t3

ventilate

admit fresh air into to replace stale air

solicitous

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

refuse

anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash

siren

apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature

ratify

approve formally; confirm; verify

sanction

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

stump

base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle

tawny

brownish yellow

sheaf

bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together

scad

a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes

uncouth

boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish

tedium

boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious

soluble

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

refrain

abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus

revoke

cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable

ruminate

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

rotunda

circular building or hall covered with a dome

shrewd

clever; astute

scale

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

spectrum

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

vie

contend; compete

vying

contending; CF. vie

tan

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

replica

copy

stalemate

deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked

rampart

defensive mound of earth

tenet

doctrine; dogma

swill

drink greedily

stodgy

dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book

savor

enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality

tantamount

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

vixen

female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew

replenish

fill up again

repine

fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work

vagrant

homeless wanderer

sophomoric

immature; half-baked; like a sophomore

unfledged

immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling

subjective

influenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal; Ex. subjective sensation of the ghostly presence

warranted

justified; authorized

smother

kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly; Ex. smothered in little stickers

slaughter

killing of animals for food; massacre; V: butcher (animals) for food; kill in large numbers

realm

kingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the realms of possibility

trinket

knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry

solicitor

lawyer in the lower court of law

recline

lie down

vulpine

like a fox; crafty

tarry

linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle

sprightly

lively

testator

maker of a will; CF. testatrix

suitor

man who is courting a woman

tryst

meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet

slink

move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky (as in ambush)

start

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

spruce

neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for your job interview; V.

titter

nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.

shoot

new growth from a plant

sparse

not thick; thinly scattered; scanty

seasonable

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

septic

of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)

rank

offensive in odor or flavor

unctuous

oily; bland; insincerely suave

sanguine

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

rococo

ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century

simplistic

oversimplified

stickler

perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right

supernumerary

person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number

tanner

person who turns animal hides into leather

supplicate

petition humbly; pray to grant a favor

ruthless

pitiless; merciless; cruel

reprieve

postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of

surge

powerful movement of or like a wave; V.

tout

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

tract

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

rote

repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote

relapse

return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N.

resurrect

revive

seedy

run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel

reserve

self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative

truism

self-evident truth

smug

self-satisfied; complacent

sunder

separate; part; CF. asunder

sober

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

solemnity

seriousness; gravity

subsidiary

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

wizened

shriveled; withered; Ex. wizened apple/old lady

synchronous

similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize

snuffle

sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)

wizardry

sorcery; magic

stammer

speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions

regeneration

spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually

strew

spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals

responsiveness

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

trample

step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet

stoke

stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully

saunter

stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.

robust

strong; vigorous

solvent

substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance

substantive

substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues

surrogate

substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.

whim

sudden capricious idea; fancy

spate

sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents

stampede

sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede before the price rises

revulsion

sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture

stifle

suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate

self-righteous

sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic

reconnaissance

survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information)

relic

surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X.

sentimental

swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments

sojourn

temporary stay; V: stay for a time

unimpeachable

that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary

unction

the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction

veneer

thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; facade; V.

wispy

thin; slight; barely discernible

tenuous

thin; slim; rare

tertiary

third in order or rank

sodden

thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink

rubric

title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol

stigma

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

sepulcher

tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral

wake

trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war

turncoat

traitor

transmute

transform; change; convert to something different

transitory

transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness

remit

transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment

tacit

understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement

torpedo

underwater explosive apparatus; V.

unintimating

unfrightening

unscathed

unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed

refractory

unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse

unassuaged

unsatisfied; not soothed

unsullied

untarnished; CF. sully

slovenly

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

wary

very cautious; watchful

vagrant

wandering from place to place; roving; stray; moving in a random fashion; Ex. vagrant thoughts; N. vagrancy

wastrel

waster; profligate

willful

wilful; intentional; headstrong

random

without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random

verbatim

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

verbose

wordy; N. verbosity

secular

worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal

wiggle

wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions

variegated

(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored

wry

(esp. of an expression of the face) twisted; with a humorous twist (expressing displeasure)

spry

(esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble

viscid

adhesive; gluey

stem_from

arise from; originate from

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

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 ?''

