Group 1 (Updated 11/12/18)

flash card (n)

a card bearing words, numbers, or pictures that is briefly displayed (as by a teacher to a class) usually as a learning aid

feet of clay (phrase)

a character flaw that is usually not readily apparent

interconnected (adj)

interconnected issues. 1 : mutually joined or related interconnected highways interconnected political issues 2 : having internal connections between the parts or elements

rate (v)

rating content. rated; rating transitive verb 1 : to rebuke angrily or violently 2 obsolete : to drive away by scolding intransitive verb : to voice angry reprimands

blank slate (n)

tabula rasa

greenroom (n)

waiting in the greenroom. a room (as in a theater or studio) where performers can relax before or after appearances

lycanthropy (n)

1 : a delusion that one has become a wolf 2 : the assumption of the form and characteristics of a wolf held to be possible by witchcraft or magic — lycanthropic

baneful (adj)

1 : productive of destruction or woe : seriously harmful a baneful influence 2 archaic : POISONOUS

Cinderella (n)

: one resembling the fairy-tale Cinderella: such as a : one suffering undeserved neglect b : one suddenly lifted from obscurity to honor or significance

flannelmouthed (adj)

1 disparaging : speaking in a tricky or ingratiating way 2 disparaging : speaking indistinctly

regardless (adj)

: HEEDLESS, CARELESS

point person (n)

: POINT MAN sense 2

tragic flaw (n)

: a flaw in character that brings about the downfall of the hero of a tragedy

tort (n)

: a wrongful act other than a breach of contract for which relief may be obtained in the form of damages or an injunction

shareholder (n)

: one that holds or owns a share in property especially : STOCKHOLDER

to-and-fro (n)

: activity involving alternating movement in opposite directions the busy to-and-fro of the holiday shoppers

verism (n)

: artistic use of contemporary everyday material in preference to the heroic or legendary especially in grand opera

in-kind (adj)

: consisting of something (such as goods or commodities) other than money in-kind relief for the poor

piecemeal (adj)

: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in a fragmentary way piecemeal reforms in the system

hot air (n)

: empty talk

exchange (n)

: exceeding what is usual, proper, necessary, or normal

bellicose (adj)

: favoring or inclined to start quarrels or wars

vallate (adj)

: having a raised edge surrounding a depression vallate papillae of the tongue

threatened (adj)

: having an uncertain chance of continued survival a threatened species specifically : likely to become an endangered species

polycentric (adj)

: having more than one center (as of development or control): such as a : having several centromeres polycentric chromosomes b : characterized by polycentrism

hotly (adv)

: in a hot manner a hotly contested series

thataway (adv)

: in that direction

poor-spirited (adj)

: lacking zest, confidence, or courage

bogus (adj)

: not genuine : COUNTERFEIT, SHAM a bogus claim The evidence was completely bogus.

picaresque (adj)

: of or relating to rogues or rascals also : of, relating to, suggesting, or being a type of fiction dealing with the episodic adventures of a usually roguish protagonist a picaresque novel

basipetal (adj)

: proceeding from the apex toward the base or from above downward basipetal maturation of an inflorescence

self-regulating (adj)

: regulating oneself or itself especially : AUTOMATIC a self-regulating mechanism

technetronic (adj)

: shaped or influenced by the changes wrought by advances in technology and communications our modern technetronic society

closed book (n)

: something beyond comprehension : ENIGMA

self-will (n)

: stubborn or willful adherence to one's own desires or ideas : OBSTINACY

simplism (n)

: the act or an instance of oversimplifying especially : the reduction of a problem to a false simplicity by ignoring complicating factors

exhaustion (n)

: the act or process of exhausting : the state of being exhausted

potential difference (n)

: the difference in potential between two points that represents the work involved or the energy released in the transfer of a unit quantity of electricity from one point to the other

bedside manner (n)

: the manner that a physician assumes toward patients a doctor with a soothing bedside manner broadly : a person's manner in dealing with others The good news for Coelho is that his problem is largely a matter of style, not substance. With a smoother bedside manner, friends and opponents agree, he could probably get the job done. — Dana Milbank

decasualization (n)

: the process of eliminating the employment of casual workers in order to stabilize the workforce

biopsy (n)

: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body

polyandry (n)

: the state or practice of having more than one husband or male mate at one time — compare POLYGAMY, POLYGYNY

shock therapy (n)

: the treatment of mental illness by the artificial induction of coma or convulsions through use of drugs or electric current — called also shock treatment

poor-mouth (v)

: to plead poverty as a defense or excuse transitive verb : to speak disparagingly of poor-mouthed; poor-mouthing; poor-mouths

chronicle (v)

: to present a record of in or as if in a chronicle chronicle Victorian society chronicle the doings of the rich and famous

sit out (v)

: to refrain from participating in sat out every dance

risqué (adj)

: verging on impropriety or indecency : OFF-COLOR a risqué joke

neck and neck (adv or adj)

: very close (as in a race)

aglare (adj)

GLARING his eyes aglare with fury

Odysseus (n)

Odysseus in The Odyssey. a king of Ithaca and Greek leader in the Trojan War who after the war wanders 10 years before reaching home

ambient (n)

Steve Roach. 1 : existing or present on all sides : encompassing the ambient air temperature ambient light ambient sound 2 : of or relating to ambient music

bizarre (adj)

a bizarre outcome. strikingly out of the ordinary: such as a : odd, extravagant, or eccentric in style or mode His behavior was bizarre. bizarre stories a bizarre outfit b : involving sensational contrasts or incongruities the bizarre timidity of a tall, strapping young man — bizarrely adverb — bizarreness noun

duo (n)

a dynamic duo. plural duos 1 : duet 2 : pair 2

gentleman farmer (n)

a man who farms mainly for pleasure rather than for profit

live wire (n)

an alert, active, or aggressive person — live-wire

hypercritical (adj)

being hypercritical of... meticulously or excessively critical — hypercritically

ground up (v)

built from the ground up.

cloudless (adj)

cloudless day. free from clouds : clear — cloudlessly adverb — cloudlessness noun

flappable (adj)

easily upset

status quo (n)

going along with the status-quo. the existing state of affairs seeks to preserve the status quo

aery (adj)

having an aerial quality : ethereal aery visions

orca (n)

killer whale

narrow-minded (adj)

lacking in tolerance or breadth of vision : petty — narrow-mindedly adverb — narrow-mindedness noun

lionize (v)

lionized; lionizing transitive verb : to treat as an object of great interest or importance — lionization play \ˌlī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən\ noun — lionizer

newfound (adj)

newfound appreciation. newly found a newfound friend enjoying her newfound fame

shovel-ready (adj)

of a construction project or site : ready for the start of work

lothario (n)

plural lotharios : a man whose chief interest is seducing women

orismology (n)

the science of defining technical terms — orismological

overlearn (v)

to continue to study or practice after attaining proficiency

sight unseen (adv)

without inspection or appraisal

vein (n)

1 : BLOOD VESSEL especially : any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart 2a : any of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf b : any of the thickened cuticular ribs that serve to stiffen the wings of an insect 3a : a narrow water channel in rock or earth or in ice b(1) : LODE sense 2 (2) : a bed of useful mineral matter c : LODE sense 3 4 : something suggesting veins (as in reticulation) specifically : a wavy variegation (as in marble) 5a : a distinctive mode of expression : STYLE stories in a romantic vein b : a distinctive element or quality : STRAIN introduced a welcome vein of humor c : a line of thought or action 6a : a special aptitude inherited an artistic vein b : a usually transitory and casually attained mood c : top form thou troublest me; I am not in the vein — William Shakespeare

ploy (n)

1 : ESCAPADE, FROLIC 2a : a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent b : a devised or contrived move : STRATAGEM a ploy to get her to open the door — Robert B. Parker

tenebrific (adj)

1 : GLOOMY 2 : causing gloom or darkness

guarantee (n)

1 : GUARANTOR 2 : GUARANTY sense 1 3 : an assurance for the fulfillment of a condition: such as a : an agreement by which one person undertakes to secure another in the possession or enjoyment of something b : an assurance of the quality of or of the length of use to be expected from a product offered for sale often with a promise of reimbursement The washer comes with a guarantee against major defects. 4 : GUARANTY sense 4

backhanded (adj)

1 : INDIRECT, DEVIOUS especially : SARCASTIC a backhanded compliment 2 : using or made with a backhand

hostel (n)

1 : INN 2 : an inexpensive lodging facility for usually young travelers that typically has dormitory-style sleeping arrangements and sometimes offers meals and planned activities — called also youth hostel 3 chiefly British : a supervised institutional residence or shelter (as for homeless people)

revamp (v)

1 : REMAKE, REVISE 2 : RENOVATE, RECONSTRUCTrevamped; revamping; revamps

right (adj)

1 : RIGHTEOUS, UPRIGHT 2 : being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper right conduct 3 : conforming to facts or truth : CORRECT the right answer 4 : SUITABLE, APPROPRIATE the right man for the job 5 : STRAIGHT a right line 6 : GENUINE, REAL 7a : of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body which is away from the side on which the heart is mostly located b : located nearer to the right hand than to the left c : located to the right of an observer facing the object specified or directed as the right arm would point when raised out to the side d(1) : located on the right of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified stage right (2) : located on the right when facing downstream the right bank of a river e : done with the right hand a right hook to the jaw 8 : having the axis perpendicular to the base right cone 9 : of, relating to, or constituting the principal or more prominent side of an object made sure the socks were right side out 10 : acting or judging in accordance with truth or fact time proved her right 11a : being in good physical or mental health or order not in his right mind b : being in a correct or proper state put things right 12 : most favorable or desired : PREFERABLE also : socially acceptable knew all the right people 13 often capitalized : of, adhering to, or constituted by the Right especially in politics

snappy (adj)

1 : SNAPPISH sense 1 2a : quickly made or done a snappy decision b : marked by vigor or liveliness snappy dialogue c : briskly cold d : STYLISH, SMART a snappy dresser snappier; snappiest

veracious (adj)

1 : TRUTHFUL, HONEST 2 : marked by truth : ACCURATE

soigné (adj)

1 : WELL-GROOMED, SLEEK 2 : elegantly maintained or designed a soigné restaurant a soigné black dress

habanera (n)

1 : a Cuban dance in slow duple time 2 : the music for the habanera

liaison (n)

1 : a binding or thickening agent used in cooking a butter and flour liaison 2 a : a close bond or connection : interrelationship b : an illicit sexual relationship : affair 3a 3 a : communication for establishing and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation (as between parts of an armed force) b : a person who establishes and maintains communication for mutual understanding and cooperation a press liaison 4 : the pronunciation of an otherwise absent consonant sound at the end of the first of two consecutive words the second of which begins with a vowel sound and follows without pause

snapshot (n)

1 : a casual photograph made typically by an amateur with a small handheld camera 2 : an impression or view of something brief or transitory a snapshot of life back then

black hole (n)

1 : a celestial object that has a gravitational field so strong that light cannot escape it and that is believed to be created especially in the collapse of a very massive star 2 : something resembling a black hole: such as a : something that consumes a resource continually a financial black hole b : an empty space : VOID ... the archives of the past few years are a black hole. — David Herman c : a dark and seemingly inescapable state or situation the black hole of depression

lien (n)

1 : a charge upon real or personal property for the satisfaction of some debt or duty ordinarily arising by operation of law The bank had a lien on our house. 2 : the security interest created by a mortgage the lien of a mortgage

Babel (n)

1 : a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues 2 or babel a : a confusion of sounds or voices b : a scene of noise or confusion

foregone conclusion (n)

1 : a conclusion that has preceded argument or examination 2 : an inevitable result : certainty the victory was a foregone conclusion

chasm (n)

1 : a deep cleft in the surface of a planet (such as the earth) : GORGE built a bridge over the chasm 2 : a marked division, separation, or difference the chasm between the rich and the poor

hokum (n)

1 : a device used (as by showmen) to evoke a desired audience response 2 : pretentious nonsense : bunkum

fourth dimension (n)

1 : a dimension in addition to length, breadth, and depth; specifically : a coordinate in addition to three rectangular coordinates especially when interpreted as the time coordinate in a space-time continuum 2 : something outside the range of ordinary experience — fourth-dimensional adjective

calamity (n)

1 : a disastrous event marked by great loss and lasting distress and suffering calamities of nature an economic calamity 2 : a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss

laissez-faire (n)

1 : a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace and property rights argued that the problem with oil prices was too much laissez-faire 2 : a philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference especially with individual freedom of choice and action the university has a policy of laissez-faire regarding nonacademic student activities — laissez-faire adjective

web (n)

1 : a fabric on a loom or in process of being removed from a loom 2a : COBWEB, SPIDERWEB b : a network of silken thread spun especially by the larvae of various insects (such as a tent caterpillar) and usually serving as a nest or shelter 3 : a tissue or membrane of an animal or plant especially : that uniting fingers or toes either at their bases (as in humans) or for a greater part of their length (as in many waterbirds) 4a : a thin metal sheet, plate, or strip b : the plate connecting the upper and lower flanges of a girder or rail c : the arm of a crank 5 : something resembling a web: a : SNARE, ENTANGLEMENT a web of intrigue ensnarled in a web of folly — D. A. Stockman b : an intricate pattern or structure suggestive of something woven : NETWORK 6 : the series of barbs on each side of the shaft of a feather : VANE 7a : a continuous sheet of paper manufactured or undergoing manufacture on a paper machine b : a roll of paper for use in a rotary printing press 8 : the part of a ribbed vault between the ribs 9 or Web : WORLD WIDE WEB

groupie (n)

1 : a fan of a rock group who usually follows the group around on concert tours 2 : an admirer of a celebrity who attends as many of his or her public appearances as possible 3 : enthusiast, aficionado a political groupie golf groupies

aggression (n)

1 : a forceful action or procedure (such as an unprovoked attack) especially when intended to dominate or master 2 : the practice of making attacks or encroachments especially : unprovoked violation by one country of the territorial integrity of another warned that any act of aggression could start a war 3 : hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior or outlook especially when caused by frustration Aggression is often the expression of pent-up rage.

portmanteau (n)

1 : a large suitcase 2 : a word or morpheme whose form and meaning are derived from a blending of two or more distinct forms (such as smog from smoke and fog)

vat (n)

1 : a large vessel (such as a cistern, tub, or barrel) especially for holding liquors in an immature state or preparations for dyeing or tanning 2 : a liquor containing a dye converted into a soluble reduced colorless or weakly colored form that on textile material steeped in the liquor and exposed to the air is converted by oxidation to the original insoluble dye and precipitated in the fiber

road map (n)

1 : a map showing roads especially for automobile travel 2a : a detailed plan to guide progress toward a goal b : a detailed explanation

Goth (n)

1 : a member of a Germanic people that overran the Roman Empire in the early centuries of the Christian era 2 often not capitalized a : rock music marked by dark and morbid lyrics b : a fan or performer of goth 3 : a person who wears mostly black clothing, uses dark dramatic makeup, and often has dyed black hair

Hercules (n)

1 : a mythical Greek hero renowned for his great strength and especially for performing 12 labors imposed on him by Hera 2 [Latin (genitive Herculis)] : a northern constellation between Corona Borealis and Lyra

conduit (n)

1 : a natural or artificial channel through which something (such as a fluid) is conveyed a conduit for rainwater 2 : a pipe, tube, or tile for protecting electric wires or cables 3 : a means of transmitting or distributing a conduit for illicit payments a conduit of information 4 archaic : FOUNTAIN

cadre (n)

1 : a nucleus or core group especially of trained personnel able to assume control and to train others; broadly : a group of people having some unifying relationship a cadre of lawyers a cadre of technicians 2 : a cell of indoctrinated leaders active in promoting the interests of a revolutionary party 3 : a member of a cadre 4 : frame, framework ... the current specialisms and cadres of our university curricula ... —H. M. McLuhan

savant (n)

1 : a person of learning especially : one with detailed knowledge in some specialized field (as of science or literature) 2 : a person affected with a developmental disorder (such as autism or mental retardation) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (such as mathematics or music) especially : AUTISTIC SAVANT

basket case (n)

1 : a person who has all four limbs amputated 2 : a person who is mentally incapacitated or worn out (as from nervous tension) also : one that is not functioning well or is in a run-down condition an economic basket case

regicide (n)

1 : a person who kills a king 2 : the killing of a king

rainmaker (n)

1 : a person who produces or attempts to produce rain by artificial means 2 : a person (such as a partner in a law firm) who brings in new business; also : a person whose influence can initiate progress or ensure success — rainmaking

guru (n)

1 : a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism 2a : a teacher and especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern has been a guru to many young writers b : one who is an acknowledged leader or chief proponent became the guru of the movement c : a person with knowledge or expertise : EXPERT a computer guru

firebrand (n)

1 : a piece of burning wood 2 : one that creates unrest or strife (as in aggressively promoting a cause) : AGITATOR

tagline (n)

1 : a reiterated phrase identified with an individual, group, or product : SLOGAN 2 : a final line (as in a play or joke) especially : one that serves to clarify a point or create a dramatic effect

respect (n)

1 : a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation remarks having respect to an earlier plan 2 : an act of giving particular attention : CONSIDERATION 3a : high or special regard : ESTEEM b : the quality or state of being esteemed c respects plural : expressions of high or special regard or deference paid our respects 4 : PARTICULAR, DETAIL a good plan in some respects in respect of chiefly British : with respect to : CONCERNING in respect to : with respect to : CONCERNING with respect to : with reference to : in relation to

sarcasm (n)

1 : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain 2a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual b : the use or language of sarcasm

ping (n)

1 : a sharp sound like that of a striking bullet 2 : KNOCK sense 2b 3 : the pulse of sound waves reflected from or emitted by a submerged object in submarine signaling or detection and heard by special apparatus Baylor ... trained his sound unit from one bearing to another, listening for submarines. It threw out a directional sound beam, a series of pings. These pings, if they hit a solid object like a submarine, reflected back to the operator. — William J. Lederer 4 : a signal sent from one computer to another across a network for usually diagnostic purposes (as to determine network speed or the status of the target computer) With Napster, however, all you have to do is type in the name of the song or artist and up will pop 2,745 Phish songs sorted by the host computer's type of modem connection and ping rate. — Karl Taro Greenfeld

slant (n)

1 : a slanting direction, line, or plane : SLOPE 2a : something that slants b : SLASH sense 4 c : a football running play in which the ballcarrier runs obliquely toward the line of scrimmage 3a : a peculiar or personal point of view, attitude, or opinion b : a slanting view : GLANCE

powder keg (n)

1 : a small usually metal cask for holding gunpowder or blasting powder 2 : something liable to explode

photosphere (n)

1 : a sphere of light or radiance 2 : the luminous surface layer of the sun or a star

hepatotoxicity (n)

1 : a state of toxic damage to the liver 2 : a tendency or capacity to cause hepatotoxicity

martinet (n)

1 : a strict disciplinarian The prison's warden was a cruel martinet. 2 : a person who stresses a rigid adherence to the details of forms and methods a martinet in conducting meetings of the society, he never tolerated any sign of levity or indecorum —D. J. Boorstin

song and dance (n)

1 : a theatrical performance (such as a vaudeville performance) combining singing and dancing 2 : a long and often familiar statement or explanation that is usually not true or pertinent

folderol (n)

1 : a useless ornament or accessory : trifle 2 : nonsense

bird's-eye-view (n)

1 : a view from a high angle as if seen by a bird in flight 2 : an overall or cursory look at something

hostess (n)

1 : a woman who entertains socially 2a : a woman in charge of a public dining room who seats diners b : a female employee on a public conveyance (such as an airplane) who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengers c : a woman who acts as a partner or companion to male patrons in a dance hall or bar

literalism (n)

1 : adherence to the explicit substance of an idea or expression biblical literalism 2 : fidelity to observable fact : realism — literalist play \ˈli-t(ə-)rə-list\ noun — literalistic

hereafter (adv)

1 : after this in sequence or in time 2 : in some future time or state

going (n)

1 : an act or instance of going 2 goings plural : behavior, actions for his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings —Job 34:21 (King James Version) 3 : the condition of the ground (as for walking) 4 : advance toward an objective when the going gets tough

rip-off (n)

1 : an act or instance of stealing : THEFT also : a financial exploitation 2 : a usually cheap exploitive imitation

sally (n)

1 : an action of rushing or bursting forth especially : a sortie of troops from a defensive position to attack the enemy 2a : a brief outbreak : OUTBURST b : a witty or imaginative saying : QUIP 3 : a venture or excursion usually off the beaten track : JAUNT

pathos (n)

1 : an element in experience or in artistic representation evoking pity or compassion 2 : an emotion of sympathetic pity

malaise (n)

1 : an indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness An infected person will feel a general malaise. 2 : a vague sense of mental or moral ill-being a malaise of cynicism and despair —Malcolm Boyd

barometer (n)

1 : an instrument for determining the pressure of the atmosphere and hence for assisting in forecasting weather and for determining altitude (see ALTITUDE sense 1a) 2 : something that indicates fluctuations (as in public opinion) housing sales and other economic barometers 3 : STANDARD, TEST a barometer to measure high school talent — Jeff Fellenzer

patent (n)

1 : an official document conferring a right or privilege : letters patent 2 a : a writing securing for a term of years the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention b : the monopoly or right so granted c : a patented invention 3 : privilege, license 4 : an instrument making a conveyance of public lands; also : the land so conveyed 5 : patent leather

glyph (n)

1 : an ornamental vertical groove especially in a Doric frieze 2 : a symbolic figure or a character (as in the Mayan system of writing) usually incised or carved in relief 3 : a symbol (such as a curved arrow on a road sign) that conveys information nonverbally — glyphic adjective

tracery (n)

1 : architectural ornamental work with branching lines especially : decorative openwork in a Gothic window 2 : a decorative interlacing of lines suggestive of Gothic tracery

always (adv)

1 : at all times : invariably always smiling 2 : forever will love you always 3 : at any rate : in any event You can always try again if it doesn't work this time.

macro (adj)

1 : being large, thick, or exceptionally prominent 2 a : of, involving, or intended for use with relatively large quantities or on a large scale b : of or relating to macroeconomics 3 : gross 1b 4 : of or relating to a macro lens or to close-up photography

ablaze (adj or adv)

1 : being on fire 2 : radiant with light or emotion his face all ablaze with excitement —Bram Stoker

behind-the-scenes (adj)

1 : being or working out of public view or in secret behind-the-scenes lobbying for more money a behind-the-scenes player 2 : revealing or reporting the hidden workings a behind-the-scenes account a behind-the-scenes glimpse

comparable (adj)

1 : capable of or suitable for comparison The situations are not at all comparable. 2 : SIMILAR, LIKE fabrics of comparable quality The two houses are comparable in size.

grievous (adj)

1 : causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or sorrow a grievous wound a grievous loss 2 : oppressive, onerous grievous costs of war 3 : serious, grave grievous fault — grievously adverb — grievousness noun

canny (adj)

1 : clever, shrewd a canny lawyer; also : prudent canny investments 2 chiefly Scotland a : careful, steady; also : restrained b : quiet, snug then canny, in some cozy place, they close the day —Robert Burns — cannily adverb — canniness noun

leading (adj)

1 : coming or ranking first : foremost 2 : exercising leadership 3 : providing direction or guidance a leading question 4 : given most prominent display the leading story

realism (n)

1 : concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary 2a : a doctrine that universals exist outside the mind specifically : the conception that an abstract term names an independent and unitary reality b : a theory that objects of sense perception or cognition exist independently of the mind — compare NOMINALISM 3 : the theory or practice of fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization

belated (adj)

1 : delayed beyond the usual time One of the men was belated and did not join us at all. — William Pittenger 2 : existing or appearing past the normal or proper time a belated birthday card She received belated recognition for her work.

sophisticated (adj)

1 : deprived of native or original simplicity: such as a : highly complicated or developed : COMPLEX sophisticated electronic devices b : having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience a sophisticated lady 2 : devoid of grossness: such as a : finely experienced and aware a sophisticated columnist b : intellectually appealing a sophisticated novel

laborious (adj)

1 : devoted to labor : industrious as men of research ... they are magnificently laborious and accurate —Aldous Huxley 2 : involving or characterized by hard or toilsome effort : labored The climb to the summit was slow and laborious. — laboriously adverb — laboriousness noun

lithe (adj)

1 : easily bent or flexed lithe steel a lithe vine 2 : characterized by easy flexibility and grace a lithe dancer treading with a lithe silent step; also : athletically slim the most lithe and graspable of waists —R. P. Warren — lithely adverb — litheness noun

shining (adj)

1 : emitting or reflecting light 2 : bright and often splendid in appearance : RESPLENDENT 3 : possessing a distinguished quality : ILLUSTRIOUS 4 : full of sunshine

vacuous (adj)

1 : emptied of or lacking content 2 : marked by lack of ideas or intelligence : STUPID, INANE a vacuous mind a vacuous movie 3 : devoid of serious occupation : IDLE

rapacious (adj)

1 : excessively grasping or covetous 2 : living on prey 3 : ravenous a rapacious appetite — rapaciously adverb — rapaciousness noun

rueful (adj)

1 : exciting pity or sympathy : pitiable rueful squalid poverty ... by every wayside —John Morley 2 : mournful, regretful troubled her with a rueful disquiet —W. M. Thackeray — ruefully adverb — ruefulness noun

bleak (adj)

1 : exposed and barren and often windswept a bleak landscape bleak soils 2 : COLD, RAW a bleak November evening 3a : lacking in warmth, life, or kindliness : GRIM a bleak prison documentary b : not hopeful or encouraging : DEPRESSING a bleak prognosis a bleak outlook the future looks bleak c : severely simple or austere a bleak hotel room

torment (n)

1 : extreme pain or anguish of body or mind : AGONY 2 : a source of vexation or pain 3 : the infliction of torture (as by rack or wheel)

apologetic (adj)

1 : feeling or showing regret : regretfully acknowledging fault or failure : expressing an apology They were apologetic about the error. We received an apologetic letter. an apologetic smile/tone 2 : offered in defense or vindication the apologetic writings of the early Christians

afraid (adj)

1 : filled with fear or apprehension afraid of machines was afraid for his job 2 : filled with concern or regret over an unwanted situation I'm afraid I won't be able to go. 3 : having a dislike for something She's not afraid of hard work. [=she's not unwilling to work hard]

hence (adv)

1 : from this place : away 2 a archaic : henceforth b : from this time four years hence 3 : because of a preceding fact or premise : therefore 4 : from this source or origin — from hence archaic : from this place : from this time

noncommittal (adj)

1 : giving no clear indication of attitude or feeling a noncommittal reply He was noncommittal about how the money would be spent. 2 : having no clear or distinctive character a noncommittal word which might be used of anything from babies to furnaces —J. C. Swaim

mellifluous (adj)

1 : having a smooth rich flow a mellifluous voice 2 : filled with something (such as honey) that sweetens mellifluous confections — mellifluously adverb — mellifluousness noun

valid (adj)

1 : having legal efficacy or force especially : executed with the proper legal authority and formalities a valid contract 2a : well-grounded or justifiable : being at once relevant and meaningful a valid theory b : logically correct a valid argument valid inference 3 : appropriate to the end in view : EFFECTIVE every craft has its own valid methods 4 of a taxon : conforming to accepted principles of sound biological classification

clearheaded (adj)

1 : having or showing a clear understanding : PERCEPTIVE clearheaded comments 2 : able to think clearly stay calm and clearheaded

compulsive (adj)

1 : having power to compel forced to resort to compulsive measures 2 : of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession compulsive actions a compulsive gambler compulsive eating

extensive (adj)

1 : having wide or considerable extent extensive reading 2 : EXTENSIONAL 3 : of, relating to, or constituting farming in which large areas of land are utilized with minimum outlay and labor

malevolent (adj)

1 : having, showing, or arising from intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred 2 : productive of harm or evil — malevolently adverb

smug (adj)

1 : highly self-satisfied 2 : trim or smart in dress : SPRUCE 3 : scrupulously clean, neat, or correct : TIDY smugger; smuggest

ostensibly (adv)

1 : in an ostensible manner 2 : to all outward appearances

denizen (n)

1 : inhabitant denizens of the forest 2 government : a person admitted to residence in a foreign country; especially : an alien (see 2alien 2) admitted to rights of citizenship 3 : one that frequents a place nightclub denizens

petulant (adj)

1 : insolent or rude in speech or behavior 2 : characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor : PEEVISH

jejune (adj)

1 : juvenile, puerile jejune reflections on life and art 2 : devoid of significance or interest : dull jejune lectures 3 : lacking nutritive value jejune diets — jejunely adverb — jejuneness

blithe (adj)

1 : lacking due thought or consideration : CASUAL, HEEDLESS blithe unconcern a blithe disregard for the rights of others 2 : of a happy lighthearted character or disposition a blithe spirit blithe enjoyment blither; blithest

shortsighted (adj)

1 : lacking foresight 2 : NEARSIGHTED

wasted (adj)

1 : laid waste : RAVAGED 2 : impaired in strength or health : EMACIATED 3 archaic : gone by : ELAPSED the chronicle of wasted time — William Shakespeare 4 : unprofitably used, made, or expended wasted effort 5 slang : intoxicated from drugs or alcohol

flagging (adj)

1 : languid, weak 2 : becoming progressively less : dwindling — flaggingly adverb

largesse (n)

1 : liberal giving (as of money) to or as if to an inferior a philanthropist known for his largesse; also : something so given projects depending on a flow of federal largesse 2 : generosity his generosity of spirit, an absolutely natural largesse —Harvey Breit

rigorous (adj)

1 : manifesting, exercising, or favoring rigor : very strict 2a : marked by extremes of temperature or climate b : HARSH, SEVERE 3 : scrupulously accurate : PRECISE

high-flying (adj)

1 : marked by extravagance, pretension, or excessive ambition 2 : rising to considerable height

resolute (adj)

1 : marked by firm determination : RESOLVED a resolute character 2 : BOLD, STEADY a resolute gaze

orotund (adj)

1 : marked by fullness, strength, and clarity of sound : sonorous an orotund voice 2 : pompous, bombastic an orotund speech — orotundity

reckless (adj)

1 : marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences 2 : IRRESPONSIBLE reckless charges

Pickwickian (adj)

1 : marked by simplicity and generosity 2 : intended or taken in a sense other than the obvious or literal one

chiefly (adv)

1 : most importantly : PRINCIPALLY, ESPECIALLY 2 : for the most part : MOSTLY, MAINLY

lugubrious (adj)

1 : mournful; especially : exaggeratedly or affectedly (see affected 1) mournful dark, dramatic and lugubrious brooding —V. S. Pritchett the tour de force of lugubrious cliche is ten times longer than this review —Martin Amis 2 : dismal a lugubrious landscape lugubrious cello music — lugubriously adverb — lugubriousness noun

nouvelle vague (n)

1 : new wave 1 2 : new wave 2

barren (adj)

1 : not reproducing: such as a : incapable of producing offspring —used especially of females or matings barren women b : not yet or not recently pregnant c of plants : habitually failing to fruit barren apple trees 2 : not productive: such as a : producing little or no vegetation : DESOLATE barren deserts b : producing inferior crops barren soil c : unproductive of results or gain : FRUITLESS a barren scheme 3 : DEVOID, LACKING —used with of barren of excitement 4 : lacking interest or charm a barren routine 5 : lacking inspiration or ideas a barren mind

somnolent (adj)

