Vocab

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exhort

exigent

exigent |ˈɛksɪdʒ(ə)nt, ˈɛɡzɪdʒ(ə)nt| ▶adjective formal pressing; demanding: the exigent demands of her contemporaries' music took a toll on her voice.

exiguousness

exiguous |ɪɡˈzɪɡjʊəs, ɛɡˈzɪɡjʊəs| ▶adjective formal very small in size or amount: my exiguous musical resources. DERIVATIVES exiguity |ɪɡzɪˈɡjuːɪti, ɛɡzɪˈɡjuːɪti | noun, exiguously adverb, exiguousness noun

expediency

expediency |ɪkˈspiːdɪənsi, ɛkˈspiːdɪənsi| ▶noun [mass noun] the quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral; convenience: an act of political expediency

exposition

exposition |ɛkspəˈzɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun 1 a comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory: a systematic exposition of the idea of biodiversity. 2 a large public exhibition of art or trade goods: the exposition will feature exhibits by 165 companies. 3 Music the part of a movement, especially in sonata form, in which the principal themes are first presented. 4 [mass noun] archaic the action of making something public: the country squires dreaded the exposition of their rustic conversation. DERIVATIVES expositional adjective

expound

expound |ɪkˈspaʊnd, ɛkˈspaʊnd| ▶verb [with object] present and explain (a theory or idea) in detail: he was expounding a powerful argument | [no object] : he declined to expound on his decision. • explain the meaning of (a literary or doctrinal work): the abbess expounded the scriptures to her nuns. DERIVATIVES expounder |ɪkˈspaʊndə, ɛkˈspaʊndə | noun

extemporaneous

extol

extol |ɪkˈstəʊl, ɛkˈstəʊl| ▶verb (extols, extolling, extolled) [with object] praise enthusiastically: he extolled the virtues of the Russian peoples. DERIVATIVES extoller |ɪkˈstəʊlə, ɛkˈstəʊlə | noun, extolment noun

exult

exult |ɪɡˈzʌlt, ɛɡˈzʌlt| ▶verb [no object] show or feel triumphant elation or jubilation: exulting in her escape, Lisa closed the door behind her. DERIVATIVES exultingly |ɪɡˈzʌltɪŋli, ɛɡˈzʌltɪŋli | adverb

facetious

facile

facile |ˈfasʌɪl, ˈfasɪl| ▶adjective 1 ignoring the true complexities of an issue; superficial: facile generalizations. • (of a person) having a superficial or simplistic knowledge or approach: a man of facile and shallow intellect. 2 (especially of success in sport) easily achieved; effortless: a facile seven-lengths victory. DERIVATIVES facilely adverb, facileness noun

fallow

fallow 1 |ˈfaləʊ| ▶adjective 1 (of farmland) ploughed and harrowed but left for a period without being sown in order to restore its fertility or to avoid surplus production: incentives for farmers to let land lie fallow. • (of a period of time) characterized by inaction; unproductive: long fallow periods when nothing seems to happen. 2 (of a sow) not pregnant. ▶noun a piece of fallow land: a great estate was usually divided between fallows, grazed stubble, and wheat | [mass noun] : strips of summer fallow. ▶verb [with object] leave (land) fallow for a period: fallow the ground for a week or so after digging. DERIVATIVES fallowness |ˈfaləʊnəs | noun

fatuous

fawn

fawn 1 |fɔːn| ▶noun 1 a young deer in its first year: a six-month-old roe fawn. 2 [mass noun] a light brown colour: soft shades of pale green and fawn | [as modifier] : a fawn dress. ▶verb [no object] (of a deer) produce young: the forest was closed for hunting when the does were fawning. PHRASES in fawn (of a deer) pregnant.

fawning

fecund

fecund |ˈfɛk(ə)nd, ˈfiːk(ə)nd| ▶adjective producing or capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; highly fertile: a lush and fecund garden. • producing many new ideas: her fecund imagination. • technical capable of bearing children.

fell

fell 1 |fɛl| past of fall.

fervent

fervent |ˈfəːv(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 having or displaying a passionate intensity: a fervent supporter of the revolution. 2 archaic hot, burning, or glowing. DERIVATIVES fervency |ˈfəːvənsi | noun

fetid

gambit

gambit |ˈɡambɪt| ▶noun 1 an act or remark that is calculated to gain an advantage, especially at the outset of a situation: his resignation was a tactical gambit. 2 (in chess) an opening move in which a player makes a sacrifice, typically of a pawn, for the sake of a compensating advantage: he tried the dubious Budapest gambit.

garish

garrulous

genial

genial 1 |ˈdʒiːnɪəl| ▶adjective friendly and cheerful: our genial host. • literary (especially of air or climate) pleasantly mild and warm. DERIVATIVES genially |ˈdʒiːnɪəli | adverb

germane

germane |dʒəːˈmeɪn| ▶adjective relevant to a subject under consideration: that is not germane to our theme. DERIVATIVES germanely adverb, germaneness noun

glib

grandiloquence

gratuitous

gratuitous |ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs| ▶adjective 1 done without good reason; uncalled for: gratuitous violence. 2 given or done free of charge: solicitors provide a form of gratuitous legal advice. DERIVATIVES gratuitousness |ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəsnəs | noun

iconoclastic

iconoclastic |ˌʌɪkɒnəˈklastɪk| ▶adjective criticizing or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions: an iconoclastic filmmaker who has pushed the boundaries with every film he's made. DERIVATIVES iconoclastically |ˌʌɪˈklastɪk(ə)li | adver

idiosyncrasy

idiosyncrasy |ˌɪdɪə(ʊ)ˈsɪŋkrəsi| ▶noun (plural idiosyncrasies) 1 a mode of behaviour or way of thought peculiar to an individual: one of his little idiosyncrasies was always preferring to be in the car first. • a distinctive or peculiar feature or characteristic of a place or thing: the idiosyncrasies of the prison system. 2 Medicine an abnormal physical reaction by an individual to a food or drug.

idolatrous

idolatrous |ʌɪˈdɒlətrəs| ▶adjective relating to or practising idolatry; idol-worshipping: idolatrous religions. • showing extreme admiration or reverence for something: America's idolatrous worship of the auto

idyll

idyll |ˈɪdɪl| ▶noun an extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque period or situation, typically an idealized or unsustainable one: the rural idyll remains strongly evocative in most industrialized societies. • a short description in verse or prose of a picturesque scene or incident, especially in rustic life.

idyllic

idyllic |ɪˈdɪlɪk| ▶adjective like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque: an attractive hotel in an idyllic setting. DERIVATIVES idyllically |ɪˈdɪlɪkli | adver

ignominy

ignominy |ˈɪɡnəmɪni| ▶noun [mass noun] public shame or disgrace: the ignominy of being imprisoned.

imbibe

imbibe |ɪmˈbʌɪb| ▶verb [with object] formal, often humorous drink (alcohol): they were imbibing far too many pitchers of beer. • absorb or assimilate (ideas or knowledge): if one does not imbibe the culture one cannot succeed. • chiefly Botany (especially of seeds) absorb (water) into ultramicroscopic spaces or pores. • Botany place (seeds) in water in order for them to absorb it. DERIVATIVES imbiber noun, imbibition |ɪmbɪˈbɪʃ(ə)n | noun (chiefly Botany)

imbroglio

imbroglio |ɪmˈbrəʊlɪəʊ| ▶noun (plural imbroglios) an extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation: the abdication imbroglio of 1936. • archaic a confused heap.

impassioned

impassion |ɪmˈpaʃ(ə)n| ▶verb [with object] make passionate: her body had once pleased and impassioned him.

impassive

impecunious

impecunious |ˌɪmpɪˈkjuːnɪəs| ▶adjective having little or no money: a titled but impecunious family. DERIVATIVES impecuniosity |ˌɪmpɪkjuːnɪˈɒsɪti | noun, impecuniousness noun

imperious

impertinent

impertinent |ɪmˈpəːtɪnənt| ▶adjective 1 not showing proper respect; rude: an impertinent question. 2 formal not pertinent to a particular matter; irrelevant: talk of 'rhetoric' and 'strategy' is impertinent to this process. DERIVATIVES impertinently |ɪmˈpəːtɪnəntli | adverb

imperturbable

impetuous

impious

impious |ɪmˈpʌɪəs, ˈɪmpɪəs| ▶adjective showing a lack of respect for God or religion: the emperor's impious attacks on the Church. • (of a person or act) wicked: impious villains. DERIVATIVES impiously |ɪmˈpɪʌəsli, ˈɪmpɪəsli | adverb, impiousness noun

implacable

jocund

jocund |ˈdʒɒk(ə)nd, ˈdʒəʊk(ə)nd| ▶adjective formal cheerful and light-hearted: a jocund wedding party. DERIVATIVES jocundity |dʒɒˈkʌndɪti, dʒəʊˈkʌndɪti | noun (plural jocundities) , jocundly adverb

judicious

judicious |dʒuːˈdɪʃəs| ▶adjective having, showing, or done with good judgement or sense: the judicious use of public investment. DERIVATIVES judiciousness |dʒuːˈdɪʃəsnəs | noun

lachrymose

lachrymose |ˈlakrɪməʊs, ˈlakrɪməʊz| ▶adjective tearful or given to weeping: she was pink-eyed and lachrymose. • inducing tears; sad: a lachrymose children's classic. DERIVATIVES lachrymosely adverb, lachrymosity noun

laconic

loquacious

lubricious

lubricious |luːˈbrɪʃəs| ▶adjective 1 offensively displaying or intended to arouse sexual desire: he probed the ladies for every lubricious detail of their interactions. 2 smooth and slippery with oil or a similar substance. DERIVATIVES lubriciously adverb, lubricity |luːˈbrɪsɪti | noun

minatory

minatory |ˈmɪnəˌt(ə)ri| ▶adjective formal expressing or conveying a threat: he is unlikely to be deterred by minatory finger-wagging.

misanthrope

misanthrope |ˈmɪz(ə)nθrəʊp, ˈmɪs(ə)nθrəʊp | (also misanthropist |mɪˈzanθrəpɪst, mɪˈsanθrəpɪst| ) ▶noun a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society: Scrooge wasn't the mean-spirited misanthrope most of us believe him to be.

missive

missive |ˈmɪsɪv| ▶noun often humorous a letter, especially a long or official one: yet another missive from the Foreign Office. • Scots Law a document in the form of a letter exchanged by the parties to a contract. See also conclude missives at conclude.

mollify

mollify |ˈmɒlɪfʌɪ| ▶verb (mollifies, mollifying, mollified) [with object] appease the anger or anxiety of (someone): nature reserves were set up around the power stations to mollify local conservationists. • rare reduce the severity of (something): the women hoped to mollify the harsh wilderness environment. DERIVATIVES mollification |mɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n | noun, mollifier |ˈmɒlɪfʌɪə | noun

mordant

mordant |ˈmɔːd(ə)nt| ▶adjective (especially of humour) having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting: a mordant sense of humour. ▶noun 1 a substance, typically an inorganic oxide, that combines with a dye or stain and thereby fixes it in a material. • an adhesive compound for fixing gold leaf. 2 a corrosive liquid used to etch the lines on a printing plate. ▶verb [with object] impregnate or treat (a fabric) with a mordant: mordanting a fibre is simple | (as adjective mordanted) : mordanted wool. DERIVATIVES mordancy noun, mordantly |ˈmɔːd(ə)ntli | adverb

morose

motility

motile |ˈməʊtʌɪl| ▶adjective 1 Zoology & Botany (of cells, gametes, and single-celled organisms) capable of motion: males produce small motile gametes. 2 Psychology relating to or characterized by responses that involve muscular rather than audiovisual sensations. DERIVATIVES motility |məʊˈtɪlɪti | noun

ossified

ossify |ˈɒsɪfʌɪ| ▶verb (ossifies, ossifying, ossified) [no object] 1 turn into bone or bony tissue: these tracheal cartilages may ossify. 2 (often as adjective ossified) cease developing; stagnate: ossified political institutions. DERIVATIVES ossification |ɒsɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n | noun, ossific |ɒˈsɪfɪk | adjective

ossify

ostensible

ostensible |ɒˈstɛnsɪb(ə)l| ▶adjective [attributive] stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so: the real dispute which lay behind the ostensible complaint. DERIVATIVES ostensibility noun

ostentatious

ostentatious |ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəs| ▶adjective characterized by pretentious or showy display; designed to impress: a simple design that is glamorous without being ostentatious. DERIVATIVES ostentatiousness |ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəsnəs | nou

otiose

otiose |ˈəʊtɪəʊs, ˈəʊʃɪəʊs, ˈəʊtɪəʊz, ˈəʊʃɪəʊz| ▶adjective 1 serving no practical purpose or result: there were occasions when I felt my efforts were rather otiose. 2 archaic indolent or idle. DERIVATIVES otiosely adverb, otiosity noun

outmoded

outmoded |aʊtˈməʊdɪd| ▶adjective old-fashioned: an outmoded Victorian building. DERIVATIVES outmodedness nou

paean

paean |ˈpiːən| ▶noun a song of praise or triumph: a paean of praise for the great poets. • a creative work expressing enthusiastic praise: he's created a filmic paean to his hero.

palliate

palliate |ˈpalɪeɪt| ▶verb 1 [with object] make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe without removing the cause: treatment works by palliating symptoms | [no object] : pharmaceutical drugs palliate, they do not cure. 2 disguise the seriousness of (an offence): there is no way to excuse or palliate his dirty deed. • allay or moderate (fears or suspicions): this eliminated, or at least palliated, suspicions aroused by German unity. DERIVATIVES palliation |palɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n | noun, palliator noun

panacea

panacea |ˌpanəˈsiːə| ▶noun a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases: the panacea for all corporate ills | the time-honoured panacea, cod liver oil. DERIVATIVES panacean adjective

panegyric

panegyric |ˌpanɪˈdʒɪrɪk| ▶noun a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something: a panegyric on the pleasures of malt whisky. DERIVATIVES panegyrical |ˌpanɪˈdʒɪrɪk(ə)l | adjective

paradigm

paradigm |ˈparədʌɪm| ▶noun 1 a typical example or pattern of something; a pattern or model: society's paradigm of the 'ideal woman'. • a world view underlying the theories and methodology of a particular scientific subject: the discovery of universal gravitation became the paradigm of successful science. 2 Linguistics a set of linguistic items that form mutually exclusive choices in particular syntactic roles: English determiners form a paradigm: we can say 'a book' or 'his book' but not 'a his book'. Often contrasted with syntagm. 3 (in the traditional grammar of Latin, Greek, and other inflected languages) a table of all the inflected forms of a particular verb, noun, or adjective, serving as a model for other words of the same conjugation or declension.

precipitous

precipitous |prɪˈsɪpɪtəs| ▶adjective 1 dangerously high or steep: the track skirted a precipitous drop. • (of a change to a worse situation or condition) sudden and dramatic: a precipitous slide in the government's popularity. 2 (of an action) done suddenly and without careful consideration: precipitous intervention. DERIVATIVES precipitousness |prɪˈsɪpɪtəsnəs | noun

predilection

predilection |ˌpriːdɪˈlɛkʃ(ə)n| ▶noun a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favour of something: your predilection for pretty girls.

preen

preen |priːn| ▶verb [no object] (of a bird) tidy and clean its feathers with its beak: reed buntings preened at the pool's edge | [with object] : the pigeon preened her feathers. • (also preen oneself) (of a person) devote effort to making oneself look attractive and then admire one's appearance: adolescents preening in their bedroom mirrors. • (preen oneself) congratulate or pride oneself: he's busy preening himself on acquiring such a pretty girlfriend. DERIVATIVES preener noun

preponderance

preponderance |prɪˈpɒnd(ə)r(ə)ns| ▶noun [mass noun] the quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance: the preponderance of women among older people | [count noun] : a preponderance of lower-paid jobs

prepossessing

prepossessing |priːpəˈzɛsɪŋ| ▶adjective [often with negative] attractive or appealing in appearance: he was not a prepossessing sight. DERIVATIVES prepossession |priːpəˈzɛʃ(ə)n | nou

prodigious

prodigious |prəˈdɪdʒəs| ▶adjective 1 remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree: the stove consumed a prodigious amount of fuel | her memory was prodigious. 2 archaic unnatural or abnormal: rumours of prodigious happenings, such as monstrous births. DERIVATIVES prodigiously |prəˈdɪdʒəsli | adverb [as submodifier] : a prodigiously gifted artist, prodigiousness |prəˈdɪdʒəsnəs | noun

profligate

profligate |ˈprɒflɪɡət| ▶adjective 1 recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources: profligate consumers of energy. 2 licentious; dissolute: he succumbed to drink and a profligate lifestyle. ▶noun a licentious, dissolute person: he is a drunkard and a profligate. DERIVATIVES profligately |ˈprɒflɪɡətli | adverb

profuse

profuse |prəˈfjuːs| ▶adjective (especially of something offered or discharged) very plentiful; abundant: I offered my profuse apologies. • archaic (of a person) extravagant: they are profuse in hospitality. DERIVATIVES profuseness |prəˈfjuːsnəs | noun

quibble

quibble |ˈkwɪb(ə)l| ▶noun 1 a slight objection or criticism: the only quibble about this book is the price. 2 archaic a play on words; a pun. ▶verb [no object] argue or raise objections about a trivial matter: they are always quibbling about the amount they are prepared to pay. DERIVATIVES quibbler |ˈkwɪb(ə)lə | noun, quibblingly adverb

quiescence

quiescent |kwɪˈɛs(ə)nt, kwʌɪˈɛs(ə)nt| ▶adjective in a state or period of inactivity or dormancy: strikes were headed by groups of workers who had previously been quiescent. DERIVATIVES quiescence |kwɪˈɛs(ə)ns, kwʌɪˈɛsns | noun, quiescently adverb, quiescency noun

quiescent

quintessential

quintessential |ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃ(ə)l| ▶adjective representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class: he was the quintessential tough guy—strong, silent, and self-contained

quixotic

quotidian

quotidian |kwɒˈtɪdɪən, kwəʊˈtɪdɪən| ▶adjective 1 of or occurring every day; daily: the car sped noisily off through the quotidian traffic. • ordinary or everyday; mundane: his story is an achingly human one, mired in quotidian details. 2 Medicine denoting the malignant form of malaria.

ramify

ramify |ˈramɪfʌɪ| ▶verb (ramifies, ramifying, ramified) [no object] formal or technical form branches or offshoots; branch out: an elaborate system of canals was built, ramifying throughout the UK. • [with object] (often as adjective ramified) cause to branch out: a ramified genealogical network.

rampart

rampart |ˈrampɑːt| ▶noun (usually ramparts) a defensive wall of a castle or walled city, having a broad top with a walkway and typically a stone parapet: a castle with ramparts and a moat. • a defensive or protective barrier: the open Pacific broke on the far-off ramparts of the reef. ▶verb [with object] fortify or surround with or as if with a rampart: the town's streets were ramparted with tall mounds of rubble.

rancorous

renege

renege |rɪˈneɪɡ, rɪˈniːɡ | (also renegue) ▶verb [no object] go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract: the government had reneged on its election promises. • another term for revoke ( sense 2). • [with object] archaic renounce or abandon: there's one of them, anyhow, that didn't renege him. DERIVATIVES reneger noun

replete

replete |rɪˈpliːt| ▶adjective [predicative] filled or well-supplied with something: sensational popular fiction, replete with adultery and sudden death. • very full of or sated by food: I went out into the sun-drenched streets again, replete and relaxed. DERIVATIVES repleteness noun, repletion |rɪˈpliːʃ(ə)n | noun

salacious

salubrious

salutary

salutary |ˈsaljʊt(ə)ri| ▶adjective (especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial: it failed to draw salutary lessons from Britain's loss of its colonies. • archaic health-giving: the salutary Atlantic air.

supine

supine |ˈs(j)uːpʌɪn| ▶adjective 1 (of a person) lying face upwards. Contrasted with prone ( sense 2). • technical having the front or ventral part upwards. • (of the hand) with the palm upwards. 2 failing to act or protest as a result of moral weakness or indolence: the government was supine in the face of racial injustice. ▶noun Grammar a Latin verbal noun used only in the accusative and ablative cases, especially to denote purpose (e.g. mirabile dictu 'wonderful to relate'). DERIVATIVES supinely adverb, supineness |ˈs(j)uːpʌɪnnəs | noun

supplant

supplant |səˈplɑːnt| ▶verb [with object] supersede and replace: domestic production has been supplanted by imports and jobs have been lost. DERIVATIVES supplanter |səˈplɑːntə | noun

surfeit

surfeit |ˈsəːfɪt| ▶noun [usually in singular] an excessive amount of something: a surfeit of food and drink. • archaic an illness caused or regarded as being caused by excessive eating or drinking: he died of a surfeit. ▶verb (surfeits, surfeiting, surfeited) [with object] (usually be surfeited with) cause (someone) to desire no more of something as a result of having consumed or done it to excess: I am surfeited with shopping. • [no object] archaic consume too much of something: he never surfeited on rich wine.

surly

surreptitious

surreptitious |ˌsʌrəpˈtɪʃəs| ▶adjective kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of: low wages were supplemented by surreptitious payments from tradesmen. DERIVATIVES surreptitiousness noun

svelte

svelte |svɛlt| ▶adjective (of a person) slender and elegant: she was svelte and sophisticated.

soporific

soporific |ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk| ▶adjective tending to induce drowsiness or sleep: the motion of the train had a somewhat soporific effect. • sleepy or drowsy: some medicine made her soporific. • tediously boring or monotonous: a libel trial is in large parts intensely soporific. ▶noun a drug or other substance that induces drowsiness or sleep. DERIVATIVES soporifically adverb

sordid

sordid |ˈsɔːdɪd| ▶adjective 1 involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt: the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams. 2 dirty or squalid: the overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading. DERIVATIVES sordidly |ˈsɔːdɪdli | adverb, sordidness |ˈsɔːdɪdnəs | noun

sparing

sparing |ˈspɛːrɪŋ| ▶adjective moderate; economical: physicians advised sparing use of the ointment. DERIVATIVES sparingness |ˈspɛːrɪŋnəs | nou

sparse

sparse |spɑːs| ▶adjective thinly dispersed or scattered: areas of sparse population. • scanty; in short supply: information on earnings is sparse. DERIVATIVES sparseness |ˈspɑːsnəs | noun, sparsity noun

sycophancy

sycophancy |ˈsɪkəfansi| ▶noun [mass noun] obsequious behaviour towards someone important in order to gain advantage: your fawning sycophancy is nauseating | he discouraged sycophancy towards royalty

sycophant

sycophant |ˈsɪkəfant| ▶noun a person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage.

specious

spendthrift

spendthrift |ˈspɛn(d)θrɪft| ▶noun a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way: Putt was a spendthrift and a heavy gambler | [as modifier] : a spendthrift uncle

sporadic

sporadic |spəˈradɪk| ▶adjective occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated: sporadic fighting broke out.

spurious

spurious |ˈspjʊərɪəs| ▶adjective not being what it purports to be; false or fake: separating authentic and spurious claims. • (of a line of reasoning) apparently but not actually valid: this spurious reasoning results in nonsense. • archaic (of offspring) illegitimate. DERIVATIVES spuriously |ˈspjʊərɪəsli | adverb, spuriousness |ˈspjʊərɪəsnəs | noun

verdant

verdant |ˈvəːd(ə)nt| ▶adjective (of countryside) green with grass or other rich vegetation: verdant valleys. • of the bright green colour of lush grass: a deep, verdant green | a serving of hideously verdant mushy peas. DERIVATIVES verdancy |ˈvəːd(ə)nsi | noun, verdantly adverb

vestige

vestige |ˈvɛstɪdʒ| ▶noun 1 a trace or remnant of something that is disappearing or no longer exists: the last vestiges of colonialism. • [usually with negative] the smallest amount: he waited patiently, but without a vestige of sympathy. 2 Biology a part or organ of an organism which has become reduced or functionless in the course of evolution.

wizened

wizened |ˈwɪz(ə)nd| ▶adjective shrivelled or wrinkled with age: a wizened, weather-beaten old man.

abash

abash |əˈbaʃ| ▶verb [with object] (usually as adjective abashed) make (someone) feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed: Harriet looked slightly abashed. DERIVATIVES abashment |əˈbaʃmənt | noun

abate

abate |əˈbeɪt| ▶verb [no object] (of something unpleasant or severe) become less intense or widespread: the storm suddenly abated. • [with object] make (something) less intense: nothing abated his crusading zeal. • [with object] Law reduce or remove (a nuisance): this action would not have been sufficient to abate the odour nuisance.