treatise

article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly

sluice

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

succor

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

supposititious

assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical

supposition

assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose

theoretical

based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical

sprout

begin to grow; give off shoots or buds; N: new growth on a plant; shoot

tyro

beginner; novice

subservient

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

ubiquitous

being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity

singular

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

veritable

being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not FALSE or imaginary

subliminal

below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement

stoop

bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something; condescend; Ex. stoop to lying

refraction

bending of a ray of light

respiration

breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory

resplendent

brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious

spatula

broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing

sibling

brother or sister

takeoff

burlesque; act of leaving the ground

sear

burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither

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

somber

dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow

reverie

daydream; abstracted musing

wheedle

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

stratagem

deceptive scheme; clever trick

resolve

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

wane

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

tureen

deep dish for serving soup

remorse

deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach

slander

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

sully

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

tranquillity

calmness; peace

serenity

calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene

venal

capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal

reparable

capable of being repaired

tensile

capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber

viable

capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme

volatile

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

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

universal

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

talisman

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

winsome

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

tawdry

cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry

swindler

cheater

vociferous

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

talon

claw of bird

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

resourceful

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

sly

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

surveillance

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

rapport

close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony

raiment

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

saccharine

cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin

rooster

cock; adult male chicken

synthesis

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

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

solace

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

zany

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

tumult

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

simile

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

urgent

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

reparation

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

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.

unanimity

complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous

sovereignty

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

sedate

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

secrete

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

smirk

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

terse

concise; abrupt; pithy

squalor

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

standstill

condition of no movement or activity; stop

wholesome

conducive to mental or physical health; healthful

sedition

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

welter

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

subjugate

conquer; bring under control

scrupulous

conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker

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

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

truculence

aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce

waylay

ambush; lie in wait for and attack

rider

amendment or clause added to a legislative bill

yield

amount produced; crop; income on investment; profit obtained from an investment; V: produce; give in; surrender

totem

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

vex

annoy; distress

verisimilitude

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

surreptitious

done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden

underhand(underhanded)

done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)

tipple

drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink

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

repellent

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

stolid

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

subsequent

following in time or order; later

retinue

following; attendants

victuals

food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food

trilogy

group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)

rampant

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

tutelage

guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction

surmise

guess; N.

recidivism

habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist

taciturn

habitually silent; talking little

trite

hackneyed; commonplace

somnolent

half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence

satyr

half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man

snicker

half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.

tiller

handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)

rigid

hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule

termination

end; V. terminate

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

relish

enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest

regale

entertain

verve

enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor

unexceptionable

entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism

solicit

entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer

suppliant

entreating; beseeching; N.

traduce

expose to slander

significant

expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant

turmoil

extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil

ravenous

extremely hungry; voracious

vision

eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural

visage

face; appearance

ravel

fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist

windfall

fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event

spurious

false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments

renown

fame; ADJ. renowned

spasmodic

fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion

rig

fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election

severity

harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense

slapdash

hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)

supercilious

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

ration

fixed portion; V: distribute as rations

sherbet

flavored dessert ice

supple

flexible; limber; pliant

willowy

flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow

trickle

flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.

stratified

divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify

schism

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

stanza

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

voluble

fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility

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

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

verisimilar

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

rancid

having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank

salubrious

healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health

recluse

hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive

scruple

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

virtuoso

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

slap

hit quickly with the flat part of the hand; N. CF. smack

swipe

hit with a sweeping motion; N.

repress

hold back (the natural expression of); restrain; crush; oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion

tenacious

holding fast (as to a belief); persistent

tenure

holding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held

riveting

holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing

retentive

holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the mind); having a good memory

waif

homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays

waggish

humorous; mischievous; tricky

scavenge

hunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion

trance

hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one's physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition

utopia

ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian

snub

ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion but she snubbed me; N.