1 : of a kind likely to induce sleep a somnolent sermon 2a : inclined to or heavy with sleep : DROWSY b : SLEEPY sense 2 somnolent rivers

various (adj)

1 : of an indefinite number greater than one stop at various towns 2 : INDIVIDUAL, SEPARATE rate increases granted in the various states 3a : of differing kinds : MULTIFARIOUS b : dissimilar in nature or form : UNLIKE 4 : VARICOLORED birds of various plumage 5 : having a number of different aspects or characteristics a various place 6 archaic : VARIABLE, INCONSTANT

infernal (adj)

1 : of or relating to a nether world of the dead 2 a : of or relating to hell b : hellish, diabolical 3 : damnable an infernal nuisance — infernally

communal (adj)

1 : of or relating to one or more communes a communal organization 2 : of or relating to a community 3a : characterized by collective ownership and use of property b : participated in, shared, or used in common by members of a group or community a communal kitchen gathered for a communal meal 4 : of, relating to, or based on racial or cultural groups communal violence

high-grade (adj)

1 : of superior grade or quality high-grade bonds 2 a : being near the upper or most favorable extreme of a specified range b : medically serious or life-threatening a high-grade tumor

scarlet (adj)

1 : of the color scarlet 2a : grossly and glaringly offensive sinning in flagrant and scarlet fashion —G. W. Johnson b [ from the use of the word in Isaiah 1:18 & Revelation 17:1-6 (King James Version) ] : of, characterized by, or associated with sexual immorality a scarlet woman

somatic (adj)

1 : of, relating to, or affecting the body especially as distinguished from the germplasm 2 : of or relating to the wall of the body : PARIETAL

Rabelaisian (adj)

1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of Rabelais or his works 2 : marked by gross robust humor, extravagance of caricature, or bold naturalism

fictitious (adj)

1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of fiction : imaginary fictitious events described in his novel 2 a : conventionally or hypothetically assumed or accepted a fictitious concept b of a name : false, assumed 3 : not genuinely felt — fictitiously adverb — fictitiousness noun

legendary (adj)

1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of legend or a legend legendary creatures of the sea 2 : well-known, famous a legendary football player — legendarily

lethargic (adj)

1 : of, relating to, or characterized by laziness or lack of energy : feeling or affected by lethargy : sluggish The patient was weak and lethargic. 2 : indifferent, apathetic The legislature was lethargic in considering the bill. — lethargically

eupeptic (adj)

1 : of, relating to, or having good digestion 2 : cheerful, optimistic

totemic (adj)

1 : of, relating to, suggestive of, or characteristic of a totem or totemism a totemic animal 2 : based on or practicing totemism totemic clan structure

playbook (n)

1 : one or more plays in book form 2 : a notebook containing diagrammed football plays 3 : a stock of usual tactics or methods straight from his opponent's political playbook

fly-by-night (adj)

1 : one that seeks to evade responsibilities and especially creditors by flight 2 : one without established reputation or standing; especially : a shaky business enterprise

concurrent (adj)

1 : operating or occurring at the same time 2a : running parallel b : CONVERGENT specifically : meeting or intersecting in a point 3 : acting in conjunction 4 : exercised over the same matter or area by two different authorities concurrent jurisdiction

obscurantism (n)

1 : opposition to the spread of knowledge : a policy of withholding knowledge from the general public 2 a : a style (as in literature or art) characterized by deliberate vagueness or abstruseness b : an act or instance of obscurantism — obscurantist

éclat (n)

1 : ostentatious display : publicity 2 : dazzling effect : brilliance 3 a : brilliant or conspicuous success b : praise, applause

passé (adj)

1 : past one's prime 2 a : outmoded b : behind the times

highfalutin (adj)

1 : pretentious, fancy highfalutin people 2 : expressed in or marked by the use of language that is elaborated or heightened by artificial or empty means : pompous giving a highfalutin speech

otiose (adj)

1 : producing no useful result : futile 2 : being at leisure : idle 3 : lacking use or effect : functionless — otiosely adverb — otioseness noun — otiosity

resounding (adj)

1 : producing or characterized by resonant sound : RESONATING 2a : impressively sonorous b : EMPHATIC, UNEQUIVOCAL a resounding success

real estate (n)

1 : property in buildings and land 2 : SPACE, CAPACITY her desktop real estate the limited real estate on hard drives — Leonard Wiener

finesse (v)

1 : refinement or delicacy of workmanship, structure, or texture trinkets of an extreme finesse —Arnold Rosin 2 : skillful handling of a situation : adroit maneuvering She handled the interviewer's questions with finesse. 3 : the withholding of one's highest card or trump in the hope that a lower card will take the trick because the only opposing higher card is in the hand of an opponent who has already played

pragmatic (adj)

1 : relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters : practical as opposed to idealistic pragmatic men of power have had no time or inclination to deal with ... social morality — K. B. Clark 2 : relating to or being in accordance with philosophical pragmatism 3 archaic a(1) : BUSY (2) : OFFICIOUS b : OPINIONATED

sentient (adj)

1 : responsive to or conscious of sense impressions sentient beings 2 : AWARE 3 : finely sensitive in perception or feeling

highway robbery (n)

1 : robbery committed on or near a public highway usually against travelers 2 : excessive profit or advantage derived from a business transaction

ho-hum (adj)

1 : routine, dull a ho-hum existence 2 : bored, indifferent a ho-hum reaction

repellent (adj)

1 : serving or tending to drive away or ward off —often used in combination a mosquito-repellent spray 2 : arousing aversion or disgust : REPULSIVE

magnanimous (adj)

1 : showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit the irreproachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their followers —Joseph Addison 2 : showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind too sincere for dissimulation, too magnanimous for resentment —Ellen Glasgow — magnanimously adverb — magnanimousness noun

somber (adj)

1 : so shaded as to be dark and gloomy 2a : of a serious mien : GRAVE somber dignitaries b : of a dismal or depressing character : MELANCHOLY c : conveying gloomy suggestions or ideas 3 : of a dull or heavy cast or shade : dark colored

fodder (n)

1 : something fed to domestic animals; especially : coarse food for cattle, horses, or sheep 2 : inferior or readily available material used to supply a heavy demand fodder for tabloids This sort of breezy plot line has become cheap fodder for novelists and screenwriters ... —Sally Bedell — fodder transitive verb

exception (n)

1 : the act of excepting : EXCLUSION 2 : one that is excepted especially : a case to which a rule does not apply 3 : QUESTION, OBJECTION witnesses whose authority is beyond exception — T. B. Macaulay 4 : an oral or written legal objection

waiver (n)

1 : the act of intentionally relinquishing or abandoning a known right, claim, or privilege also : the legal instrument evidencing such an act 2 : the act of a club's waiving the right to claim a professional ball player who is being removed from another club's roster —often used in the phrase on waivers denoting the process by which a player to be removed from a roster is made available to other clubs

guidance (n)

1 : the act or process of guiding 2 a : the direction provided by a guide couldn't have done it without her guidance b : advice on vocational or educational problems given to students provides guidance on how to apply for scholarships 3 : the process of controlling the course of a projectile by a built-in mechanism problems with the missile's guidance

homogenization (n)

1 : the act or process of homogenizing 2 : the quality or state of being homogenized

inflection (n)

1 : the act or result of curving or bending : bend 2 : change in pitch or loudness of the voice 3 a : the change of form that words undergo to mark such distinctions as those of case, gender, number, tense, person, mood, or voice b : a form, suffix, or element involved in such variation c : accidence 4 a : change in curvature of an arc or curve from concave to convex or conversely b : inflection point

empathy (n)

1 : the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also : the capacity for this 2 : the imaginative projection of a subjective state into an object so that the object appears to be infused with it

physiognomy (n)

1 : the art of discovering temperament and character from outward appearance 2 : the facial features held to show qualities of mind or character by their configuration or expression 3 : external aspect also : inner character or quality revealed outwardly

grand master (n)

1 : the chief officer of a principal lodge in various fraternal orders (such as Freemasonry) 2 : an expert player (as of chess) who has consistently scored high in international competition

metropolis (n)

1 : the chief or capital city of a country, state, or region 2 : the city or state of origin of a colony (as of ancient Greece) 3 a : a city regarded as a center of a specified activity an industrial metropolis a cattle metropolis b : a large important city one of Europe's great metropolises

free fall (n)

1 : the condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field; also : such motion 2 a : the part of a parachute jump before the parachute opens b : a rapid and continuing drop or decline a free fall in stock prices — free-fall play \ˈfrē-ˌfȯl\ intransitive verb

masochism (n)

1 : the derivation of sexual gratification from being subjected to physical pain or humiliation by oneself or another person — compare sadism, sadomasochism 2 : pleasure in being abused or dominated : a taste for suffering — masochist play \-kist\ noun — masochistic play \ˌma-sə-ˈki-stik, ˌma-zə- also ˌmā-\ adjective — masochistically

ritual (n)

1 : the established form for a ceremony specifically : the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony 2a : ritual observance specifically : a system of rites b : a ceremonial act or action c : an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner

Walpurgis Night (n)

1 : the eve of May Day on which witches are held to ride to an appointed rendezvous 2 : something (such as an event or situation) having a nightmarish quality

verdict (n)

1 : the finding or decision of a jury on the matter submitted to it in trial 2 : OPINION, JUDGMENT

lightning (n)

1 : the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity; also : the discharge itself 2 : a sudden stroke of fortune candidates ... hoping for real lightning to strike —Time

conditioning (n)

1 : the process of training to become physically fit by a regimen of exercise, diet, and rest also : the resulting state of physical fitness 2 : a simple form of learning involving the formation, strengthening, or weakening of an association between a stimulus and a response

tonicity (n)

1 : the property of possessing tone especially : healthy vigor of body or mind 2 : muscular tonus

luminance (n)

1 : the quality or state of being luminous 2 : the luminous intensity of a surface in a given direction per unit of projected area

plasticity (n)

1 : the quality or state of being plastic especially : capacity for being molded or altered 2 : the ability to retain a shape attained by pressure deformation 3 : the capacity of organisms with the same genotype to vary in developmental pattern, in phenotype, or in behavior according to varying environmental conditions 4 : the capacity for continuous alteration of the neural pathways and synapses of the living brain and nervous system in response to experience or injury

blind side (n)

1 : the side away from which one is looking 2 : the side on which one that is blind in one eye cannot see

halation (n)

1 : the spreading of light beyond its proper boundaries in a developed photographic image 2 : a bright ring that sometimes surrounds a bright object on a television screen

recognize (v)

1 : to acknowledge formally: such as a : to admit as being lord or sovereign b : to admit as being of a particular status c : to admit as being one entitled to be heard : give the floor to d : to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence of 2 : to acknowledge or take notice of in some definite way: such as a : to acknowledge with a show of appreciation recognize an act of bravery with the award of a medal b : to acknowledge acquaintance with recognize a neighbor with a nod 3a : to perceive to be something or someone previously known recognized the word b : to perceive clearly : REALIZE recognized; recognizing

churn (v)

1 : to agitate (milk or cream) in a churn in order to make butter The farmer churns his cream every day. 2a : to stir or agitate violently an old stern-wheeler churning the muddy river larger particles pound and churn the Moon's surface —E. M. Shoemaker b : to make (something, such as foam) by so doing 3 : to make (the account of a client) excessively active by frequent purchases and sales primarily in order to generate commissions unscrupulous brokers may churn an account, trading frequently to generate high commissions —Mary Rowland intransitive verb 1 : to work a churn (as in making butter) 2a : to produce, proceed with, or experience violent motion or agitation her stomach was churning churning legs b : to proceed by or as if by means of rotating members (such as wheels or propellers) boats churning across the harbor

classify (v)

1 : to arrange in classes (see CLASS entry 1 sense 3) classifying books according to subject matter 2 : to consider (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group The movie is classified as a comedy. The vehicle is classified as a truck. classified; classifying

get off (v)

1 : to avoid the most serious consequences of a dangerous situation or punishment got off with a light sentence 2 : START, LEAVE got off on the trip early 3 : to leave work with permission or as scheduled 4 : to get high on a drug 5 : to experience orgasm 6 : to experience great pleasure —often used with on transitive verb 1 : to secure the release of or procure a modified penalty for his lawyers got him off 2a : UTTER get off a joke b : to write and send 3 : to succeed in doing, making, or delivering 4 : to cause to get off

abound (v)

1 : to be present in large numbers or in great quantity : to be prevalent a business in which opportunities abound errors and inconsistencies abound 2 : to be copiously supplied —used with in or with life abounded in mysteries —Norman Mailer institutions abound with evidence of his success —Johns Hopkins Magazine

set-to (n)

1 : to begin actively and earnestly 2 : to begin fighting

retread (v)

1 : to bond or vulcanize a new tread to the prepared surface of (a worn tire) 2 : to make over as if new retread an old plot retreaded; retreading

sling (v)

1 : to cast with a sudden and usually sweeping or swirling motion slung the sack over my shoulder 2 : to throw with or as if with a sling slinging punches political campaigners slinging mud 3 : to serve (food) to a customer had a job slinging hamburgers

tilt (v)

1 : to cause to have an inclination 2a : to point or thrust in or as if in a tilt tilt a lance b : to charge against tilt an adversary intransitive verb 1a : to move or shift so as to lean or incline : SLANT b : to incline, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion, course of action, or one side of a controversy 2a : to engage in a combat with lances : JOUST b : to make an impetuous attack tilt at social evils

demise (v)

1 : to convey by will or lease demise an estate 2 : to transmit by succession or inheritance 3 obsolete : CONVEY, GIVE intransitive verb 1 : DIE, DECEASE 2 : to pass by descent or bequest the property has demised to the king's heirs

slate (v)

1 : to cover (something) with slate or a slatelike substance slate a roof 2 : to designate (someone or something) for a specified purpose or action occurring especially at a fixed time was slated to direct the play The new model is slated [=scheduled] for release early next year. slated; slating

wane (v)

1 : to decrease in size, extent, or degree : DWINDLE: such as a : to diminish in phase or intensity —used chiefly of the moon, other satellites, and inferior planets b : to become less brilliant or powerful : DIM c : to flow out : EBB 2 : to fall gradually from power, prosperity, or influence waned; waning

shy (v)

1 : to develop or show a dislike or distaste —usually used with from or away from an author who shies away from publicity 2 : to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm shied; shying

command (v)

1 : to direct authoritatively : ORDER commanded adherence to the rules 2 : to exercise a dominating influence over : have command of: such as a : to have at one's immediate disposal commands many resources b : to demand or receive as one's due commands a high fee c : to overlook or dominate from or as if from a strategic position a hill that commands the city d : to have military command of as senior officer command a regiment 3 obsolete : to order or request to be given intransitive verb 1 : to have or exercise direct authority : GOVERN The king knows how to command well. 2 : to give orders The master commands, and the servants obey. 3 : to be commander The general will command at the western front. 4 : to dominate as if from an elevated place commanded; commanding; commands

shine (v)

1 : to emit rays of light 2 : to be bright by reflection of light 3a : to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished shines in math b : to perform extremely well when will stocks really shine again? —Temma Ehrenfeld 4 : to have a bright glowing appearance his face shone with enthusiasm 5 : to be conspicuously evident or clear transitive verb 1a : to cause to emit light b : to throw or direct the light of 2 past tense and past participle shined : to make bright by polishing shined his shoes

poach (v)

1 : to encroach upon especially for the purpose of taking something 2 : to trespass for the purpose of stealing game also : to take game or fish illegally transitive verb 1 : to trespass on a field poached too frequently by the amateur — The Times Literary Supplement (London) 2a : to take (game or fish) by illegal methods b : to appropriate (something) as one's own c : to attract (someone, such as an employee or customer) away from a competitor poached; poaching; poaches

bicker (v)

1 : to engage in a petulant or petty quarrel bickering over money 2a : to move with a rapidly repeated noise a bickering stream b : QUIVER, FLICKER bickered; bickering

valorize (v)

1 : to enhance or try to enhance the price, value, or status of by organized and usually governmental action using subsidies to valorize coffee 2 : to assign value or merit to : VALIDATE valorized; valorizing

coexist (v)

1 : to exist together or at the same time 2 : to live in peace with each other especially as a matter of policy coexisted; coexisting; coexists

shoehorn (v)

1 : to force to be included or admitted shoehorned irrelevant arguments into his essay 2 : to force or compress into an insufficient space or period of time : SQUEEZE shoehorn the past, present, and future into about 500 pages —Otis Port shoehorned; shoehorning; shoehorns

retrofit (v)

1 : to furnish (something, such as a computer, airplane, or building) with new or modified parts or equipment not available or considered necessary at the time of manufacture 2 : to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed 3 : to adapt to a new purpose or need : MODIFY retrofit the story for a new audience retrofitted or retrofit; retrofitting; retrofits

shortchange (v)

1 : to give less than the correct amount of change to 2 : to deprive of or give less than something due : CHEAT was shortchanged out of a promotion shortchanged; shortchanging; shortchanges

coach (v)

1 : to go in a coach 2 : to instruct, direct, or prompt as a coach When an injury ended his playing career, he decided to coach. transitive verb 1 : to train intensively (as by instruction and demonstration) coach pupils The lawyer coached the witness. 2 : to act as coach of coach tennis coach a team coached; coaching; coaches

coalesce (v)

1 : to grow together The edges of the wound coalesced. 2a : to unite into a whole : FUSE separate townships have coalesced into a single, sprawling colony —Donald Gould b : to unite for a common end : join forces people with different points of view coalesce into opposing factions —I. L. Horowitz 3 : to arise from the combination of distinct elements an organized and a popular resistance immediately coalesced —C. C. Menges transitive verb : to cause to unite sometimes a book coalesces a public into a mass market —Walter Meade coalesced; coalescing

screen (v)

1 : to guard from injury or danger 2a : to give shelter or protection to with or as if with a screen b : to separate with or as if with a screen also : to shield (an opponent) from a play or from view of a play 3a : to pass (something, such as coal, gravel, or ashes) through a screen to separate the fine part from the coarse also : to remove by a screen b(1) : to examine usually methodically in order to make a separation into different groups (2) : to select or eliminate by a screening process (3) : to test or examine for the presence of something (such as a disease) patients were screened for hepatitis 4 : to provide with a screen to keep out pests (such as insects) 5a(1) : to present (something, such as a motion picture) for viewing on a screen (2) : to view the presentation of (something, such as a motion picture) b : to present in a motion picture intransitive verb 1 : to appear on a motion-picture screen 2 : to provide a screen in a game or sport

coax (v)

1 : to influence or gently urge by caressing or flattering : WHEEDLE coaxed him into going 2 : to draw, gain, or persuade by means of gentle urging or flattery unable to coax an answer out of him coaxing consumers to buy new cars 3 : to manipulate with great perseverance and usually with considerable effort toward a desired state or activity coax a fire to burn is optimistic that stem cells can be coaxed into growing into replacement tissue for failing organs 4 obsolete : FONDLE, PET coaxed; coaxing; coaxes

redouble (v)

1 : to make twice as great in size or amount broadly : INTENSIFY, STRENGTHEN 2a obsolete : to echo back b archaic : REPEAT intransitive verb 1 : to become redoubled 2 archaic : RESOUND 3 : to double an opponent's double in bridge redoubled; redoubling; redoubles

expatiate (v)

1 : to move about freely or at will : WANDER 2 : to speak or write at length or in detail expatiating upon the value of the fabric — Thomas Hardy expatiated; expatiating

expand (v)

1 : to open up : UNFOLD 2 : to increase the extent, number, volume, or scope of : ENLARGE 3a : to express at length or in greater detail b : to write out in full expand all abbreviations c : to subject to mathematical expansion expand a function in a power series intransitive verb 1 : to open out : SPREAD 2 : to increase in extent, number, volume, or scope 3 : to speak or write fully or in detail expanded on the theme 4 : to feel generous or optimistic expanded; expanding; expands

resonate (v)

1 : to produce or exhibit resonance 2 : to respond as if by resonance resonate to the music also : to have a repetitive pattern that resembles resonance 3 : to relate harmoniously : strike a chord a message that resonates with voters transitive verb : to subject to resonating resonated; resonating

shoulder (v)

1 : to push or thrust with or as if with the shoulder : JOSTLE shouldered his way through the crowd 2a : to place or bear on the shoulder shouldered her knapsack b : to assume the burden or responsibility of shoulder the blame intransitive verb : to push with or as if with the shoulders aggressively shouldered; shouldering

boil down (v)

1 : to reduce in bulk by boiling 2 : CONDENSE, SUMMARIZE boil down a report intransitive verb 1 : to undergo reduction in bulk by boiling 2a : to be equivalent in summary : AMOUNT his speech boiled down to a plea for more money b : to reduce ultimately your choices boil down to three

palliate (v)

1 : to reduce the violence of (a disease); also : to ease (symptoms) without curing the underlying disease drugs to palliate the pain 2 : to cover by excuses and apologies tried to palliate his blunder 3 : to moderate the intensity of trying to palliate the boredom did nothing to palliate the bitter disputes

extend (v)

1 : to spread or stretch forth : UNBEND extended both her arms 2a : to stretch out to fullest length b : to cause (an animal, such as a horse) to move at full stride c : to exert (oneself) to full capacity could work long and hard without seeming to extend himself d(1) : to increase the bulk of (as by adding a cheaper substance or a modifier) (2) : ADULTERATE 3 [ Middle English, from Medieval Latin extendere (from Latin) or Anglo-French estendre, from Old French ] a British : to take possession of (something, such as land) by a writ of extent b obsolete : to take by force 4a : to make the offer of : PROFFER extending aid to the needy extending their greetings b : to make available extending credit to customers 5a : to cause to reach (as in distance or scope) national authority was extended over new territories b : to cause to be longer : PROLONG extend the side of a triangle extended their visit another day also : to prolong the time of payment of c : ADVANCE, FURTHER extending her potential through job training 6a : to cause to be of greater area or volume : ENLARGE extended the patio to the back of the house b : to increase the scope, meaning, or application of : BROADEN beauty, I suppose, opens the heart, extends the consciousness — Algernon Blackwood c archaic : EXAGGERATE intransitive verb 1 : to stretch out in distance, space, or time : REACH their jurisdiction extended over the whole area 2 : to reach in scope or application his concern extends beyond mere business to real service to his customersextended; extending; extends

bolster (v)

1 : to support with or as if with a bolster : REINFORCE lay bolstered up in bed extra men will bolster already augmented dock details — Stanley Levey 2 : to give a boost to news that bolstered his spirits bolstered; bolstering

searing (adj)

1 : very hot 2 : marked by extreme intensity, harshness, or emotional power searing pain a searing review a searing portrayal

felicitous (adj)

1 : very well suited or expressed : apt a felicitous remark handled the delicate matter in a most felicitous manner 2 : pleasant, delightful felicitous weather The ride through the countryside is a felicitous journey for city people. — felicitously adverb — felicitousness noun

agape (adj)

1 : wide open : gaping with mouth agape 2 : being in a state of wonder stood agape before the gothic cathedral

adrift (adv or adj)

1 : without motive power and without anchor or mooring a boat adrift on the sea 2 : without ties, guidance, or security people morally adrift 3 : free from restraint or support

birkie (n)

1 Scotland : a lively smart assertive person 2 Scotland : FELLOW, BOY

mate (n)

1 a (1) : associate, companion (2) chiefly British : an assistant to a more skilled worker : helper (3) chiefly British : friend, buddy —often used as a familiar form of address b archaic : match, peer 2 : a deck officer on a merchant ship ranking below the captain 3 : one of a pair: such as a : either member of a couple and especially a married couple b : either member of a breeding pair of animals c : either of two matched objects

proposition (n)

1 a (1) : something offered for consideration or acceptance : proposal (2) : a request for sexual intercourse b : the point to be discussed or maintained in argument usually stated in sentence form near the outset c : a theorem or problem to be demonstrated or performed 2 a : an expression in language or signs of something that can be believed, doubted, or denied or is either true or false b : the objective meaning of a proposition 3 : something of an indicated kind to be dealt with the farm was never a paying proposition — propositional adjective

goldbrick (n)

1 a : a worthless brick that appears to be of gold b : something that appears to be valuable but is actually worthless 2 : a person who shirks assigned work

affluence (n)

1 a : abundance of property : wealth rose from poverty to affluence b : an abundant flow or supply : profusion ... to attain that breadth and height, that wealth of muscle, that affluence of flesh. —Charlotte Brontë 2 : a flowing to or toward a point : influx

arsenal (n)

1 a : an establishment for the manufacture or storage of arms and military equipment The city is home to a federal arsenal. b : a collection of weapons 2 : store, repertoire the team's arsenal of veteran players

defect (n)

1 a : an imperfection that impairs worth or utility : shortcoming the grave defects in our foreign policy A defect prevented the DVD from playing properly. b chemistry : an imperfection (such as a vacancy or an unlike atom) in a crystal lattice (see lattice 2) 2 : a lack of something necessary for completeness, adequacy, or perfection : deficiency a hearing defect

oyster (n)

1 a : any of various marine bivalve mollusks (family Ostreidae) that have a rough irregular shell closed by a single adductor muscle and include commercially important shellfish b : any of various mollusks resembling or related to the oysters 2 : something that is or can be readily made to serve one's personal ends the world was her oyster 3 : a small mass of muscle contained in a concavity of the pelvic bone on each side of the back of a fowl 4 : an extremely taciturn person 5 : a grayish-white color

christen (v)

1 a : baptize 1 was christened when he was three months old b : to name at baptism They christened the baby Anne. 2 : to name or dedicate (something, such as a ship) by a ceremony that often involves breaking a bottle of champagne 3 : name 1 The newspaper christened her as the reigning Queen of Tennis. 4 : to use for the first time They christened the new ballpark with a win.

germinal (adj)

1 a : being in the earliest stage of development b : creative, productive 2 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a germ cell or early embryo — germinally adverb

ramification (n)

1 a : branch, offshoot b : a branched structure 2 a : the act or process of branching b : arrangement of branches (as on a plant) 3 : consequence, outgrowth the ramifications of the decision

braggadocio (n)

1 a : empty boasting b : arrogant pretension : cockiness the air of swaggering braggadocio that all important men are expected to show in fighting —C. W. M. Hart 2 : braggart

luscious (adj)

1 a : having a delicious taste or smell : sweet chocolate cake with a luscious whipped cream topping b archaic : excessively sweet : cloying 2 : sexually attractive : seductive, sexy a luscious actress 3 a : richly luxurious or appealing to the senses her luscious voice swelling and decaying with total control, her low notes booming sonorously —Gary Giddins b : excessively ornate rich and luscious phrases, thick with imagery —Ruth Park — lusciously adverb — lusciousness noun

affected (adj)

1 a : having or showing an attitude or mode of behavior that is not natural or genuinely felt : given to or marked by affectation spoke in an affected manner b : assumed artificially or falsely : pretended an affected interest in art 2 : inclined, disposed was well affected toward her — affectedly adverb — affectedness noun

high-energy (adj)

1 a : having such speed and kinetic energy as to exhibit relativistic departure from classical laws of motion —used especially of elementary particles whose velocity has been imparted by an accelerator b : of or relating to high-energy particles 2 : yielding a relatively large amount of energy when undergoing hydrolysis

manifold (adj)

1 a : marked by diversity or variety performs the manifold duties required of him —J. H. Ferguson b : many the manifold details 2 : comprehending or uniting various features : multifarious the romantic symphony, with its manifold melodic content —P. H. Lang 3 : rightfully so-called for many reasons a manifold liar 4 : consisting of or operating many of one kind combined a manifold bellpull — manifoldly adverb — manifoldness

great (adj)

1 a : notably large in size : huge all creatures great and small b : of a kind characterized by relative largeness —used in plant and animal names the great horned owl c : elaborate, ample great detail 2 a : large in number or measure : numerous great multitudes b : predominant the great majority 3 : remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness great bloodshed 4 : full of emotion great with anger 5 a : eminent, distinguished a great poet b : chief or preeminent over others —often used in titles Lord Great Chamberlain c : aristocratic, grand great ladies 6 : long continued a great while 7 : principal, main a reception in the great hall 8 : more remote in a family relationship by a single generation than a specified relative great-grandfather 9 : markedly superior in character or quality; especially : noble great of soul 10 a : remarkably skilled great at tennis b : marked by enthusiasm : keen great on science fiction 11 —used as a generalized term of approval had a great timeit was just great — greatness noun

airy (adj)

1 a : of or relating to air : atmospheric b : high in the air : lofty airy perches c : performed in air : aerial airy leaps 2 : unreal, illusory airy romances 3 a : being light and graceful in movement or manner : sprightly, vivacious an airy dance b : exceptionally light, delicate, or refined an airy fragrance 4 a : open to the free circulation of air an airy room b : having openings or spaces airy lacework 5 : affected, proud airy condescension — airily adverb — airiness noun

otherworldly (adj)

1 a : of, relating to, or resembling that of a world other than the actual world b : devoted to preparing for a world to come 2 : devoted to intellectual or imaginative pursuits — otherworldliness noun

Gothic (adj)

1 a : of, relating to, or resembling the Goths, their civilization, or their language b : teutonic, germanic c : medieval 1 d : uncouth, barbarous 2 a : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of architecture developed in northern France and spreading through western Europe from the middle of the 12th century to the early 16th century that is characterized by the converging of weights and strains at isolated points upon slender vertical piers and counterbalancing buttresses and by pointed arches and vaulting Gothic cathedrals b : of or relating to an architectural style reflecting the influence of the medieval Gothic 3 often not capitalized : of or relating to a style of fiction characterized by the use of desolate or remote settings and macabre, mysterious, or violent incidents Gothic novels — gothically adverb — Gothicness noun

kosher (adj)

1 a : sanctioned by Jewish law; especially : ritually fit for use kosher meat b : selling or serving food ritually fit according to Jewish law a kosher restaurant 2 : being proper, acceptable, or satisfactory is the deal kosher?

semiprecious (adj)

of a gemstone : of less commercial value than a precious stone

aggressive (adj)

1 a : tending toward or exhibiting aggression aggressive behavior b : marked by combative readiness an aggressive fighter 2 a : marked by obtrusive energy and self-assertiveness a rude, aggressive personality b : marked by driving forceful energy or initiative : enterprising an aggressive salesman 3 : strong or emphatic in effect or intent aggressive colors aggressive flavors 4 : growing, developing, or spreading rapidly aggressive bone tumors 5 : more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent aggressive chemotherapy — aggressively adverb — aggressiveness noun — aggressivity

palace (n)

1 a : the official residence of a chief of state (such as a monarch or a president) b chiefly British : the official residence of an archbishop or bishop 2 a : a large stately house b : a large public building c : a highly decorated place for public amusement or refreshment a movie palace

absorption (n)

1 a : the process of absorbing something or of being absorbed absorption of water — compare adsorption b : interception of radiant energy or sound waves 2 : entire occupation of the mind his absorption in his work

feature (n)