aberrant

aberrant |əˈbɛr(ə)nt| ▶adjective departing from an accepted standard: this somewhat aberrant behaviour requires an explanation. • chiefly Biology diverging from the normal type: aberrant chromosomes. DERIVATIVES aberrance |əˈbɛrəns | noun, aberrancy noun, aberrantly adverb

abject

abject |ˈabdʒɛkt| ▶adjective 1 (of something bad) experienced or present to the maximum degree: his letter plunged her into abject misery | abject poverty. • (of a situation or condition) extremely unpleasant and degrading: the abject condition of the peasants. 2 (of a person or their behaviour) completely without pride or dignity; self-abasing: an abject apology. DERIVATIVES abjection |abˈdʒɛkʃ(ə)n | noun, abjectly |ˈabdʒɛktli | adverb, abjectness |ˈabdʒɛktnəs | noun

abjure

abjure |əbˈdʒʊə, əbˈdʒɔː| ▶verb [with object] formal solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim): MPs were urged to abjure their Jacobite allegiance. PHRASES abjure the realm historical swear an oath to leave a country forever: prior to transportation, offenders were sometimes permitted to abjure the realm.DERIVATIVES abjuration |abdʒəˈreɪʃ(ə)n | noun

abnegate

abnegate |ˈabnɪɡeɪt| ▶verb [with object] formal renounce or reject (something desired or valuable): he attempts to abnegate personal responsibility. DERIVATIVES abnegator noun

abridge

abridge |əˈbrɪdʒ| ▶verb [with object] 1 (often as adjective abridged) shorten (a book, film, speech, etc.) without losing the sense: an abridged text of his speech. 2 Law curtail (a right or privilege): even the right to free speech can be abridged. DERIVATIVES abridgeable adjective, abridger noun

abrogate

abrogate |ˈabrəɡeɪt| ▶verb [with object] formal 1 repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement): a proposal to abrogate temporarily the right to strike. 2 evade (a responsibility or duty): we believe the board is abrogating its responsibilities to its shareholders. DERIVATIVES abrogator noun

abscond

abscond |əbˈskɒnd, abˈskɒnd| ▶verb [no object] leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest: the barman absconded with a week's takings | 176 detainees absconded. • (of a person on bail) fail to surrender oneself for custody at the appointed time: charges of absconding while on bail. • (of a colony of honeybees, especially Africanized ones) entirely abandon a hive or nest. DERIVATIVES absconder |əbˈskɒndə, abˈskɒndə | noun

abstemious

abstruse

accede

accede |əkˈsiːd| ▶verb [no object] (usually accede to) formal 1 agree to a demand, request, or treaty: the authorities did not accede to the strikers' demands. 2 assume an office or position: Elizabeth I acceded to the throne in 1558. • become a member of an organization: Albania acceded to the IMF in 1990.

accolade

accolade |ˈakəleɪd, ˌakəˈleɪd| ▶noun 1 an award or privilege granted as a special honour or as an acknowledgement of merit: the hotel has won numerous accolades. • an expression of praise or admiration: poignant accolades and urgent testimonials of thanks. 2 a touch on a person's shoulders with a sword at the bestowing of a knighthood.

accrete

accrete |əˈkriːt| ▶verb [no object] grow by accumulation or coalescence: ice that had accreted grotesquely into stalactites. • [with object] form (a composite whole) by gradual accumulation: the collection of art he had accreted was to be sold. • Astronomy (with reference to matter or a body) come or bring together under the influence of gravitation: [no object] : the gas will cool and then accrete to the galaxy's core.

acerbic

acerbic |əˈsəːbɪk| ▶adjective 1 (especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright: his acerbic wit. 2 archaic or technical tasting sour or bitter. DERIVATIVES acerbically adverb, acerbity |əˈsəːbəti | noun

acquiescent

acquiescent |akwɪˈɛs(ə)nt| ▶adjective ready to accept something without protest, or to do what someone else wants: his acquiescent mood.

actuality

actuality |aktʃʊˈalɪti| ▶noun (plural actualities) [mass noun] the state of existing in reality: the building looked as impressive in actuality as it did in magazines. • (actualities) existing conditions or facts: the grim actualities of prison life.

acumen

acumen |ˈakjʊmən, əˈkjuːmən| ▶noun [mass noun] the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions: she hides a shrewd business acumen.

adduce

adduce |əˈdjuːs| ▶verb [with object] cite as evidence: a number of factors are adduced to explain the situation. DERIVATIVES adducible |əˈdjuːsəb(ə)l | adjective

adroit

adroit |əˈdrɔɪt| ▶adjective clever or skilful: he was adroit at tax avoidance.

adroitness

adroitness |əˈdrɔɪtnɪs| ▶noun [mass noun] cleverness or skill: he lacks political adroitness

adulation

adulation |adjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] excessive admiration or praise: he found it difficult to cope with the adulation of the fans.

adulterate

adumbrate

adumbrate |ˈadʌmbreɪt| ▶verb [with object] formal 1 represent in outline: Hobhouse had already adumbrated the idea of a welfare state. • indicate faintly: the walls were only adumbrated by the meagre light. 2 foreshadow (a future event): tenors solemnly adumbrate the fate of the convicted sinner. 3 overshadow: her happy reminiscences were adumbrated by consciousness of something else. DERIVATIVES adumbration |adʌmˈbreɪʃ(ə)n | noun, adumbrative |əˈdʌmbrətɪv | adjective

advent

advent |ˈadv(ə)nt, ˈadvɛnt| ▶noun [in singular] 1 the arrival of a notable person or thing: the advent of television. 2 (Advent) the first season of the Church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays. • (Advent) Christian Theology the coming or second coming of Christ.

affable

affable |ˈafəb(ə)l| ▶adjective friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to: an affable and agreeable companion. DERIVATIVES affably |ˈafəbli | adverb

affectation

affectation |afɛkˈteɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] behaviour, speech, or writing that is pretentious and designed to impress: the affectation of a man who measures every word for effect | [count noun] : she called the room her boudoir, which he thought an affectation. • [count noun] a studied display of real or pretended feeling: an affectation of calm.

aggrandize

aggrandize |əˈɡrandʌɪz | (also aggrandise) ▶verb [with object] increase the power, status, or wealth of: an action intended to aggrandize the Frankish dynasty. • enhance the reputation of (someone) beyond what is justified by the facts: he hoped to aggrandize himself by dying a hero's death. DERIVATIVES aggrandizement |əˈɡrandɪzmənt | noun, aggrandizer noun

alacrity

alacrity |əˈlakrɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] brisk and cheerful readiness: she accepted the invitation with alacrity.

allegory

allegory |ˈalɪɡ(ə)ri| ▶noun (plural allegories) a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one: Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory of the spiritual journey. • a symbol. DERIVATIVES allegorist |ˈalɪɡərɪst | noun

allusion

allusion |əˈluːʒ(ə)n| ▶noun an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference: an allusion to Shakespeare | a classical allusion. • [mass noun] the practice of making allusions: the use of allusion.

altruism

altruism |ˈaltruːɪz(ə)m| ▶noun [mass noun] disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others: some may choose to work with vulnerable elderly people out of altruism. • Zoology behaviour of an animal that benefits another at its own expense: reciprocal altruism. DERIVATIVES altruist |ˈaltruːɪst | noun

amalgamated

amalgamate |əˈmalɡəmeɪt| ▶verb combine or unite to form one organization or structure: [with object] : he amalgamated his company with another | [no object] : numerous small British railway companies amalgamated. • [with object] Chemistry alloy (a metal) with mercury: (as adjective amalgamated) : amalgamated zinc.

amalgamation

amalgamation |əmalɡəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] the action, process, or result of combining or uniting: the threat of amalgamation with another college | [count noun] : an amalgamation of two separate companies.

ambivalence

ambivalence |amˈbɪv(ə)l(ə)ns, amˈbɪvəl(ə)ns, amˈbɪvələns| ▶noun [mass noun] the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone: the law's ambivalence about the importance of a victim's identity | government ambivalence towards the arts

ambivalent

ambivalent |amˈbɪv(ə)l(ə)nt| ▶adjective having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone: some loved her, some hated her, few were ambivalent about her | an ambivalent attitude to Europe. DERIVATIVES ambivalently adverb

amenable

amenable |əˈmiːnəb(ə)l| ▶adjective open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled: parents who have amenable children. • (amenable to) capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible: cardiac failure not amenable to medical treatment. DERIVATIVES amenability |əmiːnəˈbɪlɪti | noun, amenably adverb, amenableness noun

amiable

amiable |ˈeɪmɪəb(ə)l| ▶adjective having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner: the amiable young man greeted me enthusiastically. DERIVATIVES amiableness noun

amorphous

amorphous |əˈmɔːfəs| ▶adjective without a clearly defined shape or form: an amorphous, characterless conurbation. • lacking a clear structure or focus: an amorphous and leaderless legislature. • Mineralogy & Chemistry (of a solid) not crystalline, or not apparently crystalline: an amorphous polymer. DERIVATIVES amorphously adverb, amorphousness noun

baleful

baleful |ˈbeɪlfʊl, ˈbeɪlf(ə)l| ▶adjective threatening harm; menacing: Bill shot a baleful glance in her direction. • having a harmful or destructive effect: the baleful influence of Rasputin. DERIVATIVES balefully |ˈbeɪlfəli | adverb, balefulness nou

balk

balk |bɔːlk, bɔːk | (chiefly British also baulk) ▶verb [no object] hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking: he balked at such a drastic solution. • [with object] thwart or hinder (a plan or person): he raised every objection he could to balk this plan. • [with object] (balk someone of) prevent a person or animal from having (something): a tiger balked of its prey. • [with object] archaic miss or refuse (a chance or invitation): it's got to be done, so why balk it? • (with reference to a horse) refuse or cause to refuse to go on: [no object] : he balked, both forefeet thrust stiffly in front of him | [with object] : most of the horses were balked and refused. ▶noun 1 a roughly squared timber beam: a balk of timber. 2 the area on a billiard table between the balk line and the bottom cushion, within which in some circumstances a ball is protected from a direct stroke. 3 Baseball an unlawful action made by a pitcher that may deceive a base runner. 4 a ridge left unploughed between furrows.

banal

banal |bəˈnɑːl, bəˈnal| ▶adjective so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring: songs with banal, repeated words. DERIVATIVES banally adverb

beatify

beatify |bɪˈatɪfʌɪ| ▶verb (beatifies, beatifying, beatified) [with object] (in the Roman Catholic Church) announce the beatification of: he beatified Juan Diego, an Indian believed to have had a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1531.

bedraggled

bedraggled |bɪˈdraɡ(ə)ld| ▶adjective dishevelled: we got there, tired and bedraggled.

belabor

belabour |bɪˈleɪbə | (US belabor) ▶verb [with object] 1 attack (someone) physically or verbally: Bernard was belabouring Jed with his fists. 2 argue or discuss (a subject) in excessive detail: there is no need to belabour the point.

beleaguer

beleaguer |bɪˈliːɡə| ▶verb [with object] (usually as adjective beleaguered) lay siege to: he led a relief force to the aid of the beleaguered city. • put in a very difficult situation: the board is supporting the beleaguered director.

belie

belie |bɪˈlʌɪ| ▶verb (belies, belying, belied) [with object] 1 (of an appearance) fail to give a true impression of (something): his lively, alert manner belied his years. 2 fail to fulfil or justify (a claim or expectation): the quality of the music seems to belie the criticism.

bellicose

bellicose |ˈbɛlɪkəʊs| ▶adjective demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight: a mood of bellicose jingoism. DERIVATIVES bellicosity |bɛlɪˈkɒsəti | noun

benighted

benighted |bɪˈnʌɪtɪd| ▶adjective 1 in a state of pitiful or contemptible intellectual or moral ignorance: they saw themselves as bringers of culture to poor benighted peoples. 2 overtaken by darkness: a storm developed and we were forced to wait benighted near the summit. DERIVATIVES benightedness noun

benign

benign |bɪˈnʌɪn| ▶adjective 1 gentle and kind: his benign but firm manner. • (of a climate or environment) mild and favourable: the climate becomes more benign as we move nearer to the Black Sea. • not harmful to the environment: the cycle as a benign form of transport | [in combination] : an ozone-benign refrigerant. 2 Medicine (of a disease) not harmful in effect: a benign condition. • (of a tumour) not malignant: benign growths. DERIVATIVES benignly |bɪˈnʌɪnli | adverb

bereave

bereave |bɪˈriːv| ▶verb (be bereaved) be deprived of a close relation or friend through their death: she had recently been bereaved | (as adjective bereaved) : bereaved families | (as noun the bereaved) : those who counsel the bereaved.

cacophony

cacophony |kəˈkɒf(ə)ni| ▶noun (plural cacophonies) a harsh discordant mixture of sounds: a cacophony of deafening alarm bells.

cajole

cajole |kəˈdʒəʊl| ▶verb [with object] persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery: he hoped to cajole her into selling him her house. DERIVATIVES cajolement |kəˈdʒəʊlmənt | noun

callow

callow |ˈkaləʊ| ▶adjective (of a young person) inexperienced and immature: earnest and callow undergraduates. DERIVATIVES callowly adverb, callowness noun

squalid

squalid |ˈskwɒlɪd| ▶adjective (of a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect: the squalid, overcrowded prison. • showing or involving a contemptible lack of moral standards: a squalid attempt to save themselves from electoral embarrassment. DERIVATIVES squalidly adverb, squalidity noun |-ˈlɪdɪti| , squalidness noun

staid

collusion

collusion |kəˈl(j)uːʒ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy in order to deceive others: the armed forces were working in collusion with drug traffickers. • Law collusion between ostensible opponents in a lawsuit. DERIVATIVES collusive |kəˈluːsɪv | adjective, collusively adverb

comely

comely |ˈkʌmli| ▶adjective (comelier, comeliest) archaic or humorous (typically of a woman) pleasant to look at; attractive: the comely Italian actress Valeria Golino. • agreeable; suitable: a comely specimen. DERIVATIVES comeliness |ˈkʌmlɪnəs | noun

commensurate

commensurate |kəˈmɛnʃ(ə)rət, kəˈmɛnʃ(ə)rət| ▶adjective corresponding in size or degree; in proportion: salary will be commensurate with age and experience | such heavy responsibility must receive commensurate reward. DERIVATIVES commensurately adverb, commensurateness noun

conciliatory

conciliatory |kənˈsɪlɪətəri| ▶adjective intended or likely to placate or pacify: a conciliatory approach

sullen

sundry

sundry |ˈsʌndri| ▶adjective [attributive] of various kinds; several: prawn and garlic vol-au-vents and sundry other delicacies. ▶noun (plural sundries) 1 (sundries) various items not important enough to be mentioned individually: a drugstore selling magazines, newspapers, and sundries. 2 Cricket Australian term for extra.

supercilious

dilettante

fetter

fetter |ˈfɛtə| ▶noun (usually fetters) a chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles: he lay bound with fetters of iron. • a restraint or check on someone's freedom to act: the fetters of convention. ▶verb [with object] restrain with chains or manacles, typically around the ankles: (as adjective fettered) : a ragged and fettered prisoner. • confine or restrict (someone): he was not fettered by tradition.

eulogy

eulogy |ˈjuːlədʒi| ▶noun (plural eulogies) a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, especially a tribute to someone who has just died: a eulogy to the Queen Mother.

evanescent

evanescent |ɛvəˈnɛs(ə)nt, iːvəˈnɛs(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 chiefly literary soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing: the evanescent Arctic summer. 2 Physics denoting a field or wave which extends into a region where it cannot propagate and whose amplitude therefore decreases with distance. DERIVATIVES evanescence |ɛvəˈnɛs(ə)ns, iːvəˈnɛs(ə)ns | noun, evanescently adverb

evince

evince |ɪˈvɪns| ▶verb [with object] formal reveal the presence of (a quality or feeling); indicate: the news stories evinced the usual mixture of sympathy and satisfaction. DERIVATIVES evincement noun archaic , evincible adjective

exacerbate

exacerbate |ɪɡˈzasəbeɪt, ɛkˈsasəbeɪt| ▶verb [with object] make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse: the exorbitant cost of land in urban areas only exacerbated the problem | the strong pound has exacerbated the situation by making it much harder for UK companies to compete on price. DERIVATIVES exacerbation |ɪɡzasəˈbeɪʃ(ə)n, ɪksasəˈbeɪʃ(ə)n | noun

exasperation

exasperation |ɪɡˌzɑːspəˈreɪʃ(ə)n, ɛɡˌzɑːspəˈreɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance: she rolled her eyes in exasperation

excoriate

excoriate |ɪkˈskɔːrɪeɪt, ɛkˈskɔːrɪeɪt| ▶verb [with object] 1 Medicine damage or remove part of the surface of (the skin): the discharge is acrid and excoriates the skin of the nose. 2 formal criticize (someone) severely: he excoriated the government for censorship. DERIVATIVES excoriation |ɪkskɔːrɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n, ɛkskɔːrɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n | noun

exculpate

execrable

execrable |ˈɛksɪkrəb(ə)l| ▶adjective extremely bad or unpleasant: execrable cheap wine. DERIVATIVES execrably |ˈɛksɪkrəbli | adverb

fickle

fickle |ˈfɪk(ə)l| ▶adjective changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties or affections: celebs trying to appeal to an increasingly fickle public. DERIVATIVES fickly adverb

finicky

finicky |ˈfɪnɪki| ▶adjective (of a person) fussy about their needs or requirements: a finicky eater. • showing or requiring great attention to detail: his finicky copperplate hand. DERIVATIVES finickiness noun

execrate

exegesis

furtive

furtive |ˈfəːtɪv| ▶adjective attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive: they spent a furtive day together | he stole a furtive glance at her. • suggestive of guilty nervousness: the look in his eyes became furtive. DERIVATIVES furtiveness |ˈfəːtɪvnəs | noun

gainsay

gainsay |ɡeɪnˈseɪ| ▶verb (past and past participle gainsaid |ɡeɪnˈsed| ) [with object] [with negative] formal deny or contradict (a fact or statement): the impact of the railways cannot be gainsaid. • speak against or oppose (someone): none could gainsay her. DERIVATIVES gainsayer noun

superfluous

byzantine

Byzantine |bɪˈzantʌɪn, bʌɪˈzantʌɪn| ▶adjective 1 relating to Byzantium, the Byzantine Empire, or the Eastern Orthodox Church. • of an ornate artistic and architectural style which developed in the Byzantine Empire and spread to Italy, Russia, and elsewhere. The art is typified by religious wall paintings and icons and the architecture by many-domed churches. 2 (also byzantine) (of a system or situation) excessively complicated, and typically involving a great deal of administrative detail: Byzantine insurance regulations. • characterized by deviousness or underhand procedure: he has the most Byzantine mind in politics. ▶noun a citizen of Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire. DERIVATIVES Byzantinism |bɪˈzantɪnɪz(ə)m, bʌɪˈzantɪnɪz(ə)m | noun

renaissance

Renaissance |rɪˈneɪs(ə)ns, ˌrɛneɪˈsɒ̃s| ▶noun the revival of European art and literature under the influence of classical models in the 14th-16th centuries. • the culture and style of art and architecture developed during the Renaissance. • (a renaissance) a revival of or renewed interest in something: cinema-going is enjoying something of a renaissance. The Renaissance is generally regarded as beginning in Florence, where there was a revival of interest in classical antiquity. Important early figures are the writers Petrarch, Dante, and Boccaccio and the painter Giotto. Music flourished, from madrigals to the polyphonic masses of Palestrina, with a wide variety of instruments such as viols and lutes. The period from the end of the 15th century has become known as the High Renaissance, when Venice and Rome began to share Florence's importance and Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo were active. Renaissance thinking spread to the rest of Europe from the early 16th century, and was influential for the next hundred years.

stygian

Stygian |ˈstɪdʒɪən| ▶adjective relating to the River Styx in Greek mythology. • literary very dark: the Stygian crypt

anachronism

anachronism |əˈnakrəˌnɪz(ə)m| ▶noun a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned: the town is a throwback to medieval times, an anachronism that has survived the passing years. • [mass noun] the action of attributing something to a period to which it does not belong: it is anachronism to suppose that the official morality of the age was mere window dressing.

anathema

anathema |əˈnaθəmə| ▶noun 1 [mass noun] something or someone that one vehemently dislikes: racial hatred was anathema to her. 2 a formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine: the Pope laid special emphasis on the second of these anathemas. • literary a strong curse: the sergeant clutched the ruined communicator, muttering anathemas.

ancillary

ancillary |anˈsɪləri| ▶adjective providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, system, etc.: ancillary staff. • in addition to something else, but not as important: paragraph 19 was merely ancillary to paragraph 16. ▶noun (plural ancillaries) a person whose work provides necessary support to the primary activities of an organization, system, etc.: the employment of specialist teachers and ancillaries. • something which functions in a supplementary or supporting role: undergraduate courses of three main subjects with related ancillaries | the system measures engine power at the flywheel with all ancillaries (fan, standard exhaust, etc.) connected.

animosity

animosity |ˌanɪˈmɒsɪti| ▶noun (plural animosities) [mass noun] strong hostility: he no longer felt any animosity towards her.

anodyne

anodyne |ˈanədʌɪn| ▶adjective not likely to cause offence or disagreement and somewhat dull: anodyne music. ▶noun a painkilling drug or medicine: she had even refused anodynes | figurative : an anodyne to the misery she had put him through.

antecedent

antecedent |ˌantɪˈsiːd(ə)nt| ▶noun 1 a thing that existed before or logically precedes another: some antecedents to the African novel might exist in Africa's oral traditions. 2 (antecedents) a person's ancestors or family and social background: her early life and antecedents have been traced. 3 Grammar an earlier word, phrase, or clause to which another word (especially a following relative pronoun) refers back. 4 Logic the statement contained in the 'if' clause of a conditional proposition. ▶adjective 1 preceding in time or order; previous or pre-existing: antecedent events. 2 Grammar denoting or counting as an antecedent. DERIVATIVES antecedence |ˌantɪˈsiːdəns | noun, antecedently adverb

antipathy

antipathy |anˈtɪpəθi| ▶noun (plural antipathies) [mass noun] a deep-seated feeling of aversion: his fundamental antipathy to capitalism. DERIVATIVES antipathic |ˌantɪˈpaθɪk | adjective

antipodal

antipodal |anˈtɪpəd(ə)l| ▶adjective relating to or situated on the opposite side of the earth. • (antipodal to) diametrically opposed to. • Botany relating to or denoting cells formed at the chalazal end of the embryo sac

antithesis

antithesis |anˈtɪθəsɪs| ▶noun (plural antitheses |anˈtɪθəsiːz| ) 1 a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else: love is the antithesis of selfishness. • a contrast or opposition between two things: the antithesis between occult and rational mentalities. • [mass noun] a rhetorical or literary device in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed: figures of speech such as antithesis | [count noun] : his sermons were full of startling antitheses. 2 [mass noun] (in Hegelian philosophy) the negation of the thesis as the second stage in the process of dialectical reasoning. Compare with synthesis.

apex

apex |ˈeɪpɛks| ▶noun (plural apexes or apices |ˈeɪpɪsiːz| ) 1 the top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point: the apex of the roof | figurative : the central bank is at the apex of the financial system. • Geometry the highest point in a plane or solid figure, relative to a base line or plane. • Botany the growing point of a shoot. 2 the highest point of achievement; a climax: the apex of his career was in 1966 when he hoisted aloft the World Cup for England. 3 Motorsports the point in turning a corner when the vehicle is closest to the edge of the track. ▶verb 1 [no object] reach a high point or climax: melodic lines build up to the chorus and it apexes at the solo. 2 [with object] Motorsports turn (a corner) very close to the edge of the track: he understands when to apex a corner.

aphorism

aphorism |ˈafərɪz(ə)m| ▶noun a pithy observation which contains a general truth: the old aphorism 'the child is father to the man' | [mass noun] : the debate begins and ends at the level of aphorism, with commentators saying that something must be done. • a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by a classical author: the opening sentence of the first aphorism of Hippocrates. DERIVATIVES aphorist noun, aphoristic |afəˈrɪstɪk | adjective, aphoristically |afəˈrɪstɪk(ə)li | adverb, aphorize (also aphorise) verb

apocryphal

apocryphal |əˈpɒkrɪf(ə)l| ▶adjective (of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true: an apocryphal story about a former president | his alleged description of opera as 'fat gits singing' is probably apocryphal. • of or belonging to the Apocrypha: the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas. DERIVATIVES apocryphally adver

apogee

apogee |ˈapədʒiː| ▶noun 1 the highest point in the development of something; a climax or culmination: a film which was the apogee of German expressionist cinema. 2 Astronomy the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is furthest from the earth. The opposite of perigee. DERIVATIVES apogean |apəˈdʒiːən | adjective

apostasy

apostasy |əˈpɒstəsi| ▶noun [mass noun] the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief or principle: the execution of their leader for apostasy brought widespread criticism.