Shangri-la

imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon

rake

immoral or dissolute person

restive

impatiently restless (induced by external coercion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not a general synonym for `restless'

susceptible

impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. susceptibility

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

wreak

inflict; Ex. wreak one's vengeance on

slight

insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance

smart

intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N: smarting pain

ulterior

intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive

symbiosis

interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life

warrant

justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; guarantee

treasure

keep as precious; cherish

shun

keep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has been shunned by her neighbors.

rarefied

made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less dense; N. rarefaction

shoddy

made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick

trunk

main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant

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

stun

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

retain

keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor

vigil

keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil

strangle

kill by choking or suffocating; suppress

validate

make valid; confirm; ratify

rejuvenate

make young again

raspy

making a harsh noise; grating; harsh

unregenerate

making no attempt to change one's bad practices

ram

male sheep; V. strike or drive against with a heavy impact

yeoman

man or farmer owning small estate; middle-class farmer

virile

manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength

uproarious

marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny

ribald

marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke

striated

marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved; Ex. striated rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line

requiem

mass for the dead; dirge

scanty

meager; insufficient

repast

meal; feast; banquet

venison

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

rendezvous

meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V.

smelt

melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition

rivet

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

regime

method of system or government

regiment

military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society

skirmish

minor fight; minor battle in war; V.

squabble

minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children

sundry

miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items

urchin

mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin

tightwad

miser; excessively frugal person

skinflint

miser; stingy person

wretch

miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile

shyster

lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner

spawn

lay eggs (in large numbers); produce offspring (in large numbers); N: eggs of aquatic animals

stratum

layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata

sluggard

lazy person

sluggish

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

seduce

lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive

rouà

lecherous man

scraps

leftover food

rightful

legally correct; Ex. rightful owner

usury

lending money at illegal high rates of interest

subdue

less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue one's anger

torpor

lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating

unfetter

liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter

roster

list (of names)

repertoire

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

vegetate

live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan

vivacious

lively or animated; sprightly

rousing

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

vernacular

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

shuffle

mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N.

skulk

move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city.

waft

move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window

scurry

move hastily; hurry; move briskly

waver

move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting and refusing

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

tirade

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

trough

long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves

swell

long wave of water that moves continuously without breaking; V.

rancor

long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous

retrospective

looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect

wilt

loose freshness; droop

raffle

lottery; V: award as a prize in a raffle; Ex. raffle off a new car

strident

loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency

sybarite

lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy

tepid

lukewarm; slightly warm; ¹ÌÁö±ÙÇÑ; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter

underlying

lying below; fundamental

supine

lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision

sneak

move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N: one who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky

slack

moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one's work; N. V.

undulating

moving with a wavelike motion; V. undulate; CF. und: wave

regicide

murder of a king or queen

reprise

musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the finale; Ex. constant reprises

reciprocal

mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement

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

title

name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General); right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate

recount

narrate or tell (a story); count over again

rift

narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation

ravine

narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon

sextant

navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)

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

remiss

negligent; careless about a duty

whinny

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

unceremonious

not done politely without due formalities

unearthly

not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly

unrequited

not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love

whiff

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

sheer

pure; thin and transparent; very steep

shove

push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and shoving to get on the bus; N.

suppress

put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from being published or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; Ex. suppress the magazine/truth

relegate

put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children's room; Ex. relegated to the second division

verbalize

put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb

verity

quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities

wrangle

quarrel noisily; obtain through arguing; herd cattle; N.

scrappy

quarrelsome

repartee

quick clever reply

receptive

quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal

retort

quick sharp reply; V.

wrest

obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp

subordinate

occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class

recurrent

occurring again and again

sporadic

occurring irregularly; intermittent

redolent

odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery

seasonal

of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment

schematic

of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline

sectarian

of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person

thematic

of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea

titular

of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company

vitreous

of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify

well-bred

of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined

slavish

of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the original

rabid

of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia

religious

of religion; (of a person) pious; having reverence for a deity

sonic

of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic

substantial

of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy

vulgar

of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout

superficial

of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge

temporal

of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly

tyranny

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

upshot

outcome; final result

zest

outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life

semblance

outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.

trappings

outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)

token

outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude

surmount

overcome

touchy

oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation

rave

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

stipple

paint or draw with dots or short strokes

varnish

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

whittle

pare; cut away thin bits (from wood); fashion in this way; reduce gradually; trim

vicar

parish priest; representative

spoof

parody

terminal

part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer

translucent

partly transparent

weather

pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces

seep

pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage

trajectory

path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet

resignation

patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent

recess

pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive

subtlety

perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. subtle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle mind/differences in meaning

transparent

permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie

sage

person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise

trickster

person who cheats people

suborn

persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation

rustic

pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person

thespian

pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress

seismic

pertaining to earthquakes

valedictory

pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)

thermal

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

vernal

pertaining to spring

sartorial

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

somatic

pertaining to the body; bodily; physical

tactile

pertaining to the organs or sense of touch

stellar

pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance

sylvan

pertaining to the woods or the country

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

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)

sententious

pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic

sheathe

place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade

sanctuary

place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.