1 a : the structure, form, or appearance especially of a person a man of large feature b obsolete : physical beauty 2 a : the makeup or appearance of the face or its parts stern of feature even when he smiled b : a part of the face : lineament a person with Asian features 3 a : a prominent part or characteristic Pine trees were a feature of the landscape. b : any of the properties (such as voice or gender) that are characteristic of a grammatical element (such as a phoneme or morpheme); especially : one that is distinctive 4 : a special attraction: such as a : a featured motion picture b : a featured article, story, or department in a newspaper or magazine An account of the fire was the feature in the Sunday newspaper. c : something offered to the public or advertised as particularly attractive one of the car's most popular features — featureless

gloss (v)

1 a : to mask the true nature of : give a deceptively attractive appearance to —used with over the misery was general, where not glossed over by liberal application of alcohol —Marston Bates b : to deal with (a subject or problem) too lightly or not at all —used with over glosses over scholarly controversies rather than confronting them head-on —John Israel 2 : to give a gloss to

glint (n)

1 a archaic : to glance off an object b of rays of light : to be reflected at an angle from a surface 2 : to give off reflection in brilliant flashes; also : gleam 3 : to look quickly or briefly : glance 4 : to appear briefly or faintly : to cause to glint

leviathan (n)

1 a often capitalized : a sea monster defeated by Yahweh in various scriptural accounts b : a large sea animal this leviathan of animals is the great Blue Whale —Weston LaBarre 2 capitalized : the political state; especially : a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy 3 : something large or formidable that leviathan of international corporations — leviathan adjective

watchful (adj)

1 archaic a : not able or accustomed to sleep or rest : WAKEFUL b : causing sleeplessness c : spent in wakefulness : SLEEPLESS 2 : carefully observant or attentive : being on the watch

slake (v)

1 archaic : SUBSIDE, ABATE 2 : to become slaked : CRUMBLE lime may slake spontaneously in moist air transitive verb 1 archaic : to lessen the force of : MODERATE 2 : SATISFY, QUENCH slake your thirst will slake your curiosity 3 : to cause (a substance, such as lime) to heat and crumble by treatment with water : HYDRATE slaked; slaking

grate (v)

1 archaic : abrade 2 : to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough grate cheese 3 : fret, irritate 4 a : to gnash or grind noisily b : to cause to make a rasping sound c : to utter in a harsh voice intransitive verb 1 : to rub or rasp noisily metal grating against metal 2 : to cause irritation : jar a voice that grates on the nerves — grater noun — gratingly adverb

balk (v)

1 archaic : to pass over or by ... such an age as ours balks no expense ... — William Cowper 2 : to check or stop by or as if by an obstacle : BLOCK ... had neither been balked nor been frightened ... — Francis Hackett intransitive verb 1 : to stop short and refuse to proceed The horse balked at the jump and threw the rider. 2 : to refuse abruptly —used with at Congress balked at putting up the money — Thomas Fleming 3 sports : to commit a balk (see BALK entry 1 sense 5) balked; balking; balks

calypso (n)

1 capitalized : a sea nymph in Homer's Odyssey who keeps Odysseus seven years on the island of Ogygia 2 plural calypsos [New Latin, genus name, probably from Latin] : a bulbous bog orchid (Calypso bulbosa) of northern regions bearing a single white to purplish flower

warren (n)

1 chiefly British a : a place legally authorized for keeping small game (such as hare or pheasant) b : the privilege of hunting game in such a warren 2a(1) : an area (as of uncultivated ground) where rabbits breed (2) : a structure where rabbits are kept or bred b : the rabbits of a warren 3a : a crowded tenement or district b : a maze of passageways or small rooms

sly (adj)

1 chiefly dialectal a : wise in practical affairs b : displaying cleverness : INGENIOUS 2a : clever in concealing one's aims or ends : FURTIVE b : lacking in straightforwardness and candor : DISSEMBLING 3 : lightly mischievous : ROGUISH a sly jest on the sly : in a manner intended to avoid notice slyest

scant (adj)

1 dialect a : excessively frugal b : not prodigal : chary 2 a : barely or scarcely sufficient; especially : not quite coming up to a stated measure a scant teaspoon b : lacking in amplitude or quantity scant growth 3 : having a small or insufficient supply he's fat, and scant of breath —William Shakespeare — scantly adverb — scantness noun

barrage (n)

1 military : artillery fire laid on a line (see LINE entry 1 sense 6c) close to friendly troops to screen and protect them The enemy laid down a barrage of machine-gun fire as our platoon approached the bridge. 2 : a vigorous or rapid outpouring or projection of many things at once a barrage of phone calls unleashed a barrage of insults an oratorical barrage

wealth (n)

1 obsolete : WEAL, WELFARE 2 : abundance of valuable material possessions or resources 3 : abundant supply : PROFUSION 4a : all property that has a money value or an exchangeable value b : all material objects that have economic utility especially : the stock of useful goods having economic value in existence at any one time national wealth

weasel (n)

1 or plural weasel : any of various small slender active carnivorous mammals (genus Mustela of the family Mustelidae, the weasel family) that are able to prey on animals (such as rabbits) larger than themselves, are mostly brown with white or yellowish underparts, and in northern forms turn white in winter — compare ERMINE sense 1a 2 : a light self-propelled tracked vehicle built either for traveling over snow, ice, or sand or as an amphibious vehicle 3 : a sneaky, untrustworthy, or insincere person

goofball (n)

1 slang : a barbiturate sleeping pill 2 : a goofy person

self-finance (n)

1 transitive : to raise or provide funds or capital for (something) oneself : to finance (something) oneself Sherzan self-financed much of his primary campaign, putting in more than $640,000 of his own money. —Kathie Obradovich 2 intransitive : to furnish or provide oneself with necessary funds or capital They lack the resources to self-finance until they have built a big enough operation. —Patrick Kennedy

a priori (adj)

1: (a) DEDUCTIVE (b) relating to or derived by reasoning from self-evident propositions — compare A POSTERIORI (c) presupposed by experience 2: (a) being without examination or analysis: PRESUMPTIVE (b) formed or conceived beforehand — a priori adv — apriority

verge (n)

1a : BRINK, THRESHOLD a country on the verge of destruction — Archibald MacLeish b : something that borders, limits, or bounds: such as (1) : an outer margin of an object or structural part (2) : the edge of roof covering (such as tiling) projecting over the gable of a roof (3) British : a paved or planted strip of land at the edge of a road : SHOULDER 2a(1) : a rod or staff carried as an emblem of authority or symbol of office (2) obsolete : a stick or wand held by a person being admitted to tenancy while he swears fealty b : the spindle of a watch balance especially : a spindle with pallets in an old vertical escapement c : the male copulatory organ of any of various invertebrates

good-for-nothing (adj)

of no use or value — good-for-nothing noun

pitch (n)

1a : SLOPE also : degree of slope : RAKE b : the distance between any of various things: such as (1) : distance between one point on a gear tooth and the corresponding point on the next tooth (2) : distance from any point on the thread of a screw to the corresponding point on an adjacent thread measured parallel to the axis c : the theoretical distance a propeller would advance longitudinally in one revolution d : the number of teeth or of threads per inch e : a unit of width of type based on the number of times a letter can be set in a linear inch 2 : the action or a manner of pitching especially : an up-and-down movement — compare YAW 3 archaic : TOP, ZENITH 4a : the relative level, intensity, or extent of some quality or state tensions rose to a feverish pitch b(1) : the property of a sound and especially a musical tone that is determined by the frequency of the waves producing it : highness or lowness of sound (2) : a standard frequency for tuning instruments c(1) : the difference in the relative vibration frequency of the human voice that contributes to the total meaning of speech (2) : a definite relative pitch that is a significant phenomenon in speech 5a : a steep place : DECLIVITY b : the portion of a route (as in mountain climbing or caving) between belay points 6 chiefly British a : an outdoor site (as for camping or doing business) b : PLAYING FIELD sense 1 7 : an all-fours game in which the first card led is a trump 8a : an often high-pressure sales presentation b : ADVERTISEMENT c : RECOMMENDATION, PLUG made a pitch for tax cuts 9a : the delivery of a baseball by a pitcher to a batter b : a baseball so thrown c : PITCHOUT sense 2

roadblock (n)

1a : a barricade often with traps or mines for holding up an enemy at a point on a road covered by fire b : a road barricade set up especially by law enforcement officers 2 : an obstruction in a road 3 : something that blocks progress or prevents accomplishment of an objective

handbook (n)

1a : a book capable of being conveniently carried as a ready reference : MANUAL b : a concise reference book covering a particular subject 2a : a bookmaker's book of bets b : a place where bookmaking is carried on

sleight of hand (phrase)

1a : a cleverly executed trick or deception b : a conjuring trick requiring manual dexterity 2a : skill and dexterity in conjuring tricks b : adroitness in deception

circumstance (n)

1a : a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another : an essential or inevitable concomitant the weather is a circumstance to be taken into consideration b : a subordinate or accessory (see ACCESSORY entry 2 sense 2) fact or detail cost is a minor circumstance in this case c : a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event (such as a crime) the circumstance of the missing weapon told against him the circumstances suggest murder 2a : the sum of essential and environmental factors (as of an event or situation) constant and rapid change in economic circumstance —G. M. Trevelyan b : state of affairs : EVENTUALITY open rebellion was a rare circumstance —often used in plural a victim of circumstances c circumstances plural : situation with regard to wealth he was in easy circumstances rose from difficult circumstances 3 : attendant formalities and ritualistic display especially as contrasted with essential procedure pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war —William Shakespeare 4 : an event that constitutes a detail (as of a narrative or course of events) considering each circumstance in turn

thread (n)

1a : a filament, a group of filaments twisted together, or a filamentous length formed by spinning and twisting short textile fibers into a continuous strand b : a piece of thread 2a : any of various natural filaments the threads of a spiderweb b : a slender stream (as of water) c : a projecting helical rib (as in a fitting or on a pipe) by which parts can be screwed together : SCREW THREAD 3 : something continuous or drawn out: such as a : a line of reasoning or train of thought that connects the parts in a sequence (as of ideas or events) lost the thread of the story b : a continuing element a thread of melancholy marked all his writing c : a series of electronic messages (as on a message board or social media website) following a single topic or in response to a single message 4 : a tenuous or feeble support hung on by a thread 5 threads plural : CLOTHING

excursion (n)

1a : a going out or forth : EXPEDITION b(1) : a usually brief pleasure trip (2) : a trip at special reduced rates 2 : deviation from a direct, definite, or proper course especially : DIGRESSION needless excursions into abstruse theory 3 : a movement outward and back or from a mean position or axis also : the distance traversed : AMPLITUDE the excursion of a piston

toehold (n)

1a : a hold or place of support for the toes (as in climbing) b(1) : a means of progressing (as in surmounting barriers) (2) : a slight footing used his money to get a toehold, then a foothold, then a near stranglehold on the political economy —R. W. Armstrong 2 : an illegal wrestling hold in which the aggressor bends or twists the other wrestler's foot

pipeline (n)

1a : a line of pipe with pumps, valves, and control devices for conveying liquids, gases, or finely divided solids b : PIPE sense 2b 2 : a direct channel for information 3 : a process or channel of supply an arms pipeline 4 : a state of development, preparation, or production several projects in the pipeline also : the system for such processes a strong product pipeline 5 : a course of individual advancement or development especially to fill organizational needs

varnish (n)

1a : a liquid preparation that when applied to a surface dries to form a hard lustrous typically transparent coating b : the covering or glaze given by the application of varnish c(1) : something that suggests varnish by its gloss (2) : a coating (as of deposits in an internal combustion engine) comparable to varnish 2 : outside show : GLOSS entry 1 3 chiefly British : a liquid nail polish

repartee (n)

1a : a quick and witty reply b : a succession or interchange of clever retorts : amusing and usually light sparring with words 2 : adroitness and cleverness in reply : skill in repartee

reason (n)

1a : a statement offered in explanation or justification gave reasons that were quite satisfactory b : a rational ground or motive a good reason to act soon c : a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense especially : something (such as a principle or law) that supports a conclusion or explains a fact the reasons behind her client's action d : the thing that makes some fact intelligible : CAUSE the reason for earthquakes the real reason why he wanted me to stay — Graham Greene 2a(1) : the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking especially in orderly rational ways : INTELLIGENCE (2) : proper exercise of the mind (3) : SANITY b : the sum of the intellectual powers 3 archaic : treatment that affords satisfaction in reason : RIGHTLY, JUSTIFIABLY within reason : within reasonable limits with reason : with good cause

positivism (n)

1a : a theory that theology and metaphysics are earlier imperfect modes of knowledge and that positive knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties and relations as verified by the empirical sciences b : LOGICAL POSITIVISM 2 : the quality or state of being positive

snag (n)

1a : a tree or branch embedded in a lake or stream bed and constituting a hazard to navigation b : a standing dead tree 2 : a rough sharp or jagged projecting part : PROTUBERANCE: such as a : a projecting tooth also : a stump of a tooth b : one of the secondary branches of an antler 3 : a concealed or unexpected difficulty or obstacle 4a : a jagged tear made by or as if by catching on a snag b : an irregularity that suggests the result of tearing especially : a pulled thread in fabric a snag in her stocking

sad (adj)

1a : affected with or expressive of grief or unhappiness : DOWNCAST b(1) : causing or associated with grief or unhappiness : DEPRESSING sad news (2) : REGRETTABLE, DEPLORABLE a sad relaxation of morals —C. W. Cunnington c : of little worth 2 : of a dull somber color

sentiment (n)

1a : an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted by feeling : PREDILECTION b : a specific view or notion : OPINION 2a : EMOTION b : refined feeling : delicate sensibility especially as expressed in a work of art c : emotional idealism d : a romantic or nostalgic feeling verging on sentimentality 3a : an idea colored by emotion b : the emotional significance of a passage or expression as distinguished from its verbal context

shekel (n)

1a : any of various ancient units of weight especially : a Hebrew unit equal to about 252 grains troy b : a unit of value based on a shekel weight of gold or silver 2 : a coin weighing one shekel 3 shekels plural, informal : MONEY ... making boxing history in the ring in New York, Chicago and wherever else fans ... were willing to unburden themselves of substantial sums of shekels for the pleasure of seeing two guys vent their nastiness on each other. —Pete Coutros 4 the basic monetary unit of Israel — see MONEY TABLE

bitter (adj)

1a : being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops The pill leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. a bitter beer bitter dark chocolate — compare SALT, SOUR, SWEET b : distasteful or distressing to the mind : GALLING a bitter sense of shame 2 : marked by intensity or severity: a : accompanied by severe pain or suffering a bitter death b : being relentlessly determined : VEHEMENT a bitter partisan c : exhibiting intense animosity bitter enemies d(1) : harshly reproachful bitter complaints (2) : marked by cynicism and rancor bitter contempt was still bitter about not being chosen e : intensely unpleasant especially in coldness or rawness a bitter wind 3 : caused by or expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret bitter tears

self-conscious (adj)

1a : conscious of one's own acts or states as belonging to or originating in oneself : aware of oneself as an individual b : intensely aware of oneself : CONSCIOUS a rising and self-conscious social class also : produced or done with such awareness self-conscious art 2 : uncomfortably conscious of oneself as an object of the observation of others : ILL AT EASE

hostility (n)

1a : deep-seated usually mutual ill will glad to have gotten through the divorce proceedings without any visible signs of hostility showed open hostility toward outsiders b(1) : hostile action the Spanish expedition encountered hostility ... and was forced to flee —R. W. Murray (2) hostilities plural : overt acts of warfare : WAR Peace talks were stalled after recent hostilities. 2 : conflict, opposition, or resistance in thought or principle there was tension, there was hostility and envy in the air —Theodor Reik

bile (n)

1a : either of two humors associated in old physiology with irascibility and melancholy b : a yellow or greenish viscid alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and passed into the duodenum where it aids especially in the emulsification and absorption of fats 2a : inclination to anger b : ACRIMONY, VITRIOL

alcohol (n)

1a : ethanol especially when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors b : drink (such as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol c : a mixture of ethanol and water that is usually 95 percent ethanol 2 : any of a class of organic (see ORGANIC entry 1 sense 3b(1)) compounds that are analogous to ethanol and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons

sincere (adj)

1a : free of dissimulation : HONEST a sincere interest b : free from adulteration : PURE a sincere doctrine sincere wine 2 : marked by genuineness : TRUE sincerer; sincerest

sleazy (adj)

1a : lacking firmness of texture : FLIMSY b : carelessly made of inferior materials : SHODDY 2a : marked by low character or quality sleazy tabloids b : SQUALID, DILAPIDATED sleazy barssleazier; sleaziest

skittish (adj)

1a : lively or frisky in action : CAPRICIOUS b : VARIABLE, FLUCTUATING 2 : easily frightened : RESTIVE a skittish horse 3a : COY, BASHFUL b : marked by extreme caution : WARY skittish investors

coherent (adj)

1a : logically or aesthetically ordered or integrated : CONSISTENT coherent style a coherent argument b : having clarity or intelligibility : UNDERSTANDABLE a coherent person a coherent passage 2 : having the quality of holding together or cohering especially : COHESIVE, COORDINATED a coherent plan for action 3a : relating to or composed of waves having a constant difference in phase coherent light b : producing coherent light a coherent source

extra (adj)

1a : more than is due, usual, or necessary : ADDITIONAL extra work b : subject to an additional charge dessert is extra 2 : SUPERIOR extra quality

dapper (adj)

1a : neat and trim in appearance looked very dapper in their uniforms b : very spruce and stylish a dapper new suit 2 : alert and lively in movement and manners a dapper old gentleman

sinuous (adj)

1a : of a serpentine or wavy form : WINDING b : marked by strong lithe movements 2 : INTRICATE, COMPLEX

hostile (adj)

1a : of or relating to an enemy hostile fire b : marked by malevolence : having or showing unfriendly feelings a hostile act c : openly opposed or resisting a hostile critic hostile to new ideas d(1) : not hospitable plants growing in a hostile environment (2) : having an intimidating, antagonistic, or offensive nature a hostile workplace 2a : of or relating to the opposing party in a legal controversy a hostile witness b : adverse to the interests of a property owner or corporation management a hostile takeover

executive (adj)

1a : of or relating to the execution of the laws and the conduct of public and national affairs b : belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as diplomatic representation, superintendence of the execution of the laws, and appointment of officials and that usually has some power over legislation (as through veto) — compare JUDICIAL, LEGISLATIVE 2a : designed for or relating to execution or carrying into effect executive board b : having administrative or managerial responsibility executive director 3 : of or relating to an executive the executive offices

revolutionary (adj)

1a : of, relating to, or constituting a revolution revolutionary war b : tending to or promoting revolution c : constituting or bringing about a major or fundamental change a revolutionary new product 2 capitalized : of or relating to the American Revolution or to the period in which it occurred

Malthusian (adj)

of or relating to Malthus or to his theory that population tends to increase at a faster rate than its means of subsistence and that unless it is checked by moral restraint or disaster (such as disease, famine, or war) widespread poverty and degradation inevitably result Malthusian worries are resurgent and people fear the consequences for an overcrowded planet —Economist — Malthusian noun — Malthusianism

de haut en bas (adj or adv)

of superiority : of or with condescension

Horatio Alger (adj)

of, relating to, or resembling the fiction of Horatio Alger in which success is achieved through self-reliance and hard work

Faustian (adj)

of, relating to, resembling, or suggesting Faust; especially : made or done for present gain without regard for future cost or consequences a Faustian bargain

off-the-cuff (adj)

off-the-cuff remark/response. not prepared in advance : spontaneous, informal off-the-cuff remarks — off-the-cuff adverb

olive branch (n)

offering an olive branch.. 1 : a branch of the olive tree especially when used as a symbol of peace 2 : an offer or gesture of conciliation or goodwill

host (n)

1a : one that receives or entertains guests socially, commercially, or officially were greeted at the door by our host ourself will mingle with society and play the humble host — William Shakespeare b : one that provides facilities for an event or function our college served as host for the basketball tournament 2a biology : a living animal or plant on or in which a parasite lives b biology : the larger, stronger, or dominant member of a commensal or symbiotic pair c biology : an individual into which a tissue, part, or embryo is transplanted from another 3 : a mineral or rock that is older than the minerals or rocks in it also : a substance that contains a usually small amount of another substance incorporated in its structure 4 : a person who talks to guests on a radio or television program the host of a talk show a game-show host 5 : a computer that controls communications in a network or that administers a database also : SERVER sense 6

horror (n)

1a : painful and intense fear, dread, or dismay astonishment giving place to horror on the faces of the people about me — H. G. Wells b : intense aversion or repugnance 2a : the quality of inspiring horror : repulsive, horrible, or dismal quality or character contemplating the horror of their lives — Liam O'Flaherty b : something that inspires horror 3 horrors plural : a state of extreme depression or apprehension

torrid (adj)

1a : parched with heat especially of the sun : HOT torrid sands b : giving off intense heat : SCORCHING 2 : ARDENT, PASSIONATE torrid love letters

velocity (n)

1a : quickness of motion : SPEED the velocity of sound b : rapidity of movement [my horse's] strong suit is grace & personal comeliness, rather than velocity — Mark Twain c : speed imparted to something the power pitcher relies on velocity — Tony Scherman 2 : the rate of change of position along a straight line with respect to time : the derivative of position with respect to time 3a : rate of occurrence or action : RAPIDITY the velocity of historical change — R. J. Lifton b : rate of turnover the velocity of money

potential (n)

1a : something that can develop or become actual a potential for violence b : PROMISE sense 2 2a : any of various functions from which the intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculated b : the work required to move a unit positive charge from a reference point (as at infinity) to a point in question c : POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

exercise (n)

1a : the act of bringing into play or realizing in action : USE the exercise of self-control b : the discharge of an official function or professional occupation exercise of his judicial duties c : the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (such as an option) —often used attributively an option's exercise price 2a : regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ b : bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness trying to get more exercise 3 : something performed or practiced in order to develop, improve, or display a specific capability or skill arithmetic exercises vocal exercises 4 : a performance or activity having a strongly marked secondary or ulterior aspect party politics has always been an exercise in compromise — H. S. Ashmore 5a : a maneuver, operation, or drill carried out for training and discipline naval exercises b exercises plural : a program including speeches, announcements of awards and honors, and various traditional practices of secular or religious character commencement exercises

retention (n)

1a : the act of retaining : the state of being retained b : abnormal retaining of a fluid or secretion in a body cavity 2a : power of retaining : RETENTIVENESS b : an ability to retain things in mind specifically : a preservation of the aftereffects of experience and learning that makes recall or recognition possible 3 : something retained

concession (n)

1a : the act or an instance of conceding (as by granting something as a right, accepting something as true, or acknowledging defeat) The union will seek further concessions before accepting the contract. b : the admitting of a point claimed in argument 2 : something conceded or granted: a : ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ADMISSION b : something done or agreed to usually grudgingly in order to reach an agreement or improve a situation The ending of the movie was changed as a concession to the American audience's sensibilities. c(1) : a grant of land or property especially by a government in return for services or for a particular use (2) : a right to undertake and profit by a specified activity a concession to drill for oil (3) : a lease of a portion of premises for a particular purpose also : the portion leased or the activities carried on

grandfather (n)

1a : the father of one's father or mother b : ANCESTOR sense 1a 2 : GRANDDADDY sense 2

resemblance (n)

1a : the quality or state of resembling especially : correspondence in appearance or superficial qualities b : a point of likeness : SIMILARITY 2 : REPRESENTATION, IMAGE 3 archaic : characteristic appearance 4 obsolete : PROBABILITY

excess (n)

1a : the state or an instance of surpassing usual, proper, or specified limits : SUPERFLUITY b : the amount or degree by which one thing or quantity exceeds another an excess of 10 bushels 2 : undue or immoderate indulgence : INTEMPERANCE also : an act or instance of intemperance prevent excesses and abuses by newly created local powers — Albert Shanker in excess of : to an amount or degree beyond : OVER

teleology (n)

1a : the study of evidences of design in nature b : a doctrine (as in vitalism) that ends are immanent in nature c : a doctrine explaining phenomena by final causes 2 : the fact or character attributed to nature or natural processes of being directed toward an end or shaped by a purpose 3 : the use of design or purpose as an explanation of natural phenomena

come off (v)

1a : to acquit oneself : FARE came off well in the contest b : APPEAR, SEEM 2 : SUCCEED a television series that never came off —TV Guide 3 : HAPPEN, OCCUR 4 US, informal —used in phrases like where do you come off? to express anger or annoyance at what someone has said or done Marie was bent over the table now, reading, her piping girlish voice hot with indignation. Where does she come off, anyway? —T. Coraghessan Boyle transitive verb 1 : to have recently completed or recovered from coming off a good year 2 : to have recently stopped using (an illegal drug) an addict who is coming off heroin

conflate (v)

1a : to bring together : FUSE b : CONFUSE 2 : to combine (things, such as two readings of a text) into a composite whole The editor conflated the two texts. ... a city of conflated races and cultures ... — Earl Shorris conflated; conflating

honeycomb (v)

1a : to cause to be full of cavities like a honeycomb b : to make into a checkered pattern : FRET 2a : to penetrate into every part : FILL b : SUBVERT, WEAKEN intransitive verb : to become pitted, checked, or cellular

poll (v)

1a : to cut off or cut short the hair or wool of : CROP, SHEAR b : to cut off or cut short (a material, such as wool) 2a : to cut off or back the top of (something, such as a tree) specifically : POLLARD b : to cut off or cut short the horns of (cattle) 3a : to receive and record the votes of b : to request each member of to declare a vote individually poll the assembly 4 : to receive (votes) in an election 5 : to question or canvass in a poll 6 : to check (devices, such as several computer terminals sharing a single line) in sequence for messages waiting to be transmitted intransitive verb : to cast one's vote at a poll polled; polling; polls

god (n)

oh god... 1 capitalized : the supreme or ultimate reality: such as a : the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe b Christian Science : the incorporeal divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit : infinite Mind 2 : a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship specifically : one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality Greek gods of love and war 3 : a person or thing of supreme value had photos of baseball's gods pinned to his bedroom wall 4 : a powerful ruler Hollywood gods that control our movies' fates

bluff (v)

1a : to deter or frighten by pretense or a mere show of strength bluffed them into surrendering b : DECEIVE bluff her way in without a ticket c : FEIGN The catcher bluffed a throw to first. 2 card games : to deceive (an opponent) by a bold bet on an inferior hand was bluffed out of a winning hand intransitive verb : to bluff someone : act deceptively You can tell when he is bluffing. bluffed; bluffing; bluffs

pop off (v)

1a : to die unexpectedly b : to leave suddenly 2 : to talk thoughtlessly and often loudly or angrily

recoil (v)

1a : to fall back under pressure b : to shrink back physically or emotionally 2 : to spring back to or as if to a starting point : REBOUND 3 obsolete : DEGENERATE recoiled; recoiling; recoils

soar (v)

1a : to fly aloft or about b(1) : to sail or hover in the air often at a great height : GLIDE (2) of a glider : to fly without engine power and without loss of altitude 2 : to rise or increase dramatically (as in position, value, or price) stocks soared 3 : to ascend to a higher or more exalted level makes my spirits soar 4 : to rise to majestic stature soared; soaring; soars

weave (v)

1a : to form (cloth) by interlacing strands (as of yarn) specifically : to make (cloth) on a loom by interlacing warp and filling threads b : to interlace (threads) into cloth c : to make (something, such as a basket) by intertwining 2 : SPIN sense 2 —used of spiders and insects 3 : to interlace especially to form a texture, fabric, or design 4a : to produce by elaborately combining elements : CONTRIVE b : to unite in a coherent whole c : to introduce as an appropriate element : work in —usually used with in or into 5 : to direct (something, such as the body) in a winding or zigzag course especially to avoid obstacles intransitive verb 1 : to work at weaving : make cloth 2 : to move in a devious, winding, or zigzag course especially to avoid obstacleswove\ˈwōv \ or weaved; woven\ˈwō-vən \ or weaved; weaving

relieve (v)

1a : to free from a burden : give aid or help to b : to set free from an obligation, condition, or restriction c : to ease of a burden, wrong, or oppression by judicial or legislative interposition 2a : to bring about the removal or alleviation of : MITIGATE helps relieve stress b : ROB, DEPRIVE relieved us of our belongings 3a : to release from a post, station, or duty b : to take the place of will relieve the starting pitcher 4 : to remove or lessen the monotony of a park relieves the urban landscape 5a : to set off by contrast b : to raise in relief 6 : to discharge the bladder or bowels of (oneself) intransitive verb 1 : to bring or give relief 2 : to stand out in relief 3 : to serve as a relief pitcher relieved; relieving

explore (v)

1a : to investigate, study, or analyze : look into explore the relationship between social class and learning ability —sometimes used with indirect questions to explore where ethical issues arise — R. T. Blackburn b : to become familiar with by testing or experimenting explore new cuisines 2 : to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery 3 : to examine especially for diagnostic purposes explore the wound intransitive verb : to make or conduct a systematic search explore for oil explored; exploring

pollute (v)

1a : to make ceremonially or morally impure : DEFILE b : DEBASE sense 1 using language to deceive or mislead pollutes language — Linda C. Lederman 2a : to make physically impure or unclean : BEFOUL, DIRTY b : to contaminate (an environment) especially with man-made waste polluted; polluting

requite (v)

1a : to make return for : REPAY b : to make retaliation for : AVENGE 2 : to make suitable return to for a benefit or service or for an injury requited; requiting

omniscient (adj)

omniscient being. 1 : having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight an omniscient author the narrator seems an omniscient person who tells us about the characters and their relations —Ira Konigsberg 2 : possessed of universal or complete knowledge the omniscient God — omnisciently adverb

technicality (n)

on a technicality. 1 : something technical especially : a detail meaningful only to a specialist a legal technicality 2 : the quality or state of being technical

recede (v)

1a : to move back or away : WITHDRAW a receding hairline b : to slant backward 2 : to grow less or smaller : DIMINISH, DECREASE a receding deficit receded; receding

bait (v)

1a : to persecute or exasperate with unjust, malicious, or persistent attacks bait minority groups : to try to make angry with criticism or insults baiting a politician during a debate b : TEASE 2a : to harass (a chained animal, such as a bear) with dogs usually for sport b : to attack by biting and tearing dogs baiting a fox 3a : to furnish with bait (see BAIT entry 2) bait a fishing line bait a trap b : ENTICE, LURE baiting prospective buyers 4 : to give food and drink to (an animal) especially on the road intransitive verb archaic : to stop for food and rest when traveling baited; baiting; baits

pocket (v)

1a : to put or enclose in or as if in one's pocket pocketed the change b : to appropriate to one's own use : STEAL c : to refuse assent to (a bill) by a pocket veto 2 : to put up with : ACCEPT 3 : to set aside : SUPPRESS pocketed his pride 4a : to hem in b : to drive (a ball) into a pocket of a pool table 5 : to cover or supply with pockets pocketed; pocketing; pockets

sequester (v)

1a : to set apart : SEGREGATE sequester a jury b : SECLUDE, WITHDRAW widely spaced homes are forbiddingly grand and sequestered —Don Asher 2a : to seize especially by a writ of sequestration b : to place (property) in custody especially in sequestration 3 : to bind (a metal or metal ion) in the form of a soluble complex or chelate by adding a suitable reagent for the purpose of preventing precipitation in water solution by chemical agents that would normally bring it about, of solubilizing precipitates already formed, or of otherwise suppressing undesired chemical or biological activity sequester calcium and magnesium ions in the softening of hard water also : to bind or absorb (carbon dioxide) as part of a larger chemical process or compound ... half of the starting material will be used up and half will be char. That can then be put back on the fields, where it will sequester carbon and help grow the next crop. —Emma Marris sequestered; sequestering

expound (v)

