with the guerrillas | [with clause ] the president decreed that the military was to be streamlined. ORIGIN Middle English (denoting an edict issued by an ecclesiastical council to settle a point of doctrine or discipline): from Old French decre, decret, from Latin decretum 'something decided,' from decernere 'decide.'

derision |diˈri zh ən|

noun contemptuous ridicule or mockery : my stories were greeted with derision and disbelief. PHRASES hold (or have) in derision archaic regard with mockery. DERIVATIVES derisible |-ˈrizəbəl| adjective ORIGIN late Middle English : via Old French from late Latin derisio(n-), from deridere 'scoff at.' Thesaurus derision noun Quincy's memoirs incited the derision of his siblings mockery, ridicule, jeers, sneers, taunts; disdain, disparagement, denigration, disrespect, insults; scorn, contempt; lampooning, satire.

caste |kast|

noun each of the hereditary classes of Hindu society, distinguished by relative degrees of ritual purity or pollution and of social status : members of the lower castes | a man of high caste. • the system of dividing society into such classes. • any class or group of people who inherit exclusive privileges or are perceived as socially distinct : those educated in private schools belong to a privileged caste. • Entomology (in some social insects) a physically distinct individual with a particular function in the society. There are four basic classes, or varnas, in Hindu society: Brahman (priest), Kshatriya (warrior), Vaishya (merchant or farmer), and Shudra (laborer). ORIGIN mid 16th cent.(in the general sense [race, breed] ): from Spanish and Portuguese casta 'lineage, race, breed,' feminine of casto 'pure, unmixed,' from Latin castus 'chaste.' Thesaurus caste noun she could not marry outside her caste class, social class, social order, rank, level, stratum, echelon, status; dated estate, station.

palaver |pəˈlavər; -ˈläv-|

noun prolonged and idle discussion : an hour of aimless palaver. • dated a parley or improvised conference between two sides. verb [ intrans. ] talk unnecessarily at length : it's too hot for palavering. ORIGIN mid 18th cent.(in the sense [a talk between tribespeople and traders] ): from Portuguese palavra 'word,' from Latin parabola 'comparison' (see parable ).

atonement |əˈtōnmənt|

noun reparation for a wrong or injury : she wanted to make atonement for her husband's behavior. • Religion reparation or expiation for sin : the High Priest offered the sacrifice as atonement for all the sins of Israel. • ( the Atonement) Christian Theology the reconciliation of God and humankind through Jesus Christ. ORIGIN early 16th cent.(denoting unity or reconciliation, esp. between God and man): from at one + -ment , influenced by medieval Latin adunamentum 'unity,' and earlier onement from an obsolete verb one [to unite.]

8valediction |ˌvalədik sh ən|

noun the action of saying farewell : he spread his palm in valediction. • a statement or address made at or as a farewell : his official memorial valediction. ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: based on Latin vale 'goodbye' + dicere 'to say,' on the pattern of benediction. Thesaurus valediction noun he departed without a valediction farewell, goodbye, adieu, leave-taking; parting words.

affirmation |ˌafərˈmā sh ən|

noun the action or process of affirming or being affirmed : an affirmation of basic human values | he nodded in affirmation. • Law a formal declaration by a person who declines to take an oath for reasons of conscience. ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin affirmation-, from the verb affirmare (see affirm ). Thesaurus affirmation noun 1 an affirmation of faith declaration, statement, assertion, proclamation, pronouncement, attestation; oath, avowal, guarantee, pledge; deposition; formal averment, asseveration. antonym denial. 2 the poem ends with an affirmation of pastoral values confirmation, ratification, endorsement.

sacrilege |ˈsakrəlij|

noun violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred : putting ecclesiastical vestments to secular use was considered sacrilege. DERIVATIVES sacrilegious |ˌsakrəˈlijəs| adjective sacrilegiously |ˌsakrəˈlijəslē| adverb ORIGIN Middle English : via Old French from Latin sacrilegium, from sacrilegus 'stealer of sacred things,' from sacer, sacr- 'sacred' + legere 'take possession of.' Thesaurus sacrilege noun any form of gambling on the church grounds, including bingo and raffles, would be sacrilege desecration, profanity, blasphemy, impiety, irreligion, unholiness, irreverence, disrespect, profanation. antonym piety.

excrement |ˈekskrəmənt|

noun waste matter discharged from the bowels; feces. DERIVATIVES excremental |ˌekskrəˈmen(t)l| adjective ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from French excrément or Latin excrementum, from excernere 'to sift out' (see excrete ). Thesaurus excrement noun cleaning up the ferrets' excrement feces, excreta, stools, droppings; waste matter, ordure, dung; informal poop, poo, dirt, turds, caca.