superimpose

place over something else

submerge

place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work

unequivocal

plain; clear; obvious

sow

plant or scatter seed

romp

play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.

staccato

played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause

sportive

playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike

savory

pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable; Ex. savory reputation

troth

pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth

scenario

plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); opera libretto; outline of possible future events

zenith

point directly overhead in the sky; summit; acme; highest point

solstice

point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator

venom

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

viper

poisonous snake

toxic

poisonous; N. toxicity

verbiage

pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness

strut

pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner

vogue

popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.

vantage

position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint

tenancy

possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy

stamina

power of endurance; strength; staying power

squelch

produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); crush; squash; CF. ÁøÈëÀ» À§¿¡¼ ¹âÀ» ¶§

visionary

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

salient

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

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

sibylline

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

thrive

prosper; flourish

tutelary

protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities

remonstrate

protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest

skimp

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

synoptic

providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis

repercussion

rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion

recumbent

reclining; lying down completely or in part

reminiscence

recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past

recast

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

retrieve

recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation

recuperate

recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses

ruddy

reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking

sublimate

refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state

withhold

refuse to give; hold back; Ex. withholding tax

rebuttal

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

rue

regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful

rebuff

reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N.

spurn

reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help.

repulse

reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $$ cause repulsion

revert

relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion

seminal

related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development; influencing future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new field

spatial

relating to space

sidereal

relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day

vent

release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.

voodoo

religion practiced chiefly in Haiti

remnant

remainder

residue

remainder; balance

residual

remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue

redress

remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for

remittance

remitting of money; amount of money remitted

shear

remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears; pair of scissors

rendition

rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc

refurbish

renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish

solder

repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts

remediable

reparable

retaliate

repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate

reimburse

repay; pay back

rescind

repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)

reiterate

repeat

recite

repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite his complaints; N. recitation

supersede

replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession

rejoinder

reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply

rebus

representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. ``R U 18'' is a rebus for ``Are you 18''.

upbraid

reprimand; severely scold

replicate

reproduce; duplicate

reprimand

reprove severely; rebuke; N.

sedentary

requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population

salvage

rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved

umbrage

resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness

sonorous

resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound

recourse

resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to

reputable

respectable; having a good reputation

reverent

respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect

repose

resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single man

reinstate

restore to a previous condition or position

renovate

restore to good condition; renew

rehabilitate

restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of

reprisal

retaliation

superannuated

retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete

rebate

return of part of a payment; discount; V.

restitution

returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury

venerate

revere; treat with great respect

transpose

reverse the order or position of

resuscitate

revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child

repeal

revoke; annul

whorl

ring of leaves around stem; ring; circular arrangement; Ex. whorls on the fingers

resurge

rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again

soar

rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared into the sky.

venture

risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.

wallow

roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury

tundra

rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America

roseate

rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views

spin

rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, wool, etc.); N.

rotundity

roundness; sonorousness of speech

regal

royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner

sovereign

ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent

torrent

rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.

yokel

rustic; country bumpkin; Ã̳ð

woeful

sad; (of something bad) deplorable; deplorably bad; Ex. woeful housing conditions

wistful

sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories); sadly pensive; vaguely longing

saline

salty

uniformity

sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over

surfeit

satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food

slake

satisfy (thirst); quench; sate

satiate

satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated

sate

satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy

valediction

saying farewell; expression of leave-taking

welt

raised mark from a beating or whipping

rostrum

raised platform for speech-making; pulpit

rummage

ransack; thoroughly search

stout

rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter

voracious

ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader

skim

read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid

ratiocination

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

salutary

tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health

subversive

tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ?