1a : to set forth : STATE b : to defend with argument 2 : to explain by setting forth in careful and often elaborate detail expound a law intransitive verb : to make a statement : COMMENT expounded; expounding; expounds

pout (v)

1a : to show displeasure by thrusting out the lips or wearing a sullen expression a pouting child Sure, you have sports figures misbehaving today. John McEnroe pouts and snarls and curses at tennis judges twice his age, on television ... — Roy Blount Jr. b : to push out or purse the lips in a sexually suggestive way a pouting model ... appears in adverts surrounded by gorgeous, pouting blondes. — The Economist c : to be moodily silent : SULK If they invited her out, she declined the invitation. When they went out, she would be pouting when they came home. — Susan Sheehan 2 : PROTRUDE transitive verb : to cause to protrude pouted her lips pouted; pouting; pouts

capture (v)

1a : to take captive also : to gain control of especially by force capture a city b : to gain or win especially through effort captured 60 percent of the vote 2a : to emphasize, represent, or preserve (something, such as a scene, mood, or quality) in a more or less permanent form ... at any such moment as a photograph might capture ... —C. E. Montague b : to record in a permanent file (as in a computer) The system is used to capture data relating to the buying habits of young people. 3 : to captivate and hold the interest of The performer captured our attention. 4 : to take according to the rules of a game A knight captured his pawn. 5 : to bring about the capture of (a subatomic particle) 6 astronomy : to draw into the gravitational influence of a larger body Asteroids were thought to be too small to capture a moon, but the moon might be a fragment that broke off. —Kenneth Chang

school (v)

1a : to teach or drill in a specific knowledge or skill well schooled in languages b : to discipline or habituate to something school oneself in patience 2 : to educate in an institution of learning The child was schooled at great cost to her family.

sloppy (adj)

1a : wet so as to spatter easily : SLUSHY a sloppy racetrack b : wet or smeared with or as if with something slopped over 2 : SLOVENLY, CARELESS a sloppy dresser did sloppy work 3 : disagreeably effusive sloppy sentimentalism sloppier; sloppiest

plane (n)

1a [ by shortening ] : AIRPLANE b : one of the main supporting surfaces of an airplane 2a : a surface in which if any two points are chosen a straight line joining them lies wholly in that surface b : a flat or level surface 3 : a level of existence, consciousness, or development on the intellectual plane

flip side (n)

on the flip side. 1 : the reverse and usually less popular side of a phonograph record 2 : a reverse or opposite side, aspect, or result the flip side of deficient saving ... is overconsumption —R. S. Gay

bid (v)

1a obsolete : BESEECH, ENTREAT b : to issue an order to : TELL did as I was bid c : to request to come : INVITE were bidden to the wedding 2 : to give expression to bade a tearful farewell 3a : OFFER —usually used in the phrase to bid defiance The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the Crown. — William Pitt b past tense and past participle bid (1) : to offer (a price) whether for payment or acceptance The contractor bid $10,000 less than his nearest competitor. (2) card games : to make a bid (see BID entry 2 sense 4) of or in (a suit at cards) bid one spade intransitive verb : to make a bid (see BID entry 2) Several other companies bid on the job. bid fair : to seem likely a movie that bids fair to become a big hit

blink (v)

1a obsolete : to look glancingly : PEEP b : to look with half-shut eyes c : to close and open the eyes involuntarily 2 : to shine dimly or intermittently 3a : to look with too little concern b : to look with surprise or dismay 4 : YIELD, GIVE IN each side waiting for the other to blink transitive verb 1a : to cause to blink b : to remove (something, such as tears) from the eye by blinking 2 : to deny recognition to blinked; blinking; blinks

pool (n)

1a(1) : a small and rather deep body of usually fresh water (2) : a quiet place in a stream (3) : a body of water forming above a dam b : something resembling a pool a pool of light 2 : a small body of standing liquid 3 : a continuous area of porous sedimentary rock that yields petroleum or gas 4 : SWIMMING POOL

poignant (adj)

1a(1) : painfully affecting the feelings : PIERCING (2) : deeply affecting : TOUCHING b : designed to make an impression : CUTTING poignant satire 2a : pleasurably stimulating b : being to the point : APT 3 : pungently pervasive a poignant perfume

learn (v)

1a(1) : to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience learn a trade learned to play chess (2) : MEMORIZE learn the lines of a play b : to come to be able learn to dance c : to come to realize learned that honesty paid 2a nonstandard : TEACH b obsolete : to inform of something 3 : to come to know : HEAR we just learned that he was ill intransitive verb : to acquire knowledge or skill or a behavioral tendency were shocked to learn of her death

rob (v)

1a(1) : to take something away from by force : steal from (2) : to take personal property from by violence or threat b(1) : to remove valuables without right from (a place) (2) : to take the contents of (a receptacle) c : to take away as loot : STEAL rob jewelry 2a : to deprive of something due, expected, or desired b : to withhold unjustly or injuriously intransitive verb : to commit robbery robbed; robbing

treasure (n)

1a(1) : wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or hoarded buried treasure (2) : wealth of any kind or in any form : RICHES b : a store of money in reserve 2 : something of great worth or value also : a person esteemed as rare or precious 3 : a collection of precious things

replicate (v)

: DUPLICATE, REPEAT replicate a statistical experiment replicated his mentor's writing style intransitive verb : to undergo replication : produce a replica of itself virus particles replicating in cells replicated; replicating

herstory (n)

: HISTORY specifically : history considered or presented from a feminist viewpoint or with special attention to the experience of women

pococurante (adj)

: INDIFFERENT, NONCHALANT

vatic (adj)

: PROPHETIC, ORACULAR

vengeful (adj)

: REVENGEFUL: such as a : seeking to avenge b : serving to gain vengeance

soi-disant (adj)

: SELF-PROCLAIMED, SO-CALLED threw the soi-disant epic novel aside in disgust

self-sustained (adj)

: SELF-SUSTAINING a self-sustained nuclear chain reaction self-sustained farms self-sustained economic growth

besmirch (v)

: SULLY, SOIL besmirching her reputation High ideals were besmirched by cruelty and greed ... — R. A. Newhall besmirched; besmirching; besmirches

tools of ignorance (n)

: a baseball catcher's equipment

thunderbird (n)

: a bird that causes lightning and thunder in American Indian myth

prayer book (n)

: a book containing prayers and often other forms and directions for worship

transient ischemic attack (n)

: a brief episode of cerebral ischemia that is usually characterized by temporary blurring of vision, slurring of speech, numbness, paralysis, or syncope and is often predictive of a serious stroke —abbreviation TIA — called also ministroke

snooze button (n)

: a button on an alarm clock that stops and resets the alarm for a short time later to allow for more rest — called also snooze alarm

horse race (n)

: a close contest (as in politics)

trade-last (n)

: a complimentary remark by a third person that a hearer offers to repeat to the person complimented if he or she will first report a compliment made about the hearer

collision course (n)

: a course (as of moving bodies or antithetical philosophies) that will result in collision or conflict if continued unaltered

self-determinism (n)

: a doctrine that the actions of a self are determined by itself

slavocracy (n)

: a faction of slaveholders and advocates of slavery in the South before the American Civil War

semiotics (n)

: a general philosophical theory of signs and symbols that deals especially with their function in both artificially constructed and natural languages and comprises syntactics, semantics, and pragmatics

seigniorage (n)

: a government revenue from the manufacture of coins calculated as the difference between the face value and the metal value of the coins

Venn diagram (n)

: a graph that employs closed curves and especially circles to represent logical relations between and operations on sets and the terms of propositions by the inclusion, exclusion, or intersection of the curves

red carpet (n)

: a greeting or reception marked by ceremonial courtesy —usually used in the phrase roll out the red carpet

herbivore (n)

: a herbivorous animal

Theseus (n)

: a king of Athens in Greek mythology who kills Procrustes and the Minotaur before defeating the Amazons and marrying their queen

bonfire (n)

: a large fire built in the open air

black hand (n)

: a lawless secret society engaged in criminal activities (such as terrorism or extortion)

petitio principii (n)

: a logical fallacy in which a premise is assumed to be true without warrant or in which what is to be proved is implicitly taken for granted

valetudinarian (n)

: a person of a weak or sickly constitution especially : one whose chief concern is his or her ill health

polymath (n)

: a person of encyclopedic learning

coconspirator (n)

: a person who conspires with one or more others : a fellow conspirator ... he was named as an unindicted coconspirator ... —Trans-Action Five of his co-conspirators were also jailed for their roles in the plot. —Tom Powell ... was one of four alleged co-conspirators indicted following what officials called one of the largest data breaches in history ... —Stewart Bell and Adrian Humphreys

cognoscente (n)

: a person who has expert knowledge in a subject : CONNOISSEUR a computer cognoscente a cognoscente of the art world

weekend warrior (n)

: a person who participates in a usually physically strenuous activity only on weekends or part-time

exoplanet (n)

: a planet orbiting a star that is not our sun

checkpoint (n)

: a point at which a check is performed vehicles were inspected at various checkpoints

toxin (n)

: a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody formation

pins and needles (n)

: a pricking tingling sensation in a limb growing numb or recovering from numbness on pins and needles : in a nervous or jumpy state of anticipation

EPROM (n)

: a read-only memory that can be erased (as by exposure to ultraviolet radiation) and usually reprogrammed

belt-tightening (n)

: a reduction in spending

total depravity (n)

: a state of corruption due to original sin held in Calvinism to infect every part of man's nature and to make the natural man unable to know or obey God

balance sheet (n)

: a statement of financial condition at a given date

backstory (n)

: a story that tells what led up to the main story or plot (as of a film)

placeholder (n)

: a symbol in a mathematical or logical expression that may be replaced by the name of any element of a set

self-analysis (n)

: a systematic attempt by an individual to understand his or her own personality without the aid of another person

retronym (n)

: a term (such as analog watch, film camera, or snail mail) that is newly created and adopted to distinguish the original or older version, form, or example of something (such as a product) from other, more recent versions, forms, or examples Consider reduplicated retronyms: first came paperback book, differentiated from a book with a cloth or leather binding, provoking the retronym hardcover book. — William Safire Most retronyms are gleaned from high-technology and scientific advances that bring about a modification of an original item. Think of it as a backward glance that signifies progress (film camera, broadcast network, propeller airplane). — Lyrysa Smith

solipsism (n)

: a theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing also : extreme egocentrism

big bang theory (n)

: a theory in astronomy: the universe originated billions of years ago in an explosion from a single point of nearly infinite energy density — compare STEADY STATE THEORY

expressionism (n)

: a theory or practice in art of seeking to depict the subjective emotions and responses that objects and events arouse in the artist

Postimpressionism (n)

: a theory or practice of art originating in France in the last quarter of the 19th century that in revolt against impressionism stresses variously volume, picture structure, or expressionism

resourceful (adj)

: able to meet situations : capable of devising ways and means a resourceful leader

self-absorbed (adj)

: absorbed in one's own thoughts, activities, or interests

reputedly (adv)

: according to reputation or general belief

ex post facto (adv)

: after the fact : RETROACTIVELY

revealing (adj)

: allowing a look at or an understanding of something inner or hidden a revealing confession also : tending to expose more typically hidden parts of the body a revealing halter top

consternation (n)

: amazement or dismay that hinders or throws into confusion the two ... stared at each other in consternation, and neither knew what to do — Pearl Buck

balance of power (phrase)

: an equilibrium of power sufficient to discourage or prevent one nation or party from imposing its will on or interfering with the interests of another

tit for tat (phrase)

: an equivalent given in return (as for an injury) : retaliation in kind

expat (n)

: an expatriate person : EXPATRIATE

hog heaven (n)

: an extremely satisfying state or situation

Cockaigne (n)

: an imaginary land of great luxury and ease

shortcoming (n)

: an imperfection or lack that detracts from the whole also : the quality or state of being flawed or lacking

consciousness-raising (n)

: an increasing of concerned awareness especially of some social or political issue

waypoint (n)

: an intermediate point on a route or line of travel

blowback (n)

: an unforeseen and unwanted effect, result, or set of repercussions

plight (n)

: an unfortunate, difficult, or precarious situation

consequently (adv)

: as a result : in view of the foregoing : ACCORDINGLY The words are often confused and are consequently misused.

rock-bottom (adj)

: being the very lowest rock-bottom prices also : FUNDAMENTAL the rock-bottom question

venture capital (n)

: capital (such as retained corporate earnings or individual savings) invested or available for investment in the ownership element of new or fresh enterprise — called also risk capital

wandering (adj)

: characterized by aimless, slow, or pointless movement: such as a : that winds or meanders a wandering course b : not keeping a rational or sensible course : VAGRANT c : NOMADIC wandering tribes d of a plant : having long runners or tendrils

snazzy (adj)

: conspicuously or flashily attractive : FANCY snazzy clothes a snazzy car snazzier; snazziest

self-discipline (n)

: correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement

self-determined (adj)

: determined by oneself

uxorious (adj)

: excessively fond of or submissive to a wife

pregame (n)

: existing or occurring before a game a pregame party the athlete's usual pregame meal/warm-up The Bulls had finished their pregame shooting and were returning for the regular pregame meeting to go over the scouting report ... — Sam Smith

positive feedback (n)

: feedback that tends to magnify a process or increase its output

post inaugural (adj)

: following an inauguration a postinaugural reception Having lost his postinaugural momentum to talk radio, the president opened the 1993-94 television season by commandeering Nightline ... — J. Hoberman

defiant (adj)

: full of or showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight : full of or showing defiance : BOLD, IMPUDENT defiant rebels a defiant refusal Mantor struck a defiant pose, his chin out, and rocked for a moment on the heels of his boots. —Christopher Ketcham

varicolored (adj)

: having various colors : VARIEGATED a varicolored butterfly also : of various colors

self-hypnosis (n)

: hypnosis of oneself : AUTOHYPNOSIS performed self-hypnosis for relaxation —often used before another noun self-hypnosis techniques a self-hypnosis class/recording

blasphemous (adj)

: impiously irreverent : PROFANE a blasphemous writer a blasphemous epithet The claims were blasphemous.

big-time (adv)

: in a major or large-scale way the new show bombed big-time also : to a great extent or degree owes me big-time

extempore (adv or adj)

: in an extemporaneous manner speaking extempore

transracial (adj)

: involving, encompassing, or extending across two or more races transracial adoption

bells and whistles (n)

: items or features that are useful or decorative but not essential : FRILLS

preachy (adj)

: marked by obvious moralizing : DIDACTIC put off by the speaker's preachy tone preachier; preachiest

second-best (adj)

: next to the best

transformational (adj)

: of, relating to, characterized by, or concerned with transformation and especially linguistic transformation

exploratory (adj)

: of, relating to, or being exploration exploratory surgery exploratory drilling for oil

phatic (adj)

: of, relating to, or being speech used for social or emotive purposes rather than for communicating information

postlapsarian (adj)

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the time or state after the fall of humankind described in the Bible

smoke and mirrors (n)

: something intended to disguise or draw attention away from an often embarrassing or unpleasant issue —usually hyphenated when used attributively

reality check (n)

: something that clarifies or serves as a reminder of reality often by correcting a misconception

plugged-in (adj)

: technologically or socially informed and connected plugged-in teenagers

soothing (adj)

: tending to soothe also : having a sedative effect soothing syrup

self-referential (adj)

: the act or an instance of referring or alluding to oneself or itself ... their discourse can become dominated by words expressing confidence, like ... self-reference that can favour the royal we over I. —Peter Garrard The conventional wisdom was that sitcoms should hit the reset button every week, so as not to confuse or alienate nonregular viewers. But Seinfeld's obsessive self-references earned it the loyal audience that was key to its success ... —Daniel Bettridge specifically : reference or allusion by a literary or artistic work to the mental attitudes and creative processes that brought it into existence Such dumbly resistant objects might seem like arid exercises in postmodern self-reference—photographs about photography, as it were ... —Andrew Graham-Dixon

self-improvement (n)

: the act or process of improving oneself by one's own actions individuals interested in self-improvement opportunities for self-improvement also : an instance or result of such improvement You don't need to wait to ring in the new year to start making self-improvements, because it's always a good time. —Nicole Yi —often used before another noun self-improvement efforts a self-improvement blog

Roche limit (n)

: the distance from a planet's center within which a satellite can neither approach nor reside without being disrupted by tidal forces

bioluminescence (n)

: the emission of light from living organisms (such as fireflies, dinoflagellates, and bacteria) as the result of internal, typically oxidative chemical reactions also : the light so produced

relatively (adv)

: to a relative degree or extent : SOMEWHAT a relatively small group of people relatively cool weather The house is relatively new. relatively speaking 1 : when compared to others that are similar The procedure was quick, relatively speaking. Relatively speaking, the movie wasn't bad.> 2 —used to say that something is true or correct as a general statement even if it is not entirely true or correct The trip was, relatively speaking, a disaster.

posture (v)

: to cause to assume a given posture : POSE intransitive verb 1 : to assume a posture especially : to strike a pose for effect 2 : to assume an artificial or pretended attitude : ATTITUDINIZE postured; posturing

scrutinize (v)

: to examine closely and minutely intransitive verb : to make a scrutiny

resent (v)

: to feel or express annoyance or ill will at resented the implication resented; resenting; resents

skimp (v)

: to give insufficient or barely sufficient attention or effort to or funds for intransitive verb : to save by or as if by skimping

conform (v)

: to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord conform furrows to the slope of the land intransitive verb 1 : to be similar or identical also : to be in agreement or harmony —used with to or with changes that conform with our plans 2a : to be obedient or compliant —usually used with to conform to another's wishes The building doesn't conform to local regulations. b : to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs the pressure to conform conformed; conforming; conforms

condone (v)

: to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless a government accused of condoning racism condone corruption in politics condoned; condoning

reprimand (v)

: to reprove sharply or censure formally usually from a position of authority reprimanded; reprimanding; reprimands

revive (v)

: to return to consciousness or life : become active or flourishing again transitive verb 1 : to restore to consciousness or life 2 : to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state : bring back 3 : to renew in the mind or memory revived; reviving

revere (v)

: to show devoted deferential honor to : regard as worthy of great honor revere the aged revere tradition revered; revering

reiterate (v)

: to state or do over again or repeatedly sometimes with wearying effect reiterated; reiterating

barhop (v)

: to visit and drink at a series of bars in the course of an evening barhopped; barhopping; barhops

renowned (adj)

: widely acclaimed and highly honored : CELEBRATED

reprehensible (adj)

: worthy of or deserving reprehension : CULPABLE

anthology (n)

A collection of various writings, such as songs, stories, or poems

go (n)

on the go. 1 : the act or manner of going 2 : the height of fashion : RAGE elegant shawls labeled ... quite the go —R. S. Surtees 3 : an often unexpected turn of affairs : OCCURRENCE 4 : the quantity used or furnished at one time you can obtain a go of brandy for sixpence —C. B. Fairbanks 5 : ENERGY, VIGOR 6a : a turn in an activity (such as a game) it's your go b : ATTEMPT, TRY have a go at painting 7 : a spell of activity finished the job at one go 8 : SUCCESS made a go of the business 9 : permission to proceed : GO-AHEAD gave the astronauts a go for another orbit no go : to no avail : USELESS Attempts to get the computer running have been no go. on the go : constantly or restlessly active a housewife and mother who's always on the go

admire (v)

I admire your.... 1 : to feel respect and approval for (someone or something) : to regard with admiration They all admired her courage. 2 archaic : to marvel at

hook (v)

on the hook for... 1 : to form into a hook : CROOK 2a : to seize or make fast by or as if by a hook b : to connect by or as if by a hook —often used with up 3 : STEAL, PILFER 4 : to make (something, such as a rug) by drawing loops of yarn, thread, or cloth through a coarse fabric with a hook 5 : to hit or throw (a ball) so that a hook results intransitive verb 1 : to form a hook : CURVE 2 : to become hooked 3 : to work as a prostitute

admit (v)

I hate/have to admit... admitted; admitting transitive verb 1 a : to allow scope for : permit admits no possibility of misunderstanding b : to concede as true or valid admitted making a mistake 2 a : to allow entry (as to a place, fellowship, or privilege) an open window had admitted rain admitted to the club b : to accept into a hospital as an inpatient he was admitted last night for chest pains intransitive verb 1 : to give entrance or access 2 a : allow, permit admits of two interpretations b : to make acknowledgment —used with to admitted to having doubts

hopeful (adj)

I'm hopeful that... 1 : having qualities which inspire hope hopeful signs of economic recovery 2 : full of hope : inclined to hope

Pavlovian (adj)

Pavlovian conditioning. 1 : of or relating to Ivan Pavlov or to his work and theories Pavlovian conditioning 2 : being or expressing a conditioned or predictable reaction : automatic the candidates gave Pavlovian answers

radar (n)

on your radar. 1 : a device or system consisting usually of a synchronized radio transmitter and receiver that emits radio waves and processes their reflections for display and is used especially for detecting and locating objects (such as aircraft) or surface features (as of a planet) 2 : range of notice fell off the radar after losing their first three games

sapience (n)

WISDOM, SAGACITY

berth (n)

Wide berth. 1 a nautical : sufficient distance for maneuvering a ship Keep a clear berth of the shoals. b : an amount of distance maintained for safety give the fire a wide berth giving him a wide berth until he is in a better mood 2 a : the place where a ship lies when at anchor or at a wharf was docked at her usual berth b : a space for an automotive vehicle at rest a truck-loading berth 3 : a place to sit or sleep especially on a ship or vehicle : accommodation a comfortable cabin with a deep berth an upper berth 4 a : a billet (see 1billet 2a) on a ship waiting for a berth as a ship's surgeon —Bernard Keelan b : job, position, place a starting berth on the team

logical positivism (n)

a 20th century philosophical movement holding that all meaningful statements are either analytic or conclusively verifiable or at least confirmable by observation and experiment and that metaphysical theories are therefore strictly meaningless — called also logical empiricism — logical positivist noun

Dantean (adj)

a Dantean tone. of, relating to, or suggestive of Dante or his writings; especially : having a hellish or bizarre quality refugees lived a Dantean existence —A. E. Cowdrey

feng shui (n)

a balanced feng shui. a Chinese geomantic practice in which a structure or site is chosen or configured so as to harmonize with the spiritual forces that inhabit it; also : orientation, placement, or arrangement according to the precepts of feng shui

bodhi sattva (n)

a being that compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others and is worshipped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism

goose egg (n)

a big goose egg. zero, nothing; especially : a score of zero in a game or contest

brazen (adj)

a brazen move. 1 : made of brass drinking from brazen cups 2 a : sounding harsh and loud like struck brass the horrible brazen voice of the fire bell —Elmer Davis b : of the color of polished brass 3 : marked by shameless or disrespectful boldness a brazen disregard for the rules

budding (adj)

a budding romance/friendship. being in an early stage of development budding novelists

calculated (adj)

a calculated response. 1 : APT, LIKELY 2a : worked out by mathematical calculation b : engaged in, undertaken, or displayed after reckoning or estimating the statistical probability of success or failure a calculated risk 3a : planned or contrived to accomplish a purpose b : DELIBERATE, INTENDED a calculated attempt to deceive voters

cardinal (adj)

a cardinal sin. 1 : of basic importance a cardinal principle 2 : very serious or grave a cardinal sin — cardinally adverb

charismatic (adj)

a charismatic leader. 1 : having, exhibiting, or based on charisma or charism charismatic sects a charismatic leader 2 : of, relating to, or constituting charisma or charism charismatic gifts

deflection (n)

a clear deflection from the subject at hand. 1 : a turning aside or off course : deviation 2 : the departure of an indicator or pointer from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument

directive (n)

a clear directive. 1 : serving or intended to guide, govern, or influence a directive method 2 : serving to point direction; specifically : directional 1b directive microphones 3 psychology : of or relating to psychotherapy or counseling in which the counselor introduces information, content, or attitudes not previously expressed by the client

albeit (conj)

a clever, albeit brazen, idea. : even though : ALTHOUGH an enjoyable, albeit expensive, vacation

misperception (n)

a common misperception. plural misperceptions : a false or inaccurate perception ... a host of misperceptions about the '50s, including the skewed notion that women didn't work in the 1950s, especially if they were mothers. Even in the '50s, one-fifth of mothers had paying jobs. —Jeff Reid

holding company (n)

a company whose primary business is holding a controlling interest in the securities of other companies — compare investment company

comprehensive (adj)

a comprehensive undertaking. 1 : covering completely or broadly : inclusive comprehensive examinations comprehensive insurance 2 : having or exhibiting wide mental grasp comprehensive knowledge — comprehensively adverb — comprehensiveness noun

Damocles (n)

a courtier of ancient Syracuse held to have been seated at a banquet beneath a sword hung by a single hair

daring (adj)

a daring escape. venturesomely bold in action or thought — daringly play \-iŋ-lē\ adverb — daringness

daunting (adj)

a daunting task. tending to overwhelm or intimidate a daunting task — dauntingly

dead-on (adj)

a dead-on understanding. exactly correct or accurate a dead-on analysis his impersonations were dead-on

definitive (adj)

a definitive guide to... 1 : serving to provide a final solution or to end a situation a definitive victory could not give a definitive diagnosis 2 : authoritative and apparently exhaustive a definitive critical biography 3a : serving to define or specify precisely established definitive guidelines for sentencing criminals b : serving as a perfect example : QUINTESSENTIAL a definitive bourgeois A slow race is the definitive Leechfield competition. You win it by coming in last. —Mary Karr 4 biology : fully differentiated or developed a definitive organ 5 of a postage stamp : issued as a regular stamp for the country or territory in which it is to be used

car bomb (n)

a defused car bomb. an explosive device concealed in an automobile for use as a weapon of terrorism

degenerative (adj)

a degenerative disease. : of, relating to, involving, or causing degeneration a degenerative disease

deluge (n)

a deluge of criticism. 1 a : an overflowing of the land by water b : a drenching rain a deluge causing mudslides in the area 2 : an overwhelming amount or number received a deluge of angry phone calls

demanding (adj)

a demanding manager. requiring much time, effort, or attention : EXACTING a demanding job demanding customers

denuclearize (v)

a denuclearized North Korea. : to remove nuclear arms from : prohibit the use of nuclear arms in

honorable mention (n)

a distinction conferred (as in a contest or exhibition) on works or persons of exceptional merit but not deserving of top honors

fatalism (n)

a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them; also : a belief in or attitude determined by this doctrine fatalism that regards social problems as simply inevitable — fatalist play \ˈfā-tə-list\ noun — fatalistic play \ˌfā-tə-ˈli-stik\ adjective — fatalistically

drab (adj)

a drab setting. 1a : of the dull brown color of drab (see DRAB entry 3 sense 1) b : of a light olive brown color : of the color drab (see DRAB entry 3 sense 2a) 2 : characterized by dullness and monotony : CHEERLESS a drab life drab industrial buildings

dull (adj)

a dull affair. 1 : tedious, uninteresting dull lectures 2 : lacking sharpness of edge or point a dull knife 3 a : not resonant or ringing a dull booming sound b : lacking in force, intensity, or sharpness a dull ache 4 : lacking brilliance or luster a dull finish 5 : cloudy dull weather 6 of a color : low in saturation (see saturation 4a) and low in lightness a dull green 7 : mentally slow : stupid 8 a : slow in perception or sensibility : insensible somewhat dull of hearing dull to what went on about her —Willa Cather b : lacking zest (see zest 2) or vivacity : listless a dull performance 9 : slow in action : sluggish dull markets — dullness or less commonly dulness noun — dully

facetious (adj)

a facetious comment. 1 : joking or jesting often inappropriately : waggish just being facetious 2 : meant to be humorous or funny : not serious a facetious remark — facetiously adverb — facetiousness noun

faithful (adj)

a faithful partner. 1 : steadfast in affection or allegiance : LOYAL a faithful friend 2 : firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty : CONSCIENTIOUS a faithful employee 3 : given with strong assurance : BINDING a faithful promise 4 : true to the facts, to a standard, or to an original a faithful copy 5 obsolete : full of faith

feel-good (adj)

a feel-good song. 1 : relating to or promoting an often specious sense of satisfaction or well-being a feel-good reform program that makes no changes 2 : cheerfully sentimental a feel-good movie

fallow (adj)

a fellow musician. of a light yellowish-brown color a fallow greyhound

fiery (adj)

a fiery personality. fierier; fieriest 1 a : consisting of fire fiery tongues playing about the roof of the burning building b : marked by fire a fiery crash c : using or carried out with fire the fiery experiments of the ancient alchemists d : liable to catch fire or explode : flammable a fiery vapor 2 a : hot like a fire the fiery taste of red pepper b (1) : being in an inflamed state or condition a fiery boil (2) : feverish and flushed a fiery forehead 3 : of the color of fire : red a fiery sunset 4 a : full of or exuding emotion or spirit a fiery sermon b : easily provoked : irritable a fiery temper — fierily adverb — fieriness noun — fiery adverb

Garrison finish (n)

a finish in which the winner comes from behind at the end

flashy (adj)

a flashy display. flashier; flashiest 1 chiefly dialectal : lacking in substance or flavor : insipid 2 : momentarily dazzling 3 a : superficially attractive or impressive b : ostentatious or showy often beyond the bounds of good taste; especially : marked by gaudy brightness — flashily play \ˈfla-shə-lē\ adverb — flashiness

foray (n)

a foray into new territory. 1 : a sudden or irregular invasion or attack for war or spoils : raid a foray into enemy territory attempted sneak and surprise forays —D. D. Eisenhower 2 : an initial and often tentative attempt to do something in a new or different field or area of activity the novelist's foray into nonfiction Torres spearheaded his family's first foray into international wine production by purchasing land in Chile's Curicó Valley in 1979. —Michael Schachner

fortress (n)

a fortified place : stronghold; especially : a large and permanent fortification sometimes including a town — fortresslike