apotheosis

apotheosis |əˌpɒθɪˈəʊsɪs| ▶noun (plural apotheoses |əˌpɒθɪˈəʊsiːz| ) 1 the highest point in the development of something; a culmination or climax: his appearance as Hamlet was the apotheosis of his career. 2 the elevation of someone to divine status: death spared Pompey the task of having to account for the apotheosis of Caesar.

apposite

approbation

appropriation

appropriation |əˌprəʊprɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun 1 [mass noun] the action of appropriating something: dishonest appropriation of property. • the deliberate reworking of images and styles from earlier, well-known works of art: the hallmark of postmodernism has turned out to be appropriation. 2 a sum of money allocated officially for a particular use: success in obtaining appropriations for projects | [as modifier] : the appropriation accounts.

arbiter

arbiter |ˈɑːbɪtə| ▶noun a person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter: the Secretary of State is the final arbiter. • a person whose views or actions have influence in a particular sphere: an arbiter of taste.

arcane

arcane |ɑːˈkeɪn| ▶adjective understood by few; mysterious or secret: arcane procedures for electing people. DERIVATIVES arcanely adverb

archetype

archetype |ˈɑːkɪtʌɪp| ▶noun 1 a very typical example of a certain person or thing: he was the archetype of the old-style football club chairman. • an original which has been imitated; a prototype: an instrument which was the archetype of the early flute. 2 Psychoanalysis (in Jungian theory) a primitive mental image inherited from the earliest human ancestors, and supposed to be present in the collective unconscious. 3 a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology: mythological archetypes of good and evil. DERIVATIVES archetypical |ɑːkɪˈtɪpɪk(ə)l | adjective, archetypically adverb

arduous

arrant

arrant |ˈar(ə)nt| ▶adjective [attributive] dated complete, utter: what arrant nonsense! DERIVATIVES arrantly adverb

artful

artful |ˈɑːtfʊl, ˈɑːtf(ə)l| ▶adjective 1 clever or skilful, especially in a crafty or cunning way: her artful wiles. 2 showing creative skill or taste: an artful photograph of a striking woman. DERIVATIVES artfulness |ˈɑːtf(ə)lnəs | nou

artless

artless |ˈɑːtləs| ▶adjective without guile or deception: an artless, naive girl | artless sincerity. • without effort or pretentiousness; natural and simple: an artless literary masterpiece. • without skill or finesse: her awkward, artless prose. DERIVATIVES artlessly |ˈɑːtləsli | adver

ascetic

ascetic |əˈsɛtɪk| ▶adjective characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons: an ascetic life of prayer, fasting, and manual labour. ▶noun a person who follows an ascetic life. DERIVATIVES ascetically |əˈsɛtɪk(ə)li | adverb

assay

assay |əˈseɪ, ˈaseɪ| ▶noun [mass noun] the testing of a metal or ore to determine its ingredients and quality: submission of plate for assay. • [count noun] a procedure for measuring the biochemical or immunological activity of a sample: each assay was performed in duplicate. ▶verb [with object] 1 determine the content or quality of (a metal or ore): the man who assayed gold was more than a technician. • determine the biochemical or immunological activity of (a sample): cell contents were assayed for enzyme activity. • examine (something) in order to assess its nature: stepping inside, I quickly assayed the clientele. 2 archaic attempt: I assayed a little joke of mine on him. DERIVATIVES assayer |əˈseɪə | noun

asseverate

asseveration |əˌsɛvəˈreɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] the solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something: I fear that you offer only unsupported asseveration | [count noun] : the dogmatic outlook marks many of his asseverations. DERIVATIVES asseverate |əˈsɛvəreɪt | verb

assiduity

assiduity |ˌasɪˈdjuːɪti| ▶noun (plural assiduities) [mass noun] constant or close attention to what one is doing: the assiduity with which he could wear down his opponents. • (assiduities) archaic or literary constant attentions to someone.

assuage

assuage |əˈsweɪdʒ| ▶verb [with object] make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense: the letter assuaged the fears of most members. • satisfy (an appetite or desire): an opportunity occurred to assuage her desire for knowledge. DERIVATIVES assuagement noun

astringent

astringent |əˈstrɪn(d)ʒ(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues: an astringent skin lotion. 2 sharp or severe in manner or style: her astringent words had their effect. • (of taste or smell) sharp or bitter: an astringent smell of rotting apples. ▶noun an astringent lotion applied to the skin to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions or as a cosmetic to make the skin less oily. DERIVATIVES astringency |əˈstrɪndʒ(ə)nsi | noun, astringently adverb

astute

astute |əˈstjuːt| ▶adjective having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage: an astute businessman. DERIVATIVES astuteness |əˈstjuːtnəs | noun

attrition

attrition |əˈtrɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] 1 the process of reducing something's strength or effectiveness through sustained attack or pressure: the council is trying to wear down the opposition by attrition | the squadron suffered severe attrition of its bombers. • chiefly North American & Australian/NZ the gradual reduction of a workforce by employees leaving and not being replaced rather than by redundancy: the company said that it will reduce its worldwide employment by about 10% through attrition. • wearing away by friction; abrasion: the skull shows attrition of the edges of the teeth. 2 (in scholastic theology) sorrow for sin, falling short of contrition. DERIVATIVES attritional adjective

audacious

audacious |ɔːˈdeɪʃəs| ▶adjective 1 showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks: a series of audacious takeovers. 2 showing an impudent lack of respect: he made an audacious remark. DERIVATIVES audaciously |ɔːˈdeɪʃəsli | adverb, audaciousness noun

augment

augment ▶verb |ɔːɡˈmɛnt | [with object] make (something) greater by adding to it; increase: her secretarial work helped to augment her husband's income. ▶noun |ˈɔːɡm(ə)nt | Linguistics a vowel prefixed to past tenses of verbs in Greek and certain other Indo-European languages.

augur

augur |ˈɔːɡə| ▶verb [no object] (augur well/badly/ill) (of an event or circumstance) portend a good or bad outcome: the end of the cold war seemed to augur well. • [with object] portend or bode (a specified outcome): they feared that these happenings augured a neo-Nazi revival. • [with object] archaic foresee or predict. ▶noun (in ancient Rome) a religious official who observed natural signs, especially the behaviour of birds, interpreting these as an indication of divine approval or disapproval of a proposed action. DERIVATIVES augural |ˈɔːɡjʊ(ə)r(ə)l | adjective ( archaic)

auspicious

auspicious |ɔːˈspɪʃəs| ▶adjective conducive to success; favourable: it was not the most auspicious moment to hold an election. • giving or being a sign of future success: they said it was an auspicious moon—it was rising. • archaic characterized by success; prosperous: he was respectful to his auspicious customers. DERIVATIVES auspiciously |ɔːˈspɪʃəsli | adverb, auspiciousness noun

austere

austere |ɒˈstɪə, ɔːˈstɪə| ▶adjective (austerer, austerest) severe or strict in manner or attitude: he was an austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook. • (of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries: conditions in the prison could hardly be more austere. • having a plain and unadorned appearance: the cathedral is impressive in its austere simplicity. DERIVATIVES austerely |ɒˈstɪəli, ɔːˈstɪəli | adverb

autocratic

autocratic |ɔːtəˈkratɪk| ▶adjective relating to a ruler who has absolute power: the constitutional reforms threatened his autocratic power. • taking no account of other people's wishes or opinions; domineering: a man with a reputation for an autocratic management style. DERIVATIVES autocratically |ɔːtəˈkratɪk(ə)li | adver

avant-garde

avant-garde |ˌavɒ̃ˈɡɑːd| ▶noun (usually the avant-garde) new and experimental ideas and methods in art, music, or literature: he has been called a promoter of the avant-garde. • a group of artists, musicians, or writers working with new and experimental ideas and methods: works by artists of the Russian avant-garde. ▶adjective favouring or introducing new and experimental ideas and methods: a controversial avant-garde composer. DERIVATIVES avant-gardism noun, avant-gardist noun

avarice

avarice |ˈav(ə)rɪs| ▶noun [mass noun] extreme greed for wealth or material gain: he was rich beyond the dreams of avarice.

aver

aver |əˈvəː| ▶verb (avers, averring, averred) [reporting verb] formal state or assert to be the case: [with clause] : he averred that he was innocent of the allegations | [with direct speech] : 'I don't have to do anything—it's his problem,' Rory averred. • [with object] Law allege as a fact in support of a plea: the defendant does not aver any performance by himself.

avow

axiom

axiom |ˈaksɪəm| ▶noun a statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true: the axiom that sport builds character. • chiefly Mathematics a statement or proposition on which an abstractly defined structure is based.

axiomatic

axiomatic |ˌaksɪəˈmatɪk| ▶adjective self-evident or unquestionable: it is axiomatic that dividends have to be financed. • chiefly Mathematics relating to or containing axioms: 1914 saw the first axiomatic declaration of exactly what constitutes a ring. DERIVATIVES axiomatically adverb

beseech

beseech |bɪˈsiːtʃ| ▶verb (past and past participle besought |bɪˈsɔːt| or beseeched) [reporting verb] literary ask someone urgently and fervently to do or give something: [with object and infinitive] : they beseeched him to stay | [with object and direct speech] : 'You have got to believe me,' Violet beseeched him | [with object] : they earnestly beseeched his forgiveness. DERIVATIVES beseechingly |bɪˈsiːtʃɪŋli | adverb

bespoke

bespoke |bɪˈspəʊk| ▶adjective British (of goods, especially clothing) made to order: a bespoke suit. • (of a trader) making bespoke items of clothing: the bespoke tailors of Savile Row. • (of a computer program) written or adapted for a specific user or purpose: completely bespoke software systems

bigot

bigot |ˈbɪɡət| ▶noun a person who is intolerant towards those holding different opinions: don't let a few small-minded bigots destroy the good image of the city | he was a fanatical bigot.

bilious

bilious |ˈbɪlɪəs| ▶adjective 1 affected by or associated with nausea or vomiting: a bilious attack. • (of a colour) lurid or sickly: a bilious yellow hue. 2 spiteful; bad-tempered: his bilious temperament. 3 Physiology relating to bile. DERIVATIVES biliously adverb, biliousness |ˈbɪlɪəsnəs | noun

blandishment

blandishment |ˈblandɪʃm(ə)nt| ▶noun (often blandishments) a flattering or pleasing statement or action used as a means of gently persuading someone to do something: the blandishments of the travel brochure

blasé

blasé |ˈblɑːzeɪ| ▶adjective unimpressed with or indifferent to something because one has experienced or seen it so often before: she was becoming quite blasé about the dangers.

blithe

blithe |blʌɪð| ▶adjective showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper: a blithe disregard for the rules of the road. • literary happy or carefree: a blithe seaside comedy. DERIVATIVES blitheness noun, blithesome |ˈblʌɪðs(ə)m | adjective ( literary)

blithely

blithely |ˈblʌɪðli| ▶adverb in a way that shows a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper: her arrest order was blithely ignored by the police chief. • literary in a happy or carefree manner: the prince was wandering blithely out into the courtyard

boisterous

bombast

bombast |ˈbɒmbast| ▶noun [mass noun] high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people: the bombast of gung-ho militarism.

bombastic

brazenness

brazen |ˈbreɪz(ə)n| ▶adjective 1 bold and without shame: he went about his illegal business with a brazen assurance | a brazen hussy. 2 literary or archaic made of brass: brazen fire irons. • harsh in sound: the music's brazen chords. ▶verb [with object] (brazen something out) endure an embarrassing or difficult situation by behaving with apparent confidence and lack of shame: there was nothing to do but brazen it out. DERIVATIVES brazenness |ˈbreɪz(ə)nnəs | noun

broach

broach 1 |brəʊtʃ| ▶verb [with object] 1 raise (a difficult subject) for discussion: he broached the subject he had been avoiding all evening. 2 pierce (a cask) to draw out liquid: he watched a pot boy broach a new cask. • open and start using the contents of (a bottle or other container): boxed wines will remain in good condition for up to four months once broached. 3 [no object] (of a fish or sea mammal) rise through the water and break the surface: the salmon broach, then fall to slap the water.

brook

brook 1 |brʊk| ▶noun a small stream: the Lake District boasts lovely lakes and babbling brooks. DERIVATIVES brooklet |ˈbrʊklət | noun

bucolic

bucolic |bjuːˈkɒlɪk| ▶adjective relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life: the church is lovely for its bucolic setting. ▶noun (usually bucolics) a pastoral poem. DERIVATIVES bucolically adverb

burgeon

burgeon |ˈbəːdʒ(ə)n| ▶verb [no object] (often as adjective burgeoning) begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish: manufacturers are keen to cash in on the burgeoning demand. • archaic or literary put forth young shoots; bud.

calumny

calumny |ˈkaləmni| ▶noun (plural calumnies) [mass noun] the making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation; slander: a bitter struggle marked by calumny and litigation. • [count noun] a false and slanderous statement: a change in the law would prevent the press from publishing calumnies. ▶verb (calumnies, calumnying, calumnied) [with object] formal slander (someone). DERIVATIVES calumnious |kəˈlʌmnɪəs | adjective

candid

candid |ˈkandɪd| ▶adjective 1 truthful and straightforward; frank: his responses were remarkably candid | a candid discussion. 2 (of a photograph of a person) taken informally, especially without the subject's knowledge: it is better to let the photographer mingle among the guests and take candid shots. DERIVATIVES candidness |ˈkandɪdnəs | noun

canon

canon 1 |ˈkanən| ▶noun 1 a general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged: the appointment violated the canons of fair play and equal opportunity. • a Church decree or law: a set of ecclesiastical canons | [mass noun] : legislation which enables the Church of England General Synod to provide by canon for women to be ordained. 2 a collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine: the biblical canon. • the works of a particular author or artist that are recognized as genuine: the Shakespeare canon. • the list of works considered to be permanently established as being of the highest quality: Hopkins was firmly established in the canon of English poetry. 3 (also canon of the Mass) (in the Roman Catholic Church) the part of the Mass containing the words of consecration. 4 Music a piece in which the same melody is begun in different parts successively, so that the imitations overlap: the very simple rhythmic structure of this double canon | [mass noun] : two quartets sing in close canon throughout. PHRASES in canon Music with different parts successively beginning the same melody.

canonical

canonical |kəˈnɒnɪk(ə)l| ▶adjective 1 according to or ordered by canon law: the canonical rites of the Roman Church. 2 included in the list of sacred books officially accepted as genuine: the canonical Gospels of the New Testament. • accepted as being accurate and authoritative: the canonical method of comparative linguistics. • (of a writer or work) belonging to the literary canon: canonical writers like Jane Austen. • according to recognized rules or scientific laws: canonical nucleotide sequences. • Mathematics relating to a general rule or standard formula. 3 relating to a cathedral chapter or a member of it: his college tutors were later his canonical colleagues. ▶plural noun (canonicals) the prescribed official dress of the clergy: Cardinal Bea in full canonicals. DERIVATIVES canonically adver

cantankerous

capricious

capricious |kəˈprɪʃəs| ▶adjective given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour: a capricious and often brutal administration. • changing according to no discernible rules; unpredictable: a capricious climate. DERIVATIVES capriciously |kəˈprɪʃəsli | adverb, capriciousness |kəˈprɪʃəsnəs | noun

captious

carapace

carapace |ˈkarəpeɪs| ▶noun the hard upper shell of a tortoise, crustacean, or arachnid: figurative : under her carapace of self-confidence she was very sensitive to criticism.

cardinal

cardinal |ˈkɑːd(ɪ)n(ə)l| ▶noun 1 a leading dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals are nominated by the Pope, and form the Sacred College which elects succeeding popes (now invariably from among their own number): northern cardinal his appointment as cardinal | [as title] : the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. • (also cardinal red) [mass noun] a deep scarlet colour like that of a cardinal's cassock. 2 a New World songbird of the bunting family, having a stout bill and typically a conspicuous crest. The male is partly or mostly red in colour. ●Family Emberizidae, subfamily Cardinalinae (the cardinal grosbeak subfamily): four genera and several species. ▶adjective [attributive] of the greatest importance; fundamental: two cardinal points must be borne in mind. DERIVATIVES cardinalate |ˈkɑːd(ɪ)n(ə)leɪt | noun, cardinally adverb, cardinalship |ˈkɑːd(ɪ)n(ə)lʃɪp | noun

caricature

caricature |ˈkarɪkətjʊə, ˈkarɪkətʃɔː| ▶noun a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect: a crude caricature of the Prime Minister | [mass noun] : there are elements of caricature in the portrayal of the hero. • a ludicrous or grotesque version of someone or something: he looked a caricature of his normal self. ▶verb [with object] make or give a caricature of: he was famous enough to be caricatured by Private Eye. DERIVATIVES caricatural |ˈkarɪkətʃʊərəl | adjective, caricaturist |ˈkarɪkətʃʊərɪst | noun

castigate

castigation

catholic

catholic |ˈkaθ(ə)lɪk| ▶adjective including a wide variety of things; all-embracing: her tastes are pretty catholic. DERIVATIVES catholicity |kaθəˈlɪsɪti | noun, catholically adverb

caustic

caustic |ˈkɔːstɪk, ˈkɒstɪk| ▶adjective 1 able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action: a caustic cleaner. 2 sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way: the players were making caustic comments about the refereeing. 3 Physics formed by the intersection of reflected or refracted parallel rays from a curved surface. ▶noun 1 a caustic substance. 2 Physics a caustic surface or curve. DERIVATIVES caustically |ˈkɔːstɪk(ə)li | adverb, causticity |kɔːsˈtɪsɪti, kɒsˈtɪsɪti | noun

cavil

cavil |ˈkav(ə)l| ▶verb (cavils, cavilling, cavilled; US cavils, caviling, caviled) [no object] make petty or unnecessary objections: they cavilled at the cost. ▶noun a petty or unnecessary objection. DERIVATIVES caviller noun

celerity

celerity |sɪˈlɛrɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] archaic or literary swiftness of movement.

chagrin

chagrin |ˈʃaɡrɪn, ʃəˈɡrɪn| ▶noun [mass noun] annoyance or distress at having failed or been humiliated: to my chagrin, he was nowhere to be seen. ▶verb (be chagrined) feel distressed or humiliated: he was chagrined when his friend poured scorn on him.

chary

chary |ˈtʃɛːri| ▶adjective (charier, chariest) cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something: she had been chary of telling the whole truth. DERIVATIVES charily |ˈtʃɛːrɪli | adverb

chauvinist

chauvinist |ˈʃəʊv(ɪ)nɪst| ▶noun a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism. • a person displaying excessive or prejudiced support for their own cause, group, or sex: she wrote off all the local males as hopeless chauvinists. ▶adjective relating to or characteristic of a chauvinist: a chauvinist rejection of foreign interference

chicanery

chicanery |ʃɪˈkeɪnəri| ▶noun [mass noun] the use of deception or subterfuge to achieve one's purpose: storylines packed with political chicanery.

choleric

choleric |ˈkɒlərɪk| ▶adjective bad-tempered or irritable: he was a choleric, self-important little man. • (in medieval medicine) having choler as the predominant bodily humour: a choleric disposition. DERIVATIVES cholerically adverb

churlish

circuitous

circumspect

circumspect |ˈsəːkəmspɛkt| ▶adjective wary and unwilling to take risks: the officials were very circumspect in their statements. DERIVATIVES circumspectly |ˈsəːkəmspɛktli | adverb

coalesce

coalesce |ˌkəʊəˈlɛs| ▶verb [no object] come together to form one mass or whole: the puddles had coalesced into shallow streams. • [with object] combine (elements) in a mass or whole: his idea served to coalesce all that happened into one connected whole. DERIVATIVES coalescence |kəʊəˈlɛsns | noun, coalescent adjective

coda

coda |ˈkəʊdə| ▶noun Music the concluding passage of a piece or movement, typically forming an addition to the basic structure: the first movement ends with a fortissimo coda. • the concluding section of a dance, especially of a pas de deux or the finale of a ballet in which the dancers parade before the audience. • a concluding event, remark, or section: his new novel is a kind of coda to his previous books.

coeval

coeval |kəʊˈiːv(ə)l| ▶adjective having the same age or date of origin; contemporary: these lavas were coeval with the volcanic activity. ▶noun a person of roughly the same age as oneself; a contemporary: like so many of his coevals, he yearned for stability. DERIVATIVES coevality |kəʊiːˈvalɪti | noun, coevally adverb

cogent

cogently

cognizance

cognizance |ˈkɒ(ɡ)nɪz(ə)ns | (also cognisance) ▶noun 1 [mass noun] formal knowledge or awareness: the Renaissance cognizance of Greece was limited. • Law the action of taking judicial notice. 2 Heraldry a distinctive emblem or badge formerly worn by retainers of a noble house. PHRASES take cognizance of formal attend to; take account of: the new structure attempted to take cognizance of individual regions' needs.

cognizant

cognizant |ˈkɒ(ɡ)nɪz(ə)nt | (also cognisant) ▶adjective formal having knowledge or awareness: statesmen must be cognizant of the political boundaries within which they work.

delude

delude |dɪˈl(j)uːd| ▶verb [with object] make (someone) believe something that is not true: too many theorists have deluded the public | (as adjective deluded) : the poor deluded creature. DERIVATIVES deludedly adverb, deluder noun

consecrate

consecrate |ˈkɒnsɪkreɪt| ▶verb [with object] make or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious purpose: the present Holy Trinity church was consecrated in 1845 | (as adjective consecrated) : consecrated ground. • (in Christian belief) declare (bread and wine) to be or represent the body and blood of Christ: (as adjective consecrated) : they received the host but not the consecrated wine. • ordain (someone) to a sacred office, typically that of bishop: [with object and complement] : he was consecrated bishop of York. • informal devote (something) exclusively to a particular purpose: the gun room was a male preserve, consecrated to sport. DERIVATIVES consecrator |ˈkɒnsɪkreɪtə | noun, consecratory adjective

consonant

consonant |ˈkɒns(ə)nənt| ▶noun a basic speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed and which can be combined with a vowel to form a syllable. Contrasted with vowel: fricatives are by far the largest group of English consonants. • a letter representing a consonant. ▶adjective 1 [attributive] denoting or relating to a consonant: a consonant phoneme. 2 (consonant with) in agreement or harmony with: the findings are consonant with other research. • Music making a harmonious interval or chord: the bass is consonant with all the upper notes. DERIVATIVES consonantal |kɒnsəˈnant(ə)l | adjective, consonantly adverb

consternation

consternation |kɒnstəˈneɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] a feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected: to her consternation her car wouldn't start.

consummate

consummate ▶verb |ˈkɒns(j)əmeɪt | [with object] make (a marriage or relationship) complete by having sexual intercourse: his first wife refused to consummate their marriage. • complete (a transaction): the property sale is consummated. ▶adjective |ˈkɒns(j)əmət, kənˈsʌmət | showing great skill and flair: she dressed with consummate elegance. DERIVATIVES consummately |kənˈsʌmətli, ˈkɒnsəmətli | adverb, consummator noun

contiguous

contiguous |kənˈtɪɡjʊəs| ▶adjective sharing a common border; touching: the Southern Ocean is contiguous with the Atlantic. • next or together in sequence: five hundred contiguous dictionary entries. DERIVATIVES contiguously adverb

contretemps

contretemps |ˈkɒntrətɒ̃| ▶noun (plural same |ˈkɒntrətɒ̃z| ) a minor dispute or disagreement: she had occasional contretemps with her staff. • an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence: the hotel had to deal with more than one contretemps before the end of the night.

contrite

contrite |kənˈtrʌɪt, ˈkɒntrʌɪt| ▶adjective feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong: a contrite tone. DERIVATIVES contritely adverb, contriteness noun

contrived

contrive |kənˈtrʌɪv| ▶verb [with object] create or bring about (an object or a situation) by deliberate use of skill and artifice: his opponents contrived a cabinet crisis | [with infinitive] : you contrived to be alone with me despite the supervision. • [with infinitive] manage to do something foolish or create an undesirable situation: he contrived to flood the flat three times. DERIVATIVES contrivable adjective, contriver noun

controvert

controvert |ˈkɒntrəvəːt, ˌkɒntrəˈvəːt| ▶verb [with object] deny the truth of (something): subsequent work from the same laboratory controverted these results. • argue about (something): the views in the article have been controverted. DERIVATIVES controvertible adjective

contumacious

contumacious |ˌkɒntjʊˈmeɪʃəs| ▶adjective archaic or Law (especially of a defendant's behaviour) stubbornly or wilfully disobedient to authority: his refusal to make child support payments was contumacious. DERIVATIVES contumaciously adverb

contumely

contumely |ˈkɒntjuːmɪli, ˈkɒntjuːmli| ▶noun (plural contumelies) [mass noun] archaic insolent or insulting language or treatment: the Church should not be exposed to gossip and contumely.