terminology

terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature

toss

throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something

stymie

thwart; present an obstacle; stump

titillate

tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it

tether

tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one's endurance; Ex. the end of one's tether

taut

tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack

respite

time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve

yore

time long past; Ex. in the days of yore

weary

tired after long work; V.

tatter

torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes

tickle

touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please

scintilla

trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark

vestige

trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion

trek

travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey

tremor

trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)

tremulous

trembling; wavering

ruse

trick to deceive; stratagem

trivia

trifles; unimportant matters

stumble

trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.

trifling

trivial; unimportant

typhoon

tropical hurricane or cyclone

torso

trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk

veracity

truthfulness; adherence to the truth

skeptic

sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism

savant

scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know

seminary

school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women

rebuke

scold harshly; criticize severely

shrew

scolding woman; very small mouselike animal

sardonic

scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile

rag

scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance

scorch

sear; N.

sere

sear; parched; dry

ransack

search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.

silt

sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)

sophistry

seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism

specious

seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)

seine

seine net; net for catching fish

usurp

seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use

vendor

seller

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

staid

serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony

sycophant

servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic

toady

servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn

stint

set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings

trigger

set off; start

rectify

set right; correct; CF. rect-: right

stricture

severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction

reprobation

severe disapproval; CF. approbation

vertigo

severe dizziness; giddiness

rigor

severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter

sleazy

shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric

totter

shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall

wag

shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit

shudder

shake uncontrollably; tremble; V.

tart

sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply

whet

sharpen; stimulate; Ex. whet someone's appetite

tonsure

shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.

shimmer

shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N.

squat

short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.

snip

short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors

retiring

shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality

winnow

sift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; separate good parts from bad; CF. wind

threat

sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.

sullen

silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy

smattering

slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German

ramp

slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)

slipshod

slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work

sloth

slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent

slacken

slow up; loosen; make or become slack

tardy

slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival

whit

small amount; smallest speck; Ex. not a whit of

scrap

small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight; Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for disposal; discard as worthless; fight; quarrel

satellite

small body revolving around a larger one

wisp

small bunch (of hair); faint streak (of smoke)

vignette

small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene

skiff

small light sailboat or rowboat

vent

small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair.

speck

small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye

wrinkle

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

shed

small roofed structure for storage and shelter; V: pour forth; lose by natural process; repel without allowing penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed tears/light/water/skin/leaves

tablet

small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall

spangle

small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation

rivulet

small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river

simper

smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly

sleek

smooth and shining (as from good health); V.

smolder

smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger

saturate

soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity

steep

soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous

scapegoat

someone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy; CF. escape+goat

ventriloquist

someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy

spendthrift

someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth

trifle

something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt

seamy

sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life

ulcer

sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate

toll

sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge

scintillate

sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation

waffle

speak equivocally about an issue; N.

rhapsodize

speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery

rant

speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil.

taxonomist

specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification

velocity

speed

tempo

speed of music

rend

split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow

vitiate

spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally

smear

spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing

suffuse

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

spat

squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel

scotch

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

withstand

stand up against; resist successfully

stock

standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique

stipulate

state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance

solitude

state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof

stupor

state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness

suspense

state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty

turbulence

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

understate

state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate

transient

staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient

unfaltering

steadfast; firm; not changing

steadfast

steadily loyal; unswerving; steady

stink

stench; V: emit a strong foul odor

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.

suture

stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound

stoic

stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism

touchstone

stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard

stem

stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk

stanch

stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound

repository

storehouse

tempestuous

stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm

raconteur

story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill

uncanny

strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack

throttle

strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?

sustain

suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners

tribulation

suffering; ordeal; distress; trial

reminiscent

suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence

recapitulate

summarize

vertex

summit; highest point; PL. vertices

redundant

superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious

supererogatory

superfluous; more than needed or demanded

stint

supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint

substantiate

support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify

strut

supporting bar; CF. airplane wingÀ̳ª building µîÀ» support

reputed

supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem

vulnerable

susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability

sustenance

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

swathe

swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages

sway

swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one's opinion; N.

sidetrack

switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track

turgid

swollen; distended (as from liquid)

scheme

systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance scheme; Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color scheme; Ex. a story with no scheme; V: contrive a scheme

unwonted

unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.