Holofernes (n)

a general of Nebuchadnezzar's who led an Assyrian army against Israel and was beheaded in his sleep by Judith

giant (adj)

a giant waste. : having extremely large size, proportion, or power

gifted (adj)

a gifted speaker. 1 : having great natural ability : TALENTED gifted children 2 : revealing a special gift gifted voices

glacial (adj)

a glacial pace. 1 : suggestive of ice: such as a : extremely cold : frigid a glacial wind b : devoid of warmth and cordiality a glacial handshake c : coldly imperturbable maintained a glacial calm 2 : of a purity marked by the tendency to readily solidify in the form of ice-like crystals glacial acetic acid 3 a (1) : of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than at present (2) capitalized : pleistocene b : of, relating to, or produced by glaciers c : suggestive of the very slow movement of glaciers progress on the bill has been glacial — glacially

epidemic (n)

a global epidemic. 1 : an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time : an outbreak of epidemic disease 2 : an outbreak or product of sudden rapid spread, growth, or development an epidemic of bankruptcies

frame of reference (n)

a good frame of reference. 1 : an arbitrary set of axes with reference to which the position or motion of something is described or physical laws are formulated 2 : a set of ideas, conditions, or assumptions that determine how something will be approached, perceived, or understood a Marxian frame of reference

graceful (adj)

a graceful entrance. : displaying grace (see GRACE entry 1 sense 3) in form or action : pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, or movement a graceful dancer

grounded (adj)

a grounded argument. mentally and emotionally stable : admirably sensible, realistic, and unpretentious remains grounded despite all the praise and attention

hierarchical (adj)

a hierarchical corporate structure. of, relating to, or arranged in a hierarchy a hierarchical society a hierarchical order in the church — hierarchically

high-end (adj)

a high-end restaurant. 1 : upscale high-end boutiques 2 : of superior quality or sophistication and usually high in price high-end cameras

grail (n)

a holy grail. 1 capitalized : the cup or platter used according to medieval legend by Christ at the Last Supper and thereafter the object of knightly quests 2 : the object of an extended or difficult quest

hopeless (adj)

a hopeless romantic. 1a : having no expectation of good or success : DESPAIRING felt hopeless and alone b : not susceptible to remedy or cure doctors say his condition is hopeless c : incapable of redemption or improvement She's a hopeless romantic. the most hopeless group of golfers you've ever seen 2a : giving no reason to expect good or success : giving no ground for hope : DESPERATE The situation looked hopeless. b : incapable of solution, management, or accomplishment : IMPOSSIBLE a hopeless task

horoscope (n)

a horoscopic analysis. 1 : a diagram of the relative positions of planets and signs of the zodiac at a specific time (as at one's birth) for use by astrologers in inferring individual character and personality traits and in foretelling events of a person's life 2 : an astrological forecast

landmark (n)

a landmark achievement. 1 : an object (such as a stone or tree) that marks the boundary of land 2 a : a conspicuous object on land that marks a locality b : an anatomical structure used as a point of orientation in locating other structures 3 : an event or development that marks a turning point or a stage 4 : a structure (such as a building) of unusual historical and usually aesthetic interest; especially : one that is officially designated and set aside for preservation

hippogriff (n)

a legendary animal having the foreparts of a griffin and the body of a horse

lofty (adj)

a lofty goal/ambition. loftier; loftiest 1 a : elevated in character and spirit : noble lofty ideals b : elevated in status : superior the less lofty customers of the bar 2 : having a haughty overbearing manner : supercilious She showed a lofty disregard for their objections. 3 a : rising to a great height : impressively high lofty mountains b : remote, esoteric basic precepts are not lofty abstractions far removed from matters of daily living —D. D. Eisenhower 4 : having full-bodied, firm, and resilient textile fibers lofty flannel — loftily play \ˈlȯf-tə-lē\ adverb — loftiness

long-standing (adj)

a long-standing tradition. of long duration a long-standing dispute

luminary (n)

a luminary in her industry. plural luminaries 1 : a person of prominence or brilliant achievement a literary luminary a luminary in the medical profession 2 : a body that gives light; especially : one of the celestial bodies skywatchers ... will see one more bright luminary below Orion and Canis Major —Martin Ratcliffe — luminary adjective

apophasis (n)

a manipulative apophasis. 1 : the raising of an issue by claiming not to mention it (as in we won't discuss his past crimes) ... he indulges himself in apophasis about his ex-wives (No, I am most definitely not making any charges or accusations. It's merely that ...). —John Brooks 2 : the practice of describing something (such as God) by stating which characteristics it does not have especially because human thought or language is believed to be insufficient to describe it fully or accurately ... apophasis happens because, like Moses and the burning bush, persons have been drawn so close to the mystery that they have begun to realize how beautifully, appallingly, heart-breakingly mysterious God really is. —Mark Allen McIntosh

chef d'oeuvre (n)

a masterpiece esp. in art or literature

mendacious (adj)

a mendacious narrative. given to or characterized by deception or falsehood or divergence from absolute truth mendacious tales of his adventures — mendaciously adverb — mendaciousness noun

methodical (adj)

a methodical approach. 1 : arranged, characterized by, or performed with method or order a methodical treatment of the subject 2 : habitually proceeding according to method : systematic methodical in his daily routine a methodical worker — methodically play \-di-k(ə-)lē\ adverb — methodicalness

microcosm (n)

a microcosm of... 1 : a little world; especially : the human race or human nature seen as an epitome (see epitome 1) of the world or the universe 2 : a community or other unity that is an epitome (see epitome 2) of a larger unity The suburb has been the microcosm of the city. — microcosmic adjective — microcosmically adverb — in microcosm : in a greatly diminished size, form, or scale

miraculous (adj)

a miraculous comeback/recovery. 1 : of the nature of a miracle : supernatural a miraculous event 2 : suggesting a miracle : marvelous proof of a miraculous memory —Time He made a miraculous recovery after the accident. 3 : working or able to work miracles miraculous power — miraculously adverb — miraculousness noun

mixed bag (n)

a mixed bag of candidates. 1 : a miscellaneous collection : ASSORTMENT 2 : one having both positive and negative qualities or aspects his performance was a mixed bag

paragon (n)

a model of excellence or perfection was a paragon of goodness a paragon of a wife

saga (n)

a new saga. 1 : a prose narrative recorded in Iceland in the 12th and 13th centuries of historic or legendary figures and events of the heroic age of Norway and Iceland 2 : a modern heroic narrative resembling the Icelandic saga 3 : a long detailed account a saga of the Old South

one-dimensional (adj)

a one-dimensional viewpoint. 1 : having one dimension 2 : lacking depth : superficial one-dimensional characters — one-dimensionality

parity (n)

a parity between/of two forces. plural parities 1 : the quality or state of being equal or equivalent Women have fought for parity with men in the workplace. 2 a : equivalence of a commodity price expressed in one currency to its price expressed in another The two currencies are approaching parity for the first time in decades. b : equality of purchasing power established by law between different kinds of money at a given ratio 3 : an equivalence between farmers' current purchasing power and their purchasing power at a selected base period maintained by government support of agricultural commodity prices ... parity is the price calculated to give the farmer a fair return in relation to the things he must buy. —New York Times 4 a : the property of an integer with respect to being odd or even 3 and 7 have the same parity b (1) : the state of being odd or even used as the basis of a method of detecting errors in binary-coded data (see 2binary 5) (2) : parity bit 5 : the property of oddness or evenness of a quantum mechanical function 6 : the symmetry of behavior in an interaction of a physical entity (such as a subatomic particle) with that of its mirror image (see mirror image 1a)

people (n)

a people person. plural people 1 plural : human beings making up a group or assembly or linked by a common interest 2 plural : human beings, persons —often used in compounds instead of persons salespeople —often used attributively people skills 3 plural : the members of a family or kinship 4 plural : the mass of a community as distinguished from a special class disputes between the people and the nobles —often used by Communists to distinguish Communists from other people 5 plural peoples : a body of persons that are united by a common culture, tradition, or sense of kinship, that typically have common language, institutions, and beliefs, and that often constitute a politically organized group 6 : lower animals usually of a specified kind or situation 7 : the body of enfranchised citizens of a state — peopleless adjective

perfidious (adj)

a perfidious act. of, relating to, or characterized by perfidy (the quality or state of being faithless or disloyal) — perfidiously adverb — perfidiousness noun

bean counter (n)

a person involved in corporate or government financial decisions and especially one reluctant to spend money

groundskeeper (n)

a person who cares for the grounds of a usually large property (such as a sports field)

gray eminence (n)

a person who exercises power behind the scenes

misanthrope (n)

a person who hates or distrusts humankind

lone wolf (n)

a person who prefers to work, act, or live alone — lone-wolf

wordsmith (n)

a person who works with words; especially : a skillful writer — wordsmithery

credo (n)

a personal credo. creed The CEO's credo was If you don't go forward, you go backward.

metaphor (n)

a playful metaphor. 1 : a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money); broadly : figurative language — compare simile 2 : an object, activity, or idea treated as a metaphor : symbol 2 — metaphoric play \ˌme-tə-ˈfȯr-ik, -ˈfär-\ or metaphorical play \-i-kəl\ adjective — metaphorically

demeanor (n)

a positive demeanor. : behavior toward others : outward manner

attitude (n)

a positive/negative attitude. 1 : the arrangement of the parts of a body or figure : POSTURE depicted her in a reclining attitude 2 : a position assumed for a specific purpose a threatening attitude 3 : a ballet position similar to the arabesque in which the raised leg is bent at the knee 4a : a mental position with regard to a fact or state a helpful attitude b : a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state a negative attitude an optimistic attitude 5 : the position of a craft (such as an aircraft or spacecraft) determined by the relationship between its axes and a reference datum (such as the horizon or a particular star) 6 : an bodily state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus (such as an object, concept, or situation) 7a : a negative or hostile state of mind b : a cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner He was showing some attitude in practice today, so the coach benched him.

flowchart (n)

a process flowchart. a diagram that shows step-by-step progression through a procedure or system especially using connecting lines and a set of conventional symbols — flowcharting

loss leader (n)

a product as a loss leader. something (such as merchandise) sold at a loss in order to draw customers — loss-leader

refreshing (adj)

a refreshing take on... : serving to refresh especially : agreeably stimulating because of freshness or newness a refreshing change of pace

gold mine (n)

a rich source of something desired

riveting (adj)

a riveting story. : having the power to fix the attention : ENGROSSING, FASCINATING a riveting story

roller coaster (n)

a roller coaster of emotions. 1 : an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) constructed with sharp curves and steep inclines on which cars roll 2 : something resembling a roller coaster especially : behavior, events, or experiences characterized by sudden and extreme changes an emotional roller coaster

romantic (adj)

a romantic at heart. 1 : consisting of or resembling a romance 2 : having no basis in fact : imaginary 3 : impractical in conception or plan : visionary 4 a : marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized b often capitalized : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of romanticism c : of or relating to music of the 19th century characterized by an emphasis on subjective emotional qualities and freedom of form; also : of or relating to a composer of this music 5 a : having an inclination for romance : responsive to the appeal of what is idealized, heroic, or adventurous b : marked by expressions of love or affection c : conducive to or suitable for lovemaking 6 : of, relating to, or constituting the part of the hero especially in a light comedy — romantically

scruffy (adj)

a scruffy pup. UNKEMPT, SLOVENLY, SHAGGY a scruffy neighborhood a scruffy beard

select (adj)

a select few. 1 : chosen from a number or group by fitness or preference 2a : of special value or excellence : SUPERIOR, CHOICE b : exclusively or fastidiously chosen often with regard to social, economic, or cultural characteristics 3 : judicious or restrictive in choice : DISCRIMINATING pleased with the select appreciation of his books —Osbert Sitwell

self-serving (adj)

a self-serving attitude. : serving one's own interests often in disregard of the truth or the interests of others

autodidact (n)

a self-taught person was an autodidact who read voraciously — autodidactic

selfless (adj)

a selfless act. : having no concern for self : UNSELFISH

humility (n)

a sense of humility. : freedom from pride or arrogance : the quality or state of being humble accepted the honor with humility The ordeal taught her humility.

Paralympics (n)

a series of international contests for athletes with disabilities that are associated with and held following the summer and winter Olympic Games — called also Paralympic Games — Paralympian noun — Paralympic

factor (n)

one factor of many. 1 : one who acts or transacts business for another: such as a : broker 1b b : one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable) 2 a (1) : one that actively contributes to the production of a result : ingredient price wasn't a factor in the decision (2) : a substance that functions in or promotes the function of a particular physiological process or bodily system a clotting factor that facilitates blood coagulation b : a good or service (such as land, labor, or capital) used in the process of production 3 : gene 4 a : any of the numbers or symbols in mathematics that when multiplied together form a product (see product 1); also : a number or symbol that divides another number or symbol b : a quantity by which a given quantity is multiplied or divided in order to indicate a difference in measurement costs increased by a factor of 10 — factorship

pathfinder (n)

one that discovers a way; especially : one that explores untraversed regions to mark out a new route — pathfinding

decline (v)

a sharp decline. 1 archaic : to turn from a straight course : stray 2 a : to slope downward : descend b : to bend down : droop ... eyes ... declining toward the ground ... —Henry Fielding c : to stoop (see 1stoop 3b) to what is unworthy ... the direful shameful state Adam declined into ... —Edward Taylor 3 a of a celestial body : to sink toward setting the declining sun b : to draw toward a close : wane the day declined 4 : to tend toward an inferior state or weaker condition his health declined Employee morale declined after the layoffs. 5 : to withhold consent We invited him but he declined. 6 : to become less in amount The price of the stock declined. transitive verb 1 grammar : to give in prescribed order the grammatical forms of (a noun, pronoun, or adjective) decline the Latin adjective brevis 2 obsolete a : avert ... evasions are sought to decline the pressure of resistless arguments ... —Samuel Johnson b : avoid ... sinners ... despairing to decline their fate ... —Thomas Ken 3 : to cause to bend or bow downward ... the clover ... declines its blooms. —W. C. Bryant 4 a : to refuse to undertake, undergo, engage in, or comply with decline battle b : to refuse especially courteously decline an invitation declined to give her name to the reporter — declinable adjective — decliner

temper (n)

a short temper. 1a : heat of mind or emotion : proneness to anger : PASSION she has a real temper b : calmness of mind : COMPOSURE c : state of feeling or frame of mind at a particular time usually dominated by a single strong emotion d : a characteristic cast of mind or state of feeling : DISPOSITION 2a : characteristic tone : TREND the temper of the times b : high quality of mind or spirit : COURAGE c archaic : a suitable proportion or balance of qualities : a middle state between extremes : MEAN, MEDIUM virtue is ... a just temper between propensities —T. B. Macaulay d archaic : CHARACTER, QUALITY the temper of the land you design to sow —John Mortimer 3a : the state of a substance with respect to certain desired qualities (such as hardness, elasticity, or workability) especially : the degree of hardness or resiliency given steel by tempering b : the feel and relative solidity of leather 4 : a substance (such as a metal) added to or mixed with something else (such as another metal) to modify the properties of the latter

Mexican standoff (n)

a situation in which no one emerges a clear winner; also : deadlock

locket (n)

a small case usually of precious metal that has space for a memento and that is worn typically suspended from a chain or necklace

outcast (n)

a social outcast. 1 : one that is cast out or refused acceptance (as by society) : pariah 2 [Scots cast out to quarrel] Scotland : quarrel

gemeinschaft (n)

a spontaneously arising organic social relationship characterized by strong reciprocal bonds of sentiment and kinship within a common tradition; also : a community or society characterized by this relationship — compare gesellschaft

maximum likelihood (n)

a statistical method for estimating population parameters (such as the mean and variance) from sample data that selects as estimates those parameter values maximizing the probability of obtaining the observed data

hook (n)

a strong hook. 1a : a curved or bent device for catching, holding, or pulling b : something intended to attract and ensnare c : ANCHOR sense 1 2 : something curved or bent like a hook especially hooks plural : FINGERS 3 : a flight or course of a ball that deviates from straight in a direction opposite to the dominant hand of the player propelling it also : a ball following such a course — compare SLICE 4 : a short blow delivered with a circular motion by a boxer while the elbow remains bent and rigid 5 : HOOK SHOT 6 : BUTTONHOOK 7 : quick or summary removal —used with get or give the pitcher got the hook after giving up three runs 8 : a device especially in music or writing that catches the attention 9 : a selling point or marketing scheme 10 : CRADLE sense 1b(2) by hook or by crook : by any means off the hook 1 : out of trouble 2 : free of responsibility or accountability on one's own hook : by oneself : INDEPENDENTLY

selling point (n)

a strong selling point. : an aspect or detail of something that is emphasized (as in selling or promoting)

urgency (n)

a strong sense of urgency. plural urgencies 1 : the quality or state of being urgent : insistence 2 : a force or impulse that impels or constrains : urge

trajectory (n)

a strong trajectory. 1 : the curve that a body (such as a planet or comet in its orbit or a rocket) describes in space 2 : a path, progression, or line of development resembling a physical trajectory an upward career trajectory

generalize (v)

a tendency to generalize. generalized; generalizing transitive verb 1 : to give a general form to 2 a : to derive or induce (a general conception or principle) from particulars b : to draw a general conclusion from 3 : to give general applicability to generalize a law; also : to make indefinite intransitive verb 1 : to form generalizations; also : to make vague or indefinite statements She's always generalizing about men. 2 : to spread or extend throughout the body — generalizability noun — generalizable adjective — generalizer

tepid (adj)

a tepid response to a lame joke. 1 : moderately warm : LUKEWARM a tepid bath 2a : lacking in passion, force, or zest tepid poetry b : marked by an absence of enthusiasm or conviction a tepid interest a tepid response

laconic (adj)

a terse & laconic response. using or involving the use of a minimum of words : concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious — laconically

tidy (adj)

a tidy apartment. 1a : neat and orderly in appearance or habits : well ordered and cared for b : METHODICAL, PRECISE a tidy mind 2 : LARGE, SUBSTANTIAL a tidy profit 3 : adequately satisfactory : ACCEPTABLE, FAIR a tidy solution to their problem 4 : properly filled out : PLUMP

timid (adj)

a timid friend. 1 : lacking in courage or self-confidence a timid person 2 : lacking in boldness or determination a timid policy

titan (n)

a titan of industry. 1 capitalized : any of a family of giants in Greek mythology born of Uranus and Gaea and ruling the earth until overthrown by the Olympian gods 2 : one that is gigantic in size or power : one that stands out for greatness of achievement

toast (n)

a toast to... 1a : sliced bread browned on both sides by heat b : food prepared with toasted bread 2 [ 3toast ] : an act of proposing or of drinking in honor of a toast 3 slang : one that is finished or done for soon their relationship was toast —Rick Reilly 4 : a rhyming narrative poem existing in oral tradition among black Americans 5 [ from the use of pieces of spiced toast to flavor drinks ] a(1) : a person whose health is drunk (2) : something in honor of which persons usually drink b : one that is highly admired she's the toast of society

metanoia (n)

a transformative change of heart; especially : a spiritual conversion

operationalism (n)

a view that the concepts or terms used in nonanalytic scientific statements must be definable in terms of identifiable and repeatable operations — operationalist play \ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shnə-list, -shə-nə-list\ noun — operationalistic

delirium tremens (n)

a violent delirium with tremors that is induced by excessive and prolonged use of alcoholic liquors — called also d.t.'s

holy war (n)

a war or violent campaign waged often by religious extremists for what is considered to be a holy purpose

greeting (n)

a warm greeting. 1 : a salutation at meeting 2 : an expression of good wishes : regards —usually used in plural holiday greetings

grin (v)

a wide grin. intransitive verb : to draw back the lips so as to show the teeth especially in amusement or laughter broadly : SMILE grinning from ear to ear

annus horriblis (n)

a year of disaster or misfortune.

opportune (adj)

opportune moment. 1 : suitable or convenient for a particular occurrence an opportune moment the legal authorities helped by the opportune use of their powers of arrest —T. E. Vedney 2 : occurring at an appropriate time an opportune offer of assistance The book's publication is opportune. — opportunely adverb — opportuneness

optimize (v)

optimizing efficiency. optimized; optimizing transitive verb : to make as perfect, effective, or functional as possible optimize energy use optimize your computer for speed and memory —Charles Brannon — optimizer

orchestrate (v)

orchestrate a plan. orchestrated; orchestrating transitive verb 1 a : to compose or arrange (music) for an orchestra The composer orchestrated the music for the symphony orchestra. b : to provide with orchestration orchestrate a ballet 2 : to arrange or combine so as to achieve a desired or maximum effect orchestrated preparations for the banquet a carefully orchestrated stunt — orchestrator or less commonly orchestrater play \ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrā-tər\ noun

ossify (v)

ossified; ossifying intransitive verb 1 : to change into bone The cartilages ossified with age. 2 : to become hardened or conventional and opposed to change so easy for the mind to ossify and generous ideals to end in stale platitudes —John Buchan transitive verb 1 : to change (a material, such as cartilage) into bone ossified tendons of muscle 2 : to make rigidly conventional and opposed to change ossified institutions ossified ideologies

overall (adj)

overall feeling... 1 : all over 1 the pattern used overall 2 : from one end to the other 600 feet long overall 3 a : in view of all the circumstances or conditions overall, the sale was a success b : as a whole : generally doesn't do as well overall overall and in most of its detail the film has remarkable power —Time c : with everyone or everything taken into account was third overall in earnings got 31 miles to the gallon overall

overengineer (v)

overengineering an ice cube tray. overengineered; overengineering transitive + intransitive : to engineer (something, such as a product) to have more functions, capabilities, etc. than are necessary or desirable The pressure to overreact to feedback ... will lead many companies to overengineer their products, until common sense kicks back in. —Guy Kawasaki It was advertised to last 50 years, and overengineered so it might last 100. —Stephen Flynn Our research steered us away from trying to design pockets and compartments for specific uses. We didn't want to overengineer. —Eric Rothenhaus

abate (v)

abated; abating intransitive verb 1 : to decrease in force or intensity waiting for the storm to abate 2 a : to become defeated or become null or void (as of a writ or appeal) b : to decrease in amount or value The legacies abated proportionately. transitive verb 1 a : to put an end to abate a nuisance b : nullify 1 abate a writ 2 a : to reduce in degree or intensity : moderate may abate their rancor to win peace b : to reduce in value or amount : to make less especially by way of relief abate a tax 3 : deduct, omit abate part of the price 4 a : to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief b obsolete : blunt 5 : deprive 2 — abater noun

absolve (v)

absolved of your sins. absolved; absolving transitive verb formal 1 : to set (someone) free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt The jury absolved the defendants of their crimes. Her youth does not absolve her of responsibility for her actions. 2 : to pardon or forgive (a sin) : to remit (a sin) by absolution asked the priest to absolve his sins — absolver noun

abstain (v)

abstain from... 1 : to choose not to do or have something : to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice abstain from drinking 2 : to choose not to vote Ten members voted for the proposal, six members voted against it, and two abstained. — abstainer noun

accentuate (v)

accentuating a feature. to make (something) more prominent or noticeable : accent, emphasize With her hair in tight curls that accentuate her pale beauty, she seems lit from within. —Peter Travers trying to accentuate the positive aspects of the program also : intensify accentuates the feeling of despair

conventional wisdom (n)

according to conventional wisdom... : the generally accepted belief, opinion, judgment, or prediction about a particular matter

accrue (v)

accruing interest. accrued; accruing intransitive verb 1 : to come into existence as a legally enforceable claim 2 a : to come about as a natural growth, increase, or advantage the wisdom that accrues with age b : to come as a direct result of some state or action rewards due to the feminine will accrue to me —Germaine Greer 3 : to accumulate or be added periodically interest accrues on a daily basis transitive verb : to accumulate or have due after a period of time accrue vacation time — accruable adjective — accruement

accurate (adj)

accurate representation. 1 : free from error especially as the result of care an accurate diagnosis 2 : conforming exactly to truth or to a standard : exact providing accurate color 3 : able to give an accurate result an accurate gauge 4 : going to, reaching, or hitting the intended target : not missing the target an accurate shot/kick The next play, Johnson fielded a sharp grounder and made an accurate throw to first. —Joe Smith 5 : tending to hit the intended target an accurate free-throw shooter

acquire (v)

acquire new skills. acquired; acquiring transitive verb 1 : to get as one's own: a : to come into possession or control of often by unspecified means acquire property The team acquired three new players this year. b : to come to have as a new or added characteristic, trait, or ability (as by sustained effort or natural selection) acquire fluency in French bacteria that acquire tolerance to antibiotics 2 : to locate and hold (a desired object) in a detector acquire a target by radar

madding (adj)

acting in a frenzied manner —usually used in the phrase madding crowd to denote especially the crowded world of human activity and strife built his home far from the madding crowd

alpha (adj)

acting like an alpha male. 1 : closest in the structure of an organic molecule to a particular group or atom —symbol α α-substitution 2 : socially dominant especially in a group of animals an alpha male 3 : alphabetic

direct action (n)

action that seeks to achieve an end directly and by the most immediately effective means (such as a boycott or strike)

adamant (adj)

adamant about. unshakable or insistent especially in maintaining a position or opinion : unyielding an adamant insistence on doing things his own way was adamant about making the change — adamantly adverb

addictive (adj)

addictive personality. causing or characterized by addiction an addictive drug an addictive personality

adept (adj)

adept employee. thoroughly proficient : expert an adept negotiator He's adept at fixing computers. — adeptly play \ə-ˈdep-(t)lē, a-\ adverb She dealt with the changes adeptly. — adeptness

amour propre (n)

adhering to amour propre. love of one's self; Slef Esteem

adhere (v)

adhering to principles. adhered; adhering intransitive verb 1 : to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing The stamp failed to adhere to the envelope. 2 : to give support or maintain loyalty adhere to traditional values 3 : to bind oneself to observance adhere to the rules 4 obsolete : accord intransitive 1 transitive verb : to cause to stick fast The paper had been adhered to the wall.

adolescent (adj)

adolescent behavior. a young person who is developing into an adult : one who is in the state of adolescence

advance (v)

advancing your career. 1 : to accelerate the growth or progress of advance a cause 2 : to bring or move forward advance a pawn 3 : to raise to a higher rank was advanced from clerk to assistant manager 4 archaic : to lift up : raise 5 : to bring forward in time; especially : to make earlier advance the date of the meeting 6 : to bring forward for notice, consideration, or acceptance : propose advance an idea 7 : to supply or furnish in expectation of repayment advance a loan 8 : to raise in rate : increase advance the rent 1 : to move forward : proceed an advancing army 2 : to make progress : increase advance in age 3 : to rise in rank, position, or importance advance through the ranks 4 : to rise in rate or price advancing wages — advancer noun

affect (v)

affecting change. : to produce an effect upon: such as a : to produce a material influence upon or alteration in Paralysis affected his limbs. b : to act upon (a person, a person's mind or feelings, etc.) so as to effect a response : INFLUENCE We were all greatly affected by the terrible news.

affix (v)

affixed with... affixed; affixing; affixes transitive verb 1 : to attach physically affix a stamp to a letter 2 : to attach in any way : add, append affix a signature to a document 3 : impress affixed my seal — affixable adjective — affixation noun — affixment

aggrandize (v)

aggrandizing their importance. 1 : to make great or greater : increase, enlarge aggrandize an estate 2 : to make appear great or greater : praise highly 3 : to enhance the power, wealth, position, or reputation of exploited the situation to aggrandize himself

aggregate (v)

aggregate the results. formed by the collection of units or particles into a body, mass, or amount : collective: such as a (1) : clustered in a dense mass or head an aggregate flower (2) : formed from several separate ovaries of a single flower aggregate fruit b : composed of mineral crystals of one or more kinds or of mineral rock fragments c : taking all units as a whole aggregate sales — aggregately adverb — aggregateness noun

agitate (v)

agitating the situation. agitated; agitating transitive verb 1 : to excite and often trouble the mind or feelings of : disturb My presence did not appear to agitate or irritate him as before, and he accepted my services quietly ... —Charlotte Brontë 2 a : to discuss excitedly and earnestly b : to stir up public discussion of ... trying to agitate the old question of the embezzlement of the remains of the Confederate Treasury. —Robert Penn Warren 3 a obsolete : to give motion to b : to move with an irregular, rapid, or violent action The storm agitated the sea. intransitive verb : to attempt to arouse public feeling agitated for better schools — agitation play \ˌa-jə-ˈtā-shən\ noun — agitational

akin (adj)

akin to... 1 : related by blood : descended from a common ancestor or prototype The dog and fox are closely akin. 2 : essentially similar, related, or compatible His interests are akin to mine.

absurd (adj)

an absurd request. 1 : ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous an absurd argument : extremely silly or ridiculous absurd humor 2 : having no rational or orderly relationship to human life : meaningless an absurd universe; also : lacking order or value an absurd existence 3 : dealing with the absurd (see 2absurd) or with absurdism absurd theater — absurdly adverb — absurdness noun

affectionate (adj)

an affectionate partner. 1 : feeling or showing affection or warm regard : loving affectionate friends an affectionate nickname 2 : motivated by affection : tender affectionate care 3 obsolete : inclined, disposed — affectionately adverb

airtight (adj)

an airtight case. 1 : impermeable to air or nearly so an airtight seal 2 a : having no noticeable weakness, flaw, or loophole an airtight argument b : permitting no opportunity for an opponent to score an airtight defense — airtightness noun

anticlimactic (adj)

an anticlimatic ending. of, relating to, or marked by anticlimax — anticlimactically

long view (n)

an approach to a problem or situation that emphasizes long-range factors

defeatism (n)

an attitude of accepting, expecting, or being resigned to defeat — defeatist

elementary (adj)

an elementary knowledge of... 1 a : of, relating to, or dealing with the simplest elements or principles of something b : of or relating to an elementary school 2 : elemental 1a 3 : elemental 2 — elementarily play \ˌe-lə-ˌmen-ˈter-ə-lē, -ˈmen-trə-lē\ adverb — elementariness

minefield (n)

an emotional minefield. 1 : an area (as of water or land) set with mines 2 : something resembling a minefield especially in having many dangers or requiring extreme caution a political minefield

go-between (n)

an essential go-between. : an intermediate agent : BROKER

gedankenexperiment (n)

an experiment carried out in thought only

hired gun (n)

an expert hired to do a specific and often ethically dubious job

extrovert (n)

an extrovert at heart. : one whose personality is characterized by extroversion broadly : a gregarious and unreserved person — compare INTROVERT entry 1

honest (adj)

an honest attempt. 1a : free from fraud or deception : LEGITIMATE, TRUTHFUL an honest plea an honest presentation of facts b : GENUINE, REAL making honest stops at stop signs —Christian Science Monitor c : HUMBLE, PLAIN good honest food 2a : REPUTABLE, RESPECTABLE honest decent people b chiefly British : GOOD, WORTHY an honest fellow 3 : worthy of praise an honest day's work put forth an honest effort 4a : marked by integrity honest merchants b : marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression : FRANK an honest appraisal an honest discussion c : direct and uncomplicated : INNOCENT, SIMPLE some good honest sleep

ingenious (adj)

an ingenious approach. 1 obsolete : showing or calling for intelligence, aptitude, or discernment 2 : having or showing an unusual aptitude for discovering, inventing, or contriving an ingenious detective 3 : marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution an ingenious contraption — ingeniously adverb — ingeniousness noun