convivial

convivial |kənˈvɪvɪəl| ▶adjective (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable: a convivial cocktail party. • (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial: she was relaxed and convivial. DERIVATIVES convivially adverb

copious

copious |ˈkəʊpɪəs| ▶adjective abundant in supply or quantity: she took copious notes. • archaic profuse in speech or ideas: I had been a little too copious in talking of my country. DERIVATIVES copiousness noun

corrigible

corrigible |ˈkɒrɪdʒɪb(ə)l| ▶adjective capable of being corrected, rectified, or reformed. DERIVATIVES corrigibility noun

cosmopolitan

cosmopolitan |ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪt(ə)n| ▶adjective 1 familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures: his knowledge of French, Italian, and Spanish made him genuinely cosmopolitan. • including people from many different countries: immigration transformed the city into a cosmopolitan metropolis. • having an exciting and glamorous character associated with travel and a mixture of cultures: their designs became a byword for cosmopolitan chic. 2 (of a plant or animal) found all over the world. ▶noun 1 a cosmopolitan person: there were also cosmopolitans who spoke both Spanish and English and travelled in the worlds of both Puerto Rican and white Holyoke. 2 a cosmopolitan plant or animal. 3 a cocktail made with Cointreau, lemon vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice. DERIVATIVES cosmopolitanism |ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪt(ə)nɪz(ə)m | noun, cosmopolitanize (also cosmopolitanise) verb

coterie

coterie |ˈkəʊt(ə)ri| ▶noun (plural coteries) a small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people: a coterie of friends and advisers.

deference

deference |ˈdɛf(ə)r(ə)ns| ▶noun [mass noun] polite submission and respect: he addressed her with the deference due to age. PHRASES in deference to out of respect for; in consideration of: in deference to her wishes we spent two weeks on the coast.

deleterious

deleterious |ˌdɛlɪˈtɪərɪəs| ▶adjective formal causing harm or damage: divorce is assumed to have deleterious effects on children. DERIVATIVES deleteriously adverb

countenance

countenance |ˈkaʊnt(ə)nəns| ▶noun 1 a person's face or facial expression: his impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance give little away. 2 [mass noun] support or approval: she was giving her specific countenance to the occasion. ▶verb [with object] admit as acceptable or possible: he was reluctant to countenance the use of force. PHRASES keep one's countenance maintain one's composure, especially by refraining from laughter. keep someone in countenance help someone to remain calm and confident: to keep herself in countenance she opened her notebook. out of countenance disconcerted or unpleasantly surprised: I put him clean out of countenance just by looking at him.

covet

covet |ˈkʌvɪt| ▶verb (covets, coveting, coveted) [with object] yearn to possess (something, especially something belonging to another): I covet one of their smart bags | (as adjective coveted) : I gave up a coveted job, that of editor-in-chief. DERIVATIVES covetable adjective

coyness

coyness |ˈkɔɪnəs| ▶noun [mass noun] 1 (especially in a woman) the quality of feigning shyness or modesty in an attempt to seem alluring. 2 the quality of being reluctant to give details about something regarded as sensitive; reticence: his coyness about his sexual orientation

crass

crass |kras| ▶adjective showing no intelligence or sensitivity: the crass assumptions that men make about women | an act of crass stupidity. DERIVATIVES crassitude noun, crassly adverb, crassness noun

credulous

credulous |ˈkrɛdjʊləs| ▶adjective having or showing too great a readiness to believe things: a ceremony staged for credulous tourists. DERIVATIVES credulously adverb, credulousness noun

cull

cull |kʌl| ▶verb [with object] 1 reduce the population of (a wild animal) by selective slaughter: some of the culled deer will be used for scientific research | (as noun culling) : kangaroo culling. • send (an inferior or surplus farm animal) to be slaughtered: unproductive animals can be identified and culled. 2 select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources: anecdotes culled from Greek and Roman history. • archaic pick (flowers or fruit): (as adjective culled) : fresh culled daffodils. ▶noun a selective slaughter of animals: fishermen are to campaign for a seal cull. • an inferior or surplus livestock animal selected for culling: he keeps his female calves and sells only male calves and herd culls | [as modifier] : a cull cow. DERIVATIVES culler noun

culpable

culpable |ˈkʌlpəb(ə)l| ▶adjective deserving blame: mercy killings are less culpable than 'ordinary' murders. DERIVATIVES culpably |ˈkʌlpəbli | adverb

cupidity

cupidity |kjuːˈpɪdɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] greed for money or possessions: new wealth, however tainted by cupidity and egoism, tends to be favourable for the arts.

cursory

cynicism

cynicism |ˈsɪnɪsɪz(ə)m| ▶noun [mass noun] 1 an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; scepticism: public cynicism about politics. • an inclination to question whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile; pessimism: cynicism about the future. 2 (Cynicism) a school of ancient Greek philosophers, the Cynics

daunt

daunt |dɔːnt| ▶verb [with object] make (someone) feel intimidated or apprehensive: some people are daunted by technology. PHRASES nothing daunted without having been made fearful or apprehensive: nothing daunted, the committee set to work.

dearth

dearth |dəːθ| ▶noun a scarcity or lack of something: there is a dearth of evidence. • archaic a situation where food is in short supply.

debacle

debacle |deɪˈbɑːk(ə)l| ▶noun a sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco: the only man to reach double figures in the second-innings debacle.

debauchery

debauchery |dɪˈbɔːtʃ(ə)ri| ▶noun [mass noun] excessive indulgence in sex, alcohol, or drugs

decorous

decorum

decorum |dɪˈkɔːrəm| ▶noun [mass noun] behaviour in keeping with good taste and propriety: he had acted with the utmost decorum. • etiquette: he had no idea of funeral decorum. • (decorums) archaic particular requirements of good taste and propriety. • archaic suitability to the requirements of a person, rank, or occasion.

deluge

deluge |ˈdɛljuːdʒ| ▶noun a severe flood: this may be the worst deluge in living memory. • (the Deluge) the biblical Flood (recorded in Genesis 6-8): the world appeared to be emerging still from the waters of the Deluge. • a heavy fall of rain: a deluge of rain hit the plains. • a great quantity of something arriving at the same time: a deluge of complaints. ▶verb [with object] overwhelm with a flood: caravans were deluged by the heavy rains. • inundate with a great quantity of something: he has been deluged with offers of work.

demur

demur |dɪˈməː| ▶verb (demurs, demurring, demurred) [no object] raise objections or show reluctance: normally she would have accepted the challenge, but she demurred. • Law, dated put forward a demurrer. ▶noun [mass noun] [usually with negative] the action of objecting to or hesitating over something: they accepted this ruling without demur.

demure

demure |dɪˈmjʊə, dɪˈmjɔː| ▶adjective (demurer, demurest) (of a woman or her behaviour) reserved, modest, and shy: a demure little wife who sits at home minding the house. • (of clothing) suggesting that a woman is demure: a demure white lace cap. DERIVATIVES demurely |dɪˈmjʊəli, dɪˈmjɔːli | adverb, demureness |dɪˈmjʊənəs, dɪˈmjɔːnəs | noun

denouement

denouement |deɪˈnuːmɒ̃ | (also dénouement) ▶noun the final part of a play, film, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved: the film's denouement was unsatisfying and ambiguous. • the outcome of a situation, when something is decided or made clear: I waited by the eighteenth green to see the denouement.

deprecate

deprecate |ˈdɛprɪkeɪt| ▶verb [with object] 1 express disapproval of: what I deprecate is persistent indulgence | (as adjective deprecating) : he sniffed in a deprecating way. • (be deprecated) (chiefly of a software feature) be usable but regarded as obsolete and best avoided, typically because it has been superseded: this feature is deprecated and will be removed in later versions | (as adjective deprecated) : avoid the deprecated <blink> element that causes text to flash on and off. 2 another term for depreciate ( sense 2): he deprecates the value of children's television. DERIVATIVES deprecatingly |ˈdɛprɪkeɪtɪŋli | adverb, deprecation |dɛprɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n | noun, deprecative |ˈdɛprɪkətɪv | adjective, deprecator noun

deride

deride |dɪˈrʌɪd| ▶verb [with object] express contempt for; ridicule: the decision was derided by environmentalists. DERIVATIVES derider |dɪˈrʌɪdə | noun, deridingly adverb

derision

derision |dɪˈrɪʒ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] contemptuous ridicule or mockery: my stories were greeted with derision and disbelief. PHRASES hold (or have) in derision archaic regard with mockery.DERIVATIVES derisible |dɪˈrɪzɪb(ə)l | adjective

derisive

derisive |dɪˈrʌɪsɪv, dɪˈrʌɪzɪv| ▶adjective expressing contempt or ridicule: he gave a harsh, derisive laugh. DERIVATIVES derisiveness noun

descanted

descant ▶noun |ˈdɛskant | 1 Music an independent treble melody sung or played above a basic melody. • archaic or literary a melodious song: I hear the wood thrush piping one mellow descant more. 2 literary a discourse on a theme: his descant of deprivation. ▶verb |dɪˈskant, dɛˈskant | [no object] literary talk tediously or at length: I have descanted on this subject before.

descry

descry |dɪˈskrʌɪ| ▶verb (descries, descrying, descried) [with object] literary catch sight of: she descried two figures.

desiccate

desiccate |ˈdɛsɪkeɪt| ▶verb [with object] 1 (usually as adjective desiccated) remove the moisture from (something), typically in order to preserve it: desiccated coconut. 2 (as adjective desiccated) lacking interest, passion, or energy: a desiccated history of ideas. DERIVATIVES desiccation |dɛsɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n | noun, desiccative |ˈdɛsɪkətɪv | adjective

desuetude

desuetude |ˈdɛswɪtjuːd, dəˈsjuːətjuːd| ▶noun [mass noun] formal a state of disuse: the docks fell into desuetude.

desultory

desultory |ˈdɛs(ə)lt(ə)ri, ˈdɛz(ə)lt(ə)ri| ▶adjective lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm: a few people were left, dancing in a desultory fashion. • (of conversation or speech) going from one subject to another in a half-hearted way: the desultory conversation faded. • occurring randomly or occasionally: desultory passengers were appearing. DERIVATIVES desultorily |ˈdɛs(ə)lt(ə)rɪli, ˈdɛz(ə)lt(ə)rəli | adverb, desultoriness |ˈdɛs(ə)lt(ə)rɪnəs, ˈdɛz(ə)lt(ə)rɪnəs | noun

diaphanous

diaphanous |dʌɪˈaf(ə)nəs| ▶adjective (especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent: a diaphanous dress of pale gold.

diatribe

diatribe |ˈdʌɪətrʌɪb| ▶noun a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something: a diatribe against consumerism.

didactic

didactic |dɪˈdaktɪk, dʌɪˈdaktɪk| ▶adjective intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive: a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice. • in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to appear patronizing: his tone ranged from didactic to backslapping. DERIVATIVES didactically |dɪˈdaktɪkli, dʌɪˈdaktɪkli | adverb, didacticism |dɪˈdaktɪsɪz(ə)m, dʌɪˈdaktɪsɪz(ə)m | noun

diffident

diffident |ˈdɪfɪd(ə)nt| ▶adjective modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence: a diffident youth. DERIVATIVES diffidently |ˈdɪfɪd(ə)ntli | adverb

diffidently

diffident |ˈdɪfɪd(ə)nt| ▶adjective modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence: a diffident youth. DERIVATIVES diffidently |ˈdɪfɪd(ə)ntli | adverb

dilapidated

dilapidate |dɪˈlapɪdeɪt| ▶verb [with object] archaic cause (something) to fall into disrepair or ruin: a ruined Chappell, built by the Spaniard, and dilapidated by the Dutch.

estimable

estimable |ˈɛstɪməb(ə)l| ▶adjective worthy of great respect: she was shown into that estimable woman's presence. DERIVATIVES estimably adverb

diminutive

diminutive |dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv| ▶adjective extremely or unusually small: a diminutive figure dressed in black. • (of a word, name, or suffix) implying smallness, either actual or imputed to convey affection, scorn, etc. (e.g. teeny, -let, -kins). ▶noun a smaller or shorter thing, in particular: • a diminutive word or suffix. • a shortened form of a name, typically used informally: 'Nick' is a diminutive of 'Nicholas'. • Heraldry a charge of the same form as an ordinary but of lesser size or width. DERIVATIVES diminutively adverb, diminutiveness |dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪvnəs | noun

disabuse

disabuse |ˌdɪsəˈbjuːz| ▶verb [with object] persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken: he quickly disabused me of my fanciful notions

discomfit

discomfit |dɪsˈkʌmfɪt| ▶verb (discomfits, discomfiting, discomfited) [with object] make (someone) feel uneasy or embarrassed: he was not noticeably discomfited by her tone.

discordant

discordant |dɪˈskɔːd(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 disagreeing or incongruous: the operative principle of democracy is a balance of discordant qualities. • characterized by conflict: a study of children in discordant homes. 2 (of sounds) harsh and jarring because of a lack of harmony: the singers continued their discordant chanting. PHRASES strike a discordant note appear strange and out of place: the chair's modernity struck a discordant note in a room full of eighteenth-century furniture.DERIVATIVES discordance |dɪˈskɔːd(ə)ns | noun, discordancy noun, discordantly |dɪˈskɔːd(ə)ntli | adverb

discreet

discreet |dɪˈskriːt| ▶adjective (discreeter, discreetest) careful and prudent in one's speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment: we made some discreet inquiries. • intentionally unobtrusive: a discreet cough. DERIVATIVES discreetness |dɪˈskriːtnəs | noun

disinterested

disinterested |dɪsˈɪnt(ə)rɪstɪd| ▶adjective 1 not influenced by considerations of personal advantage: a banker is under an obligation to give disinterested advice. 2 having or feeling no interest in something; uninterested: her father was so disinterested in her progress that he only visited the school once. DERIVATIVES disinterestedly |dɪsˈɪnt(ə)rəstɪdli | adverb, disinterestedness |dɪsˈɪnt(ə)rɪstɪdnəs | noun

disparage

disparage |dɪˈsparɪdʒ| ▶verb [with object] regard or represent as being of little worth: he never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors. DERIVATIVES disparagement |dɪsˈparɪdʒm(ə)nt | noun

dispassionate

dispassionate |dɪsˈpaʃ(ə)nət| ▶adjective not influenced by strong emotion, and so able to be rational and impartial: she dealt with life's disasters in a calm, dispassionate way. DERIVATIVES dispassion noun, dispassionateness |dɪˈspaʃ(ə)nətnəs | nou

dissemble

dissemble |dɪˈsɛmb(ə)l| ▶verb [no object] conceal or disguise one's true feelings or beliefs: an honest, sincere person with no need to dissemble. • [with object] disguise or conceal (a feeling or intention): she smiled, dissembling her true emotion. DERIVATIVES dissemblance noun, dissembler |dɪˈsɛmblə | noun

diurnal

diurnal |dʌɪˈəːn(ə)l| ▶adjective 1 of or during the day. • Zoology (of animals) active in the daytime. • Botany (of flowers) open only during the day. 2 daily; of each day: diurnal rhythms. • Astronomy of or resulting from the daily rotation of the earth: diurnal aberration. DERIVATIVES diurnally adverb

divulge

divulge |dʌɪˈvʌldʒ, dɪˈvʌldʒ| ▶verb [with object] make known (private or sensitive information): I am too much of a gentleman to divulge her age. DERIVATIVES divulgation |dʌɪvʌlˈɡeɪʃ(ə)n, dɪvʌlˈɡeɪʃ(ə)n | noun, divulgement noun, divulgence noun

doggerel

doggerel |ˈdɒɡ(ə)r(ə)l| ▶noun [mass noun] comic verse composed in irregular rhythm: [as modifier] : doggerel verses. • verse or words that are badly written or expressed: the last stanza deteriorates into doggerel.

dogmatic

dogmatic |dɒɡˈmatɪk| ▶adjective inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true: she was not tempted to be dogmatic about what she believed. DERIVATIVES dogmatically |dɒɡˈmatɪk(ə)li | adverb

domineer

domineer |ˌdɒmɪˈnɪə| ▶verb [no object] (usually as adjective domineering) assert one's will over another in an arrogant way: Cathy had been a martyr to her gruff, domineering husband. DERIVATIVES domineeringly adverb

dulcet

dulcet |ˈdʌlsɪt| ▶adjective (especially of sound) sweet and soothing (often used ironically): record the dulcet tones of your family and friends.

ebullience

ebullience |ɪˈbʊlɪəns| ▶noun [mass noun] the quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance: the ebullience of happy children

eccentric

eccentric |ɪkˈsɛntrɪk, ɛkˈsɛntrɪk| ▶adjective 1 (of a person or their behaviour) unconventional and slightly strange: he noted her eccentric appearance. 2 technical not placed centrally or not having its axis or other part placed centrally: a servo driving an eccentric cam. • (of a circle) not centred on the same point as another. • (of an orbit) not circular. ▶noun 1 a person of unconventional and slightly strange views or behaviour: he's seen as a local eccentric. 2 a disc or wheel mounted eccentrically on a revolving shaft in order to transform rotation into backward-and-forward motion, e.g. a cam in an internal combustion engine. DERIVATIVES eccentrically |ɪkˈsɛntrɪk(ə)li, ɛkˈsɛntrɪk(ə)li | adverb

eclectic

eclectic |ɪˈklɛktɪk| ▶adjective 1 deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources: universities offering an eclectic mix of courses. 2 (Eclectic) Philosophy denoting or belonging to a class of ancient philosophers who did not belong to or found any recognized school of thought but selected doctrines from various schools of thought. ▶noun a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. DERIVATIVES eclectically adverb, eclecticism |ɪˈklɛktɪsɪz(ə)m | noun

edacious

edacious |ɪˈdeɪʃəs| ▶adjective rare relating to or given to eating. DERIVATIVES edacity |ɪˈdasɪti | noun

effrontery

effrontery |ɪˈfrʌnt(ə)ri| ▶noun [mass noun] insolent or impertinent behaviour: one juror had the effrontery to challenge the coroner's decision.

egregious

egregious |ɪˈɡriːdʒəs| ▶adjective 1 outstandingly bad; shocking: egregious abuses of copyright. 2 archaic remarkably good. DERIVATIVES egregiously adverb, egregiousness noun

egress

egress |ˈiːɡrɛs| ▶noun [mass noun] 1 formal the action of going out of or leaving a place: direct means of access and egress for passengers. • [count noun] a way out: a narrow egress. 2 Astronomy another term for emersion. ▶verb [with object] chiefly US go out of or leave (a place): they'd egress the area by heading south-west. DERIVATIVES egression |iːˈɡrɛʃ(ə)n | noun

elegy

elegy |ˈɛlɪdʒi| ▶noun (plural elegies) 1 (in modern literature) a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead. 2 (in Greek and Latin verse) a poem written in elegiac couplets, as notably by Catullus and Propertius.

elucidate

eminent

eminent |ˈɛmɪnənt| ▶adjective 1 (of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere: one of the world's most eminent statisticians. 2 [attributive] (of a positive quality) present to a notable degree: the book's scholarship and eminent readability.

emollient

emollient |ɪˈmɒlɪənt| ▶adjective 1 having the quality of softening or soothing the skin: a rich emollient shampoo. 2 attempting to avoid confrontation or anger; calming or conciliatory: the president's emollient approach to differences. ▶noun a preparation that softens the skin: always moisturize exposed skin with an effective emollient. DERIVATIVES emollience noun

empirical

empirical |ɛmˈpɪrɪk(ə)l, ɪmˈpɪrɪk(ə)l| ▶adjective based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic: they provided considerable empirical evidence to support their argument

encomium

encomium |ɛnˈkəʊmɪəm| ▶noun (plural encomiums or encomia |ɛnˈkəʊmɪə| ) formal a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.

etiolated

etiolate |ˈiːtɪəleɪt| ▶verb [with object] make (a plant) pale through lack of light: the seedling had been etiolated by having been grown in darkness.

endemic

endemic |ɛnˈdɛmɪk| ▶adjective 1 (of a disease or condition) regularly found among particular people or in a certain area: complacency is endemic in industry today. • [attributive] (of an area) in which a particular disease is regularly found: the persistence of infection on pastures in endemic areas. 2 (of a plant or animal) native or restricted to a certain place: a marsupial endemic to north-eastern Australia. ▶noun an endemic plant or animal: there are three types of island endemics. DERIVATIVES endemically |ɛnˈdɛmɪk(ə)li | adverb, endemicity |ˌɛndɪˈmɪsɪti | noun, endemism |ˈɛndɪmɪz(ə)m | noun endemic ( sense 2 of the adjective)

enervate

enervate ▶verb |ˈɛnəveɪt | [with object] (often as adjective enervated or enervating) make (someone) feel drained of energy or vitality: enervating heat. ▶adjective |ɪˈnəːvət | literary lacking in energy or vitality: the enervate slightness of his frail form. DERIVATIVES enervative adjective rare

enigmatic

enigmatic |ˌɛnɪɡˈmatɪk| ▶adjective difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious: he took the money with an enigmatic smile. DERIVATIVES enigmatical adjective, enigmatically |ɛnɪɡˈmatɪk(ə)li | adverb

enmity

enmity |ˈɛnmɪti| ▶noun (plural enmities) [mass noun] a state or feeling of active opposition or hostility: decades of enmity between the two countries | [count noun] : family feuds and enmities.

ennui

ennui |ɒnˈwiː| ▶noun [mass noun] a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement: he succumbed to ennui and despair.

enormity

enormity |ɪˈnɔːmɪti| ▶noun (plural enormities) 1 [mass noun] (the enormity of) the great or extreme scale, seriousness, or extent of something perceived as bad or morally wrong: a thorough search disclosed the full enormity of the crime. • (in neutral use) large size or scale: I began to get a sense of the enormity of the task. 2 a grave crime or sin: the enormities of war.

ephemeral

ephemeral |ɪˈfɛm(ə)r(ə)l, ɪˈfiːm(ə)r(ə)l| ▶adjective lasting for a very short time: fashions are ephemeral: new ones regularly drive out the old | works of more than ephemeral interest. • (chiefly of plants) having a very short life cycle: chickweed is an ephemeral weed, producing several generations in one season. ▶noun an ephemeral plant: ephemerals avoid the periods of drought as seeds. DERIVATIVES ephemerality |ɪfɛm(ə)ˈralɪti, ɪfiːm(ə)ˈralɪti | noun, ephemerally adverb

epicure

epicure |ˈɛpɪkjʊə, ˈɛpɪkjɔː| ▶noun a person who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink: they see themselves as epicures—delighting in food that is properly prepared. DERIVATIVES epicurism |ˈɛpɪkjʊəˌrɪz(ə)m, ˈɛpɪkjɔːˌrɪz(ə)m | noun

epitaph

epitaph |ˈɛpɪtɑːf, ˈɛpɪtaf| ▶noun a phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone: figurative : a poignant epitaph to his creative career. • something by which a person, time, or event will be remembered: the story makes a sorry epitaph to a great career.

epithet

epithet |ˈɛpɪθɛt| ▶noun an adjective or phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned: old men are often unfairly awarded the epithet 'dirty'. • an epithet used as a term of abuse: the woman begins to hurl racial epithets at them. DERIVATIVES epithetic |ɛpɪˈθɛtɪk | adjective, epithetical |ɛpɪˈθɛtɪk(ə)l | adjective, epithetically |-ˈθɛtɪk(ə)li | adverb

epitome

epitome |ɪˈpɪtəmi, ɛˈpɪtəmi| ▶noun 1 (the epitome of) a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type: she looked the epitome of elegance and good taste. 2 a summary of a written work; an abstract. • archaic a thing representing something else in miniature. DERIVATIVES epitomic adjective, epitomist |ɪˈpɪtəmɪst | noun

equanimity

equanimity |ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti, ˌiːkwəˈnɪmɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation: she accepted both the good and the bad with equanimity.

equivocal

equivocal |ɪˈkwɪvək(ə)l| ▶adjective open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous: the equivocal nature of her remarks. • (of a person) using ambiguous or evasive language: he has always been equivocal about the meaning of his lyrics. • uncertain or questionable in nature: the results of the investigation were equivocal. DERIVATIVES equivocality |ɪkwɪvəˈkalɪti | noun, equivocally |ɪˈkwɪvək(ə)li | adverb, equivocalness |ɪˈkwɪvək(ə)lnəs | noun

equivocate

equivocate |ɪˈkwɪvəkeɪt| ▶verb [no object] use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself: the government have equivocated too often in the past. DERIVATIVES equivocator |ɪˈkwɪvəkeɪtə | noun, equivocatory adjective

ersatz

ersatz |ˈəːsats, ˈɛːsats| ▶adjective (of a product) made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else: ersatz coffee. • not real or genuine: ersatz emotion.