unprepossessing

unattractive

unseemly

unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste

underscore

underline; emphasize

untoward

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

unaccountable

unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious

unison

unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison.

unwarranted

unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved

screech

unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V.

stygian

unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead

uninhibited

unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings

wanton

unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause

unconscionable

unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand

taper

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

shaving

very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade)

veto

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

vise

vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device

transgression

violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong

throes

violent anguish

ruffian

violent scoundrel; bully

unbridled

violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed

rapacious

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

swear

vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words

swagger

walk or behave with an over-confident manner

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

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

squander

waste; spend foolishly

vigilant

watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance

vacillate

waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation

undermine

weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath

tycoon

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

sinecure

well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif

swamp

wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with liquid

whimsy

whim; tendency to behave amusingly strangely; Ex. story full of whimsy

vortex

whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged

submissive

willing to obey orders; yielding; timid

tortuous

winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road

serpentine

winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake

vintner

wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine

sagacious

wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity

retract

withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile

secession

withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership

recession

withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity

unique

without an equal; single in kind

spartan

without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life

witticism

witty saying; wisecrack(clever joking remark)

stockade

wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier

swear-word

word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody''

sophisticated

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

threadbare

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

subpoena

writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena

writ

written command issued by a court (telling someone to do or not to do something)

succumb

yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness

whelp

young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family); young wolf, dog, tiger, etc.

seemly

(of behavior) proper; appropriate

titanic

gigantic; N. titan

warranty

guarantee; assurance by seller

stipend

pay for services

turbid

(of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick

slither

slip or slide

viscous

(of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency

tumid

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

venturesome

(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky

rotund

(of a person) fat and round

rational

(of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical

swelter

(of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat

resound

(of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter

run-down

(of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted

untenable

(of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained

swarthy

(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ?

slough

(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed

resonant

(of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance

rasp

(of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something rough; Ex. The cat's tongue rasped my hand.

representational

(of a style of art) showing things as they actually appear in real life

rare

(of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains

traumatic

(of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage

rickety

(of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D

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

sinewy

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

sleight

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

suffocate

die or kill from lack of air; suppress

unearth

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

sedulous

diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity

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)

subsidy

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

referendum

direct vote by all the people

ragamuffin

dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes

smudge

dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.

recant

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

virus

disease communicator

rabies

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

unravel

disentangle; solve

repugnance

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

unkempt

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

skulduggery(skullduggery)

dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election

recreant

disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person

stately

formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic

redoubtable

formidable; causing fear

shard

fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay bowl, or cup)

rubble

fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)

scholarly

full of learning; erudite; like a scholar; Ex. scholarly journal

vital

full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize

vain

full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity

vibrant

full of vigor or energy; vibrating

replete

fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors

rationale

fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action

undertaker

funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials

spare

give; use; refrain from harming; save from experiencing; exempt; Ex. spare me 5 minutes; Ex. Take this money and spare my life; Ex. The emperor was spared the onus; ADJ: kept in reserve; free for other use; unoccupied; Ex. spare time

studious

given to diligent study

sensuous

giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin

slag

glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter

retrograde

go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.

traverse

go through or across

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

transition

going from one state of action to another

virtue

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

theocracy

government run by religious leaders

sumptuous

grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast

vouchsafe

grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment

rapture

great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous

woe

great sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction; suffering; Ex. financial woes

verdigris

green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather

verdant

green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows

shade

slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey

subaltern

subordinate

veracious

(of a person) truthful

warble

(of a bird) sing; babble; N.

ruminant

animal that ruminates; ADJ.