Laputan (n)

an inhabitant of a flying island in Swift's Gulliver's Travels characterized by a neglect of useful occupations and a devotion to visionary projects — Laputan adjective

death instinct (n)

an innate and unconscious tendency toward self-destruction postulated in psychoanalytic theory to explain aggressive and destructive behavior not satisfactorily explained by the pleasure principle — called also Thanatos; compare eros 2

organon (n)

an instrument for acquiring knowledge; specifically : a body of principles of scientific or philosophical investigation

inventive (adj)

an inventive mind. 1 : adept or prolific at producing inventions : creative an inventive mind 2 : characterized by invention an inventive method — inventively adverb — inventiveness noun

obligatory (adj)

an obligatory thank you. 1 : binding in law or conscience The ordinance made it obligatory that homeowners clear the snow from the sidewalks. 2 : relating to or enforcing an obligation a writ obligatory 3 : mandatory, required obligatory military service; also : so commonplace as to be a convention, fashion, or cliché the obligatory death scene in opera The thriller included the obligatory chase scene. 4 : obligate 1 an obligatory biped — obligatorily

lifeblood (n)

an organization's lifeblood. 1 : blood regarded as the seat of vitality 2 : a vital or life-giving force or component freedom of inquiry is the lifeblood of a university

outburst (n)

an outburst of emotion. 1 : a violent expression of feeling an outburst of anger 2 : a surge of activity or growth new outbursts of creative power —C. E. Montague 3 : eruption volcanic outbursts

oversimplify (v)

an oversimplification. transitive verb : to simplify to such an extent as to bring about distortion, misunderstanding, or error intransitive verb : to engage in undue or extreme simplification — oversimplification

ugly (adj)

an ugly truth. 1a : offensive to the sight : HIDEOUS b : offensive or unpleasant to any sense 2 : morally offensive or objectionable corruption—the ugliest stain of all 3a : likely to cause inconvenience or discomfort the ugly truth b : SURLY, QUARRELSOME an ugly disposition 4 : FRIGHTFUL, DIRE

fixation (n)

an unhealthy fixation on... the act, process, or result of fixing, fixating, or becoming fixated: such as a : a persistent concentration of libidinal energies upon objects characteristic of psychosexual stages of development preceding the genital stage b : stereotyped behavior (as in response to frustration) c : an obsessive or unhealthy preoccupation or attachment

go-round (n)

another go-round. : one of a series of recurring actions or events : ROUND

antiquated (adj)

antiquated software. 1 : outmoded or discredited by reason of age : old and no longer useful, popular, or accepted antiquated ideas antiquated methods of farming antiquated machinery antiquated slang 2 : obsolete an antiquated calendar 3 : advanced in age

holden (past part)

archaic past participle of hold

around-the-clock (adj)

around-the-clock coverage. being in effect, continuing, or lasting 24 hours a day : CONSTANT around-the-clock surveillance

liberty (n)

at liberty to say. plural liberties 1 : the quality or state of being free: a : the power to do as one pleases b : freedom from physical restraint c : freedom from arbitrary or despotic (see despot 1) control d : the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges e : the power of choice 2 a : a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant : privilege b : permission especially to go freely within specified limits was given the liberty of the house 3 : an action going beyond normal limits: such as a : a breach of etiquette or propriety : familiarity took undue liberties with a stranger b : risk, chance took foolish liberties with his health c : a violation of rules or a deviation from standard practice took liberties in the way he played the game d : a distortion of fact The movie takes many liberties with the actual events. 4 : a short authorized absence from naval duty usually for less than 48 hours — at liberty 1 : free 2 : at leisure : unoccupied

metacognition (n)

awareness or analysis of one's own learning or thinking processes research on metacognition ... has demonstrated the value of monitoring one's own cognitive processes —Colette A. Daiute

bastardize (v)

bastardizing the truth. bastardized; bastardizing transitive verb 1 : to reduce from a higher to a lower state or condition : debase 2 : to declare or prove to be a bastard 3 : to modify especially by introducing discordant or disparate elements — bastardization

assertive (adj)

be assertive. 1 : disposed to or characterized by bold or confident statements and behavior an assertive leader 2 : having a strong or distinctive flavor or aroma assertive wines — assertively adverb — assertiveness noun

mindful (adj)

be mindful of... 1 : bearing in mind : AWARE be mindful of how you use your power —Ayesha Grice 2 : inclined to be aware a stirring and important book for all mindful Americans —New Republic

beacon (n)

beacon of hope. 1 : a signal fire commonly on a hill, tower, or pole 2 a : a lighthouse or other signal for guidance b : a radio transmitter emitting signals to guide aircraft 3 : a source of light or inspiration ... the beacon to the oppressed of all countries ... —Adrienne Koch

dead horse (n)

beat a dead horse. an exhausted or profitless topic or issue —usually used in the phrases beat a dead horse and flog a dead horse

become (v)

become something greater. 1a : to come into existence b : to come to be become sick They both became teachers. 2 : to undergo change or development The pain was becoming more intense. transitive verb : to be suitable to seriousness becoming the occasion especially : to be becoming to her clothes become her become of : to happen to wondering whatever became of old friends

guide (n)

being a guide for... 1a : one that leads or directs another's way needed a guide for the safari b : a person who exhibits and explains points of interest The museum guide was very helpful. c : something that provides a person with guiding information used the stars as a guide to find their way back d : SIGNPOST sense 1 e : a person who directs another's conduct or course of life He was my mentor and guide during the early years of my career. 2a : a device for steadying or directing the motion of something The jigsaw was equipped with a guide. b : a ring or loop for holding the line of a fishing rod in position c : a sheet or a card with projecting tab for labeling inserted in a card index to facilitate reference 3 : a member of a unit on whom the movements or alignments of a military command are regulated —used especially in commands guide right

generous (adj)

being generous. 1 archaic : highborn 2 a : characterized by a noble or kindly spirit : magnanimous, kindly a generous heart b : liberal in giving : openhanded a generous benefactor c : marked by abundance or ample proportions wide overhangs and generous verandas —Lewis Mumford : copious a thin salt-and-pepper moustache interrupted by a generous nose —Richard Zabel — generously adverb — generousness noun

p's and q's (n)

being on/watching your p's & q's. 1 : something (such as one's manners) that one should be mindful of better watch his p's and q's when I get a six-gun of my own —Jean Stafford 2 : best behavior being on her p's and q's for two solid days was too much —Guy McCrone

strategic (adj)

being strategic about... 1 : of, relating to, or marked by strategy a strategic retreat 2a : necessary to or important in the initiation, conduct, or completion of a strategic plan b : required for the conduct of war and not available in adequate quantities domestically strategic materials c : of great importance within an integrated whole or to a planned effect emphasized strategic points 3 : designed or trained to strike an enemy at the sources of its military, economic, or political power a strategic bomber

bonus (n)

bonus points. something in addition to what is expected or strictly due: such as a : money or an equivalent given in addition to an employee's usual compensation b : a premium (as of stock) given by a corporation to a purchaser of its securities, to a promoter, or to an employee c : a government payment to war veterans d : a sum in excess of salary given to an athlete for signing with a team

build (v)

built; building transitive verb 1 : to form by ordering and uniting materials by gradual means into a composite whole : construct birds building a nest build new hospitals and schools the boat her father built 2 : to cause to be constructed a contractor who has built hundreds of homes 3 : to develop according to a systematic plan, by a definite process, or on a particular base building a legal case against her built the organization from the ground up 4 : increase, enlarge helps build muscle build support for their candidate building friendships intransitive verb 1 : to engage in building 2 a : to progress toward a peak (as of intensity) build to a climax b : to develop in extent a crowd building — build a fire under : to stimulate to vigorous action — build into : to make an integral part of build quality into the product — build on : to use as a foundation building on past experience

bulletproof (adj)

bulletproof argument. 1 : impenetrable to bullets bulletproof glass 2 : not subject to correction, alteration, or modification a bulletproof argument 3 : INVINCIBLE

calibrate (v)

calibrating to a standard. calibrated; calibrating transitive verb 1 : to ascertain the caliber of (something) ) 2 : to determine, rectify, or mark the graduations of (something, such as a thermometer tube) 3 : to standardize (something, such as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors 4 : to adjust precisely for a particular function calibrate a thermometer 5 : to measure precisely carefully calibrate the dosage of a medicine; especially : to measure against a standard — calibrator noun

blunt (adj)

can I be blunt? 1 : having an edge or point that is not sharp scissors with blunt ends was hit over the head with a blunt instrument gave her bangs a blunt cut just above her eyebrows 2 a : abrupt in speech or manner She tends to be blunt. a blunt refusal b : being straight to the point : direct To be perfectly blunt, I don't think he can do it. 3 a : slow or deficient in feeling : insensitive ... showing how blunt the eyes and ears of writers generally are ... —Norman Foerster b : obtuse (see obtuse 2a) in understanding or discernment : dull his blunt mind — bluntly adverb — bluntness noun

hit-or-miss (adj)

can be pretty hit-or-miss. marked by a lack of care, forethought, system, or plan; also : hit-and-miss

interchangeable (adj)

capable of being interchanged; especially : permitting mutual substitution interchangeable parts — interchangeability noun — interchangeableness noun — interchangeably

permeable (adj)

capable of being permeated : penetrable; especially : having pores or openings that permit liquids or gases to pass through a permeable membrane permeable limestone

deadweight (n)

carrying deadweight. 1 : the unrelieved weight of an inert mass 2 : dead load 3 : a ship's load including the total weight of cargo, fuel, stores, crew, and passengers

high-spirited (adj)

characterized by a bold or energetic spirit — high-spiritedly adverb — high-spiritedness noun

intransigent (adj)

characterized by refusal to compromise or to abandon an often extreme position or attitude : uncompromising intransigent in their opposition an intransigent attitude — intransigent noun — intransigently adverb

clear-cut (adj)

clear-cut roles. 1 : sharply outlined : distinct 2 : free from ambiguity or uncertainty : unambiguous a clear-cut decision

attention (n)

close attention to detail. 1 a : the act or state of applying the mind to something Our attention was on the game. You should pay attention to what she says. b : a condition of readiness for such attention involving especially a selective narrowing or focusing of consciousness and receptivity Students, do I have your attention? 2 : observation, notice; especially : consideration with a view to action a problem requiring prompt attention 3 a : an act of civility or courtesy especially in courtship She welcomed his attentions. b : sympathetic consideration of the needs and wants of others : attentiveness She lavished attention on her children. 4 : a position assumed by a soldier with heels together, body erect, arms at the sides, and eyes to the front (US) The troops stood at attention. = (British) The troops stood to attention. —often used as a command — attentional

hither (adv)

come hither. to this place

savvy (adj)

computer savvy. : having or showing perception, comprehension, or shrewdness especially in practical matters

concede (v)

conceding a point. conceded; conceding transitive verb 1 a (1) : to acknowledge grudgingly or hesitantly conceded that it might be a good idea (2) : to relinquish grudgingly or hesitantly concede power b : to accept as true, valid, or accurate The right of the state to tax is generally conceded. 2 : to grant as a right or privilege Britain conceded the independence of the colonies. intransitive verb : to make concession : yield — concededly play \kən-ˈsē-dəd-lē\ adverb — conceder noun

confer (v)

confer with... conferred; conferring intransitive verb : to compare views or take counsel : consult transitive verb 1 : to bestow from or as if from a position of superiority conferred an honorary degree on her knowing how to read was a gift conferred with manhood —Murray Kempton 2 : to give (something, such as a property or characteristic) to someone or something a reputation for power will confer power —John Spanier — conferment play \kən-ˈfər-mənt\ noun — conferrable

trade-off (n)

considering trade-offs. 1 : a balancing of factors all of which are not attainable at the same time the education versus experience trade-off which governs personnel practices —H. S. White 2 : a giving up of one thing in return for another : EXCHANGE

bricolage (n)

construction (as of a sculpture or a structure of ideas) achieved by using whatever comes to hand; also : something constructed in this way

mens rea (n)

criminal intent

upheaval (n)

cultural and political upheaval. 1 : the action or an instance of upheaving especially of part of the earth's crust 2 : extreme agitation or disorder : radical change; also : an instance of this

dark horse (n)

dark horse - aka underdog. 1 a : a usually little known contender (such as a racehorse) that makes an unexpectedly good showing b : an entrant in a contest that is judged unlikely to succeed 2 : a political candidate unexpectedly nominated usually as a compromise between factions

off and on (adv)

dating off and on for... : with periodic cessation : INTERMITTENTLY rained off and on all day

de-emphasize (v)

de-emphasize a bias. to reduce in relative importance; also : play down

de-escalate (v)

de-escalate a tense meeting. transitive verb : limit 2b de-escalate production intransitive verb : to decrease in extent, volume, or scope violence began to de-escalate tried to de-escalate the tension — de-escalation play \(ˌ)dē-ˌes-kə-ˈlā-shən, nonstandard -kyə-\ noun — de-escalatory

decipher (v)

deciphering intentions. transitive verb 1 : decode 1a decipher a secret message 2 obsolete : depict with her majesty's name deciphered in gold letters —Jonathan Swift 3 a : to make out the meaning of despite indistinctness or obscurity trying to decipher her handwriting b : to interpret the meaning of decipher the poem — decipherable play \-f(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective — decipherer play \-fər-ər\ noun — decipherment

deduce (v)

deduced; deducing transitive verb 1 : to determine by reasoning or deduction deduce the age of ancient artifacts She deduced, from the fur stuck to his clothes, that he owned a cat.; specifically, philosophy : to infer (see infer 1) from a general principle 2 : to trace the course of deduce their lineage — deducible

deep-seated (adj)

deep-seated issues/beliefs. 1 : situated far below the surface a deep-seated inflammation 2 : firmly established a deep-seated tradition

defuse (v)

defuse the situation. 1 : to remove the fuse from (a mine, a bomb. etc.) 2 : to make less harmful, potent, or tense defuse a crisis

deify (v)

deifying popular CEO's. deified; deifying transitive verb 1 a : to make a god of b : to take as an object of worship 2 : to glorify as of supreme worth

deleterious (adj)

deleterious effects. harmful often in a subtle or unexpected way deleterious effects deleterious to health — deleteriously adverb — deleteriousness noun

deliberate (v)

deliberating possible courses of action. deliberated; deliberating intransitive verb : to think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully The jury deliberated for several days before reaching a verdict. transitive verb : to think about deliberately and often with formal discussion before reaching a decision deliberate the question was deliberating whether or not to accept the offer

delusion (n)

delusions of grandeur. 1 a : something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated under the delusion that they will finish on schedule delusions of grandeur b psychology : a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary the delusion that someone was out to hurt him; also : the abnormal state marked by such beliefs 2 : the act of tricking or deceiving someone : the state of being deluded ... accused the Bohemian of having practised the most abominable arts of delusion among the younger brethren. —Walter Scott — delusional adjective — delusionary

denigrate (v)

denigrating the opposition. 1 : to attack the reputation of : DEFAME; denigrate one's opponents 2 : to deny the importance or validity of : BELITTLE; denigrate their achievements

deplete (v)

depleting reserves. 1 : to empty of a principal substance The lake was depleted of water. depleting the country of its natural resources 2 : to lessen markedly in quantity, content, power, or value deplete our life savings their depleted resources — depletable adjective — depleter noun — depletion noun — depletive adjective

deploy (v)

deploying additional resources. 1 a : to extend (a military unit) especially in width b : to place in battle formation or appropriate positions deploying troops to the region 2 : to spread out, utilize, or arrange for a deliberate purpose deploy a sales force deploy a parachute intransitive verb : to move, spread out, or function while being deployed the troops deployed along the front the parachute failed to deploy — deployable adjective — deployment

depreciate (v)

depreciating in value. 1 : to lower in honor or esteem often depreciates the importance of her work 2a : to lower the price or estimated value of depreciate property b : to deduct from taxable income a portion of the original cost of (a business asset) over several years as the value of the asset decreases intransitive verb : to fall in value advised us to sell the stock before it depreciates

deprive (v)

deprived of basic necessities. 1 obsolete : REMOVE 'tis honor to deprive dishonored life —Shakespeare 2 : to take something away from deprived him of his professorship —J. M. Phalen the risk of injury when the brain is deprived of oxygen 3 : to remove from office the Archbishop ... would be deprived and sent to the Tower —Edith Sitwell 4 : to withhold something from deprived a citizen of her rights

grasping (adj)

desiring material possessions urgently and excessively and often to the point of ruthlessness Her grasping children fought over her property when she died. — graspingly play \ˈgra-spiŋ-lē\ adverb — graspingness noun

sherlock (n)

detective

pecking order (n)

developing a pecking order. 1 : the basic pattern of social organization within a flock of poultry in which each bird pecks another lower in the scale without fear of retaliation and submits to pecking by one of higher rank broadly : a dominance hierarchy in a group of social animals 2 : a social hierarchy

diffuse (v)

diffused; diffusing transitive verb 1 a : to pour out and permit or cause to spread freely a drop of blue dye diffused in a glass of water b : extend, scatter diffusing their ideas throughout the continent c : to spread thinly or wastefully a government in which power is diffused 2 physics : to subject to diffusion (see diffusion 3); especially : to break up and distribute (incident light) by reflection put up a screen to diffuse the light intransitive verb 1 : to spread out or become transmitted especially by contact The civilization diffused westward. 2 : to undergo diffusion heat from the radiator diffusing throughout the room — diffusible adjective

oneiromancy (n)

divination by means of dreams

overindulge (v)

overindulged; overindulging transitive + intransitive : to indulge (someone, or something) too much: such as a T : to be too permissive with (someone) They overindulged their grandchildren. : to allow (oneself or another person to have or do something to excess For years he had overindulged himself in food, drink, and finally worry. —Sean Dennis Cashman b T : to yield too much to (something, such as a feeling, interest, or desire) overindulged their children's whims Already I had the uneasy feeling that I was overindulging that middle-aged longing for an epiphany ... —John Gregory Dunne ... it was felt ... that in these two books Dickens had overindulged his liking for grotesque exaggeration and caricature. —Michael Hollington c I : to indulge too much; especially : to have or do too much of something that one enjoys or desires ... probably enjoyed drinking and likely overindulged on occasion ... —Corey Andrews Other studies are shedding light not just on why modern humans occasionally eat too much, but why, when we do overindulge, we often choose foods that aren't the best for us. —Paul Raeburn Doctors who know better still overindulge in sweets ... —Nick Romeo Occasionally ... overindulges in long reminiscences of sports and school days ... —Helen Benedict

faze (v)

doesn't faze me. : to disturb the composure of : DISCONCERT, DAUNT Nothing fazed her. Criticism did not seem to faze the writer

greedy (adj)

don't get greedy. greedier; greediest 1 : having a strong desire for food or drink a predator greedy of its prey 2 : marked by greed : having or showing a selfish desire for wealth and possessions greedy creditors 3 : eager, keen greedy for fame — greedily play \ˈgrē-də-lē\ adverb — greediness

hold back (v)

don't hold back. 1a : to hinder the progress or achievement of : RESTRAIN b : to keep from advancing to the next stage, grade, or level 2 : to refrain from revealing or parting with held back important information intransitive verb 1 : to keep oneself in check 2 : to refrain from revealing or parting with something

rabbit hole (n)

down the rabbit hole. a complexly bizarre or difficult state or situation conceived of as a hole into which one falls or descends I wanted to show this woman descending into the rabbit hole: this loss of self, becoming a servant to her job and to the work. —Jessica Chastain especially : one in which the pursuit of something (such as an answer or solution) leads to other questions, problems, or pursuits While trying to find the picture again on Google, I fell down the Cosmo rabbit hole, scrolling through a gallery of swimwear, then through How to Be Sexier-Instantly and then through all 23 slides of Sexy Ideas for Long Hair. —Edith Zimmerman Because it is so early on in this work it is easy to say that we are either at the edge of a remarkable new and useful science or that we are careering down an environmental rabbit hole. —Jack Hitt In the season-two premiere of HBO's Westworld, viewers were again tossed down a rabbit hole filled with theories, where one open door leads to many more closed ones. —Josh Wigler and Zoe Haylock

dust off (v)

dusting off production skills. to bring out or back to use again; dusted off his golf clubs when he retired

dwindle (v)

dwindled; dwindling play \-(d)liŋ, -dᵊl-iŋ\ intransitive verb : to become steadily less : shrink Their savings dwindled to nothing. a dwindling population transitive verb : to make steadily less

amuse (v)

easily amused. 1a : to entertain or occupy in a light, playful, or pleasant manner She tried to amuse the child with a story. b : to appeal to the sense of humor of His jokes don't amuse me. 2a archaic : to divert the attention of so as to deceive b obsolete : to occupy the attention of : ABSORB c obsolete : DISTRACT, BEWILDER intransitive verb obsolete : MUSE

elevate (v)

elevating one's existence. 1 : to lift up or make higher : RAISE elevate a patient's leg exercises that elevate the heart rate 2 : to raise in rank or status was elevated to chairman 3 : to improve morally, intellectually, or culturally great books that both entertain and elevate their readers 4 : to raise the spirits of : ELATE intransitive verb : to become elevated : RISE his voice elevated to a shout

elicit (v)

eliciting a response. elicited; eliciting; elicits transitive verb 1 : to call forth or draw out (something, such as information or a response) her remarks elicited cheers 2 : to draw forth or bring out (something latent or potential) hypnotism elicited his hidden fears — elicitation play \i-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən, ˌē-\ noun — elicitor

emit (v)

emitting light. emitted; emitting transitive verb 1 a : to throw or give off or out emit light/heat b : to send out : eject 2 a : to issue with authority; especially : to put (something, such as money) into circulation b obsolete : publish 3 : to give utterance or voice to emitted a groan — emitter noun

anguish (n)

emotional anguish. extreme pain, distress, or anxiety cries of anguish mental anguish

instability (n)

emotional instability. the quality or state of being unstable; especially : lack of emotional or mental stability

gnosis (n)

esoteric knowledge of spiritual truth held by the ancient Gnostics to be essential to salvation

esoteric (adj)

esoteric terminology. 1 a : designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone a body of esoteric legal doctrine —B. N. Cardozo b : requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group esoteric terminology; broadly : difficult to understand esoteric subjects 2 a : limited to a small circle engaging in esoteric pursuits b : private, confidential an esoteric purpose 3 : of special, rare, or unusual interest esoteric building materials — esoterically

even (adj)

even so... 1 a : having a horizontal surface : flat even ground b : being without break, indentation, or irregularity : smooth c : being in the same plane or line 2 a : free from variation : uniform his disposition was even b : level 4 3 a : equal, fair an even exchange b (1) : leaving nothing due on either side : square we will not be even until you repay my visit (2) : fully revenged c : being in equilibrium : balanced; specifically : showing neither profit nor loss d obsolete : candid 4 a : being any of the integers (such as −2, 0, and +2) that are divisible by two without leaving a remainder b : marked by an even number c : being a mathematical function such that f(x) = f(−x) where the value remains unchanged if the sign of the independent variable is reversed 5 : exact, precise an even dollar 6 : as likely as not : fifty-fifty an even chance of winning — evenly adverb — evenness play \ˈē-vən-nəs\ noun — on an even keel or less commonly on even keel : in a sound or stable condition

exalt (v)

exalted; exalting; exalts transitive verb 1 : to raise in rank, power, or character 2 : to elevate by praise or in estimation : glorify 3 obsolete : elate 4 : to raise high : elevate 5 : to enhance the activity of : intensify rousing and exalting the imagination —George Eliot intransitive verb : to induce exaltation — exaltedly adverb — exalter noun

overconfident (adj)

excessively or unjustifiably confident : having too much confidence (as in one's abilities or judgment) an overconfident driver wasn't overconfident about their chances of winning ... he often starts cold, missing a few shots, allowing his opponent to get on a roll, to get overconfident. —Brett Forrest — overconfidently adverb overconfidently predicted the team would win

opulent (adj)

exhibiting or characterized by opulence: such as a : having a large estate or property : wealthy hoping to marry an opulent widow opulent industrialists b : amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation living in opulent comfort opulent furnishings an opulent hotel — opulently adverb

cohesive (adj)

exhibiting or producing cohesion or coherence a cohesive social unit cohesive soils the cohesive property of clay — cohesively adverb — cohesiveness noun

trauma (n)

experiencing a trauma. 1a : an injury (such as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent b : a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury c : an emotional upset the personal trauma of an executive who is not living up to his own expectations —Karen W. Arenson 2 : an agent, force, or mechanism that causes trauma

gung ho (adj)

extremely or overly zealous or enthusiastic

paper-thin (adj)

extremely thin paper-thin partitions

god-awful (adj)

extremely unpleasant or disagreeable : abominable god-awful weather

fade (v)

fading interest. faded; fading intransitive verb 1 : to lose freshness, strength, or vitality : wither fading flowers 2 : to lose freshness or brilliance of color The fabrics faded in the strong sunshine. 3 : to sink away : vanish a fading memory The smile faded from his face. 4 : to change gradually in loudness, strength, or visibility —used of a motion-picture image or of an electronics signal and usually with in or out One scene fades out as the next scene fades in.The radio signal faded out as we got further away from the station. 5 of an automobile brake : to lose braking power gradually 6 : to move back from the line of scrimmage —used of a quarterback 7 of a ball or shot : to move in a slight to moderate slice transitive verb : to cause to fade time has not completely faded the humor of these verses —G. H. Genzmer — fader noun

familiarize (v)

familiarize yourself with the catalog/rules. familiarized; familiarizing transitive verb 1 : to make known or familiar Shakespeare ... familiarizes the wonderful —Samuel Johnson 2 : to make well acquainted familiarize students with good literature — familiarization

depressed (adj)

feeling depressed. 1 : low in spirits : SAD especially : affected by psychological depression 2a : vertically flattened a depressed cactus b : having the central part lower than the margin c : lying flat or prostrate d : dorsoventrally flattened 3 : suffering from economic depression especially : UNDERPRIVILEGED 4 : being below the standard

embolden (v)

feeling emboldened. emboldened; emboldening; emboldens transitive verb : to instill with boldness or courage

guilt (n)

feeling guilt. 1 : the fact of having committed a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving a penalty A jury will determine the defendant's guilt or innocence.; broadly : guilty conduct 2 a : the state of one who has committed an offense especially consciously His guilt was written in his face. b : feelings of deserving blame especially for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy : self-reproach 3 : a feeling of deserving blame for offenses Wracked by guilt, he confessed his affairs.

homesick (adj)

feeling homesick. longing for home and family while absent from them — homesickness noun

adventurous (adj)

feeling rather adventurous. 1 a : disposed to seek adventure or to cope with the new and unknown an adventurous explorer b : innovative an adventurous artistic style 2 : characterized by unknown dangers and risks an adventurous journey — adventurously adverb — adventurousness noun

upbeat (adj)

feeling upbeat. cheerful, optimistic I'm feeling upbeat today

feigned (adj)

feigned sincerity. 1 : fictitious Was his account actual or feigned? 2 : not genuine or real showered him with feigned compliments

fiddle (v)

fiddling with... 1 : to play on a fiddle 2 a : to move the hands or fingers restlessly b : to spend time in aimless or fruitless activity : putter, tinker fiddled around with the engine for hours c : meddle, tamper d : to make minor manual movements especially to adjust something fiddled with the radio knobs transitive verb 1 : to play (something) on a fiddle fiddle a tune 2 : cheat, swindle 3 : to alter or manipulate deceptively for fraudulent gain accountants fiddling the books —Stanley Cohen — fiddler

hit-and-run (adj)

fleeing the scene in a hit-and-run. 1 : being or relating to a hit-and-run in baseball 2 : being or involving a motor-vehicle driver who does not stop after being involved in an accident 3 : involving or intended for quick specific action or results a hit-and-run raid

flourish (v)

flourishing in a positive environment. 1 : to grow luxuriantly : thrive 2 a : to achieve success : prosper a flourishing business b : to be in a state of activity or production flourished around 1850 c : to reach a height of development or influence The company flourished with record profits under the new owner. 3 : to make bold and sweeping gestures transitive verb : to wield with dramatic gestures : brandish Dressed as a pirate, he entered the stage flourishing his sword. — flourisher noun

flow (n)

flow of information. flowed; flowing; flows intransitive verb 1 a (1) : to issue or move in a stream rivers flow into the sea (2) : circulate b : to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles molasses flows slowly water flowing over the dam 2 : rise the tide ebbs and flows 3 : abound a land flowing with natural resources 4 a : to proceed smoothly and readily conversation flowed easily b : to have a smooth continuity the flowing lines of the car 5 : to hang loose and billowing her gown flowed around her 6 : to derive from a source : come the wealth that flows from trade 7 : to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocks 8 : menstruate transitive verb 1 : to cause to flow flowing oil over the swamp to kill mosquito larvae 2 : to discharge in a flow The new oil well flowed 100 barrels a day.

focalize (v)

focalized; focalizing transitive verb 1 : to bring to a focus 2 : localize intransitive verb 1 : to come to a focus : concentrate 2 : localize — focalization

find (v)

found play \ˈfau̇nd\; finding transitive verb 1 a : to come upon often accidentally : encounter found a $10 bill on the ground b : to meet with (a particular reception) hoped to find favor 2 a : to come upon by searching or effort must find a suitable person for the job b : to discover by study or experiment find an answer c : to obtain by effort or management find the time to study d : attain, reach the bullet found its mark 3 a : to discover by the intellect or the feelings : experience find much pleasure in your company b : to perceive (oneself) to be in a certain place or condition found himself in prison awaiting deportation found himself on the verge of bankruptcy c : to gain or regain the use or power of trying to find his tongue d : to bring (oneself) to a realization of one's powers or of one's proper sphere of activity must help the student to find himself as an individual —N. M. Pusey 4 a : provide, supply b : to furnish (room and board) especially as a condition of employment he was chopping by day's work—75 cents a day—and found himself —Herman Melville 5 : to determine and make a statement about find a verdict found her guilty intransitive verb : to determine a case judicially by a verdict find for the defendant — findable play \ˈfīn-də-bəl\ adjective — find fault : to criticize unfavorably

frantic (adj)

frantically searching for... 1 a archaic : mentally deranged b : emotionally out of control 2 : marked by fast and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity made a frantic search for the lost child frantic cries for help — frantically play \ˈfran-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb — franticness

fraught (adj)

fraught with errors. 1 : full of or accompanied by something specified —used with with a situation fraught with dangerThe paper was poorly researched and is fraught with errors. 2 : causing or characterized by emotional distress or tension : uneasy a fraught relationship 3 archaic a : laden b : well supplied or provided

hale (adj)

free from defect, disease, or infirmity : SOUND also : retaining exceptional health and vigor a hale and hearty old man

free-flowing (adj)

free-flowing conversation. characterized by easy freedom in movement, progression, or style a free-flowing essay

freeze (v)

freezing up. froze play \ˈfrōz\; frozen play \ˈfrō-zᵊn\; freezing intransitive verb 1 a : to become congealed into ice by cold b : to solidify as a result of abstraction of heat c : to withstand freezing the bread freezes well 2 : to become chilled with cold almost froze to death 3 : to adhere solidly by or as if by freezing pressure caused the metals to freeze 4 : to become fixed or motionless; especially : to become incapable of acting or speaking 5 : to become clogged with ice the water pipes froze transitive verb 1 a : to harden into ice b : to convert from a liquid to a solid by cold 2 : to make extremely cold : chill 3 a : to act on usually destructively by frost b : to anesthetize by cold 4 : to cause to grip tightly or remain in immovable contact 5 a : to cause to become fixed, immovable, unavailable, or unalterable freeze interest rates b : to immobilize by governmental regulation the expenditure, withdrawal, or exchange of freeze foreign assets c : to render motionless a fake froze the defender 6 : to attempt to retain continuous possession of (a ball or puck) without an attempt to score usually in order to protect a small lead

ex nihilo (adj or adv)

from or out of nothing creation ex nihilo

abinitio (adv)

from the beginning

traction (n)

gaining traction. 1a : the adhesive friction of a body on a surface on which it moves the traction of a wheel on a rail b : a pulling force exerted on a skeletal structure (as in a fracture) by means of a special device a traction splint also : a state of tension created by such a pulling force a leg in traction 2 : the act of drawing : the state of being drawn also : the force exerted in drawing 3 : the support or interest that is needed for something to make progress or succeed a product that is starting to gain traction among consumers ... the litmus test issues of abortion and gay marriage have been losing traction, subordinated to the Iraq war and terrorism. —Thomas B. Edsall As many economists have noted, cutting spending is the worst thing people with means can do for the economy right now. But that argument seems to have little traction, especially because even those with steady paychecks and no fear of losing their job have seen their net worth decline and their retirement savings evaporate. —Shaila Dewan 4 : the drawing of a vehicle by motive power also : the motive power employed

gallivant (v)

gallivanting around. 1 informal : to travel, roam, or move about for pleasure been gallivanting all over town 2 dated, informal : to go about usually ostentatiously or indiscreetly with members of the opposite sex

data (n)

gathering data. 1 : factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation the data is plentiful and easily available —H. A. Gleason, Jr. comprehensive data on economic growth have been published —N. H. Jacoby 2 : information in digital form that can be transmitted or processed 3 : information output by a sensing device or organ that includes both useful and irrelevant or redundant information and must be processed to be meaningful

gauge (v)

gauge the situation. gauged also gaged; gauging also gaging transitive verb 1 a : to measure precisely the size, dimensions, or other measurable quantity of b : to determine the capacity or contents of c : estimate, judge hard to gauge his moods 2 a : to check for conformity to specifications or limits b : to measure off or set out

optimism (n)

generally optimistic. 1 : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world 2 : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome expressed optimism about the future of the business the optimism of cheerleaders

gestation (n)

gestation period. 1 : the carrying of young in the uterus (see uterus 1) : pregnancy 2 : conception (see conception 3) and development especially in the mind

scot-free (adj)

get away scot-free. completely free from obligation, harm, or penalty

ground floor (n)

get in on the ground floor. 1 : the floor of a building most nearly on a level with the ground — compare first floor 2 : a favorable position or privileged opportunity usually obtained by early participants —used especially in the phrase in on the ground floor

high horse (n)

get off your high horse. an arrogant and unyielding mood or attitude

given (n)

given the ____ nature of... something given; especially : something taken for granted : a basic condition or assumption It is a given that we are in an age of relentless competition.