eschew

eschew |ɪsˈtʃuː, ɛsˈtʃuː| ▶verb [with object] deliberately avoid using; abstain from: he appealed to the crowd to eschew violence. DERIVATIVES eschewal noun

esoteric

esoteric |ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪk, ˌiːsəˈtɛrɪk| ▶adjective intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest: esoteric philosophical debates. DERIVATIVES esoterically adverb, esotericism |ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪsɪz(ə)m, ˌiːsəˈtɛrɪsɪz(ə)m | noun, esotericist noun

espouse

espouse |ɪˈspaʊz, ɛˈspaʊz| ▶verb [with object] 1 adopt or support (a cause, belief, or way of life): the left has espoused the causes of sexual and racial equality. 2 archaic marry: Edward had espoused the lady Grey. • (be espoused to) (of a woman) be engaged to (a particular man): she was secretly espoused to his son, Peter | a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph. DERIVATIVES espouser noun

essay

essay ▶noun |ˈɛseɪ | 1 a short piece of writing on a particular subject. 2 formal an attempt or effort: a misjudged essay in job preservation. • a trial design of a postage stamp yet to be accepted. ▶verb |ɛˈseɪ | [with object] formal attempt or try: Donald essayed a smile.

flag

flag 1 |flaɡ| ▶noun 1 a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during public festivities: the American flag. • used in reference to one's home country or its system of beliefs and values: he pledged allegiance to the flag. • the ensign carried by a flagship as an emblem of an admiral's rank: Hawke first hoisted his flag at Spithead. 2 a small piece of cloth attached at one edge to a pole and used as a marker or signal in various sports: the flag's up. • a drawing or symbol resembling a flag, used as a marker: golf courses are indicated by a numbered flag on the map. • a small paper badge given to people who donate to a charity appeal in the street. • a mechanism that can be raised to indicate that a taxi is for hire. 3 Computing a variable used to indicate a particular property of the data in a record. ▶verb (flags, flagging, flagged) [with object] 1 mark (an item) for attention or treatment in a specified way: the spellcheck program flags any words that are not in its dictionary. • draw attention to: cancer was flagged up as a priority area for research. 2 (flag someone/thing down) signal to a vehicle or driver to stop, especially by waving one's arm: she flagged down a police patrol car. • (flag someone/thing off) wave a flag at someone or something as a starting signal: the vintage car fiesta will be flagged off by the minister for tourism. • [no object] (of an official) raise a flag to draw the referee's attention to a breach of the rules in soccer, rugby, and other sports: the goalkeeper brought down Hendrie and a linesman immediately flagged. 3 provide or decorate with a flag or flags. • register (a vessel) in a particular country, under whose flag it then sails. PHRASES fly the flag (of a ship) be registered in a particular country and sail under its flag. • (also show or carry or wave the flag) represent or demonstrate support for one's country, political party, or organization, especially when one is abroad: he will be flying the flag for British fashion on the Paris catwalks. put the flags (or flag) out celebrate: temperatures are increasing again—that's why we're putting out the flags. show the flag (of a naval vessel) make an official visit to a foreign port, especially as a show of strength. wrap oneself in the flag chiefly North American make an excessive show of one's patriotism, especially for political ends.DERIVATIVES flagger noun

flippant

flippant |ˈflɪp(ə)nt| ▶adjective not showing a serious or respectful attitude: a flippant remark. DERIVATIVES flippantly |ˈflɪpəntli | adverb

flout

flout |flaʊt| ▶verb 1 [with object] openly disregard (a rule, law, or convention): the advertising code is being flouted. 2 [no object] archaic mock; scoff: the women pointed and flouted at her.

foment

foment |fə(ʊ)ˈmɛnt| ▶verb [with object] 1 instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action): they accused him of fomenting political unrest. 2 archaic bathe (a part of the body) with warm or medicated lotions. DERIVATIVES fomenter |fə(ʊ)ˈmɛntə | noun

forbear

forbear 1 |fɔːˈbɛː| ▶verb (past forbore |fɔːˈbɔː| ; past participle forborne |fɔːˈbɔːn| ) [no object] politely or patiently restrain an impulse to do something; refrain: [with infinitive] : he modestly forbears to include his own work. • [with object] refrain from doing or using (something): Rebecca could not forbear a smile.

fortuitous

fortuitous |fɔːˈtjuːɪtəs| ▶adjective happening by chance rather than intention: the similarity between the paintings may not be simply fortuitous. • happening by a lucky chance; fortunate: the ball went into the goal by a fortuitous ricochet. DERIVATIVES fortuitousness |fɔːˈtjuːɪtəsnəs | noun

founder

founder 1 |ˈfaʊndə| ▶noun a person who manufactures articles of cast metal; the owner or operator of a foundry: an iron founder.

fractious

fractious |ˈfrakʃəs| ▶adjective (typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome: they fight and squabble like fractious children. • (of a group or organization) difficult to control; unruly: King Malcolm struggled to unite his fractious kingdom. DERIVATIVES fractiously adverb, fractiousness |ˈfrakʃəsnəs | noun

fulminate

fulminate |ˈfʊlmɪneɪt, ˈfʌlmɪneɪt| ▶verb [no object] 1 express vehement protest: all fulminated against the new curriculum. 2 literary explode violently or flash like lightning: thunder fulminated around the house. 3 (usually as adjective fulminating) Medicine (of a disease or symptom) develop suddenly and severely: fulminating appendicitis. ▶noun Chemistry a salt or ester of fulminic acid.

fulsome

fulsome |ˈfʊls(ə)m| ▶adjective 1 complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree: the press are embarrassingly fulsome in their appreciation. 2 of large size or quantity; generous or abundant: the fulsome details of the later legend. DERIVATIVES fulsomely |ˈfʊls(ə)mli | adverb, fulsomeness |ˈfʊls(ə)mnəs | noun

gregarious

gregarious |ɡrɪˈɡɛːrɪəs| ▶adjective (of a person) fond of company; sociable: he was a popular and gregarious man. • (of animals) living in flocks or loosely organized communities: gregarious species forage in flocks from colonies or roosts. • (of plants) growing in open clusters or in pure associations: in the wild, trees are usually gregarious plants. DERIVATIVES gregariously |ɡrɪˈɡɛːrɪəsli | adverb, gregariousness |ɡrɪˈɡɛːrɪəsnəs | noun

guile

guile |ɡʌɪl| ▶noun [mass noun] sly or cunning intelligence: he used all his guile and guts to free himself from the muddle he was in. DERIVATIVES guileful |ˈɡʌɪlfʊl, ˈɡʌɪlf(ə)l | adjective, guilefully adverb

hackneyed

hackneyed |ˈhaknɪd| ▶adjective (of a phrase or idea) having been overused; unoriginal and trite: hackneyed old sayings.

halcyon

halcyon |ˈhalsɪən| ▶adjective denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful: the halcyon days of the mid 1980s, when profits were soaring. ▶noun 1 a mythical bird said by ancient writers to breed in a nest floating at sea at the winter solstice, charming the wind and waves into calm. 2 a tropical Asian and African kingfisher with brightly coloured plumage. ●Genus Halcyon, family Alcedinidae: many species.

harangue

harangue |həˈraŋ| ▶noun a lengthy and aggressive speech: they were subjected to a ten-minute harangue by two border guards. ▶verb [with object] lecture (someone) at length in an aggressive and critical manner: he harangued the public on their ignorance. DERIVATIVES haranguer noun

harbinger

harbinger |ˈhɑːbɪn(d)ʒə| ▶noun a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another: witch hazels are the harbingers of spring. • a forerunner of something: these works were not yet opera but they were the most important harbinger of opera.

haughty

hedonism

hedonism |ˈhiːd(ə)nɪz(ə)m, ˈhɛːd(ə)nɪz(ə)m| ▶noun [mass noun] the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence. • Philosophy the ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life.

hedonistic

hedonistic |ˌhɛdəˈnɪstɪk, ˌhiːdəˈnɪstɪk| ▶adjective engaged in the pursuit of pleasure; sensually self-indulgent: a hedonistic existence of booze, drugs, and parties. DERIVATIVES hedonistically adver

hegemony

hegemony |hɪˈdʒɛməni, hɪˈɡɛməni| ▶noun [mass noun] leadership or dominance, especially by one state or social group over others: Germany was united under Prussian hegemony after 1871.

hermetic

hermetic |həːˈmɛtɪk| ▶adjective 1 (of a seal or closure) complete and airtight: a hermetic seal that ensures perfect waterproofing. • insulated or protected from outside influences: a hermetic society. 2 (also Hermetic) relating to an ancient occult tradition encompassing alchemy, astrology, and theosophy: some saw in the Hermetic texts an anticipation of Christianity. • difficult to understand because intended for a small number of people with specialized knowledge: obscure and hermetic poems. DERIVATIVES hermeticism noun

heterodox

heterodox |ˈhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)dɒks| ▶adjective not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs: heterodox views. DERIVATIVES heterodoxy |ˈhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)dɒksi | noun

hirsute

hirsute |ˈhəːsjuːt| ▶adjective literary or humorous hairy: their hirsute chests. DERIVATIVES hirsuteness noun

histrionic

histrionic |ˌhɪstrɪˈɒnɪk| ▶adjective excessively theatrical or dramatic in character or style: a histrionic outburst. • formal of or concerning actors or acting: histrionic talents. • Psychiatry denoting a personality disorder marked by shallow volatile emotions and attention-seeking behaviour. ▶noun 1 (histrionics) melodramatic behaviour designed to attract attention: by now, Anna was accustomed to her mother's histrionics. • archaic dramatic performances; the theatre: he loved the theatre and everything which savoured of histrionics. 2 archaic an actor. DERIVATIVES histrionically |ˌhɪstrɪˈɒnɪkli | adverb

hoary

hoary |ˈhɔːri| ▶adjective (hoarier, hoariest) 1 greyish white: hoary cobwebs. • (of a person) old and having grey or white hair: young lasses imprisoned by hoary old husbands. • [attributive] used in names of animals and plants covered with whitish fur or short hairs, e.g. hoary bat, hoary cress. 2 overused and unoriginal; trite: the hoary old adage often used by Fleet Street editors. DERIVATIVES hoarily adverb, hoariness |ˈhɔːrɪnəs | nou

hubris

hubris |ˈhjuːbrɪs| ▶noun [mass noun] excessive pride or self-confidence: the self-assured hubris among economists was shaken in the late 1980s. • (in Greek tragedy) excessive pride towards or defiance of the gods, leading to nemesis.

husband

husband |ˈhʌzbənd| ▶noun a married man considered in relation to his spouse: she and her husband are both retired. ▶verb [with object] use (resources) economically: she husbanded their financial resources through difficult times. DERIVATIVES husbander noun ( rare), husbandhood noun, husbandless adjective, husbandly adjective

hyperbole

iconoclast

iconoclast |ʌɪˈkɒnəklast| ▶noun 1 a person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs or institutions. 2 a destroyer of images used in religious worship, in particular: • historical a supporter of the 8th- and 9th-century movement in the Byzantine Church which sought to abolish the veneration of icons and other religious images. • historical a Puritan of the 16th or 17th century.

incipient

incipient |ɪnˈsɪpɪənt| ▶adjective beginning to happen or develop: he could feel incipient anger building up | an incipient black eye. • (of a person) developing into a specified type or role: we seemed more like friends than incipient lovers. DERIVATIVES incipience |ɪnˈsɪpɪəns | noun, incipiency noun, incipiently adverb

incisive

incisive |ɪnˈsʌɪsɪv| ▶adjective 1 (of a person or mental process) intelligently analytical and clear-thinking: she was an incisive critic. • (of an account) accurate and sharply focused: the songs offer incisive pictures of American ways. 2 (of an action) quick and direct: the most incisive move of a tight match. DERIVATIVES incisively |ɪnˈsʌɪsɪvli | adverb, incisiveness |ɪnˈsʌɪsɪvnəs | noun

importune

importune |ˌɪmpɔːˈtjuːn| ▶verb [with object] harass (someone) persistently for or to do something: she importuned a waiter for profiteroles. • (usually as noun importuning) approach (someone) to offer one's services as a prostitute: they said they were arresting me for importuning.

imposition

imposition |ɪmpəˈzɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun 1 [mass noun] the action or process of imposing something or of being imposed: the imposition of martial law. 2 a thing that is imposed, in particular an unfair or unwelcome demand or burden: I'd like to see you, if that wouldn't be too much of an imposition | some see the law as an unwanted imposition on their lives. • a tax or duty. 3 [mass noun] Printing the imposing of pages of type. • [count noun] a particular arrangement of imposed pages: samples of 16-page impositions.

impromptu

impromptu |ɪmˈprɒm(p)tjuː| ▶adjective & adverb done without being planned or rehearsed: [as adjective] : an impromptu press conference | [as adverb] : he spoke impromptu. ▶noun (plural impromptus) a short piece of instrumental music, especially a solo, that is reminiscent of an improvisation.

improvident

impudent

impudent |ˈɪmpjʊd(ə)nt| ▶adjective not showing due respect for another person; impertinent: he could have strangled this impudent upstart. DERIVATIVES impudently |ˈɪmpjʊd(ə)ntli | adverb

impugn

impunity

impunity |ɪmˈpjuːnɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action: the impunity enjoyed by military officers implicated in civilian killings | protestors burned flags on the streets with impunity.

incandescent

incandescent |ɪnkanˈdɛs(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 emitting light as a result of being heated: plumes of incandescent liquid rock. • (of an electric light) containing a filament which glows white-hot when heated by a current passed through it: an incandescent lamp. 2 full of strong emotion; passionate: she felt an incandescent love for life. • extremely angry: I am incandescent at the way I've been treated. DERIVATIVES incandescence |ɪnkanˈdɛs(ə)ns | noun, incandescently adverb

incensed

incense 1 |ˈɪnsɛns| ▶noun [mass noun] a gum, spice, or other substance that is burned for the sweet smell it produces: the sharp lingering sweetness of incense | [as modifier] : incense sticks. • the smoke or perfume of incense: the swirls of incense in the air. ▶verb [with object] perfume with incense or a similar fragrance: the aroma of cannabis incensed the air. DERIVATIVES incensation |ɪnsɛnˈseɪʃ(ə)n | noun

inchoate

inchoate |ɪnˈkəʊeɪt, ˈɪnkəʊeɪt, ɪnˈkəʊət| ▶adjective 1 just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary: a still inchoate democracy. • confused or incoherent: inchoate proletarian protest. 2 Law (of an offence, such as incitement or conspiracy) anticipating or preparatory to a further criminal act. DERIVATIVES inchoately adverb, inchoateness noun

incongruous

incongruous |ɪnˈkɒŋɡrʊəs| ▶adjective not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something: the duffel coat looked incongruous with the black dress she wore underneath. DERIVATIVES incongruously |ɪnˈkɒŋɡrʊəsli | adverb, incongruousness noun

incorrigible

incorrigible |ɪnˈkɒrɪdʒɪb(ə)l| ▶adjective (of a person or their behaviour) not able to be changed or reformed: she's an incorrigible flirt. ▶noun an incorrigible person: all repeat offenders, but none of them real hard-case incorrigibles. DERIVATIVES incorrigibility |ɪnkɒrɪdʒɪˈbɪlɪti | noun, incorrigibleness noun, incorrigibly |ɪnˈkɒrɪdʒɪbli | adverb [as submodifier] : the incorrigibly macho character of news-gathering operations

indefatigable

indifferent

indifferent |ɪnˈdɪf(ə)r(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned: he gave an indifferent shrug | most workers were indifferent to foreign affairs. 2 neither good nor bad; mediocre: a pair of indifferent watercolours. • not good; fairly bad: in spite of very indifferent weather. DERIVATIVES indifferently |ɪnˈdɪf(ə)r(ə)ntli | adverb

indignant

indignant |ɪnˈdɪɡnənt| ▶adjective feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment: he was indignant at being the object of suspicion.

indolence

indolence |ˈɪnd(ə)l(ə)ns| ▶noun [mass noun] avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness: my failure is probably due to my own indolence

indolent

indolent |ˈɪnd(ə)l(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy: they were indolent and addicted to a life of pleasure. 2 Medicine (of a disease or condition) causing little or no pain. • (especially of an ulcer) slow to develop, progress, or heal; persistent. DERIVATIVES indolently |ˈɪndələntli | adverb

indulgent

indulgent |ɪnˈdʌldʒ(ə)nt| ▶adjective having or indicating a readiness or over-readiness to be generous to or lenient with someone: indulgent parents. • self-indulgent: sheer indulgent nostalgia. DERIVATIVES indulgently |ɪnˈdʌldʒ(ə)ntli | adverb

ineluctable

ineluctable |ˌɪnɪˈlʌktəb(ə)l| ▶adjective unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable: the ineluctable facts of history. DERIVATIVES ineluctability |ˌɪnɪlʌktəˈbɪlɪti | noun, ineluctably adverb

inept

inexorable

inexorable |ɪnˈɛks(ə)rəb(ə)l| ▶adjective impossible to stop or prevent: the seemingly inexorable march of new technology. • (of a person) impossible to persuade; unrelenting: the doctors were inexorable, and there was nothing to be done. DERIVATIVES inexorability |ɪnɛks(ə)rəˈbɪləti | noun

infelicitous

infelicitous |ɪnfɪˈlɪsɪtəs| ▶adjective unfortunate; inappropriate: his illustration is singularly infelicitous. DERIVATIVES infelicitously |ɪnfɪˈlɪsɪtəsli | adver

ingenuous

inherent

inherent |ɪnˈhɪər(ə)nt, ɪnˈhɛr(ə)nt| ▶adjective existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute: any form of mountaineering has its inherent dangers. • Law vested in (someone) as a right or privilege. • Linguistics (of an adjective) having the same meaning in both attributive and predicative uses. DERIVATIVES inherence |ɪnˈhɪər(ə)ns, ɪnˈhɛr(ə)ns | noun

inimical

inimical |ɪˈnɪmɪk(ə)l| ▶adjective tending to obstruct or harm: the policy was inimical to Britain's real interests. • unfriendly; hostile: an inimical alien power. DERIVATIVES inimically adverb

iniquitous

iniquitous |ɪˈnɪkwɪtəs| ▶adjective grossly unfair and morally wrong: an iniquitous tax | these awards remain an iniquitous system. DERIVATIVES iniquitously adverb, iniquitousness nou

iniquity

iniquity |ɪˈnɪkwɪti| ▶noun (plural iniquities) [mass noun] immoral or grossly unfair behaviour: a den of iniquity | [count noun] : the iniquities of British taxation.

innocuous

insipid

insolent

insolent |ˈɪns(ə)l(ə)nt| ▶adjective showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect: she hated the insolent tone of his voice. DERIVATIVES insolently |ˈɪns(ə)l(ə)ntli | adverb

insouciant

insouciant |ɪnˈsuːsɪənt, ɪnˈsuːsɪɒ̃| ▶adjective showing a casual lack of concern: an insouciant shrug. DERIVATIVES insouciantly adver

jocular

intractable

intransigence

intransigence (also intransigency) |ɪnˈtranzɪdʒ(ə)ns| ▶noun [mass noun] refusal to change one's views or to agree about something: in the face of government intransigence, he resigned in disgust

intransigent

intrepid

inundate

inundate |ˈɪnʌndeɪt| ▶verb [with object] 1 overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with: we've been inundated with complaints from listeners. 2 flood: the islands may be the first to be inundated as sea levels rise.

inured

inure |ɪˈnjʊə, ɪˈnjɔː| ▶verb [with object] 1 (usually be inured to) accustom (someone) to something, especially something unpleasant: these children have been inured to violence. 2 Law variant spelling of enure ( sense 1). DERIVATIVES inurement |ɪˈnjʊəm(ə)nt, ɪˈnjɔːm(ə)nt | noun

inveigle

inveigle |ɪnˈviːɡ(ə)l, ɪnˈveɪɡ(ə)l| ▶verb [with object and adverbial] persuade (someone) to do something by means of deception or flattery: he inveigled her back to his room. • (inveigle oneself or one's way into) gain entrance to (a place) by using deception or flattery: Jones had inveigled himself into her house. DERIVATIVES inveiglement |ɪnˈviːɡ(ə)lm(ə)nt, ɪnˈveɪɡ(ə)lm(ə)nt | noun

inveterate

inveterate |ɪnˈvɛt(ə)rət| ▶adjective [attributive] having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change: an inveterate gambler. • (of a feeling or habit) long-established and unlikely to change: his inveterate hostility to what he considered to be the 'reactionary' powers. DERIVATIVES inveteracy |ɪnˈvɛt(ə)rəsi | noun, inveterately adverb

invidious

invidious |ɪnˈvɪdɪəs| ▶adjective (of an action or situation) likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others: she'd put herself in an invidious position. • (of a comparison or distinction) unfairly discriminating; unjust: it seems invidious to make special mention of one aspect of his work. DERIVATIVES invidiously |ɪnˈvɪdɪəsli | adverb, invidiousness |ɪnˈvɪdɪəsnəs | noun

involute

involute |ˈɪnvəl(j)uːt| ▶adjective 1 formal involved or intricate: the art novel has grown increasingly involute. 2 technical curled spirally. • Zoology (of a shell) having the whorls wound closely round the axis. • Botany (of a leaf or the cap of a fungus) rolled inwards at the edges. ▶noun Geometry the locus of a point considered as the end of a taut string being unwound from a given curve in the plane of that curve. Compare with evolute.

irascible

ire

ire |ˈʌɪə| ▶noun [mass noun] anger: the plans provoked the ire of conservationists. DERIVATIVES ireful |ˈʌɪəfʊl | adjective

itinerant

itinerant |ɪˈtɪn(ə)r(ə)nt, ʌɪˈtɪn(ə)r(ə)nt| ▶adjective travelling from place to place: itinerant traders. ▶noun a person who travels from place to place. DERIVATIVES itineracy noun, itinerancy |ɪˈtɪn(ə)r(ə)nsi, ʌɪˈtɪn(ə)r(ə)nsi | noun

jejune

jejune |dʒɪˈdʒuːn| ▶adjective 1 naive, simplistic, and superficial: their entirely predictable and usually jejune opinions. 2 (of ideas or writings) dry and uninteresting. DERIVATIVES jejunely adverb, jejuneness |dʒɪˈdʒuːnnəs | noun

lament

lament |ləˈmɛnt| ▶noun 1 a passionate expression of grief or sorrow: his mother's night-long laments for his father | [mass noun] : a song full of lament and sorrow. • a song, piece of music, or poem expressing grief or sorrow: the piper played a lament. 2 a complaint: there were constant laments about the conditions of employment. ▶verb 1 [with object] express passionate grief about: he was lamenting the death of his infant daughter | [no object] : the women wept and lamented over him. 2 [reporting verb] express regret or disappointment about something: [with object] : she lamented the lack of shops in the town | [with direct speech] : 'We could have won,' lamented the England captain. DERIVATIVES lamenter noun

languid

languid |ˈlaŋɡwɪd| ▶adjective 1 (of a person, manner, or gesture) having or showing a disinclination for physical exertion or effort: his languid demeanour irritated her. • (of a period of time) relaxed and peaceful: the terrace was perfect for languid days in the Italian sun. 2 weak or faint from illness or fatigue: she was pale, languid, and weak, as if she had delivered a child. DERIVATIVES languidly |ˈlaŋɡwɪdli | adverb, languidness noun

largesse

largesse |lɑːˈ(d)ʒɛs | (also largess) ▶noun [mass noun] generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others: presumably public money is not dispensed with such largesse to anyone else. • money or gifts given generously: the distribution of largesse to the local population.

lascivious

lassitude

lassitude |ˈlasɪtjuːd| ▶noun [mass noun] a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy: she was overcome by lassitude and retired to bed.

latent

latent |ˈleɪt(ə)nt| ▶adjective (of a quality or state) existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed: they have a huge reserve of latent talent. • Biology lying dormant or hidden until circumstances are suitable for development or manifestation: axillary buds or eyes in the leaf axils are latent growth buds. • (of a disease) not yet manifesting the usual symptoms: diabetes may be latent for some years before diagnosis | the latent stage of syphilis. • Physiology (of a microorganism, especially a virus) present in the body without causing disease, but capable of doing so at a later stage, or when transmitted to another body. DERIVATIVES latency |ˈleɪt(ə)nsi | noun, latently adverb

levee

levee 1 |ˈlɛvi, ˈlɛveɪ| ▶noun an embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river. • a ridge of sediment deposited naturally alongside a river by overflowing water. • North American a landing place; a quay.

levity

levity |ˈlɛvɪti| ▶noun (plural levities) [mass noun] the treatment of a serious matter with humour or lack of due respect: as an attempt to introduce a note of levity, the words were a disastrous flop.