toga

Roman outer robe

wage

begin and continue (a war)

vagary

capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander

viand

food; CF. live

scowl

frown angrily; N: angry frown

rabble

mob; noisy crowd

uproar

noisy confusion

recipient

receiver

vilify

slander; speak evil of; N. vilification

writhe

twist in coils; contort in pain

wither

(of a plant) dry up from loss of moisture; lose freshness; shrivel; decay

throb

(of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart

ramshackle

(of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart

virulent

(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom

transpire

(of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores

venial

(of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial

stringent

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

ungainly

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

unmitigated

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

rife

(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current

sallow

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

stentorian

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

raucous

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

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

remunerative

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

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

sonnet

14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern

stealth

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

voyeur

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

saga

Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative

vigor

active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous

regent

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

renounce

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

ventral

abdominal

tangible

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

solvent

able to pay all depths; N. solvency

recondite

abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret

scurrilous

abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark

vituperative

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

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

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

wangle

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

vivisection

act of dissecting living animals

summation

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

recital

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

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

rake

angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular

wrath

anger; fury

revile

attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)

shirk

avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger

unwieldy

awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable

surly

bad-tempered; rude; cross

rusticate

banish to the country; dwell in the country

variegate

change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)

seethe

be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.

ursine

bearlike; pertaining to a bear

thresh

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

thrash

beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk about thoroughly in order to find the answer; move wildly or violently; Ex. The fishes thrashed about in the net.

relent

become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. relentless: unyielding; continuously severe

topple

become unsteady and fall down

reproach

blame (not angrily but sadly); express disapproval or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful

thwart

block or hinder; baffle; frustrate

vendetta

blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams

sanguinary

bloody; with much bloodshed

vaunted

boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag

vainglorious

boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity

regatta

boat or yacht race

revelry

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

temerity

boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work

stilted

bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal

verge

border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: very near to; V: border on

ramify

branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions

ramification

branching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; one of the results following from an action or decision; Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision

valor

bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave

violate

break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves

renege

break a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege on the contract/paying off the debt

sentient

capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience

whimsical

capricious; fanciful; amusingly strange

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

vulture

carrion-eating birds

scabbard

case for a sword blade; sheath

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

touching

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

sublime

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

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

reprove

censure; rebuke; N. reproof

shackle

chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.

vicissitude

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

veer

change in direction; swerve

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

reckon

count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose

recrimination

countercharges; V. recriminate

tribunal

court of justice

wily

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

statutory

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

throng

crowd (of people or things); V.

shack

crude cabin

squash

crush; quash; suppress

therapeutic

curative; N. therapy

retrench

cut down; cut down expenses; economize

truncate

cut the top off; shorten

sarcasm

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

trenchant

cutting; incisive; keen

sensual

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

unfrock

defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority

retard

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

turpitude

depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude

taunt

deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.

sacrilegious

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

renegade

deserter; traitor; ADJ.

retribution

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

reprehensible

deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame

venerable

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

reverend

deserving reverence; N: priest

vile

despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander

raze

destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground

scion

detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant

resolution

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

resolve

determination; resolution; firmness of purpose

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.

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

sanctimonious

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

vindictive

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

refute

disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation

remote

distant in manner; aloof

repulsion

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

unsavory

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

seasoned

experienced

zeal

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

squeamish

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

reverberate

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

weird

eerie; strange; unnatural

refulgent

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

resilient

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

rudimentary

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

reek

emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench

vacuous

empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity

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

sinister

evil; ominous

scrutinize

examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny

surpass

exceed

transcendent

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

self-indulgence

excessive indulgence of one's own desire

superfluous

excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity

rhapsody

excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it)

uxorious

excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife

subsistence

existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level)

xenophobia

fear or hatred of foreigners; N. xenophobe

trepidation

fear; nervous apprehension

timorous

fearful; timid; demonstrating fear

simulate

feign; imitate

visceral

felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate

sordid

filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story

ultimate

final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.

tenacity

firmness; persistence

tantrum

fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.

vehement

forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence

vanguard

forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard

satire

form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly

requisition

formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V.

temporize

gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself

zephyr

gentle breeze; west wind

unfeigned

genuine; real

vampire

ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living

spectral

ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom

serendipity

gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip

vouch

give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher

tinge

give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy

suckle

give or take milk at the breast or udder

resign

give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively

relinquish

give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm

waive

give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim

render

give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully

wan

having a pale or sickly color; pallid

serrated

having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf

sour

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

voluminous

having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large

relevant

having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy

versatile

having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility

uninhibited

having no inhibitions; free in behavior and feelings

static

having no motion; unchanging; lacking development; N. stasis: stable state

unprecedented

having no previous example; novel; unparalleled

sterile

incapable of producing young; free from microorganism; V. sterilize

sadistic

inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty

reticent

inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence

subsume

include (as a member of a group); encompass

unobtrusive

inconspicuous; not blatant

skittish

inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit

wax

increase gradually (as the moon); grow

resentment

indignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. resent: feel anger about