give off (v)

giving off an air of... 1 : to send out as a branch 2 : emit gave off an unpleasant smell intransitive verb : to branch off

glad-hand (v)

glad-handed; glad-handing; glad-hands transitive verb : to extend a glad hand to candidates glad-handing everyone they meet intransitive verb : to extend a glad hand glad-handing as if he were running for mayor — glad-hander

glaze (v)

glazing over (the terms and conditions). glazed; glazing transitive verb 1 : to furnish or fit with glass 2 a : to coat with or as if with a glaze the storm glazed trees with ice b : to apply a glaze to glaze doughnuts 3 : to give a smooth glossy surface to intransitive verb 1 : to become glazed or glassy my eyes glazed over 2 : to form a glaze — glazer noun

date (n)

go on a date. 1 a : the time at which an event occurs the date of his birth on this date in history b : a statement of the time of execution (see execution 1) or making the date on the letter 2 : duration the short date of all things sweet —Rebecca P. Parkin 3 : the period of time to which something belongs a style from a later date 4 a : an appointment to meet at a specified time set up a date with her lawyer; especially : a social engagement (see engagement 1a) between two persons that often has a romantic character asked her out on a date b : a person with whom one has a usually romantic date bringing a date to the dance 5 : an engagement for a professional performance (as of a dance band) concert dates — to date : up to the present moment her best album to date

go out (v)

go out on a limb. intransitive verb 1 a : to go forth, abroad, or outdoors; specifically : to leave one's house b (1) : to take the field as a soldier (2) : to participate as a principal in a duel c : to travel as or as if a colonist or immigrant d : to work away from home 2 a : to come to an end b : to give up office : resign c : to become obsolete or unfashionable d (1) : to play the last card of one's hand (2) : to reach or exceed the total number of points required for game in cards 3 : to take part in social activities 4 : to go on strike 5 : break, collapse 6 : to become a candidate went out for the football team

gut (n)

going with my gut. 1a(1) : BOWELS, ENTRAILS —usually used in plural fish guts (2) : the basic visceral or emotional part of a person She knew in her gut that he was lying. b : DIGESTIVE TRACT also : part of the digestive tract and especially the intestine or stomach c : BELLY, ABDOMEN d : CATGUT 2 guts plural : the inner essential parts the guts of a car 3 : a narrow passage also : a narrow waterway or small creek 4 : the sac of silk taken from a silkworm ready to spin its cocoon and drawn out into a thread for use as a snell 5 guts plural : fortitude and stamina in coping with what alarms, repels, or discourages : COURAGE, PLUCK had the guts to run for public office 6 : GUT COURSE

grasp (v)

grasping at straws. grasped; grasping; grasps intransitive verb : to make the motion of seizing : clutch grasping for support transitive verb 1 : to take or seize eagerly grasp the opportunity for advancement 2 : to clasp or embrace especially with the fingers or arms grasped the pen and began writing 3 : to lay hold of with the mind : comprehend failed to grasp the danger of the situation — graspable play \ˈgra-spə-bəl\ adjective — grasper noun — grasp at straws : to reach for or try anything in desperation — grasp the nettle : to act boldly

grill (v)

grilling someone. 1 : to broil on a grill also : to fry or toast on a griddle 2a : to torment as if by broiling b : to question intensely the police grilled the suspect

gripe (v)

gripe about... griped; griping transitive verb 1 archaic : seize, grasp 2 a : afflict, distress b : irritate, vex griped by the new regulations 3 : to cause pinching and spasmodic pain in the bowels of intransitive verb 1 : to experience gripes 2 : to complain with grumbling Students griped about having too much homework. — griper noun

groundbreaking (adj)

groundbreaking discovery. : introducing new ideas or methods has written a groundbreaking work

group (v)

grouping together. 1 : to combine in a group grouped English and Dutch as Germanic languages 2 : to assign to a group : classify The children were grouped by age. intransitive verb 1 : to form a group The students grouped around the table. 2 : to belong to a group 3 : to make groups of closely spaced hits on a target the gun grouped beautifully —R. C. Ruark — groupable

man cave (n)

hanging out in the man cave. a room or space (as in a basement) designed according to the taste of the man of the house to be used as his personal area for hobbies and leisure activities

decide (v)

have to ultimately decide for yourself. 1 a : to make a final choice or judgment about decide what to do couldn't decide whether to take the job or not b : to select as a course of action —used with an infinitive decided to go c : to infer on the basis of evidence : conclude They decided that he was right. 2 : to bring to a definitive end one blow decided the fight 3 : to induce to come to a choice her pleas decided him to help intransitive verb : to make a choice or judgment decide on where to go — decider noun

good-hearted (adj)

having a kindly generous disposition — good-heartedly adverb — good-heartedness noun

knack (n)

having a knack for... 1 : a special ready capacity that is hard to analyze or teach 2 a : a clever trick or stratagem b : a clever way of doing something 3 archaic : an ingenious device; broadly : toy, knickknack

affair (n)

having an affair. 1 a affairs plural : commercial, professional, public, or personal business handles the company's public affairs an expert in foreign affairs b : matter, concern How I choose to live is my affair, not yours. 2 : a procedure, action, or occasion only vaguely specified; also : an object or collection of objects only vaguely specified Their house was a 2-story affair. 3 or less commonly affaire a : a romantic or passionate attachment typically of limited duration : liaison 2b had an affair with a coworker b : a matter occasioning public anxiety, controversy, or scandal : case the Watergate affair of the early 1970s

affinity (n)

having an affinity for. 1 : relationship by marriage 2 a : sympathy marked by community of interest : kinship She has an affinity to him because of their common musical interests. b (1) : an attraction to or liking for something people with an affinity to darkness —Mark Twain pork and fennel have a natural affinity for each other —Abby Mandel (2) : an attractive force between substances or particles that causes them to enter into and remain in chemical combination c : a person especially of the opposite sex having a particular attraction for one 3 a : likeness based on relationship or causal connection found an affinity between the teller of a tale and the craftsman —Mary McCarthy this investigation, with affinities to a case history, a psychoanalysis, a detective story —Oliver Sacks b : a relation between biological groups involving resemblance in structural plan and indicating a common origin

seniority (n)

having seniority over... 1 : the quality or state of being senior : PRIORITY 2 : a privileged status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)

gall (n)

having the gall to... 1 a : bile; especially : bile obtained from an animal and used in the arts or medicine b : something bitter to endure c : bitterness of spirit : rancor 2 : brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence had the gall to think that he could replace her

salvific (adj)

having the intent or power to save or redeem the salvific life and death of Christ —E. A. Walsh

herbology (n)

herbal medicine 1

here (n)

here and there. 1 a : in or at this place turn here —often used interjectionally especially in answering a roll call b : now here it's morning already c : in an arbitrary location a book here, a paper there 2 : at or in this point, particular, or case here we agree 3 : in the present life or state : on earth 4 : to this place : hither come here 5 —used interjectionally in rebuke or encouragement here now, that's enough — here goes —used interjectionally to express resolution or resignation especially at the beginning of a difficult or unpleasant undertaking — neither here nor there : having no interest or relevance : of no consequence comfort is neither here nor there to a real sailor

caliber (n)

high caliber.... 1a : degree of mental capacity or moral quality teachers of high caliber b : degree of excellence or importance the caliber of instruction 2a : the diameter of a bullet or other projectile b : the diameter of a bore of a gun usually expressed in hundredths or thousandths of an inch and typically written as a decimal fraction .32 caliber 3 : the diameter of a round or cylindrical body especially : the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder

self-esteem (n)

high self-esteem. 1 : a confidence and satisfaction in oneself : SELF-RESPECT 2 : SELF-CONCEIT

highlight (v)

highlight your strengths. 1 : the lightest spot or area (as in a painting) added highlights to the painting has light brown hair with blond highlights : any of several spots in a drawing or painting that receives the greatest amount of illumination 2 : something (such as an event or detail) that is of major significance or special interest talked about the highlights of his trip to Europe

hike (v)

hiking up prices. hiked; hiking intransitive verb 1 a : to go on a hike b : to travel by any means 2 : to rise up; especially : to work upward out of place skirt had hiked up in back transitive verb 1 a : to move, pull, or raise with a sudden motion hiked himself onto the top bunk b : snap transitive 6b c : to raise in amount sharply or suddenly hike rents 2 : to take on a hike 3 : to traverse on a hike hike a trail — hiker noun

off-putting (adj)

his inflated ego is very off-putting. : that puts one off : REPELLENT, DISCONCERTING an off-putting attitude

hold off (v)

hold off on... 1 : to block from an objective : DELAY 2 : to defer action on : POSTPONE hold off a decision 3 : to fight to a standoff : WITHSTAND intransitive verb : to defer or temporarily stop doing something

holy (adj)

holy scripture. 1 : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness 2 : DIVINE for the Lord our God is holy —Psalms 99:9 (King James Version) 3 : devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity a holy temple holy prophets 4a : having a divine quality holy love b : venerated as or as if sacred holy scripture a holy relic 5 —used as an intensive this is a holy mess he was a holy terror when he drank —Thomas Wolfe —often used in combination as a mild oath holy smoke

homeopathy (n)

homeopathic remedy. a system of medical practice that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in larger amounts produce in healthy persons symptoms similar to those of the disease — homeopath

hone in (v)

hone in on... to move toward or focus attention on an objective looking back for the ball honing in —George Plimpton a missile honing in on its target —Bob Greene hones in on the plights and victories of the common man —Lisa Russell

hone (v)

hone your skills. 1 : to sharpen or smooth with a whetstone 2 : to make more acute, intense, or effective : whet helped her hone her comic timing —Patricia Bosworth — honer noun

hound (v)

hounding someone. 1 : to pursue with or as if with hounds 2 : to drive or affect by persistent harassing

interject (v)

if I could interject... interjected; interjecting; interjects transitive verb : to throw in between or among other things : interpolate interject a remark — interjector play \ˌin-tər-ˈjek-tər\ noun — interjectory

ill-advised (adj)

ill-advised approach. : resulting from or showing lack of wise and sufficient counsel or deliberation an ill-advised decision

league (n)

in a league of their own. 1 : any of various units of distance from about 2.4 to 4.6 statute miles (3.9 to 7.4 kilometers) 2 : a square league

sprightly (adj)

in a sprightly mood. 1 : marked by a gay lightness and vivacity : spirited a sprightly musical 2 : having a distinctively piquant taste : zesty a sprightly salsa — sprightliness noun — sprightly adverb

agreement (n)

in agreement of... 1a : harmony of opinion, action, or character : CONCORD There is widespread agreement on this issue. b : the act or fact of agreeing She nodded her head in agreement. 2a : an arrangement as to a course of action reached an agreement as to how to achieve their goal b : COMPACT, TREATY a trade agreement 3a : a contract duly executed (see EXECUTE sense transitive 2) and legally binding b : the language or instrument (see INSTRUMENT entry 1 sense 4) embodying such a contract

faculty (n)

in full possession of your faculties. plural faculties 1 : ability, power: such as a : innate or acquired ability to act or do man ... how infinite in faculty —William Shakespeare b : an inherent capability, power, or function the faculty of hearing c : any of the powers of the mind (such as will, reason, or instinct) formerly held by psychologists to form a basis for the explanation of all mental phenomena d : natural aptitude has a faculty for saying the right things 2 a : a branch of teaching or learning (such as law, medicine, or liberal arts) in an educational institution b archaic : something in which one is trained or qualified 3 a : the members of a profession b : the teaching and administrative staff and those members of the administration having academic rank in an educational institution an excellent mathematics faculty c faculty plural : faculty members many faculty were present 4 : power, authority, or prerogative given or conferred The state has the faculty to define treason.

keeping (n)

in keeping with tradition... 1 : conformity in keeping with good taste out of keeping with the decor 2 : the act of one that keeps: such as a : custody, maintenance b : observance c : a reserving or preserving for future use 3 a : the means by which something is kept : support, provision b : the state of being kept or the condition in which something is kept the house is in good keeping

DNA (n)

in my DNA. : any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases (see BASE entry 1 sense 7b) which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei — compare RECOMBINANT DNA

defense (n)

in my/someone's defense... 1a : the act or action of defending (see DEFEND) the defense of our country speak out in defense of justice quickly jumped to her friend's defense b law : the denial, answer, or plea (see PLEA sense 2b) of one against whom a criminal or civil action is brought : a defendant 's denial, answer, or plea 2a : capability of resisting attack the body's defense against disease b sports : ability to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest : defensive play or ability a player known for good defense 3a : means or method of defending or protecting oneself, one's team, or another the nation's air and ground defenses Big shells are an effective defense against these predators as well. —Gregory P. Dietl also : a defensive structure b : an argument in support or justification offered no defense of his actions c law : the collected facts and method adopted by a defendant to protect and defend against a plaintiff's action His lawyers used an insanity defense. d chess : a sequence of moves available to the second player in the opening (see OPENING sense 3a) 4a law : a defending party or group (as in a court of law) The defense rests. b sports : a defensive team He was the linchpin of one of the league's stoutest defenses ... —Sarah Kwak 5 government : the military and industrial aggregate that authorizes and supervises arms production appropriations for defense defense contract

tandem (adj)

in tandem with... 1 : consisting of things or having parts arranged one behind the other 2 : working or occurring in conjunction with each other

aftermath (n)

in the aftermath of... 1 : a second-growth crop — called also rowen 2 : consequence, result stricken with guilt as an aftermath of the accident 3 : the period immediately following a usually ruinous event in the aftermath of the war

endgame (n)

in the endgame. : the stage of a chess game after major reduction of forces also : the final stage of some action or process

gutter (n)

in the gutter. 1 a : a trough along the eaves to catch and carry off rainwater b : a low area (as at the edge of a street) to carry off surface water (as to a sewer) c : a trough or groove to catch and direct something the gutters of a bowling alley 2 : a white space formed by the adjoining inside margins of two facing pages (as of a book) 3 : the lowest or most vulgar level or condition of human life

heyday (n)

in the heyday of... used to express elation or wonder

long run (n)

in the long run. a relatively long period of time —usually used in the phrase in the long run — long-run

herein (adv)

in this

incendiary (adj)

incendiary remarks. 1 : of, relating to, or involving arson : arsonous 2 : tending to excite or inflame : inflammatory incendiary speeches 3 a : igniting combustible materials spontaneously b : of, relating to, or being a weapon (such as a bomb) designed to start fires 4 : extremely hot incendiary chili peppers

indicative (adj)

indicative of... 1 : of, relating to, or constituting a verb form or set of verb forms that represents the denoted act or state as an objective fact the indicative mood 2 : serving to indicate actions indicative of fear — indicatively adverb

indispensable (adj)

indispensable to the team. 1 : not subject to being set aside or neglected an indispensable obligation 2 : absolutely necessary : essential an indispensable member of the staff — indispensability noun — indispensable noun — indispensableness noun — indispensably

industrious (adj)

industrious and hard-working. 1 obsolete : skillful, ingenious 2 : constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied : diligent an industrious worker — industriously adverb — industriousness noun

influence (n)

influence over... plural influences 1 a : an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humans b : an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars 2 : an emanation of spiritual or moral force 3 a : the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain 4 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway 5 : one that exerts influence — under the influence : affected by alcohol or drug intoxication was arrested for driving under the influence

decorum (n)

interesting and inspiring decorum. 1 : literary and dramatic propriety : fitness according to strict neoclassic decorum only the aristocracy had the right to appear in tragedy —Irving Babbitt 2 : propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance strict in her notions of decorum —Jane Austen 3 : orderliness the organization's decorum has rarely been shaken —W. F. Longgood 4 decorums plural : the conventions of polite behavior the established sobrieties and decorums of English life —H. G. Wells

grow up (v)

intransitive verb 1 a : to grow toward or arrive at full stature or physical or mental maturity : to progress from childhood toward adulthood growing up intellectually grew up in the city; also : to become an adult She wants to be a doctor when she grows up. b : to stop thinking or behaving in a childish way He should grow up and accept his responsibilities. 2 : to begin to exist and develop as time passes A number of cities grew up along the river.

girlfriend (n)

introducing a girlfriend. 1 : a female friend 2 : a frequent or regular female companion in a romantic or sexual relationship

invest (v)

investing in... invested; investing; invests transitive verb 1 : to commit (money) in order to earn a financial return 2 : to make use of for future benefits or advantages invested her time wisely 3 : to involve or engage especially emotionally were deeply invested in their children's lives intransitive verb : to make an investment — investable play \in-ˈve-stə-bəl\ adjective — investor

heuristic (adj)

involving or serving as an aid to learning, discovery, or problem-solving by experimental and especially trial-and-error methods heuristic techniques a heuristic assumption; also : of or relating to exploratory problem-solving techniques that utilize self-educating techniques (such as the evaluation of feedback) to improve performance a heuristic computer program — heuristically adverb

chump change (n)

isn't chump change. a relatively small or insignificant amount of money

feel (v)

it feels like... felt; feeling transitive verb 1 a : to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality She felt the fabric to see if it was wool. b : to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles) He felt a sudden pain in his leg. 2 a : to undergo passive experience of continually felt the resentment of his competitors b : to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by felt the insult deeply 3 : to ascertain by cautious trial —usually used with out feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements 4 a : to be aware of by instinct or inference feel trouble brewing b : believe, think say what you really feel intransitive verb 1 a : to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation lost the ability to feel in his fingertips b : to search for something by using the sense of touch She felt in her purse for her keys. 2 a : to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition I feel sick. b : to have a marked sentiment or opinion feels strongly about it 3 : seem it feels like spring today 4 : to have sympathy or pity I feel for you — feel like : to have an inclination for feel like a walk?

guesswork (n)

it's all just guesswork. : work performed or results obtained by guess : CONJECTURE [Calculating the drug's long-term effects is pure guesswork.]

human nature (n)

it's human nature to... : the nature of humans especially : the fundamental dispositions and traits of humans

jangle (v)

jangled; jangling play \ˈjaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ\ intransitive verb 1 : to make a harsh or discordant often ringing sound keys jangling in my pocket 2 : to quarrel verbally 3 : to talk idly transitive verb 1 a : to cause to sound harshly or inharmoniously b : to excite to tense irritation jangled nerves 2 : to utter or sound in a discordant, babbling, or chattering way — jangler play \ˈjaŋ-g(ə-)lər\ noun

junk (n)

junk science. 1 a (1) : old iron, glass, paper, or other waste that may be used again in some form (2) : secondhand, worn, or discarded articles (3) : clutter 1b b : something of poor quality : trash c : something of little meaning, worth, or significance 2 : pieces of old cable or cordage used especially to make gaskets, mats, swabs, or oakum 3 slang : narcotics; especially : heroin 4 : junk bond 5 : baseball pitches that break or are off-speed (such as curveballs or changeups) 6 slang : male genitalia — junky adjective

kick around (v)

kick around an idea. intransitive verb 1 : to wander or pass time aimlessly 2 a : to lie about mostly unnoticed or forgotten b : to undergo consideration usually intermittently over a period of time ideas that have been kicking around for years transitive verb 1 : to treat in an inconsiderate or high-handed fashion 2 : to consider, examine, or discuss from various angles

lag (v)

lagging behind the rest. lagged; lagging intransitive verb 1 a : to stay or fall behind : linger, loiter b : to move, function, or develop with comparative slowness c : to become retarded in attaining maximum value 2 : to slacken or weaken gradually : flag 3 : to toss or roll a marble toward a line or a cue ball toward the head cushion to determine order of play 4 golf : to hit a lag putt (see 1lag 4) transitive verb 1 : to lag behind current that lags the voltage 2 : to pitch or shoot (a coin, a marble, etc.) at a mark 3 golf : to hit (a golf ball or putt) with the aim of having the ball stop near the hole Woods lagged his first putt to within four feet and then sank his second one to win. —Tim Crothers — lagger noun

LZ (abbr)

landing zone

languish (v)

languished; languishing; languishes intransitive verb 1 a : to be or become feeble, weak, or enervated Plants languish in the drought. b : to be or live in a state of depression or decreasing vitality languished in prison for ten years 2 a : to become dispirited b : to suffer neglect the bill languished in the Senate for eight months 3 : to assume an expression of grief or emotion appealing for sympathy languished at him through screwed-up eyes Edith Wharton — languisher noun — languishingly play \ˈlaŋ-gwi-shiŋ-lē\ adverb — languishment

lasting (adj)

lasting impact. existing or continuing a long while : enduring — lastingly play \ˈla-stiŋ-lē\ adverb — lastingness noun

lead time (n)

lead time on... the time between the beginning of a process or project and the appearance of its results

living death (n)

life emptied of joys and satisfactions

overproduce (v)

overproduced; overproducing transitive + intransitive : to produce an excessive amount (of something) The drug prevents pimples by shrinking the glands attached to hair follicles that, in acne sufferers, overproduce an oily substance known as sebum, which can clog pores. —Mary Duenwald ... if soils are too fertile, the vines can overproduce, leading to vegetal aromas and flavors. —Michael Schachner GM also undermined the resale value of its models by overproducing them and giving them away at fire-sale prices. —Keith Naughton et al. ... encourages farmers to overproduce, which further drives prices down ... —Newsweek

overrun (v)

overran play \ˌō-vər-ˈran, ˌō-və-\; overrun; overrunning transitive verb 1 a (1) : to defeat decisively and occupy the positions of (2) : to invade and occupy or ravage b : to spread or swarm over : infest 2 a : to run or go beyond or past the plane overran the runway b : exceed overrun a budget c : to readjust (set type) by shifting letters or words from one line into another 3 : to flow over the river overran its banks

pacesetter (n)

pacemaker 1 — pacesetting

pander (v)

pandering to... pandered; pandering intransitive verb : to act as a pander; especially : to provide gratification for others' desires films that pander to the basest emotions ... used his brilliant gifts to pander to popular taste. —Hubert Saal — panderer

pass up (v)

passing up an opportunity. to let go by without accepting or taking advantage of pass up a chance for promotion; also : decline, reject

nonverbal (adj)

paying attention to nonverbals. : not verbal: such as a : being other than verbal nonverbal factors b : involving minimal use of language nonverbal tests c : ranking low in verbal skill a nonverbal child

analysis (n)

perform an analysis. 1a : a detailed examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its essential features : a thorough study doing a careful analysis of the problem b : a statement of such an examination 2 : separation of a whole into its component parts 3a : the identification or separation of ingredients of a substance a chemical analysis of the soil b : a statement of the constituents of a mixture 4 mathematics a : proof of a mathematical proposition by assuming the result and deducing a valid statement by a series of reversible steps b(1) : a branch of mathematics concerned mainly with limits, continuity, and infinite series (2) : CALCULUS sense 1b 5 : PSYCHOANALYSIS a patient who is in/undergoing analysis 6a : a method in philosophy of resolving complex expressions into simpler or more basic ones b : clarification of an expression by an elucidation of its use in discourse 7 linguistics : the use of function words instead of inflectional forms as a characteristic device of a language

pivot (v)

pivot towards/away from. : to turn on or as if on a pivot transitive verb 1 : to provide with, mount on, or attach by a pivot 2 : to cause to pivot

indecision (n)

plagued by indecision. a wavering between two or more possible courses of action : irresolution

saxophone (n)

play the saxophone. one of a group of single-reed woodwind instruments usually ranging from soprano to bass and characterized by a conical metal tube and finger keys

Gypsy (n)

plural Gypsies 1 sometimes offensive : a member of a traditionally itinerant people who originated in northern India and now live chiefly in south and southwest Asia, Europe, and North America 2 : romany 2 3 not capitalized : one that resembles a Gypsy; especially : wanderer

Logos (n)

plural Logoi play \ˈlō-ˌgȯi\ 1 : the divine wisdom manifest in the creation, government, and redemption of the world and often identified with the second person of the Trinity 2 : reason that in ancient Greek philosophy is the controlling principle in the universe

adieu (n)

plural adieus or adieux play \-ˈdüz, -ˈdyüz\ : farewell a heartfelt adieu bid his teammates adieu —often used interjectionally Adieu, my friends!

beneficiary (n)

plural beneficiaries 1 : a person or thing that receives help or an advantage from something : one that benefits from something the main beneficiaries of these economic reforms 2 a law : the person designated to receive the income of an estate that is subject to a trust (see 1trust 3a) b : the person named (as in an insurance policy) to receive proceeds or benefits (see 1benefit 2b) named her husband as the sole beneficiary of her life insurance policy

democracy (n)

plural democracies 1 a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections 2 : a political unit that has a democratic government 3 capitalized : the principles and policies of the Democratic party in the U.S. from emancipation Republicanism to New Deal Democracy —C. M. Roberts 4 : the common people especially when constituting the source of political authority 5 : the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges

femme fatale (n)

plural femmes fatales play \ˌfem-fə-ˈtal(z), ˌfam-, -ˈtäl(z)\ 1 : a seductive woman who lures men into dangerous or compromising situations 2 : a woman who attracts men by an aura of charm and mystery

fidelity (n)

plural fidelities 1 a : the quality or state of being faithful his fidelity to his wife b : accuracy in details : exactness The movie's director insisted on total fidelity to the book. 2 : the degree to which an electronic device (such as a record player, radio, or television) accurately reproduces its effect (such as sound or picture)

film noir (n)

plural film noirs play \-ˈnwär(z)\ or films noir or films noirs play \-ˈnwär\ : a type of crime film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by shadowy photography and foreboding background music; also : a film of this type

frequency (n)

plural frequencies 1 : the fact or condition of occurring frequently the frequency of automobile accidents 2 a : the number of times that a periodic function repeats the same sequence of values during a unit variation of the independent variable b : the number, proportion, or percentage of items in a particular category in a set of data 3 : the number of repetitions of a periodic process in a unit of time: such as a : the number of complete alternations (see alternation 1) per second of an alternating current b : the number of complete oscillations (see oscillation 3) per second of energy (such as sound or electromagnetic radiation) in the form of waves

infirmity (n)

plural infirmities 1 a : the quality or state of being infirm b : the condition of being feeble : frailty 2 : disease, malady 3 : a personal failing : foible one of the besetting infirmities of living creatures is egotism —A. J. Toynbee

miasma (n)

plural miasmas also miasmata play \-mə-tə\ 1 : a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease; also : a heavy vaporous emanation (see emanation 2) or atmosphere a miasma of tobacco smoke 2 : an influence or atmosphere that tends to deplete or corrupt freed from the miasma of poverty —Sir Arthur Bryant the enervating miasma of fear —The Times Literary Supplement (London) also : an atmosphere that obscures : fog — miasmal play \-məl\ adjective — miasmatic play \ˌmī-əz-ˈma-tik\ adjective — miasmic play \mī-ˈaz-mik, mē-\ adjective — miasmically

oaf (n)

plural oafs 1 : a stupid person : boob a thoughtless, clueless oaf —New York Times 2 : a big clumsy slow-witted person Get out of my way, you big oaf. — oafish play \ˈō-fish\ adjective — oafishly adverb — oafishness noun

caber (n)

pole; especially : a young tree trunk used for tossing as a trial of strength in a Scottish sport

landscape (n)

political/competitive landscape. 1 a : a picture representing a view of natural inland scenery Her hobby was painting landscapes. b : the art of depicting such scenery 2 a : the landforms of a region in the aggregate a landscape of rolling hills b : a portion of territory that can be viewed at one time from one place enjoyed the landscape from the mountain's summit c : a particular area of activity : scene the political landscape her new book which charts the landscape of her life during the last ten years —Elizabeth Mavor 3 obsolete : vista, prospect

enchanting (adj)

powerfully pleasing, appealing, or delightful : charming enchanting music an enchanting story a book with enchanting illustrations One of the most enchanting museums in London is also one of the world's most important for architectural and design drawings. —Allison Eckardt Ledes — enchantingly adverb an enchantingly beautiful landscape A young woman ... smiled out at us enchantingly ... —Stephanie Burgis

yoga (n)

practice yoga. 1 capitalized : a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation 2 : a system of physical postures, breathing techniques, and sometimes meditation derived from Yoga but often practiced independently especially in Western cultures to promote physical and emotional well-being — yogic

prevaricate (v)

prevaricated; prevaricating intransitive verb : to deviate from the truth : equivocate — prevarication noun — prevaricator noun

prioritize (v)

prioritize a lengthy to-do list. prioritized; prioritizing transitive verb : to list or rate (projects, goals, etc.) in order of priority — prioritization

damper (n)

put a damper on... 1 : a dulling or deadening influence put a damper on the celebration 2 : a device that damps: such as a : a valve or plate (as in the flue of a furnace) for regulating the draft b : a small felted block to stop the vibration of a piano string c chiefly British : shock absorber 3 Australia : a simple usually unleavened bread of a kind made originally in the Australian bush

dent (n)

put a dent in... 1 : a depression or hollow made by a blow or by pressure 2 : an appreciable impression or effect often made against resistance hasn't made a dent in the problem specifically : a weakening or lessening effect costs that have made a dent in the budget

mock-up (n)

put together a rough mock-up. 1 : a full-sized structural model built to scale chiefly for study, testing, or display 2 : a working sample (as of a magazine) for reviewing format, layout, or content

rattle (v)