taboo |təˈboō; ta-| (also tabu)

noun ( pl. -boos also -bus |təˈboōz|) a social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing. adjective prohibited or restricted by social custom : sex was a taboo subject. • designated as sacred and prohibited : the burial ground was seen as a taboo place. verb ( -boos, -booed |-ˈboōd|or -bus, -bued) [ trans. ] place under such prohibition : traditional societies taboo female handling of food during this period. ORIGIN late 18th cent.: from Tongan tabu 'set apart, forbidden' ; introduced into English by Captain Cook. Thesaurus taboo noun the taboo against healing on the Sabbath prohibition, proscription, veto, interdiction, interdict, ban, restriction. adjective taboo subjects forbidden, prohibited, banned, proscribed, interdicted, outlawed, illegal, illicit, unlawful, restricted, off limits; unmentionable, unspeakable, unutterable, unsayable, ineffable; rude, impolite. antonym acceptable.

calamity |kəˈlamitē|

noun ( pl. -ties) an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster. • disaster and distress : the journey had led to calamity and ruin. DERIVATIVES calamitous |-itəs| adjective calamitously adverb ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [disaster and distress] ): from Old French calamite, from Latin calamitas. Thesaurus calamity noun she has survived more calamities in the past three months than most people experience in a lifetime disaster, catastrophe, tragedy, cataclysm, adversity, tribulation, affliction, misfortune, misadventure. antonym godsend.

accord |əkôrd|

verb 1 [ trans. ] give or grant someone (power, status, or recognition) : the powers accorded to the head of state | [with two objs. ] the young man had accorded her little notice. 2 [ intrans. ] ( accord with) (of a concept or fact) be harmonious or consistent with. noun an official agreement or treaty. • agreement or harmony : the government and the rebels are in accord on one point | function and form in harmonious accord. PHRASES in accord with according to. of its own accord without outside intervention : the rash may go away of its own accord. of one's own accord voluntarily : he would not seek treatment of his own accord. with one accord in a united way. ORIGIN Old English , from Old French acorder 'reconcile, be of one mind,' from Latin ad- 'to' + cor, cord- 'heart' ; influenced by concord . Thesaurus accord verb 1 the national assembly accorded him more power give, grant, present, award, vouchsafe; confer on, bestow on, vest in, invest with. antonym withhold. 2 his views accorded with mine correspond to, agree with, match up with, concur with, be consistent with, harmonize with, be in harmony with, be compatible with, chime in with, be in tune with, correlate with, dovetail with; conform to; suit, fit, parallel, match; informal square with, jibe with. antonym disagree, contrast. noun 1 a peace accord pact, treaty, agreement, settlement, deal, entente, concordat, protocol, contract, convention. 2 the two sides failed to reach accord agreement, consensus, unanimity, harmony, unison, unity; formal concord. PHRASES of one's own accord Nels offered to fix the gate of his own accord voluntarily, of one's own free will, of one's own volition, by choice; willingly, freely, readily. with one accord the committee decided with one accord to approve the drainage plans unanimously, in complete agreement, with one mind, without exception, as one, of one voice, to a man.

enthrall |enˈθrôl|

verb ( -thralled , -thralling ) [ trans. ] (often be enthralled) capture the fascinated attention of : she had been so enthralled by the adventure that she had hardly noticed the cold | [as adj. ] ( enthralling) an enthralling best seller. • (also inthrall) archaic enslave. DERIVATIVES enthrallment ( Brit also enthralment) noun ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [enslave] ; formerly also as inthrall): from en- 1 , in- 2 (as an intensifier) + thrall . Thesaurus enthrall verb the exhibit of Calder's early mobiles enthralled us captivate, charm, enchant, bewitch, fascinate, beguile, entrance, delight; win, ensnare, absorb, engross, rivet, grip, transfix, hypnotize, mesmerize, spellbind. antonym bore.

bereave |biˈrēv|

verb ( be bereaved) be deprived of a loved one through a profound absence, esp. due to the loved one's death : the year after they had been bereaved | [as adj. ] ( bereaved) bereaved families | [as plural n. ] ( the bereaved) those who counsel the bereaved. DERIVATIVES bereavement noun ORIGIN Old English berēafian (see be- , reave ). The original sense was [deprive of] in general.

persevere |ˌpərsəˈvi(ə)r|

verb [ intrans. ] continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success : his family persevered with his treatment. DERIVATIVES perseverance |-ˈvi(ə)rəns| noun perseveringly adverb ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French perseverer, from Latin perseverare 'abide by strictly,' from perseverus 'very strict,' from per- 'thoroughly' + severus 'severe.' Thesaurus persevere verb she will persevere regardless of the obstacles persist, continue, carry on, go on, keep on, keep going, struggle on, hammer away, be persistent, be determined, see/follow something through, keep at it, press on/ahead, not take no for an answer, be tenacious, stand one's ground, stand fast/firm, hold on, go the distance, stay the course, plod on, stop at nothing, leave no stone unturned; informal soldier on, hang on, plug away, stick to one's guns, stick it out, hang in there. antonym give up.

blaspheme |blasˈfēm; ˈblasˌfēm|

verb [ intrans. ] speak irreverently about God or sacred things : allegations that he had blasphemed against Islam. DERIVATIVES blasphemer |blasˈfēmər; ˈblasfəmər| noun ORIGIN Middle English : via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin blasphemare 'reproach, revile, blaspheme,' from Greek blasphēmein, from blasphēmos 'evil-speaking.' Compare with blame .