licentious

licentious |lʌɪˈsɛnʃəs| ▶adjective 1 promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters: the ruler's tyrannical and licentious behaviour | the licentious avenues of New York City. 2 archaic disregarding accepted conventions, especially in grammar or literary style. DERIVATIVES licentiously |lʌɪˈsɛnʃəsli | adverb, licentiousness |lʌɪˈsɛnʃəsnəs | noun

ligneous

ligneous |ˈlɪɡnɪəs| ▶adjective made, consisting of, or resembling wood; woody.

limn

limn |lɪm| ▶verb [with object] literary depict or describe in painting or words: Miss Read limns a gentler world in her novels. • suffuse or highlight (something) with a bright colour or light: a crescent moon limned each shred with white gold.

list

list 1 |lɪst| ▶noun 1 a number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively, typically one below the other: consult the list of drugs on page 326 | figurative : if you're buying a new car, put security high on your list of priorities. • Computing a formal structure analogous to a list, by which items of data can be stored or processed in a definite order. 2 (lists) historical palisades enclosing an area for a tournament. • the scene of a contest or combat. 3 a selvedge of a piece of fabric. ▶verb 1 [with object] make a list of: I have listed four reasons below. • include or enter in a list: local offices are listed in the phone book. • [no object] (list at/for) be on a list of products at (a specified price): the bottom-of-the-line Mercedes lists for $52,050. • give (a building, company, etc.) listed status. 2 [no object] archaic enlist for military service: I listed myself for a soldier. PHRASES enter the lists issue or accept a challenge.DERIVATIVES listable adjective

lithe

liturgy

liturgy |ˈlɪtədʒi| ▶noun (plural liturgies) 1 a form or formulary according to which public religious worship, especially Christian worship, is conducted: the Church of England liturgy | [mass noun] : a tradition which found its expression in ritual and liturgy. • a religious service conducted according to a liturgy: at the conclusion of the liturgy the Bishop presented the certificates. • (the Liturgy) the service of the Eucharist in the Orthodox Church. • (the Liturgy) archaic the Book of Common Prayer. 2 (in ancient Greece) a public office or duty performed voluntarily by a rich Athenian.

locus

locus |ˈləʊkəs| ▶noun (plural loci |ˈləʊsʌɪ, ˈləʊkʌɪ, ˈləʊkiː| ) 1 technical a particular position or place where something occurs or is situated: it is impossible to specify the exact locus in the brain of these neural events. • the effective or perceived location of something abstract: the real locus of power is the informal council. • Genetics the position of a gene or mutation on a chromosome. 2 Mathematics a curve or other figure formed by all the points satisfying a particular equation of the relation between coordinates, or by a point, line, or surface moving according to mathematically defined conditions: a parabola is the locus of a point that moves so as to be equidistant from a fixed point and a straight line. 3 Law short for locus standi.

lucid

lucid |ˈluːsɪd| ▶adjective 1 expressed clearly; easy to understand: a lucid account | write in a clear and lucid style. • showing or having the ability to think clearly, especially in intervals between periods of confusion or insanity: he has a few lucid moments every now and then. • Psychology (of a dream) experienced with the dreamer feeling awake, aware of dreaming, and able to control events consciously. 2 literary bright or luminous: birds dipped their wings in the lucid flow of air. DERIVATIVES lucidly |ˈluːsɪdli | adverb

luculent

luculent |ˈluːkjʊl(ə)nt| ▶adjective rare 1 (of writing or speech) clearly expressed. 2 brightly shining. DERIVATIVES luculently adverb

lugubrious

lumbering

lumber 1 |ˈlʌmbə| ▶verb [no object, with adverbial of direction] move in a slow, heavy, awkward way: a truck lumbered past.

magnanimity

magnanimity |maɡnəˈnɪmɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] the fact or condition of being magnanimous; generosity: both sides will have to show magnanimity

magnanimous

magnanimous |maɡˈnanɪməs| ▶adjective generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person: she should be magnanimous in victory. DERIVATIVES magnanimously |maɡˈnanɪməsli | adverb

magnate

magnate |ˈmaɡneɪt| ▶noun a wealthy and influential businessman or businesswoman: a property magnate.

maladaptive

maladaptive |ˌmaləˈdaptɪv| ▶adjective technical not adjusting adequately or appropriately to the environment or situation: maladaptive coping strategies such as increasing consumption of alcohol. DERIVATIVES maladaptation |malədapˈteɪʃ(ə)n | noun, maladapted adjectiv

malignant

malignant |məˈlɪɡnənt| ▶adjective 1 evil in nature or effect; malevolent: in the hands of malignant fate. 2 (of a disease) very virulent or infectious. • (of a tumour) tending to invade normal tissue or to recur after removal; cancerous. Contrasted with benign. DERIVATIVES malignantly |məˈlɪɡnəntli | adverb

manifest

manifest 1 |ˈmanɪfɛst| ▶adjective clear or obvious to the eye or mind: her manifest charm and proven ability. ▶verb [with object] show (a quality or feeling) by one's acts or appearance; demonstrate: Lizzy manifested signs of severe depression. • be evidence of; prove: bad industrial relations are often manifested in strikes. • [no object] (of an ailment) become apparent through the appearance of symptoms: a disorder that usually manifests in middle age. • [no object] (of a ghost or spirit) appear: one deity manifested in the form of a bird.

maudlin

maudlin |ˈmɔːdlɪn| ▶adjective self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental: a bout of maudlin self-pity. • (of a book, film, or song) highly sentimental: a maudlin jukebox tune.

maverick

maverick |ˈmav(ə)rɪk| ▶noun 1 an unorthodox or independent-minded person: he's the maverick of the senate. 2 North American an unbranded calf or yearling. ▶adjective unorthodox: a maverick detective.

maxim

maxim |ˈmaksɪm| ▶noun a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct: the maxim that actions speak louder than words.

meet

meet 1 |miːt| ▶verb (past and past participle met |mɛt| ) [with object] 1 arrange or happen to come into the presence or company of (someone): a week later I met him in the street | [no object] : we met for lunch | they arranged to meet up that afternoon. • make the acquaintance of (someone) for the first time: she took Paul to meet her parents | [no object] : we met at an office party. • [no object] (of a group of people) assemble for a purpose: the committee meets once a fortnight. • [no object] (meet with) have a meeting with (someone): he met with the president on September 16. • go to a place and wait there for (a person or their means of transport) to arrive: Stuart met us off the boat. • come together as opponents in a competition: in the final group match, England will meet the Australians | [no object] : the teams will meet in the European Cup final at Wembley. • encounter or experience (a particular situation or attitude): he met his death in 1946 | [no object] : we met with a slight setback. • (meet something with) have (a particular reaction) to: the announcement was met with widespread protests. • [no object] (meet with) receive (a particular reaction): I'm sorry if it doesn't meet with your approval. 2 touch; join: icebergs are created when glaciers meet the sea | [no object] : the curtains failed to meet in the middle | figurative : our eyes met across the table. 3 fulfil or satisfy (a need, requirement, or condition): this policy is doing nothing to meet the needs of women. • pay (a financial claim or obligation): all your household expenses will still have to be met. ▶noun 1 British a gathering of riders and hounds before a hunt begins: she fell from her horse during a weekend meet. 2 an organized event at which a number of races or other athletic contests are held: major meets such as national championships. 3 informal a meeting, typically one with an illicit purpose: the meet with Frank is on for 10 o'clock. PHRASES make ends meet see end. meet the case British be adequate: do you think an income of two hundred a year would meet the case? meet someone's eye (or eyes) 1 be visible: the sight that met his eyes was truly amazing. 2 (also meet someone's gaze) look directly at someone: for a moment, he refused to meet her eyes | Robyn met his insolent gaze.meet someone halfway make a compromise with someone: I am prepared to meet him halfway by paying him a further £25,000. meet one's Maker see maker. meet one's match see match1. there's more to someone (or something) than meets the eye a person or situation is more complex or interesting than they appear.

mellifluous

mellifluous |mɛˈlɪflʊəs| ▶adjective (of a sound) pleasingly smooth and musical to hear: her low mellifluous voice. DERIVATIVES mellifluously adverb, mellifluousness noun

mendacity

mendacity |mɛnˈdasəti| ▶noun [mass noun] untruthfulness: people publicly castigated for past mendacity.

mendicant

mendicant |ˈmɛndɪk(ə)nt| ▶adjective given to begging. • of or denoting one of the religious orders who originally relied solely on alms: a mendicant friar. ▶noun a beggar. • a member of a mendicant order. DERIVATIVES mendicancy |ˈmɛndɪk(ə)nsi | noun

mercurial

mercurial |məːˈkjʊərɪəl| ▶adjective 1 subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind: his mercurial temperament. 2 of or containing the element mercury: gels containing organic mercurial compounds. 3 (Mercurial) of the planet Mercury. ▶noun a drug or other compound containing mercury: for twenty years organic mercurials were the most potent diuretics in clinical use. DERIVATIVES mercuriality |məːkjʊərɪˈalɪti | noun, mercurially adverb

meretricious

meretricious |ˌmɛrɪˈtrɪʃəs| ▶adjective 1 apparently attractive but having no real value: meretricious souvenirs for the tourist trade. 2 archaic relating to or characteristic of a prostitute. DERIVATIVES meretriciously adverb, meretriciousness noun

mundane

mundane |ˈmʌndeɪn, mʌnˈdeɪn| ▶adjective 1 lacking interest or excitement; dull: his mundane, humdrum existence. 2 of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one: according to the Shinto doctrine, spirits of the dead can act upon the mundane world. • relating to or denoting the branch of astrology that deals with the prediction of earthly events. DERIVATIVES mundanely |ˈmʌndeɪnli, mʌnˈdeɪnli | adverb, mundaneness |ˈmʌndeɪnnəs, mʌnˈdeɪnnəs | noun, mundanity |mʌnˈdanɪti | noun (plural mundanities)

nadir

nadir |ˈneɪdɪə, ˈnadɪə| ▶noun [in singular] 1 the lowest or most unsuccessful point in a situation: asking that question was the nadir of my career. 2 Astronomy the point on the celestial sphere directly below an observer. The opposite of zenith.

nascent

nascent |ˈnas(ə)nt, ˈneɪs(ə)nt| ▶adjective (especially of a process or organization) just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential: the nascent space industry. • Chemistry (chiefly of hydrogen) freshly generated in a reactive form. DERIVATIVES nascence noun, nascency |ˈnas(ə)nsi, ˈneɪs(ə)nsi | noun

neologism

neologism |nɪˈɒlədʒɪz(ə)m| ▶noun a newly coined word or expression. • [mass noun] the coining or use of new words. DERIVATIVES neologist noun, neologize |nɪˈɒlədʒʌɪz | (also neologise) verb

neophyte

neophyte |ˈniːə(ʊ)fʌɪt| ▶noun 1 a person who is new to a subject or activity: four-day cooking classes are offered to neophytes and experts | [as modifier] : a cast of neophyte actors. 2 a new convert to a religion. • a novice in a religious order, or a newly ordained priest.

nescient

nescient |ˈnɛsɪənt| ▶adjective literary lacking knowledge; ignorant: I ventured into the new Korean restaurant with some equally nescient companions. DERIVATIVES nescience |ˈnɛsɪəns | noun

nice

nice |nʌɪs| ▶adjective 1 giving pleasure or satisfaction; pleasant or attractive: we had a very nice time. • (of a person) good-natured; kind: he's a nicer man than Mark | Joe had been very nice to her. • ironic not good; unpleasant: that's a nice way to come into my kitchen—no greeting! 2 (especially of a difference) slight or subtle: there is a nice distinction between self-sacrifice and martyrdom. • requiring careful consideration: a nice point. 3 archaic fastidious; scrupulous. PHRASES make nice (or nice-nice) North American informal be pleasant or polite to someone, typically in a hypocritical way: the seat next him was empty, so he wasn't required to make nice with a stranger.nice and —— satisfactorily in terms of the quality described: it's nice and warm in here. nice one British informal used to express approval: thunderous applause and cries of 'Nice one!'. nice to meet you a polite formula used on being introduced to someone. nice work British informal used to express approval of a task well done: 'You did a good job today—nice work, James.'. nice work if you can get it informal used to express envy of what is perceived to be another person's more favourable situation, which they seem to have attained with little effort: the princess was on her way to some lavish dinner—nice work if you can get it, I thought.DERIVATIVES niceish adjective

noisome

noisome |ˈnɔɪs(ə)m| ▶adjective literary having an extremely offensive smell: noisome vapours from the smouldering waste. • very disagreeable or unpleasant: a noisome concoction of which cheap port is the basis | even if a journalist wanted to deliver the noisome truth, patriotism and censorship would prevent him. DERIVATIVES noisomeness noun

opprobrium

opprobrium |əˈprəʊbrɪəm| ▶noun [mass noun] harsh criticism or censure: the critical opprobrium generated by his films. • public disgrace arising from shameful conduct: the opprobrium of being closely associated with gangsters. • [count noun] archaic an occasion or cause of reproach or disgrace.

orator

orator |ˈɒrətə| ▶noun a public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled: a theatrically effective orator. • (also public orator) an official speaking for a university on ceremonial occasions. DERIVATIVES oratorial |ɒrəˈtɔːrɪəl | adjective

nominal

nominal |ˈnɒmɪn(ə)l| ▶adjective 1 (of a role or status) existing in name only: Thailand retained nominal independence under Japanese military occupation. • relating to or consisting of names: the streets have names like Third Avenue, but the resemblance to Manhattan is only nominal | a nominal roll of the Grenadier Company shows a total of 86 men. 2 (of a price or charge) very small; far below the real value or cost: they charge a nominal fee for the service. 3 (of a quantity or dimension) stated or expressed but not necessarily corresponding exactly to the real value: EU legislation allowed variation around the nominal weight (that printed on each packet). • Economics expressed in terms of current prices or figures, without making allowance for changes over time: the nominal exchange rate. 4 Grammar relating to or functioning as a noun: a nominal group. 5 informal (chiefly in the context of space travel) functioning normally or acceptably.

nonplus

nonplus |nɒnˈplʌs| ▶verb (nonplusses, nonplussing, nonplussed) [with object] surprise and confuse (someone) so much that they are unsure how to react: Diane was nonplussed by such an odd question. ▶noun a state of being very surprised and confused: reduced to a perfect nonplus, he rose from his chair.

nonplussed

novel

novel 1 |ˈnɒv(ə)l| ▶noun a fictitious prose narrative of book length, typically representing character and action with some degree of realism: the novels of Jane Austen | a paperback novel. • (the novel) the literary genre represented or exemplified by novels: the novel is the most adaptable of all literary forms.

noxious

noxious |ˈnɒkʃəs| ▶adjective harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant: they were overcome by the noxious fumes. DERIVATIVES noxiously adverb, noxiousness noun

nugatory

nugatory |ˈnjuːɡət(ə)ri, ˈnuːɡət(ə)ri| ▶adjective of no value or importance: a nugatory and pointless observation. • useless or futile: the teacher shortages will render nugatory the hopes of implementing the new curriculum.

obdurate

obeisance

obeisance |ə(ʊ)ˈbeɪs(ə)ns| ▶noun [mass noun] deferential respect: they paid obeisance to the Prince. • [count noun] a gesture expressing deferential respect, such as a bow or curtsy: she made a deep obeisance. DERIVATIVES obeisant adjective

oblique

oblique |əˈbliːk| ▶adjective 1 neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied line; slanting: we sat on the settee oblique to the fireplace. • Geometry (of a line, plane figure, or surface) inclined at other than a right angle. • Geometry (of an angle) acute or obtuse. • Geometry (of a cone, cylinder, etc.) with an axis not perpendicular to the plane of its base. • Anatomy (especially of a muscle) neither parallel nor perpendicular to the long axis of a body or limb: an oblique abdominal muscle. 2 not expressed or done in a direct way: he issued an oblique attack on the President. 3 Grammar denoting any case other than the nominative or vocative. ▶noun 1 British another term for slash1 ( sense 2 of the noun). 2 an oblique muscle: it is the obliques and abdominals which create the well-trained look. DERIVATIVES obliqueness |əˈbliːknəs | noun, obliquity |əˈblɪkwɪti | noun

obsequious

obstinate

obstinate |ˈɒbstɪnət| ▶adjective stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so: her obstinate determination to pursue a career in radio. • (of an unwelcome situation) very difficult to change or overcome: the obstinate problem of unemployment. DERIVATIVES obstinately |ˈɒbstənətli | adverb

obstreperous

obtuse

obtuse |əbˈtjuːs| ▶adjective 1 annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand: he wondered if the doctor was being deliberately obtuse. • difficult to understand, especially deliberately so: some of the lyrics are a bit obtuse. 2 (of an angle) more than 90° and less than 180°: an obtuse angle of 150°. 3 not sharp-pointed or sharp-edged; blunt: it had strange obtuse teeth. DERIVATIVES obtusely |əbˈtjuːsli | adverb, obtuseness |ɒbˈtjuːsnəs | noun, obtusity noun

occlude

occlude |əˈkluːd| ▶verb [with object] formal or technical 1 stop, close up, or obstruct (an opening, orifice, or passage): thick make-up can occlude the pores. • shut in: they were occluding the waterfront with a wall of buildings. • cover (an eye) to prevent its use: it is placed at eye level with one eye occluded. 2 [no object] (of a tooth) come into contact with another tooth in the opposite jaw: in monkeys and apes, the upper canine occludes with the lower first premolar. 3 Chemistry (of a solid) absorb and retain (a gas or impurity): occluded within these crystals are other molecules.

odious

onerous

onerous |ˈəʊn(ə)rəs, ˈɒn(ə)rəs| ▶adjective (of a task or responsibility) involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty: he found his duties increasingly onerous. • Law involving heavy obligations: an onerous lease. DERIVATIVES onerously |ˈəʊn(ə)rəsli, ˈɒn(ə)rəsli | adverb, onerousness |ˈəʊn(ə)rəsnəs, ˈɒn(ə)rəsnəs | noun

plangent

plangent |ˈplan(d)ʒ(ə)nt| ▶adjective chiefly literary (of a sound) loud and resonant, with a mournful tone: the plangent sound of a harpsichord. DERIVATIVES plangency |ˈplan(d)ʒ(ə)nsi | noun, plangently adverb

paradox

paradox |ˈparədɒks| ▶noun a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true: the uncertainty principle leads to all sorts of paradoxes, like the particles being in two places at once. • a statement or proposition which, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems logically unacceptable or self-contradictory: the liar paradox | [mass noun] : Parmenides was the original advocate of the philosophical power of paradox. • a person or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities: cathedrals face the paradox of having enormous wealth in treasures but huge annual expenses.

parry

parry |ˈpari| ▶verb (parries, parrying, parried) [with object] ward off (a weapon or attack) with a countermove: he parried the blow by holding his sword vertically. • answer (a question or accusation) evasively: he parried questions from reporters outside the building. ▶noun (plural parries) an act of parrying something: the swords clashed in a parry | her question met with a polite parry.

parsimonious

partisan

partisan |ˈpɑːtɪzan, ˌpɑːtɪˈzan| ▶noun 1 a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person: partisans of the exiled Stuarts. 2 a member of an armed group formed to fight secretly against an occupying force, in particular one operating in German-occupied Yugoslavia, Italy, and parts of eastern Europe in the Second World War: the partisans opened fire from the woods | [as modifier] : it is not in the nature of partisan warfare to produce victory in the field. ▶adjective prejudiced in favour of a particular cause: newspapers have become increasingly partisan.

patina

patina |ˈpatɪnə| ▶noun a green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period: many bronzes have been overcleaned, their original patina removed and artificially replaced. • a gloss or sheen on wooden furniture produced by age and polishing: the dining table will acquire a warm patina with age | figurative : plankton added a golden patina to the shallow, slowly moving water. • the impression or appearance of something: he carries the patina of old money and good breeding. DERIVATIVES patinated |ˈpatɪneɪtɪd | adjective, patination |patɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n | noun

paucity

paucity |ˈpɔːsɪti| ▶noun [in singular] the presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities or amounts: a paucity of information.

pedagogy

pedagogy |ˈpɛdəɡɒdʒi, ˈpɛdəɡɒɡi| ▶noun (plural pedagogies) [mass noun] the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept: the relationship between applied linguistics and language pedagogy | [count noun] : subject-based pedagogies.

pedantic

pedantic |pɪˈdantɪk| ▶adjective excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous: his analyses are careful and even painstaking, but never pedantic. DERIVATIVES pedantically |pɪˈdantɪkli | adver

pedestrian

pedestrian |pɪˈdɛstrɪən| ▶noun a person walking rather than travelling in a vehicle: the road is so dangerous pedestrians avoid it | [as modifier] : a pedestrian bridge. ▶adjective lacking inspiration or excitement; dull: disenchantment with their pedestrian lives. DERIVATIVES pedestrianism |pɪˈdɛstrɪənɪz(ə)m | noun, pedestrianly adverb

pellucid

pellucid |pɪˈl(j)uːsɪd, pɛˈl(j)uːsɪd| ▶adjective literary translucently clear: mountains reflected in the pellucid waters. • easily understood; lucid: he writes, as always, in pellucid prose. • (of music or other sound) clear and pure in tone: his pellucid singing tone. DERIVATIVES pellucidity |pɪl(j)uːˈsɪdɪti, pɛl(j)uːˈsɪdɪti | noun, pellucidly adverb

penurious

penury

penury |ˈpɛnjʊri| ▶noun [mass noun] the state of being very poor; extreme poverty: he couldn't face another year of penury.

peremptory

peremptory |pəˈrɛm(p)t(ə)ri| ▶adjective insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a brusquely imperious way: 'Just do it!' came the peremptory reply. • Law not open to appeal or challenge; final: a peremptory order of the court. DERIVATIVES peremptorily |pəˈrɛm(p)t(ə)rəli | adverb, peremptoriness |pəˈrɛm(p)t(ə)rɪnəs | noun

perennial

perennial |pəˈrɛnɪəl| ▶adjective 1 lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring: his perennial distrust of the media | perennial manifestations of urban crisis. • [attributive] apparently permanently engaged in a specified role or way of life: he's a perennial student. 2 (of a plant) living for several years: cow parsley is perennial. Compare with annual, biennial. 3 (of a stream or spring) flowing throughout the year: spring streams rise from perennial springs. ▶noun a perennial plant: perennials will transform the garden in summer. See also hardy perennial.

perfidy

perfidy |ˈpəːfɪdi| ▶noun [mass noun] literary the state of being deceitful and untrustworthy: it was an example of his perfidy | Hapsburg perfidy.

perfunctory

platitude

platitude |ˈplatɪtjuːd| ▶noun a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful: she began uttering liberal platitudes. DERIVATIVES platitudinize |platɪˈtjuːdɪnʌɪz | (also platitudinise) verb

peripatetic

peripatetic |ˌpɛrɪpəˈtɛtɪk| ▶adjective 1 travelling from place to place, in particular working or based in various places for relatively short periods: the peripatetic nature of military life. • (of a teacher) working in more than one school or college: a peripatetic music teacher. 2 (Peripatetic) Aristotelian. [with reference to Aristotle's practice of walking to and fro while teaching.] ▶noun 1 a person who travels from place to place, especially a teacher who works in more than one school or college: peripatetics have been cut under local management of schools. 2 (Peripatetic) an Aristotelian philosopher. DERIVATIVES peripatetically adverb, peripateticism |ˌpɛrɪpəˈtɛtɪsɪz(ə)m | noun

pernicious

perorate

perorate |ˈpɛrəreɪt| ▶verb [no object] formal speak at length: he perorated against his colleague. • archaic sum up and conclude a speech: she perorates with the following innocent conclusion.