unerringly

infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes

succulent

juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus

withdrawn

introverted; retiring; remote

sacrosanct

invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable

testy

irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness

rankle

irritate; fester; annoy

rile

irritate; vex; muddy

sequester

isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life

seclusion

isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate

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

spontaneity

lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint; ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated; unpremeditated; happening without being planned

timidity

lack of self-confidence or courage

witless

lacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic

vapid

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

swarm

large group of insects moving in a mass; crowd of people or animals; V: move in a crowd or mass

slew

large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left

sledge

large sled drawn by work animals

sleigh

large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice

tome

large volume; book

salacious

lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk

scourge

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

ultimatum

last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum.

terminus

last stop of railroad; end

scoff

laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats

statute

law enacted by the legislature

reconcile

make friendly again (after quarrel); make consistent (two ideas in opposition); correct inconsistencies; Ex. reconcile one's political principles with one's religious beliefs

roil

make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb

trim

make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the edges); Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur; N. ADJ: tidy; in good order

tarnish

make or become dull or discolored; N.

shrivel

make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often by drying)

rumble

make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder or stomach)

rationalize

make rational; devise FALSE reasons for (one's behavior); offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action in place of a true, less admirable ones; N. rationalization

requite

make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal

rustle

make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together

temper

moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling

temperate

moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance society

sobriety

moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness

restraint

moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction

unassuming

modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner

simian

monkeylike; N: ape or monkey

rectitude

moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment

reprobate

morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ?

righteous

morally upright; just

saturnine

morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance.

tessellated

mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern

shunt

move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N.

wince

move back suddenly; shrink back; flinch; Ex. She winced as she touched the cold body.

solecism

nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette

tentative

not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply

unwitting

not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know

synthetic

not natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis; Ex. synthetic fiber; N.

unassailable

not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question

score

number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal score; Ex. Don't worry on that score; V: mark with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold

tender

offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound

tribune

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

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

terrestrial

on or relating to the earth

stereotype

one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to stereotype people; Ex. stereotyped answer

sleeper

one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable

tenant

one that pays rent to use property owned by another

saboteur

one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly)

soothsayer

one who foretells the future

reaper

one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop

zealot

one who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal

spoilsport

one who spoils the pleasure of others

supplicant

one who supplicates; ADJ.

vigilante

one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers

unilateral

one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration

tangential

only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent

thesis

opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments

teetotalism

practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total

regimen

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

sham

pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; impostor; pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham.

sensitization

process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive

sift

put through a sieve to separate fine from coarse particles; sort or examine carefully

rout

put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat

timbre

quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)

volley

simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.

scuttle

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

subside

sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate

tact

skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence

slur

slander; insult to one's character or reputation; V.

thrall

slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall

servitude

slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment

servile

slavish; cringing; N. servility

soporific

sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy

somnambulist

sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism

tint

slight degree of color; V: give a tint to

subterfuge

stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge

straggle

stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. straggling branch

travail

strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth

tension

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

sturdy

strong and firm (in the body)

yen

strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel

transport

strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture

stench

strong foul odor; reek; stink

wanderlust

strong longing to travel

reactionary

strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical

scuffle

struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ?

wrongheaded

stubbornly wrong

stupefy

stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze

urbane

suave; refined in manner; elegant

supplant

take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace

retroactive

taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future

resumption

taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats.

soliloquy

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

tribute

tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to

tithe

tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe

sophist

teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument

rent

tear made by rending; rip; split

rip

tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail ripped under the force of the wind; N.

tantalize

tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure

remission

temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins.

scaffold

temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution

trident

three-pronged spear

warren

tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live

vaporize

turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)

resort

turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.

wring

twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)

warp

twist out of shape; N.

wrench

twist; pull; strain; Ex. He wrenched the gun out of her hands.

torque

twisting force; force producing rotation

sinuous

twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest

unsightly

ugly; unpleasant to look at

speechless

unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger

suavity

urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous

satirical

using satire; mocking

tarantula

venomous spider