transfix |transˈfiks|

verb [ trans. ] 1 (usu. be transfixed) cause (someone) to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment : he was transfixed by the pain in her face | she stared at him, transfixed. 2 pierce with a sharp implement or weapon : a field mouse is transfixed by the curved talons of an owl. DERIVATIVES transfixion |-ˈfik sh ən| noun ORIGIN late 16th cent.( in sense 2 ): from Latin transfix- 'pierced through,' from the verb transfigere, from trans- 'across' + figere 'fix, fasten.' Thesaurus transfix verb 1 she was transfixed by the images on the screen mesmerize, hypnotize, spellbind, bewitch, captivate, entrance, enthrall, fascinate, absorb, enrapture, grip, hook, rivet, paralyze. 2 a field mouse is transfixed by the owl's curved talons impale, stab, spear, pierce, spike, skewer, gore, stick, run through.

console 1 |kənˈsōl|

verb [ trans. ] comfort (someone) at a time of grief or disappointment : she tried to console him but he pushed her gently away | you can console yourself with the thought that you did your best. DERIVATIVES consolable adjective consoler noun consolingly adverb ORIGIN mid 17th cent.(replacing earlier consolate): from French consoler, from Latin consolari, from con- 'with' + solari 'soothe.' console 2 |ˈkänˌsōl| noun 1 a panel or unit accommodating a set of controls for electronic or mechanical equipment. • a cabinet for television or radio equipment. • the cabinet or enclosure containing the keyboards, stops, pedals, etc., of an organ. • a monitor and keyboard in a multiuser computer system. 2 an ornamented bracket with scrolls or corbel supporting a cornice, shelf, or tabletop. 3 a support between the seats of an automobile that has indentations for holding small items. ORIGIN mid 17th cent. (sense 2) : from French, perhaps from consolider, from Latin consolidare (see consolidate ). Thesaurus console 1 verb she tried to console him comfort, solace, sympathize with, commiserate with, show compassion for, condole with; help, support, cheer (up), hearten, encourage, reassure, soothe. antonym upset. console 2 noun a digital console control panel, instrument panel, dashboard; keyboard, keypad; informal dash.

exclude |ikˈskloōd|

verb [ trans. ] deny (someone) access to or bar (someone) from a place, group, or privilege : women had been excluded from many scientific societies. • keep (something) out of a place : apply flux to exclude oxygen. • (often be excluded) remove from consideration; rule out : computer software is excluded from the mandatory 15-year write-off. • prevent the occurrence of; preclude : clauses seeking to exclude liability for loss or damage. PHRASES law (or principle) of the excluded middle Logic the principle that one (and one only) of two contradictory propositions must be true. DERIVATIVES excludable adjective excluder noun ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin excludere, from ex- 'out' + claudere 'to shut.'

ostracize |ˈästrəˌsīz|

verb [ trans. ] exclude (someone) from a society or group : a group of people who have been ridiculed, ostracized, and persecuted for centuries. • (in ancient Greece) banish (an unpopular or too powerful citizen) from a city for five or ten years by popular vote. DERIVATIVES ostracism |-ˌsizəm| noun ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from Greek ostrakizein, from ostrakon 'shell or potsherd' (on which names were written, in voting to banish unpopular citizens). Thesaurus ostracize verb they were ostracized by their fellow workers exclude, shun, spurn, cold-shoulder, reject, shut out, avoid, ignore, snub, cut dead, keep at arm's length, leave out in the cold; blackball, blacklist; informal freeze out. antonym welcome.

desecrate |ˈdesiˌkrāt|

verb [ trans. ] (often be desecrated) treat (a sacred place or thing) with violent disrespect; violate : more than 300 graves were desecrated. DERIVATIVES desecration |ˌdesiˈkrā sh ən| noun desecrator |-ˌkrātər| noun ORIGIN late 17th cent.: from de- (expressing reversal) + a shortened form of consecrate .

revere |rivi(ə)r|

verb [ trans. ] (often be revered) feel deep respect or admiration for (something) : Cézanne's still lifes were revered by his contemporaries ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from French révérer or Latin revereri, from re- (expressing intensive force) + vereri 'to fear.' THE RIGHT WORD We might admire someone who walks a tightrope between two skyscrapers, idolize a rock star, adore our mothers, and revere a person like Martin Luther King, Jr. Each of these verbs conveys the idea of regarding someone or something with respect and honor, but they differ considerably in terms of the feelings they connote. Admire suggests a feeling of delight and enthusiastic appreciation (: admire the courage of the mountain climber), while adore implies the tenderness and warmth of unquestioning love ( | he adored babies). Idolize is an extreme form of adoration, suggesting a slavish, helpless love, (: he idolized the older quarterback). We revere individuals and institutions that command our respect for their accomplishments or attributes (: he revered his old English professor). Venerate and worship are usually found in religious contexts (: venerate saints and worship God) but both words may be used in other contexts as well. Venerate is usually associated with dignity and advanced age (: venerate the old man who had founded the company more than 50 years ago), while worship connotes an excessive and uncritical respect ( | the young girls who waited outside the stage door worshiped the ground he walked on).