perspicacious

perspicacious |ˌpəːspɪˈkeɪʃəs| ▶adjective having a ready insight into and understanding of things: it offers quite a few facts to the perspicacious reporter. DERIVATIVES perspicaciously adverb, perspicaciousness noun

perspicuous

perspicuous |pəˈspɪkjʊəs| ▶adjective formal clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid: it provides simpler and more perspicuous explanations than its rivals. • able to give an account or express an idea clearly. DERIVATIVES perspicuity |pəːspɪˈkjuːɪti | noun, perspicuously |pəˈspɪkjʊəsli | adverb, perspicuousness noun

perturb

perturb |pəˈtəːb| ▶verb [with object] 1 make (someone) anxious or unsettled: they were perturbed by her capricious behaviour | [with object and clause] : he was perturbed that his bleeper wouldn't work. 2 subject (a system, moving object, or process) to an influence tending to alter its normal or regular state or path: nuclear weapons could be used to perturb the orbit of an asteroid. DERIVATIVES perturbable adjective, perturbative |pəˈtəːbətɪv, ˈpəːtəbeɪtɪv | adjective perturb ( sense 2) , perturbingly adverb

perturbed

pervade

pervade |pəˈveɪd| ▶verb [with object] (especially of a smell) spread through and be perceived in every part of: a smell of stale cabbage pervaded the air. • be present and apparent throughout: the sense of crisis which pervaded Europe in the 1930s. DERIVATIVES pervader noun, pervasion |pəˈveɪʒ(ə)n | noun

pervasive

pervasive |pəˈveɪsɪv| ▶adjective (especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people: ageism is pervasive and entrenched in our society. DERIVATIVES pervasively |pəˈveɪsɪvli | adverb

phlegmatic

phlegmatic |flɛɡˈmatɪk| ▶adjective (of a person) having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition: the phlegmatic British character. DERIVATIVES phlegmatically |flɛɡˈmatɪk(ə)li | adverb

pine

pine 1 |pʌɪn| ▶noun 1 (also pine tree) an evergreen coniferous tree which has clusters of long needle-shaped leaves. Many kinds are grown for the soft timber, which is widely used for furniture and pulp, or for tar and turpentine. Compare with fir. ●Genus Pinus, family Pinaceae: many species, including the Scots pine and stone pine. • used in names of coniferous trees of families other than that of the pine, e.g. Chile pine. • used in names of unrelated plants that resemble the pines in some way, e.g. ground pine, screw pine. • [as modifier] having the scent of pine needles: pine potpourri. 2 informal, chiefly West Indian a pineapple. DERIVATIVES pinery noun

pious

pious |ˈpʌɪəs| ▶adjective 1 devoutly religious: a deeply pious woman. • making or constituting a hypocritical display of virtue: his pious platitudes. • archaic dutiful or loyal, especially towards one's parents. 2 [attributive] (of a hope) sincere but unlikely to be fulfilled. DERIVATIVES piously |ˈpʌɪəsli | adverb, piousness noun

piquant

piquant |ˈpiːk(ə)nt, ˈpiːkɒnt| ▶adjective having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavour: a piquant tartare sauce. • pleasantly stimulating or exciting to the mind. DERIVATIVES piquantly |ˈpiːkɒntli, ˈpiːkəntli | adverb

pith

pith |pɪθ| ▶noun [mass noun] 1 the spongy white tissue lining the rind of oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits. • Botany the spongy cellular tissue in the stems and branches of many higher plants. • archaic spinal marrow. 2 the essence of something: the pith and core of socialism. 3 vigour and conciseness of expression: he writes with a combination of pith and exactitude. ▶verb [with object] 1 remove the pith from: peel and pith the oranges. 2 pierce or sever the spinal cord of (an animal) so as to kill or immobilize it. DERIVATIVES pithless adjective

pithy

placate

placate |pləˈkeɪt, ˈplakeɪt, ˈpleɪkeɪt| ▶verb [with object] make (someone) less angry or hostile: they attempted to placate the students with promises. DERIVATIVES placating adjective, placatingly adverb, placation |pləˈkeɪʃ(ə)n | noun

placid

plaintive

plodding

plod |plɒd| ▶verb (plods, plodding, plodded) [no object, with adverbial of direction] walk doggedly and slowly with heavy steps: we plodded back up the hill. • work slowly and perseveringly at a dull task: we were plodding through a textbook. ▶noun 1 a slow, heavy walk: he settled down to a steady plod. 2 (also PC Plod) British informal a police officer: a bunch of plods arrived, offering me a lift to the cop shop. [with allusion to Mr Plod the Policeman in Enid Blyton's Noddy stories for children.] DERIVATIVES plodder |ˈplɒdə | noun

pluck

pluck |plʌk| ▶verb [with object] 1 take hold of (something) and quickly remove it from its place: she plucked a blade of grass | he plucked a tape from the shelf. • catch hold of and pull quickly: she plucked his sleeve | [no object] : brambles plucked at her jeans. • pull the feathers from (a bird's carcass) to prepare it for cooking: the turkeys are plucked and cleaned by machine. • pull some of the hairs from (one's eyebrows) to make them look neater: whether you pluck your eyebrows depends on your type of looks. • Geology (of glacier ice) break off (pieces of rock) by mechanical force. 2 quickly or suddenly remove someone from a dangerous or unpleasant situation: the baby was plucked from a grim orphanage. 3 sound (a musical instrument or its strings) with one's finger or a plectrum: she picked up her guitar and plucked it idly. ▶noun [mass noun] 1 spirited and determined courage: it must have taken a lot of pluck to walk along a path marked 'Danger'. 2 the heart, liver, and lungs of an animal as food. PHRASES pluck up courage see courage. DERIVATIVES plucker noun [usually in combination] : a goose-plucker, pluckless adjective

plucky

plumb

plumb 1 |plʌm| ▶verb [with object] 1 measure (the depth of a body of water): I plumbed the depth and found the bottom of the shelf to be seven metres down. • [no object, with adverbial] (of water) be of a specified depth: at its deepest the lake scarcely plumbed seven feet. • explore or experience fully or to extremes: she had plumbed the depths of depravity. 2 test (an upright surface) to determine the vertical: they are valuable aids in plumbing the frames and keeping the side of the ship fair. ▶noun a ball of lead or other heavy object attached to the end of a line for finding the depth of water or determining the vertical on an upright surface. ▶adverb 1 informal exactly: trading opportunities plumb in the centre of central Europe. • [as submodifier] North American extremely or completely: they must both be plumb crazy. 2 archaic vertically: drapery fell from their human forms plumb down. ▶adjective vertical: ensure that the skirting is straight and plumb. • Cricket (of the wicket) level; true. PHRASES out of plumb not exactly vertical: the towers are inclined, from four to ten feet out of plumb.

polemical

polemical |pəˈlɛmɪkəl| ▶adjective of or involving strongly critical or disputatious writing or speech: a polemical essay. DERIVATIVES polemically |pəˈlɛmɪk(ə)li | adver

portent

portent |ˈpɔːtɛnt, ˈpɔːt(ə)nt| ▶noun 1 a sign or warning that a momentous or calamitous event is likely to happen: many birds are regarded as being portents of death. • [mass noun] future significance: an omen of grave portent for the tribe. 2 literary an exceptional or wonderful person or thing: what portent can be greater than a pious notary?

posterity

posterity |pɒˈstɛrɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] all future generations of people: the victims' names are recorded for posterity. • [in singular] archaic the descendants of a person: God offered Abraham a posterity like the stars of heaven.

potpourri

potpourri |pəʊˈpʊəri, pəʊpʊəˈriː, pɒtˈpʊəri| ▶noun (plural potpourris) [mass noun] a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl to perfume a room. • a mixture or medley of things: he played a potpourri of tunes from Gilbert and Sullivan.

pragmatic

pragmatic |praɡˈmatɪk| ▶adjective dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations: a pragmatic approach to politics. • relating to philosophical or political pragmatism. • Linguistics relating to pragmatics.

prattle

prattle |ˈprat(ə)l| ▶verb [no object] talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way: she began to prattle on about her visit to the dentist. ▶noun [mass noun] foolish or inconsequential talk: do you intend to keep up this childish prattle? DERIVATIVES prattler |ˈprat(ə)lə | noun

precept

precept |ˈpriːsɛpt| ▶noun 1 a general rule intended to regulate behaviour or thought: the legal precept of being innocent until proven guilty | [mass noun] : children learn far more by example than by precept. 2 a writ or warrant: the Commissioner issued precepts requiring the companies to provide information. 3 British an order issued by one local authority to another specifying the rate of tax to be charged on its behalf: the precept required a supplementary rate of 6.1p in the pound. • a rate or tax set by a precept. DERIVATIVES preceptive |prɪˈsɛptɪv | adjective

precipitate

precipitate ▶verb |prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt | [with object] 1 cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely: the incident precipitated a political crisis. • [with object and adverbial of direction] cause to move suddenly and with force: suddenly the ladder broke, precipitating them down into a heap. • (precipitate someone/thing into) send someone or something suddenly into a particular state or condition: they were precipitated into a conflict for which they were quite unprepared. 2 Chemistry cause (a substance) to be deposited in solid form from a solution: cell proteins were then precipitated and washed in 10% trichloroacetic acid. • cause (drops of moisture or particles of dust) to be deposited from the atmosphere or from a vapour or suspension: excess moisture is precipitated as rain, fog, mist, or dew. ▶adjective |prɪˈsɪpɪtət | done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration: I must apologize for my staff—their actions were precipitate. • occurring suddenly or abruptly: a precipitate decline in Labour fortunes. ▶noun |prɪˈsɪpɪtət, prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt | Chemistry a substance precipitated from a solution. DERIVATIVES precipitable |prɪˈsɪpɪtəb(ə)l | adjective, precipitately |prɪˈsɪpɪtətli | adverb, precipitateness noun, precipitability |prɪˌsɪpɪtəˈbɪlɪti | noun

prerogative

prerogative |prɪˈrɒɡətɪv| ▶noun a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class: in some countries, higher education is predominantly the prerogative of the rich. • (also royal prerogative) [mass noun] the right of the sovereign, which in British law is theoretically subject to no restriction. • a faculty or property distinguishing a person or class: it's not a female prerogative to feel insecure. ▶adjective Law, British arising from the prerogative of the Crown (usually delegated to the government or the judiciary) and based in common law rather than statutory law: the monarch retained the formal prerogative power to appoint the Prime Minister.

presage

presage |ˈprɛsɪdʒ| ▶verb |prɪˈseɪdʒ | [with object] be a sign or warning of (an imminent event, typically an unwelcome one): the heavy clouds above the moorland presaged snow. • archaic (of a person) predict: lands he could measure, terms and tides presage. ▶noun an omen or portent: the fever was a sombre presage of his final illness. • archaic a feeling of presentiment or foreboding: he had a strong presage that he had only a very short time to live. DERIVATIVES presageful |prɪˈseɪdʒfʊl, -f(ə)l | adjective, presager noun ( archaic)

prescience

prescience |ˈprɛsɪəns| ▶noun [mass noun] the fact of knowing something in advance; foreknowledge: with extraordinary prescience, Jung actually predicted the Nazi eruption

prescient

prescient |ˈprɛsɪənt| ▶adjective having or showing knowledge of events before they take place: a prescient warning. DERIVATIVES presciently |ˈprɛsɪəntli | adverb

presumptuous

presumptuous |prɪˈzʌm(p)tʃʊəs| ▶adjective (of a person or their behaviour) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate: I hope I won't be considered presumptuous if I offer some advice. DERIVATIVES presumptuously |prɪˈzʌm(p)tʃʊəsli | adverb, presumptuousness |prɪˈzʌm(p)tʃʊəsnəs | noun

pretense

pretence |prɪˈtɛns | (US pretense) ▶noun 1 an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true: his anger is masked by a pretence that all is well | [mass noun] : they have finally abandoned their secrecy and pretence. • a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions: he asked me questions without any pretence at politeness. • [mass noun] the practice of inventing imaginary situations in play: before the age of two, children start to engage in pretence. • [mass noun] affected and ostentatious speech and behaviour: they have always avoided preciousness and pretence. 2 (pretence to) a claim to have a particular skill or quality: he was quick to disclaim any pretence to superiority.

prevaricate

privation

privation |prʌɪˈveɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] 1 a state in which food and other essentials for well-being are lacking: years of rationing and privation | [count noun] : the privations of life at the front. 2 formal the loss or absence of a quality or attribute that is normally present: cold is the privation of heat.

prize

prize 1 |prʌɪz| ▶noun 1 a thing given as a reward to the winner of a competition or in recognition of an outstanding achievement: her invention won first prize in a national contest. • a thing, especially an amount of money or a valuable object, that can be won in a game of chance: the star prize in the charity raffle | [as modifier] : prize money. • something of great value that is worth struggling to achieve: the prize will be victory in the general election. 2 chiefly historical an enemy ship captured during the course of naval warfare: the sloop had been taken as a prize. [late Middle English: from Old French prise 'taking, booty', from prendre 'take'.] ▶adjective [attributive] having been or likely to be awarded a prize in a competition: a prize bull. • denoting something for which a prize is awarded: a prize crossword. • excellent of its kind; outstanding: a prize example of how well organic farming can function. • complete; utter: you must think I'm a prize idiot. ▶verb [with object] value extremely highly: the berries were prized for their healing properties | (as adjective prized) : the bicycle was her most prized possession. PHRASES (there are) no prizes for guessing used to convey that something is obvious: there's no prizes for guessing what you two have been up to!

probity

probity |ˈprəʊbɪti, ˈprɒbɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] formal the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency: financial probity.

proclivity

proclivity |prəˈklɪvɪti| ▶noun (plural proclivities) a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition towards a particular thing: a proclivity for hard work.

prodigal

prodigal |ˈprɒdɪɡ(ə)l| ▶adjective 1 spending money or using resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant: prodigal habits die hard. 2 having or giving something on a lavish scale: the dessert was prodigal with whipped cream. ▶noun a person who spends money in a recklessly extravagant way: the government wished to clip the wings of the local authority prodigals. • (also prodigal son or daughter) a person who leaves home to lead a prodigal life but later makes a repentant return. [with biblical allusion to the parable in Luke 15:11-32.] DERIVATIVES prodigality |prɒdɪˈɡalɪti | noun, prodigally |ˈprɒdɪɡəli | adverb

quaff

quaff |kwɒf, kwɑːf| ▶verb [with object] drink (something, especially an alcoholic drink) heartily: he quaffed pint after pint of good Berkshire ale. ▶noun informal, dated an alcoholic drink: porter is a dark, malty quaff. DERIVATIVES quaffable adjective, quaffer noun

proliferate

proliferate |prəˈlɪfəreɪt| ▶verb [no object] increase rapidly in number; multiply: the science fiction magazines which proliferated in the 1920s. • (of a cell, structure, or organism) reproduce rapidly: cultured cells often proliferate indefinitely. • [with object] cause (cells, tissue, structures, etc.) to reproduce rapidly: electromagnetic radiation can only proliferate cancers already present. DERIVATIVES proliferative |prəˈlɪfərətɪv | adjective, proliferator noun

prolific

prolific |prəˈlɪfɪk| ▶adjective 1 (of a plant, animal, or person) producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring: in captivity tigers are prolific breeders. • (of an artist, author, or composer) producing many works: he was a prolific composer of operas. • (of a sports player) high-scoring: a prolific goalscorer. 2 present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful: mahogany was once prolific in the tropical forests. • characterized by plentiful wildlife or produce: the prolific rivers around Galway. DERIVATIVES prolificacy |ˌprəˈlɪfɪkəsi | noun, prolifically |prəˈlɪfɪk(ə)li | adverb, prolificness noun

prolix

propensity

propensity |prəˈpɛnsɪti| ▶noun (plural propensities) an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way: his propensity for violence | [with infinitive] : their innate propensity to attack one another.

propinquity

propinquity |prəˈpɪŋkwɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] 1 formal the state of being close to someone or something; proximity: he kept his distance as though afraid propinquity might lead him into temptation. 2 technical close kinship.

propitiate

propitious

propitious |prəˈpɪʃəs| ▶adjective giving or indicating a good chance of success; favourable: the timing for such a meeting seemed propitious. • archaic favourably disposed towards someone: there were points on which they did not agree, moments in which she did not seem propitious. DERIVATIVES propitiously |prəˈpɪʃəsli | adverb, propitiousness |prəˈpɪʃəsnəs | noun

prosaic

prosaic |prə(ʊ)ˈzeɪɪk| ▶adjective having or using the style or diction of prose as opposed to poetry; lacking imaginativeness or originality: prosaic language can't convey the experience. • commonplace; unromantic: the masses were too preoccupied by prosaic day-to-day concerns. DERIVATIVES prosaically |prə(ʊ)ˈzeɪɪk(ə)li | adverb, prosaicness |prə(ʊ)ˈzeɪɪknəs | noun

provenance

provenance |ˈprɒv(ə)nəns| ▶noun [mass noun] the place of origin or earliest known history of something: an orange rug of Iranian provenance. • the beginning of something's existence; something's origin: they try to understand the whole universe, its provenance and fate. • [count noun] a record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality: the manuscript has a distinguished provenance.

provincial

provincial |prəˈvɪnʃ(ə)l| ▶adjective 1 of or concerning a province of a country or empire: provincial elections. 2 of or concerning the regions outside the capital city of a country, especially when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow-minded: provincial towns | the whole exhibition struck one as being very provincial. ▶noun 1 an inhabitant of a province of a country or empire. • (provincials) (in Canada) sporting contests held between teams representing the country's administrative divisions. 2 an inhabitant of the regions outside the capital city of a country, especially when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow-minded: a town populated by money-grubbers, philistines, and self-satisfied provincials. • (provincials) British local newspapers, as contrasted with national ones. 3 Christian Church the head or chief of a province or of a religious order in a province. DERIVATIVES provinciality noun, provincialization noun, provincialize (also provincialise) verb, provincially |prəˈvɪnʃ(ə)li | adverb

prudent

prudent |ˈpruːd(ə)nt| ▶adjective acting with or showing care and thought for the future: no prudent money manager would authorize a loan without first knowing its purpose.

prurient

quay

quay |kiː| ▶noun a stone or metal platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships. DERIVATIVES quayage |ˈkiːɪdʒ | noun

querulous

puerile

puerile |ˈpjʊərʌɪl| ▶adjective childishly silly and immature: a puerile argument. DERIVATIVES puerilely adverb, puerility |pjʊəˈrɪlɪti | noun (plural puerilities)

pugnacious

puissant

puissant |ˈpjuːɪs(ə)nt, ˈpwiːɪs(ə)nt, ˈpwɪs(ə)nt| ▶adjective archaic or literary having great power or influence: he would become a puissant man. DERIVATIVES puissantly adverb

pulchritude

pulchritude |ˈpʌlkrɪtjuːd| ▶noun [mass noun] literary beauty: the irresistible pulchritude of her friend. DERIVATIVES pulchritudinous |pʌlkrɪˈtjuːdɪnəs | adjective

pungent

pungent |ˈpʌn(d)ʒ(ə)nt| ▶adjective having a sharply strong taste or smell: the pungent smell of frying onions. • (of comment, criticism, or humour) having a sharp and caustic quality: he has expressed some fairly pungent criticisms. DERIVATIVES pungency |ˈpʌn(d)ʒ(ə)nsi | noun, pungently |ˈpʌn(d)ʒəntli | adverb

pusillanimous

putative

putative |ˈpjuːtətɪv| ▶adjective [attributive] generally considered or reputed to be: the putative father of her children. DERIVATIVES putatively |ˈpjuːtətɪvli | adverb

putrefy

putrefy |ˈpjuːtrɪfʌɪ| ▶verb (putrefies, putrefying, putrefied) [no object] (of a body or other organic matter) decay or rot and produce a fetid smell: the body was beginning to putrefy | (as adjective putrefying) : the stench of putrefying corpses.

rarefy

rarefy |ˈrɛːrɪfʌɪ | (also rarify) ▶verb (rarefies, rarefying, rarefied) make or become less dense or solid: [with object] : air rarefies and degrounds the physical body | [no object] : as the shell continues to expand and rarefy, astronomers may eventually be able to see characteristic gamma rays from the radioactivity within. DERIVATIVES rarefication |rɛːrɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n | noun, rarefactive |rɛːrɪˈfaktɪv | adjective

recalcitrance

recalcitrant |rɪˈkalsɪtr(ə)nt| ▶adjective having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline: a class of recalcitrant fifteen-year-olds. ▶noun a person with a recalcitrant attitude: a stiff-necked recalcitrant and troublemaker. DERIVATIVES recalcitrance |rɪˈkalsɪtrəns | noun, recalcitrantly adverb

recalcitrant

recant

recant |rɪˈkant| ▶verb [no object] say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical: heretics were burned if they would not recant | [with object] : Galileo was forced to recant his assertion that the earth orbited the sun. DERIVATIVES recanter |rɪˈkantə | noun

recondite

recondite |ˈrɛk(ə)ndʌɪt, rɪˈkɒndʌɪt| ▶adjective (of a subject or knowledge) little known; abstruse: the book is full of recondite information.

recreant

recreant |ˈrɛkrɪənt | archaic ▶adjective 1 cowardly: what a recreant figure must he make. 2 unfaithful to a belief; apostate. ▶noun 1 a coward: the recreant acted with outward boldness. 2 a person who is unfaithful to a belief; an apostate. DERIVATIVES recreancy noun, recreantly adverb

recuse

recuse |rɪˈkjuːz| ▶verb [with object] chiefly North American challenge (a judge or juror) as unqualified to perform legal duties because of a potential conflict of interest or lack of impartiality: he was recused when he referred to the corporation as 'a bunch of villains'. • (recuse oneself) (of a judge) excuse oneself from a case because of a potential conflict of interest or lack of impartiality: it was the right of counsel to ask a judge to recuse himself from continuing to hear a case because of bias. DERIVATIVES recusal noun

redolent

redolent |ˈrɛdəl(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 (redolent of/with) strongly reminiscent or suggestive of: names redolent of history and tradition. • literary strongly smelling of: the church was old, dark, and redolent of incense. 2 archaic or literary fragrant or sweet-smelling: a rich, inky, redolent wine. DERIVATIVES redolence |ˈrɛdəl(ə)ns | noun, redolently adverb

redoubtable

redoubtable |rɪˈdaʊtəb(ə)l| ▶adjective often humorous (of a person) formidable, especially as an opponent: he was a redoubtable debater | the redoubtable ladies. DERIVATIVES redoubtably adverb

redress

redress |rɪˈdrɛs| ▶verb [with object] 1 remedy or set right (an undesirable or unfair situation): the question is how to redress the consequences of racist land policies. 2 archaic set upright again: some ambitious Architect being called to redress a leaning Wall. ▶noun [mass noun] remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance: those seeking redress for an infringement of public law rights. PHRASES redress the balance restore equality in a situation: an opportunity to redress the balance in their fortunes.DERIVATIVES redressable adjective, redressal noun, redresser noun

refulgent

refulgent |rɪˈfʌldʒ(ə)nt| ▶adjective literary shining very brightly: refulgent blue eyes. DERIVATIVES refulgence |rɪˈfʌldʒ(ə)ns | noun, refulgently adverb

regale

regale |rɪˈɡeɪl| ▶verb [with object] entertain or amuse (someone) with talk: he regaled her with a colourful account of that afternoon's meeting. • lavishly supply (someone) with food or drink: he was regaled with excellent home cooking. DERIVATIVES regalement noun ( rare)

regency

regency |ˈriːdʒ(ə)nsi| ▶noun (plural regencies) the office of or period of government by a regent: the boy being a minor, there would have to be a regency. • a commission acting as regent. • (the Regency) the particular period of a regency, especially (in Britain) from 1811 to 1820 and (in France) from 1715 to 1723: the hugely popular Gothic novels of the Regency. ▶adjective (Regency) relating to or denoting British architecture, clothing, and furniture of the Regency or, more widely, of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Regency style was contemporary with the Empire style and shares many of its features: elaborate and ornate, it is generally neoclassical, with a generous borrowing of Greek and Egyptian motifs.

relegate

relegate |ˈrɛlɪɡeɪt| ▶verb [with object] assign an inferior rank or position to: they aim to prevent women from being relegated to a secondary role. • British transfer (a sports team) to a lower division of a league: United were relegated to division two.

remonstrate

remonstration

remuneration

remuneration |rɪˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] money paid for work or a service: they work in excess of their contracted hours for no additional remuneration

reproach

reproach |rɪˈprəʊtʃ| ▶verb [with object] express to (someone) one's disapproval of or disappointment in their actions: her friends reproached her for not thinking enough about her family | [with direct speech] : 'You know that isn't true,' he reproached her. • (reproach someone with) accuse someone of: his wife reproached him with cowardice. • archaic censure or rebuke (an offence). ▶noun [mass noun] the expression of disapproval or disappointment: he gave her a look of reproach | [count noun] : a farrago of warnings and pained reproaches. • (a reproach to) a thing that makes the failings of (someone or something else) more apparent: his elegance is a living reproach to our slovenly habits. • (Reproaches) (in the Roman Catholic Church) a set of antiphons and responses for Good Friday representing the reproaches of Christ to his people. PHRASES above (or beyond) reproach such that no criticism can be made; perfect: his integrity is beyond reproach.DERIVATIVES reproachable |rɪˈprəʊtʃəb(ə)l | adjective, reproacher noun, reproaching adjective, reproachingly adverb

reprobate

reprobate |ˈrɛprəbeɪt| ▶noun 1 an unprincipled person: he had to present himself as more of a lovable reprobate than a spirit of corruption. 2 archaic (in Calvinism) a sinner who is not of the elect and is predestined to damnation. ▶adjective 1 unprincipled: reprobate behaviour. 2 archaic (in Calvinism) predestined to damnation. ▶verb [with object] archaic express or feel disapproval of: his neighbours reprobated his method of proceeding. DERIVATIVES reprobation |rɛprəˈbeɪʃ(ə)n | noun, reprobative adjective, reprobatory adjective

reprove

repudiate

repudiate |rɪˈpjuːdɪeɪt| ▶verb [with object] 1 refuse to accept; reject: she has repudiated policies associated with previous party leaders. • chiefly Law refuse to fulfil or discharge (an agreement, obligation, or debt): breach of a condition gives the other party the right to repudiate a contract. • (in the past or in non-Christian religions) disown or divorce (one's wife): Philip was excommunicated in 1095 because he had repudiated his wife. 2 deny the truth or validity of: the minister repudiated allegations of human rights abuses. DERIVATIVES repudiator |rɪˈpjuːdɪeɪtə | noun

resolute

resolute |ˈrɛzəluːt| ▶adjective admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering: he was resolute in his fight to uphold liberal values. DERIVATIVES resoluteness |ˈrɛzəluːtnəs | noun

respite

respite |ˈrɛspʌɪt, ˈrɛspɪt| ▶noun [mass noun] a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant: the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering | [in singular] : a brief respite from the heat. • a short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation is met or a punishment is carried out: a Letter of Licence, by which creditors agreed to postpone claims, brought only temporary respite. ▶verb [with object] rare postpone (a sentence, obligation, etc.): the execution was only respited a few months. • archaic grant a respite to (someone, especially a person condemned to death): some poor criminal ... from the gibbet or the wheel, respited for a day.

reticent

reticent |ˈrɛtɪs(ə)nt| ▶adjective not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily: she was extremely reticent about her personal affairs. DERIVATIVES reticently |ˈrɛtɪs(ə)ntli | adverb

reverent

reverent |ˈrɛv(ə)r(ə)nt| ▶adjective feeling or showing deep and solemn respect: a reverent silence.

rhetoric

rhetoric |ˈrɛtərɪk| ▶noun [mass noun] the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques: he is using a common figure of rhetoric, hyperbole. • language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect, but which is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content: all we have from the Opposition is empty rhetoric.

ribald

ribald |ˈrɪb(ə)ld, ˈrʌɪbɔːld| ▶adjective referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way: a ribald comment.

sacrosanct

sacrosanct |ˈsakrə(ʊ)saŋ(k)t, ˈseɪkrə(ʊ)saŋ(k)t| ▶adjective (especially of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with: the individual's right to work has been upheld as sacrosanct. DERIVATIVES sacrosanctity |sakrə(ʊ)ˈsaŋ(k)tɪti | noun

sagacious

sagacious |səˈɡeɪʃəs| ▶adjective having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement; wise or shrewd: they were sagacious enough to avoid any outright confrontation. DERIVATIVES sagaciously |səˈɡeɪʃəsli | adverb

sagacity

sagacity |səˈɡasɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] the quality of being sagacious: a man of great political sagacity

sage

sage 1 |seɪdʒ| ▶noun [mass noun] 1 an aromatic plant whose greyish-green leaves are used as a culinary herb, native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. ●Salvia officinalis, family Labiatae. • used in names of aromatic plants of the mint family that resemble sage, e.g. wood sage. 2 (also white sage) either of two bushy North American plants with silvery-grey leaves: ● an aromatic plant which was formerly burnt by the Cheyenne for its cleansing properties and as an incense (Artemisia ludoviciana, family Compositae). ● a plant of the goosefoot family (Krascheninnikovia lanata, family Chenopodiaceae).

sanguine

sanguine |ˈsaŋɡwɪn| ▶adjective 1 optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation: he is sanguine about prospects for the global economy | the committee takes a more sanguine view. • (in medieval science and medicine) of or having the constitution associated with the predominance of blood among the bodily humours, supposedly marked by a ruddy complexion and an optimistic disposition. • archaic (of the complexion) florid or ruddy. 2 literary & Heraldry blood-red. 3 archaic bloody or bloodthirsty. ▶noun [mass noun] a blood-red colour. • a deep red-brown crayon or pencil containing iron oxide. • Heraldry a blood-red stain used in blazoning. DERIVATIVES sanguinely |ˈsaŋɡwɪnli | adverb, sanguineness |ˈsaŋɡwɪnnəs | noun

sardonic

saturnine

saturnine |ˈsatənʌɪn| ▶adjective 1 (of a person or their manner) gloomy: a saturnine temperament. • (of a person or their features) dark in colouring and moody or mysterious: his saturnine face and dark, watchful eyes. • (of a place or an occasion) gloomy: a saturnine setting. 2 archaic relating to lead. DERIVATIVES saturninely adverb

scanty

scanty |ˈskanti| ▶adjective (scantier, scantiest) small or insufficient in quantity or amount: they paid whatever they could out of their scanty wages to their families. • (of clothing) revealing; skimpy: the women looked cold in their scanty bodices. ▶plural noun (scanties) informal women's skimpy knickers or pants. DERIVATIVES scantiness |ˈskantɪnəs | noun

sedulous

senescence

senescence |sɪˈnɛs(ə)ns| ▶noun [mass noun] Biology the condition or process of deterioration with age. • loss of a cell's power of division and growth. DERIVATIVES senescent |sɪˈnɛs(ə)nt | adjectiv

sententious

serendipitous

serendipitous |ˌsɛr(ə)nˈdɪpɪtəs| ▶adjective occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way: a serendipitous encounter. DERIVATIVES serendipitously adver

sibilant

sibilant |ˈsɪbɪl(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 making or characterized by a hissing sound: his sibilant whisper. 2 Phonetics (of a speech sound) sounded with a hissing effect, for example s, sh. ▶noun Phonetics a sibilant speech sound. DERIVATIVES sibilance |ˈsɪbɪl(ə)ns | noun, sibilancy noun, sibilantly adverb

sidereal

sidereal |sʌɪˈdɪərɪəl| ▶adjective of or with respect to the distant stars (i.e. the constellations or fixed stars, not the sun or planets).

sinecure

sinecure |ˈsʌɪnɪkjʊə, ˈsɪnɪkjʊə| ▶noun a position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit: political sinecures for the supporters of ministers. DERIVATIVES sinecurism noun, sinecurist |ˈsʌɪnɪkjʊərɪst, ˈsɪnɪkjʊərɪst | noun

sojourn

sojourn |ˈsɒdʒ(ə)n, ˈsɒdʒəːn | formal ▶noun a temporary stay: her sojourn in Rome. ▶verb [no object, with adverbial of place] stay somewhere temporarily: she had sojourned once in Egypt. DERIVATIVES sojourner |ˈsɒdʒənə | noun

solicitous

solicitous |səˈlɪsɪtəs| ▶adjective characterized by or showing interest or concern: she was always solicitous about the welfare of her students | a solicitous enquiry. • archaic eager or anxious to do something: he was solicitous to cultivate her mamma's good opinion. DERIVATIVES solicitously |səˈlɪsɪtəsli | adverb, solicitousness |səˈlɪsɪtəsnəs | noun

solvent

solvent |ˈsɒlv(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 having assets in excess of liabilities; able to pay one's debts: interest rate rises have very severe effects on normally solvent companies. 2 [attributive] able to dissolve other substances: osmotic, chemical, or solvent action. ▶noun the liquid in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution. • a liquid, typically one other than water, used for dissolving other substances. • something that acts to weaken or dispel a particular attitude or situation: an unrivalled solvent of social prejudices.

succor

succour |ˈsʌkə | (US succor) ▶noun [mass noun] assistance and support in times of hardship and distress: the wounded had little chance of succour. • (succours) archaic reinforcements of troops. ▶verb [with object] give assistance or aid to: prisoners of war were liberated and succoured. DERIVATIVES succourless adjective

steen

steen |stɪən, stiːn | (also stein) ▶noun [mass noun] a variety of white grape grown in South Africa. • the wine made from the steen grape. • (stein) a blended semi-sweet white wine, typically containing steen grapes.

stentorian

stentorian |stɛnˈtɔːrɪən| ▶adjective (of a person's voice) loud and powerful: a stentorian roar

stipulate

stipulate 1 |ˈstɪpjʊleɪt| ▶verb [with object] demand or specify (a requirement), typically as part of an agreement: he stipulated certain conditions before their marriage | (as adjective stipulated) : the stipulated time has elapsed. DERIVATIVES stipulator noun, stipulatory adjective

stoic

stoic |ˈstəʊɪk| ▶noun 1 a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining. 2 (Stoic) a member of the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism. ▶adjective 1 another term for stoical: a look of stoic resignation. 2 (Stoic) of or belonging to the Stoics or their school of philosophy: the Stoic philosophers | Seneca preached Stoic abstinence.

stolidity

strident

strident |ˈstrʌɪd(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 (of a sound) loud and harsh; grating: his voice had become increasingly strident. • Phonetics another term for sibilant. 2 presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively forceful way: public pronouncements on the crisis became less strident. DERIVATIVES stridency |ˈstrʌɪd(ə)nsi | noun

stupefy

stupefy |ˈstjuːpɪfʌɪ| ▶verb (stupefies, stupefying, stupefied) [with object] make (someone) unable to think or feel properly: the offence of administering drugs to a woman with intent to stupefy her. • astonish and shock: the amount they spend on clothes would appal their parents and stupefy their grandparents. DERIVATIVES stupefier noun, stupefying |ˈstjuːpɪfʌɪɪŋ | adjective, stupefyingly |ˈstjuːpɪfʌɪɪŋli | adverb [as submodifier] : a stupefyingly tedious task

stymie

stymie |ˈstʌɪmi| ▶verb (stymies, stymieing, stymied) [with object] informal prevent or hinder the progress of: the changes must not be allowed to stymie new medical treatments.

sublimate

sublimate |ˈsʌblɪmeɪt| ▶verb 1 [with object] (in psychoanalytic theory) divert or modify (an instinctual impulse) into a culturally higher or socially more acceptable activity: people who sublimate sexuality into activities which help to build up and preserve civilization. • transform (something) into a purer or idealized form: attractive rhythms are sublimated into a much larger context. 2 Chemistry another term for sublime. ▶noun |ˈsʌblɪmeɪt, ˈsʌblɪmət | Chemistry a solid deposit of a substance which has sublimed: condensation of a sublimate. DERIVATIVES sublimation |sʌblɪˈmeɪʃ(ə)n | noun

subpoena

subpoena |səˈpiːnə | Law ▶noun (in full subpoena ad testificandum) a writ ordering a person to attend a court: a subpoena may be issued to compel their attendance | [mass noun] : they were all under subpoena to appear. ▶verb (subpoenas, subpoenaing, subpoenaed or subpoena'd) [with object] summon (someone) with a subpoena: the Queen is above the law and cannot be subpoenaed. • require (a document or other evidence) to be submitted to a court of law: the decision to subpoena government records.

syllogism

syllogism |ˈsɪlədʒɪz(ə)m| ▶noun an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises); a common or middle term is present in the two premises but not in the conclusion, which may be invalid (e.g. all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs). • [mass noun] deductive reasoning as distinct from induction. DERIVATIVES syllogistic |sɪləˈdʒɪstɪk | adjective, syllogistically |sɪləˌˈdʒɪstɪk(ə)li | adverb

synthesis

synthesis |ˈsɪnθɪsɪs| ▶noun (plural syntheses |ˈsɪnθɪsiːz| ) [mass noun] 1 the combination of components or elements to form a connected whole: the synthesis of intellect and emotion in his work | [count noun] : the ideology represented a synthesis of certain ideas. Often contrasted with analysis. • Grammar the process of making compound and derivative words. • Linguistics the tendency in a language to use inflected forms rather than word order to express grammatical structure. 2 the production of chemical compounds by reaction from simpler materials: the synthesis of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. 3 (in Hegelian philosophy) the final stage in the process of dialectical reasoning, in which a new idea resolves the conflict between thesis and antithesis. DERIVATIVES synthesist noun

tacit

tacit |ˈtasɪt| ▶adjective understood or implied without being stated: your silence may be taken to mean tacit agreement.

taciturn

tactless

tantamount

tantamount |ˈtantəmaʊnt| ▶adjective (tantamount to) equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as: the resignations were tantamount to an admission of guilt.

tawdry

tawdry |ˈtɔːdri| ▶adjective (tawdrier, tawdriest) showy but cheap and of poor quality: tawdry jewellery. • sordid or unpleasant: the tawdry business of politics. ▶noun [mass noun] archaic cheap and gaudy finery. DERIVATIVES tawdrily adverb, tawdriness |ˈtɔːdrɪnəs | noun

temerity

temerity |tɪˈmɛrɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] excessive confidence or boldness; audacity: no one had the temerity to question his conclusions.

tenacity

tenacity |tɪˈnasɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip: the sheer tenacity of the limpet. • the quality or fact of being very determined; determination: you have to admire the tenacity of these two guys. • the quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence: the tenacity of certain myths within the historical record

tendentious

tenuous

terse

turpitude

turpitude |ˈtəːpɪtjuːd| ▶noun [mass noun] formal depraved or wicked behaviour or character: acts of moral turpitude.

tyro

tyro |ˈtʌɪrəʊ | (also tiro) ▶noun (plural tyros) a beginner or novice.

thorny

thorny |ˈθɔːni| ▶adjective (thornier, thorniest) 1 having many thorns or thorn bushes: tangled thorny branches. 2 causing distress, difficulty, or trouble: a thorny problem for our team to solve. DERIVATIVES thornily adverb, thorniness nou

thrall

thrall |θrɔːl| ▶noun 1 [mass noun] literary the state of being in someone's power, or of having great power over someone: she was in thrall to her abusive husband. 2 archaic a slave, servant, or captive. DERIVATIVES thraldom |ˈθrɔːldəm | (also thralldom) noun

tirade

tirade |tʌɪˈreɪd, tɪˈreɪd| ▶noun a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation: a tirade of abuse.

torpid

torpid |ˈtɔːpɪd| ▶adjective mentally or physically inactive; lethargic: we sat around in a torpid state. • (of an animal) dormant, especially during hibernation: the animal need not lie around in a torpid state, vulnerable to attack. DERIVATIVES torpidity |tɔːˈpɪdɪti | noun, torpidly |ˈtɔːpɪdli | adverb, torpidness noun

torque

torque |tɔːk| ▶noun 1 [mass noun] Mechanics a force that tends to cause rotation: the three-litre engine has lots of torque | [count noun] : during the excitation of each phase the motor produces equal positive and negative torques. 2 variant spelling of torc. ▶verb [with object] apply torque or a twisting force to (an object): he gently torqued the hip joint. DERIVATIVES torquey adjective (torquier, torquiest)

tortuous

tout

tout 1 |taʊt| ▶verb 1 [with object] attempt to sell (something), typically by a direct or persistent approach: Sanjay was touting his wares | [no object] : shop managers would stand in the street touting for business. • attempt to persuade people of the merits of: she was touted as a potential Prime Minister. • British sell (a ticket) for an event at a price higher than the official one: he made his fortune touting tickets. 2 [no object] North American offer racing tips for a share of any resulting winnings. • [with object] chiefly British spy out the movements and condition of (a racehorse in training) in order to gain information to be used when betting. ▶noun 1 (also ticket tout) British a person who buys up tickets for an event to resell them at a profit. • a person soliciting custom or business, typically in a direct or persistent manner. 2 North American a person who offers racing tips for a share of any resulting winnings. 3 Northern Irish & Scottish informal an informer. DERIVATIVES touter noun

tractable

tractable |ˈtraktəb(ə)l| ▶adjective (of a person) easy to control or influence: she has always been tractable and obedient, even as a child. • (of a situation or problem) easy to deal with: trying to make the mathematics tractable. DERIVATIVES tractability |traktəˈbɪlɪti | noun, tractably adverb, tractableness noun

transient

transient |ˈtranzɪənt| ▶adjective lasting only for a short time; impermanent: a transient cold spell. • staying or working in a place for a short time only: the transient nature of the labour force in catering. ▶noun 1 a person who is staying or working in a place for a short time only. 2 a momentary variation in current, voltage, or frequency. DERIVATIVES transiently |ˈtranzɪəntli | adverb

treatise

treatise |ˈtriːtɪs, ˈtriːtɪz| ▶noun a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject: his treatise on Scottish political theory.

trenchant

trenchant |ˈtrɛn(t)ʃ(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 vigorous or incisive in expression or style: the White Paper makes trenchant criticisms of health authorities. 2 archaic or literary (of a weapon or tool) having a sharp edge: a trenchant blade. DERIVATIVES trenchancy |ˈtrɛn(t)ʃ(ə)nsi | noun trenchant ( sense 1) , trenchantly |ˈtrɛn(t)ʃ(ə)ntli | adverb trenchant ( sense 1)

truculent

turbid

unalloyed

unalloyed |ʌnəˈlɔɪd| ▶adjective 1 (of metal) not alloyed; pure: unalloyed copper. 2 (chiefly of emotions) complete and unreserved: unalloyed delight

uncouth

uncouth |ʌnˈkuːθ| ▶adjective 1 lacking good manners, refinement, or grace: he is unwashed, uncouth, and drunk most of the time. • (of art or language) lacking sophistication or delicacy: uncouth sketches of peasants. 2 archaic (of a place) wild, remote, or spartan: his uncouth cell in Fleet prison. DERIVATIVES uncouthly |ʌnˈkuːθli | adverb, uncouthness |ʌnˈkuːθnəs | noun

unctuous

unfeigned

unfeigned |ʌnˈfeɪnd| ▶adjective genuine; sincere: a broad smile of unfeigned delight. DERIVATIVES unfeignedly |ʌnˈfeɪnɪdli | adver

untenable

untenable |ʌnˈtɛnəb(ə)l| ▶adjective (especially of a position or view) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection: this argument is clearly untenable. DERIVATIVES untenability |ʌntɛnəˈbɪlɪti | noun, untenableness noun, untenably adver

upbraid

upbraid |ʌpˈbreɪd| ▶verb [with object] find fault with (someone); scold: he was upbraided for his slovenly appearance.

urbane

usury

usury |ˈjuːʒ(ə)ri| ▶noun [mass noun] the action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest: the medieval prohibition on usury. • archaic interest at unreasonably high rates.

vacillate

vacillate |ˈvasɪleɪt| ▶verb [no object] waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive: I vacillated between teaching and journalism. DERIVATIVES vacillator noun

vacillating

vacillating |ˈvasɪleɪtɪŋ| ▶adjective wavering between different opinions or actions; irresolute: he was accused of vacillating leadership

vagary

vagary |ˈveɪɡ(ə)ri| ▶noun (plural vagaries) (usually vagaries) an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone's behaviour: the vagaries of the weather.

variegated

variegated |ˈvɛːrɪəɡeɪtɪd| ▶adjective exhibiting different colours, especially as irregular patches or streaks: variegated yellow bricks. • Botany (of a plant or foliage) having or consisting of leaves that are edged or patterned in a second colour, especially white as well as green: the variegated form of philadelphus | variegated foliage. • marked by variety: his variegated and amusing observations. DERIVATIVES variegate |ˈvɛːrɪəɡeɪt | verb, variegation |vɛːrɪəˈɡeɪʃ(ə)n | noun

venal

veracity

veracity |vəˈrasɪti| ▶noun [mass noun] conformity to facts; accuracy: officials expressed doubts concerning the veracity of the story. • habitual truthfulness: voters should be concerned about his veracity and character.

vex

vex |vɛks| ▶verb [with object] make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters: the memory of the conversation still vexed him | (as adjective vexing) : the most vexing questions for policymakers. • [no object] West Indian be annoyed, irritated, or unhappy: I wouldn't vex; it will be just great if whoever borrow the pump, just bring it back. • archaic cause distress to: thou shalt not vex a stranger. ▶adjective chiefly West Indian angry; annoyed: I ain't vex with you. DERIVATIVES vexer noun, vexingly adverb

vexation

vexation |vɛkˈseɪʃ(ə)n| ▶noun [mass noun] the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried: Jenna bit her lip in vexation. • [count noun] a cause of annoyance, frustration, or worry: the vexations of life under canvas.

vilify

vilify |ˈvɪlɪfʌɪ| ▶verb (vilifies, vilifying, vilified) [with object] speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner: he has been vilified in the press. DERIVATIVES vilifier |ˈvɪlɪfʌɪə | noun

viridian

viridian |vɪˈrɪdɪən| ▶noun [mass noun] a bluish-green pigment consisting of hydrated chromium hydroxide. • a bluish-green colour.

virulent

virulent |ˈvɪrʊl(ə)nt, ˈvɪrjʊl(ə)nt| ▶adjective 1 (of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in its effects: a virulent strain of influenza | the poison is so virulent that it kills a fish instantly. • (of a pathogen, especially a virus) highly infective: Staphylococcus aureus is a common organism whose virulent strains are causing problems. 2 bitterly hostile: a virulent attack on liberalism. DERIVATIVES virulently |ˈvɪrʊl(ə)ntli, ˈvɪrjʊl(ə)ntli | adverb

viscous

viscous |ˈvɪskəs| ▶adjective having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid; having a high viscosity: viscous lava. DERIVATIVES viscously adverb, viscousness noun

vitiate

vitiate |ˈvɪʃɪeɪt| ▶verb [with object] formal spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of: development programmes have been vitiated by the rise in population. • destroy or impair the legal validity of: the insurance is vitiated because of foolish acts on the part of the tenant. DERIVATIVES vitiation |vɪʃɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n | noun, vitiator noun

vituperate

vituperate |vɪˈtjuːpəreɪt, vʌɪˈtjuːpəreɪt| ▶verb [with object] archaic blame or insult (someone) in strong or violent language. DERIVATIVES vituperator |vɪˈtjuːpəreɪtə, vʌɪˈtjuːpəreɪtə | noun

vociferous

vociferous |və(ʊ)ˈsɪf(ə)rəs| ▶adjective expressing or characterized by vehement opinions; loud and forceful: he was a vociferous opponent of the takeover. DERIVATIVES vociferousness |və(ʊ)ˈsɪf(ə)rəsnəs | nou

voluble

voluble |ˈvɒljʊb(ə)l| ▶adjective (of a person) talking fluently, readily, or incessantly: she was as voluble as her husband was silent. • (of speech) characterized by fluency and readiness of utterance: an excited and voluble discussion. DERIVATIVES volubleness noun, volubly |ˈvɒljʊbli | adverb

voracious

wag

wag 1 |waɡ| ▶verb (wags, wagging, wagged) (especially with reference to an animal's tail) move or cause to move rapidly to and fro: [no object] : his tail began to wag | [with object] : the dog went out, wagging its tail. • [with object] move (an upwards-pointing finger) from side to side to signify disapproval: she wagged a finger at Elinor. ▶noun a single rapid movement from side to side: a chirpy wag of the head. PHRASES how the world wags dated how affairs are going or being conducted: there is no very good theory of how the world wags these days. the tail wags the dog see tail1. tongues wag used to convey that people are gossiping about someone or something: this is a small island and tongues are beginning to wag.

waggish

wan

wan |wɒn| ▶adjective (of a person's complexion or appearance) pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion: she was looking wan and bleary-eyed. • (of light) pale; weak: the wan dawn light. • (of a smile) lacking enthusiasm or energy: he gave a wan smile. • literary (of the sea) without lustre; dark and gloomy. DERIVATIVES wanly |ˈwɒnli | adverb, wanness |ˈwɒnnəs | noun

wanton

wanton |ˈwɒntən| ▶adjective 1 (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked: sheer wanton vandalism. 2 (especially of a woman) sexually immodest or promiscuous: her cheeks burned as she recalled how forward she had been, how wanton. 3 archaic growing profusely; luxuriant: where wanton ivy twines. • lively; playful: a wanton fawn. ▶noun archaic a sexually immodest or promiscuous woman: she'd behaved like a wanton. ▶verb [no object] archaic or literary 1 play; frolic: figurative : the sea breeze wantoned among the quivering leaves of the chestnut tree. 2 behave in a sexually immodest or promiscuous way: women who have wantoned with suitors. DERIVATIVES wantonness |ˈwɒntənnəs | noun

wheedle

wheedle |ˈwiːd(ə)l| ▶verb [no object] use endearments or flattery to persuade someone to do something or give one something: she wheedled her way on to the guest list | [with object] : she had wheedled us into employing her brother | [with direct speech] : 'Please, for my sake,' he wheedled. DERIVATIVES wheedler noun, wheedlingly |ˈwiːd(ə)lɪŋli | adverb

zealous

zealous |ˈzɛləs| ▶adjective having or showing zeal: the council was extremely zealous in the application of the regulations. DERIVATIVES zealousness |ˈzɛləsnəs | noun

zenith

zenith |ˈzɛnɪθ| ▶noun 1 the time at which something is most powerful or successful: in 1977, punk was at its zenith. 2 Astronomy the point in the sky or celestial sphere directly above an observer. The opposite of nadir. • the highest point reached by a given celestial object: the sun was well past the zenith. DERIVATIVES zenithal |ˈzɛnɪθəl | adjective

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