rattled; rattling play \ˈrat-liŋ, ˈra-tᵊl-iŋ\ intransitive verb 1 : to make a rapid succession of short sharp noises the windows rattled in the wind 2 : to chatter incessantly and aimlessly 3 : to move with a clatter or rattle; also : to be or move about in a place or station too large or grand rattled around the big old house transitive verb 1 : to say, perform, or affect in a brisk lively fashion rattled off four magnificent backhands —Kim Chapin 2 : to cause to make a rattling sound 3 : rouse; specifically : to beat (a cover) for game 4 : to upset especially to the point of loss of poise and composure : disturb

benchmark (n)

reaching/setting a benchmark. 1a : something that serves as a standard by which others may be measured or judged a stock whose performance is a benchmark against which other stocks can be measured b : a point of reference from which measurements may be made c : a standardized problem or test that serves as a basis for evaluation or comparison (as of computer system performance) 2 usually bench mark : a mark on a permanent object (such as a concrete post set into the ground) indicating elevation and serving as a reference in topographic surveys and tidal observations

mingle (v)

ready to mingle. mingled; mingling play \-g(ə-)liŋ\ transitive verb 1 : to bring or mix together or with something else usually without fundamental loss of identity : intermix The story mingles fact with fiction. 2 archaic : to prepare by mixing : concoct intransitive verb 1 : to become mingled white and Douglas fir trees mingle with the pines —Karen Thure 2 a : to come into contact : associate he mingles only with millionaires —H. J. Laski b : to move about (as in a group) mingled with the guests

abandon (n)

reckless abandon. a thorough yielding to natural impulses; especially : enthusiasm, exuberance with reckless abandon

album (n)

recording an album. 1a : a book with blank pages used for making a collection (as of autographs, stamps, coins, or photographs) b : a cardboard container for a phonograph record : JACKET c : one or more recordings (as on tape or disc) produced as a single unit a 2-CD album 2 : a collection usually in book form of literary selections, musical compositions, or pictures : ANTHOLOGY

family (n)

like family. plural families 1 a : the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children; also : any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family a single-parent family b : spouse and children want to spend more time with my family 2 : a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head : household 3 a : a group of persons of common ancestry : clan b : a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock : race 4 a : a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation : fellowship b : the staff of a high official (such as the President) 5 : a group of things related by common characteristics: such as a : a closely related series of elements or chemical compounds b : a group of soils with similar chemical and physical properties (such as texture, pH, and mineral content) that comprise a category ranking above the series and below the subgroup in soil classification c : a group of related languages descended from a single ancestral language 6 a : a group of related plants or animals forming a category ranking above a genus and below an order and usually comprising several to many genera b in livestock breeding (1) : the descendants or line of a particular individual especially of some outstanding female (2) : an identifiable strain within a breed 7 : a set of curves or surfaces whose equations differ only in parameters 8 : a unit of a crime syndicate (such as the Mafia) operating within a geographical area — familyhood noun

like-minded (adj)

like-minded individuals. having a like disposition or purpose : of the same mind or habit of thought — like-mindedly adverb — like-mindedness noun

linger (v)

lingering suspicion. lingered; lingering play \ˈliŋ-g(ə-)riŋ\ intransitive verb 1 : to be slow in parting or in quitting something : tarry fans lingered outside the door 2 a : to remain alive although gradually dying was seriously ill, but lingered on for several months b : to remain existent although often waning in strength, importance, or influence lingering doubts lingering odors 3 : to be slow to act : procrastinate He lingered in settling the estate in order to increase his fees. 4 : to move slowly : saunter lingering homeward transitive verb 1 obsolete : delay 2 : to pass (a period of time) slowly — lingerer play \ˈliŋ-gər-ər\ noun — lingeringly

luxe (adj)

living in luxe luxurious, sumptuous — luxe noun

lo-fi (n)

lo-fi music. the production or reproduction of audio characterized by an unpolished or rough sound quality — lo-fi adjective

tough love (n)

love or affectionate concern expressed in a stern or unsentimental manner (as through discipline) especially to promote responsible behavior

inhibition (n)

lowering inhibitions. 1a : the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited b : something that forbids, debars, or restricts 2 : an inner impediment to free activity, expression, or functioning: such as a : a mental process imposing restraint upon behavior or another mental process (such as a desire) b : a restraining of the function of a bodily organ or an agent (such as an enzyme)

magnify (v)

magnified; magnifying transitive verb 1 a : extol, laud while they magnified the art, they often belittled the artist —Havelock Ellis b : to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect 2 a : to increase in significance : intensify real drama ... will use ugliness to magnify beauty —Alan Mickle b : exaggerate magnifies every minor issue to crisis proportions 3 : to enlarge in fact or in appearance The lens magnified the image 100 times. intransitive verb : to have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they are a glass that magnifies greatly

halting (adj)

marked by a lack of sureness or effectiveness spoke in a halting manner

Buck Rogers (n)

marked by futuristic and high-tech qualities : suggestive of science fiction

elated (adj)

marked by high spirits : exultant — elatedly adverb — elatedness noun

mar (v)

marred; marring transitive verb 1 : to ruin or diminish the perfection or wholeness of : spoil whose life has been marred by problems with drugs —William Plummer their relations were marred by disgraceful conflicts —L. W. Beck the race was marred by a 23-car pileup —Mike Harris 2 archaic a : to inflict serious bodily harm on b : destroy

mammon (n)

material wealth or possessions especially as having a debasing influence you cannot serve God and mammon —Matthew 6:24 (Revised Standard Version) — mammonism

memorize (v)

memorizing personal details. memorized; memorizing transitive verb : to commit to memory : learn by heart — memorizable play \ˌme-mə-ˈrī-zə-bəl\ adjective — memorization play \ˌme-mə-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌme-mə-(ˌ)rī-, ˌmem-rə-\ noun — memorizer noun

mend (v)

mending a broken friendship. mended; mending; mends transitive verb 1 : to free from faults or defects: such as a : to improve in manners or morals : reform was advised to mend his ways b : to set right : correct mend a corrupt text c : to put into good shape or working order again : patch up : repair the roads were never mended —Ellen Glasgow d : to improve or strengthen (something, such as a relationship) by negotiation or conciliation —used chiefly in the phrase mend fences spends the weekend mending political fences —E. O. Hauser e : to restore to health : cure before the bone was fully mended —Current Biography 2 : to make amends or atonement for least said, soonest mended intransitive verb 1 : to improve morally : reform It's never too late to mend. 2 : to become corrected or improved depression and lack of spirit mended visibly —Arnold Nicholson 3 : to improve in health; also : heal his injury mended rather quickly — mendable play \ˈmen-də-bəl\ adjective — mender noun

gymnastic (n)

mental gymnastics. of or relating to gymnastics : athletic — gymnastically

misread (v)

misread the situation. misread play \-ˈred\; misreading play \-ˈrē-diŋ\ transitive verb 1 : to read incorrectly 2 : to misinterpret in or as if in reading totally misread the lesson of history —Christopher Hollis

gimmick (n)

more of a gimmick than an innovation. 1a : a mechanical device for secretly and dishonestly controlling gambling apparatus b : an ingenious or novel mechanical device : GADGET 2a : an important feature that is not immediately apparent : CATCH ... few readers would look for a gimmick in an advertisement featuring airline schedules, but few would fail to look for the fine print in an ad announcing New Low-Price Fares. —Robert L. Heilbroner b : an ingenious and usually new scheme or angle Even in professional careers, mere competence and craftsmanship is no substitute for a gimmick. —James Poniewozik c : a trick or device used to attract business or attention a marketing gimmick

tier (n)

multi-tiered company. 1a : a row, rank, or layer of articles especially : one of two or more rows, levels, or ranks arranged one above another b : a group of political or geographic divisions that form a row across the map the southern tier of states 2 : CLASS, CATEGORY

music (n)

music to my ears. 1a : the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b : vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony choral music piano music recorded music 2a : an agreeable sound : EUPHONY her voice was music to my ears the music of a nightingale b : musical quality the music of verse the music of lovingly orchestrated words —Saturday Review 3 : a musical accompaniment a play set to music 4 : the score (see SCORE entry 1 sense 6a) of a musical composition set down on paper leafing through the music 5 : a distinctive type or category of music there is a music for everybody —Eric Salzman rock music jazz music classical music

guardian angel (n)

my guardian angel. an angel believed to have special care of a particular individual; broadly : savior 1, protector

nape (n)

nape of the neck. the back of the neck

habitat (n)

natural habitat. 1a : the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows b : the typical place of residence of a person or a group the arctic habitat of the Inuit c : a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live under surrounding inhospitable conditions (as under the sea) 2 : the place where something is commonly found has its natural habitat in university, in government, or in industrial laboratories —B. B. Watson

firepower (n)

need more firepower. 1 a : the capacity (as of a military unit) to deliver effective fire on a target b : effective fire 2 a : effective power or force intellectual firepower b : the scoring ability of a team or player

hand-holding (n)

needs/doesn't need a lot of hand-holding. solicitous attention, support, or instruction (as in servicing clients)

here nor there (neither) (phrase)

neither here nor there.

flop sweat (n)

nervous sweat (as of a performer) caused especially by the fear of failing

terrain (n)

new terrain. 1a(1) : a geographic area (2) : a piece of land : GROUND b : the physical features of a tract of land 2 : TERRANE sense 1 3a : a field of knowledge or interest b : ENVIRONMENT, MILIEU

rub in (v)

no need to rub it in. :to harp on (as something unpleasant) :emphasize

grindstone (n)

nose to the grindstone. 1 : millstone 1 2 : a flat circular stone of natural sandstone that revolves on an axle and is used for grinding, shaping, or smoothing

incongruent (adj)

not congruent incongruent triangles — incongruently adverb

fideism (n)

reliance on faith rather than reason in pursuit of religious truth — fideist play \ˈfē-ˌdā-ist\ noun — fideistic

marketing research (n)

research into the means of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service

ripe (adj)

ripe for... riper; ripest 1 : fully grown and developed : mature ripe fruit ripe wheat 2 : having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgment 3 : of advanced years : late a ripe old age 4 a : suitable, appropriate the time was ripe for the attempt b : fully prepared : ready the colonies were ripe for revolution 5 a : brought by aging to full flavor or the best state : mellow ripe cheese b : smelly, stinking 6 : ruddy, plump, or full like ripened fruit a ripe figure 7 : indecent ripe language — ripely adverb — ripeness noun

gamut (n)

run the gamut. 1 : the whole series of recognized musical notes 2 : an entire range or series ran the gamut from praise to contempt

sap (v)

sapping energy. 1 : to drain or deprive of sap 2 : to knock out with a sap

scamper (v)

scamper off. to run nimbly and usually playfully about

scarcely (adv)

scarcely do I hear of... 1a : by a narrow margin : only just had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open —Agnes S. Turnbull b : almost not could scarcely see for the fog 2a : certainly not could scarcely interfere b : probably not there could scarcely have been found a leader better equipped —V. L. Parrington

schmaltz (n)

schmaltzy tone. 1 : sentimental or florid music or art 2 : SENTIMENTALITY

scramble (v)

scrambling at the last minute. 1a : to move with urgency or panic scrambled to his feet b : to move or climb hastily especially on all fours scramble over rocks 2a : to struggle eagerly or unceremoniously for possession of something scramble for front seats players scrambling for the ball b : to get or gather something with difficulty or in irregular ways scramble for a living 3 : to spread or grow irregularly : SPRAWL, STRAGGLE 4 of an interceptor fighter aircraft : to take off quickly in response to an alert 5 of a football quarterback : to run with the ball after the pass protection breaks down transitive verb 1 : to collect or put together hastily scramble up a dinner for unexpected guests 2a : to toss or mix together in confusion : to throw into disorder : JUMBLE Bad weather often scrambles the train schedules. scrambled the pages of the manuscript b : to prepare (eggs) by stirring during frying scramble some eggs for breakfast 3 : to cause or order (interceptor fighter aircraft) to take off quickly Keating said he ordered the fighters to be scrambled immediately after seeing information about the crash on television. —Lolita C. Baldor 4 : to disarrange the elements of a transmission (such as a telephone or television signal) in order to make unintelligible to interception

seductive (adj)

seductive qualities. : tending to seduce : having alluring or tempting qualities a seductive, sometimes disingenuous man —Thatcher Freund a seductive aroma

seek (v)

seek help. 1 : to resort to : go to 2a : to go in search of : look for b : to try to discover 3 : to ask for : REQUEST seeks advice 4 : to try to acquire or gain : aim at seek fame 5 : to make an attempt : TRY —used with to and an infinitive governments ... seek to keep the bulk of their people contented —D. M. Potter intransitive verb 1 : to make a search or inquiry 2a : to be sought b : to be lacking in critical judgment ... they were sadly to seek —The Times Literary Supplement (London)

self-anointed (adj)

self-anointed judge, jury, and executioner. : chosen or designated by oneself : anointed by oneself a self-anointed prophet Colorado's radio airwaves most weekend mornings teem with self-anointed financial experts telling you how to manage your money, when, in fact, some of them have had problems managing their own. —David Migoya

self-publish (v)

self-published author. : to publish (a book) using the author's own resources

self-sacrifice (n)

self-sacrificing comment. : sacrifice of oneself or one's interest for others or for a cause or ideal

mediocrity (n)

settling for mediocrity. plural mediocrities 1 a : the quality or state of being mediocre came to terms with his mediocrity b : moderate ability or value fed up with the mediocrity of the local schools 2 : a mediocre person a most intelligent middle-aged mediocrity —Oscar Wilde

manque (adj)

short of or frustrated in the fulfillment of one's aspirations or talents —used postpositively a poet manqué

beaucoup (adj)

slang : great in quantity or amount : MANY, MUCH spent beaucoup dollars

banter (v)

solid banter. bantered; bantering; banters transitive verb 1 : to speak to or address in a witty and teasing manner She laughed and bantered him a little, remembering too late that she should have been dignified and reserved. —Kate Chopin 2 archaic : delude 3 chiefly Southern US and Midland US : challenge intransitive verb : to speak or act playfully or wittily The two friends bantered with each other. — banterer noun — banteringly

nail-biter (n)

something (such as a close contest) that induces tension or anxiety — nail-biting

silver bullet (n)

something that acts as a magical weapon; especially : one that instantly solves a long-standing problem

interrupt (v)

sorry to interrupt. interrupted; interrupting; interrupts transitive verb 1 : to stop or hinder by breaking in interrupted the speaker with frequent questions 2 : to break the uniformity or continuity of a hot spell occasionally interrupted by a period of cool weather intransitive verb : to break in upon an action; especially : to break in with questions or remarks while another is speaking — interruptible play \ˌin-tə-ˈrəp-tə-bəl\ adjective — interruption play \ˌin-tə-ˈrəp-shən\ noun — interruptive

elocution (n)

speaking with poise and elocution. 1 : a style of speaking especially in public 2 : the art of effective public speaking — elocutionary play \ˌe-lə-ˈkyü-shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective — elocutionist

capital (n)

spending capital. 1a(1) : a stock of accumulated goods especially at a specified time and in contrast to income received during a specified period also : the value of these accumulated goods (2) : accumulated goods devoted to the production of other goods (3) : accumulated possessions calculated to bring in income set capital and land and labor to work —G. B. Shaw b(1) : net worth : excess of assets over liabilities (2) : STOCK sense 7c(1) c : persons holding capital : capitalists considered as a group d : ADVANTAGE, GAIN make capital of the situation e : a store of useful assets or advantages wasted their political capital on an unpopular cause wrote from the capital of his emotionally desolate boyhood —E. L. Doctorow 2 [ 1capital ] a : a letter that conforms to the series A, B, C, etc. rather than a, b, c, etc. : a capital letter especially : an initial capital letter b : a letter belonging to a style of alphabet modeled on the style customarily used in inscriptions 3 [ 1capital ] a : a city serving as a seat of government b : a city preeminent in some special activity the fashion capital

stave off (v)

stave off infection. 1 : to fend off staving off creditors 2 : to ward off (something adverse) : forestall trying to stave off disaster

hydrate (v)

stay hydrated. 1 : to cause to take up or combine with water or the elements of water 2 : to supply with ample fluid or moisture hydrates and softens the skin intransitive verb : to become a hydrate

nitpick (v)

stop nitpicking. nitpicked; nitpicking; nitpicks intransitive verb : to engage in nit-picking transitive verb : to criticize by nit-picking ... warns her lawyers not to nitpick on relatively simple matters. —Deborah L. Jacobs — nitpick noun — nitpicker noun — nitpicky

aghast (adj)

struck with terror, amazement, or horror : shocked and upset was aghast when she heard the news

subject (v)

subjecting someone to... 1 : owing obedience or allegiance to the power or dominion of another 2 a : suffering a particular liability or exposure subject to temptation b : having a tendency or inclination : prone subject to colds 3 : contingent on or under the influence of some later action the plan is subject to discussion

anacoluthon (n)

syntactical inconsistency or incoherence within a sentence; especially : a shift in an unfinished sentence from one syntactic construction to another (as in you really ought—well, do it your own way)

general paresis (n)

syphilis of the central nervous system that is characterized by memory loss, muscle weakness, progressive dementia, seizures, and paralysis

aback (adv)

taken aback. 1 archaic : backward, back 2 : in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface (as of a sail) 3 : by surprise : unawares was taken aback by her sharp retort

sick day (n)

taking a sick day. a paid day of sick leave

center stage (n)

taking center stage. 1 : the central part of a theatrical stage 2 : a central or highly prominent position an issue that has taken center stage in the campaign

forever (n)

taking forever; in forever. a seemingly interminable time : excessively long it took her forever to find the answer

tattered (adj)

tattered with... 1 : torn into shreds : RAGGED a tattered flag 2a : broken down : DILAPIDATED decaying houses along tattered paved streets —P. B. Martin b : being in a shattered condition led their tattered party to victory 3 : wearing ragged clothes a tattered barefoot boy

given (prep)

that's a given. : in view of : CONSIDERING given what she knew about others' lives, how could she complain about her own? —Marilyn French

percentile (n)

the 95th percentile of... a value on a scale of 100 that indicates the percent of a distribution that is equal to or below it a score in the 95th percentile

Ahura Mazda (N)

the Supreme Being represented as a deity of goodness and light in Zoroastrianism

globalization (n)

the act or process of globalizing : the state of being globalized; especially : the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets

Advent (n)

the advent of (smartphones). 1 : the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting 2 a : the coming of Christ at the Incarnation (see incarnation 1a(2)) b : second coming 3 not capitalized : a coming into being or use the advent of spring the advent of pasteurization the advent of personal computers

aggregate (n)

the aggregate of... 1 : a mass or body of units or parts somewhat loosely associated with one another Froth is an aggregate of tiny bubbles. 2 : the whole sum or amount : SUM TOTAL spent an aggregate of 10 million dollars in advertising during the past three years 3a : a rock composed of mineral crystals of one or more kinds or of mineral rock fragments : an aggregate rock b : any of several hard inert materials (such as sand, gravel, or slag) used for mixing with a cementing material to form concrete, mortar, or plaster c : a clustered mass of individual soil particles varied in shape, ranging in size from a microscopic granule to a small crumb, and considered the basic structural unit of soil 4 : SET sense 21 5 : MONETARY AGGREGATE in the aggregate : considered as a whole : COLLECTIVELY Dividends for the year amounted in the aggregate to 25 million dollars.

eurythmics (n)

the art of harmonious bodily movement especially through expressive timed movements in response to improvised music

cockles of the heart (phrase)

the core of one's being —usually used in the phrase warm the cockles of the heart

genocide (n)

the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group — genocidal

founder effect (n)

the effect on the resulting gene pool that occurs when a new isolated population is founded by a small number of individuals possessing limited genetic variation relative to the larger population from which they have migrated

epicenter (n)

the epicenter of the music industry. 1 : the part of the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake — compare hypocenter 1 2 : center 2a the epicenter of world finance — epicentral

epitome (n)

the epitome of (a go-getter). 1 : a typical or ideal example : embodiment the British monarchy itself is the epitome of tradition —Richard Joseph 2 a : a summary of a written work b : a brief presentation or statement of something 3 : brief or miniature form —usually used with in — epitomic play \ˌe-pə-ˈtä-mik\ or epitomical

companionship (n)

the fellowship existing among companions : company

seabed (n)

the floor of a sea or ocean

guardian (n)

the guardian of... 1 : one that guards : custodian 2 : a superior of a Franciscan monastery 3 : one who has the care of the person or property of another — guardianship

handiwork (n)

the handiwork of... 1a : work done by the hands b : work done personally recognized her handiwork 2 : the product of handiwork

samsara (n)

the indefinitely repeated cycles of birth, misery, and death caused by karma

intangible (adj)

the intangibles. not tangible : impalpable education's intangible benefits — intangibility noun — intangibleness noun — intangibly adverb

group dynamics (n)

the interacting forces within a small human group; also : the sociological study of these forces

left brain (n)

the left cerebral hemisphere of the human brain especially when viewed in terms of its predominant thought processes (such as analytic and logical thinking) — left-brained

middle game (n)

the middle phase of a board game; specifically : the part of a chess game after the pieces have been developed when players attempt to gain and exploit positional and material superiority — compare endgame, opening

negative feedback (n)

the negative-feedback loop of self-consciousness. feedback that tends to dampen a process by applying the output against the initial conditions

old-fashioned (n)

the old-fashioned away. 1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a past era wears an old-fashioned black bow tie —Green Peyton b : adhering to customs of a past era 2 : outmoded — old-fashionedly play \ˈōl(d)-ˈfa-shən(d)-lē\ adverb — old-fashionedness

operative (adj)

the operative word. 1 a : producing an appropriate effect : efficacious operative techniques b : most significant or essential the operative word in a phrase the operative facts 2 : exerting force or influence : operating an operative statute 3 a : having to do with physical operations (as of machines) operative skills b : working an operative craftsman 4 : based on or consisting of an operation operative dentistry The disease may require operative treatment. — operatively adverb — operativeness noun

great year (n)

the period of about 25,800 years required for one complete cycle of the equinoxes around the ecliptic

Fourier analysis (n)

the process of using the terms of a Fourier series to find a function that approximates periodic data

scope (n)

the scope and scale of... 1 : INTENTION, OBJECT 2 : space or opportunity for unhampered motion, activity, or thought 3 : extent of treatment, activity, or influence 4 : range of operation: such as a : the range of a logical operator : a string in predicate calculus that is governed by a quantifier b : a grammatical constituent that determines the interpretation of a predicate or quantifier

biofeedback (n)

the technique of making unconscious or involuntary bodily processes (such as heartbeats or brain waves) perceptible to the senses (as by the use of an oscilloscope) in order to manipulate them by conscious mental control

gnosticism (n)

the thought and practice especially of various cults of late pre-Christian and early Christian centuries distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis

intendment (n)

the true meaning or intention especially of a law

third party (n)

thirdy party consult. 1 : a person other than the principals a third party to a divorce proceeding insurance against injury to third parties 2a : a major political party operating over a limited period of time in addition to two other major parties in a nation or state normally characterized by a two-party system b : MINOR PARTY

thrust (v)

thrust into the spotlight. 1 : to push or drive with force : SHOVE 2 : to cause to enter or pierce something by or as if by pushing thrust a dagger into his heart 3 : EXTEND, SPREAD 4 : STAB, PIERCE 5a : to put (someone, such as an unwilling person) forcibly into a course of action or position was thrust into the job b : to introduce often improperly into a position : INTERPOLATE 6 : to press, force, or impose the acceptance of upon someone thrust new responsibilities upon her intransitive verb 1a : to force an entrance or passage b : to push forward : press onward c : to push upward : PROJECT 2 : to make a thrust, stab, or lunge with or as if with a pointed weapon thrust at them with a knife

tinker (v)

tinkering around with... : to work in the manner of a tinker especially : to repair, adjust, or work with something in an unskilled or experimental manner : FIDDLE always tinkering with his car transitive verb : to repair, adjust, or experiment with tinkered; tinkering

consent (v)

to (give) consent to... consented; consenting; consents intransitive verb 1 : to give assent or approval : agree consent to being tested Her father consented to the marriage. 2 archaic : to be in concord in opinion or sentiment — consenter noun — consentingly

excel (v)

to excel at... : to be superior to : surpass in accomplishment or achievement intransitive verb : to be distinguishable by superiority : surpass others excel in sports excelled at lipreading

enserf (v)

to make a serf of : deprive of liberty and personal rights

glance (v)

to quickly glance at... 1 : to strike a surface obliquely so as to go off at an angle the bullet glanced off the wall 2a : to make sudden quick movements dragonflies glancing over the pond b : to flash or gleam with quick intermittent rays of light brooks glancing in the sun 3 : to touch on a subject or refer to it briefly or indirectly the work glances at the customs of ancient cultures 4a of the eyes : to move swiftly from one thing to another b : to take a quick look at something glanced at his watch transitive verb 1 archaic a : to take a quick look at b : to catch a glimpse of 2 : to give an oblique path of direction to: a : to throw or shoot so that the object deflects from a surface b archaic : to aim (something, such as an innuendo) indirectly : INSINUATE

abhor (v)

to regard with extreme repugnance : to feel hatred or loathing for : loathe abhorred violence — abhorrer

grok (v)

to understand profoundly and intuitively

torpedo (v)

torpedo a project. 1 : to hit or sink (a ship) with a naval torpedo : strike or destroy by torpedo 2 : to destroy or nullify altogether : WRECK torpedo a plan torpedoed; torpedoing

touche (interj)

touche. —used to acknowledge a hit in fencing or the success or appropriateness of an argument, an accusation, or a witty point

transvalue (v)

transitive verb : to reevaluate especially on a basis that repudiates accepted standards

tucker (v)

tucker out. exhaust —often used with out was all tuckered out after a long day's work

after all (adv)

turns out she was right after all. 1 : in spite of considerations or expectations to the contrary : nevertheless decided to take the train after all didn't rain after all 2 : in view of all circumstances literature which is after all only a special department of reading —W. W. Watt

cowlick (n)

uncooperative cowlick. a lock or tuft of hair growing in a different direction from the rest of the hair

guise (n)

under the guise. 1 : a form or style of dress : costume attended the masquerade in the guise of a court jester 2 a obsolete : manner, fashion b archaic : a customary way of speaking or behaving 3 a : external appearance : semblance The android is a machine in human guise. b : pretext swindles people under the guise of friendship

self-discovery (n)

underging self-discovery. : the act or process of achieving self-knowledge

ingenuity (n)

using cunning and ingenuity to solve a problem. 1 obsolete : candor, ingenuousness 2 a : skill or cleverness in devising or combining : inventiveness b : cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance 3 : an ingenious device or contrivance

woman (n)

when a man loves a woman. 1a : an adult female person b : a woman belonging to a particular category (as by birth, residence, membership, or occupation) —usually used in combination councilwoman 2 : WOMANKIND 3 : distinctively feminine nature : WOMANLINESS 4 : a woman who is a servant or personal attendant 5a chiefly dialectal : WIFE b : MISTRESS c : GIRLFRIEND sense 2 6 : a woman who is extremely fond of or devoted to something specified I'm a chocolate woman through and through, but one bite of West's banana pudding cupcake and I was sold. —Hattie Brown Garrow

integrity (n)

with integrity. 1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : INCORRUPTIBILITY 2 : an unimpaired condition : SOUNDNESS 3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : COMPLETENESS

inamorata (n)

woman with whom one is in love or has intimate relations

calling (n)

your calling. 1 : a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence 2 : the vocation or profession in which one customarily engages 3 : the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat; also : the period of heat

life force (n)

élan vital

ah (interj)

—used to express delight, relief, regret, or contempt Ah, finished at last!

perfunctory (adj)

1 : characterized by routine or superficiality : mechanical a perfunctory smile 2 : lacking in interest or enthusiasm — perfunctorily adverb — perfunctoriness

heterodox (adj)

1 : contrary to or different from an acknowledged standard, a traditional form, or an established religion : unorthodox, unconventional heterodox ideas 2 : holding unorthodox opinions or doctrines a heterodox religious sect

gang (n)

1 : group: such as a : a group of persons working to unlawful or antisocial ends; especially : a band of antisocial adolescents b : a group of persons working together 2 : a group of persons having informal and usually close social relations watching TV with the gang 3 a : a set of articles : outfit a gang of oars b : a combination of similar implements or devices arranged for convenience to act together a gang of saws

expansive (adj)

1 : having a capacity or a tendency to expand 2 : causing or tending to cause expansion 3a : characterized by high spirits, generosity, or readiness to talk : OPEN grew expansive after dinner b : marked by or indicative of exaggerated euphoria and delusions of self-importance an expansive patient 4 : marked by expansion especially : having a great expanse or extent : SIZABLE, EXTENSIVE an expansive interpretation of the law 5 : characterized by richness, abundance, or magnificence expansive living expansive taste

bipolar (adj)

1 : having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or diametrically opposed natures or views 2a : having or involving the use of two poles or polarities bipolar generators bipolar ECG leads b electronics : relating to, being, or using a transistor in which both electrons and holes (see HOLE entry 1 sense 1b(3)) are utilized as charge carriers (see CARRIER sense 2e) 3 : relating to, associated with, or occurring in both polar (see POLAR entry 1 sense 1a) regions bipolar species of birds 4 psychology : being, characteristic of, or affected with a bipolar disorder bipolar patients

go-ahead (adj)

1 : marked by energy and enterprise : progressive a vigorous go-ahead company 2 : indicating that one may proceed go-ahead signal 3 : being a score that gives a team the lead in a game drove in the go-ahead run

gonzo (adj)

1 : of, relating to, or being a style of journalism marked by a lack of objectivity due to the writer's immersion in the subject and often participation in the activity being documented gonzo journalism a gonzo journalist 2 informal a : outlandishly unconventional, outrageous, or extreme a gonzo comedian b : very strange or unusual : bizarre gonzo notions

reserved (adj)

1 : restrained in words and actions 2 : kept or set apart or aside for future or special use

repletion (n)

1 : the act of eating to excess : the state of being fed to excess : SURFEIT 2 : the condition of being filled up or overcrowded 3 : fulfillment of a need or desire : SATISFACTION

denouement (n)

1 : the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a literary work In the denouement, the two lovers commit suicide. 2 : the outcome of a complex sequence of events

verity (n)

1 : the quality or state of being true or real 2 : something (such as a statement) that is true especially : a fundamental and inevitably true value such eternal verities as honor, love, and patriotism 3 : the quality or state of being truthful or honest the king-becoming graces, as justice, verity — William Shakespeare

accord (n)

1 a : agreement, conformity acted in accord with the company's policy b : a formal reaching of agreement : compact, treaty a peace accord 2 : voluntary or spontaneous impulse to act gave generously of their own accord 3 : balanced interrelationship : harmony 4 obsolete : assent

periodic (adj)

1 a : occurring or recurring at regular intervals b : occurring repeatedly from time to time 2 a : consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages, processes, or digits : cyclic periodic decimals a periodic vibration b : being a function any value of which recurs at regular intervals 3 : expressed in or characterized by periodic sentences

high (adj)

1 a : rising or extending upward a great distance : taller than average, usual, or expected a high wall a high fly ball b : having a specified height or elevation : tall six feet high —often used in combinations sky-highwaist-high c : situated or passing above the normal level, surface, base of measurement, or elevation the high desert 2 a (1) : advanced toward the acme or culmination high summer (2) : advanced toward the most active or culminating period on the Riviera during high season (3) : constituting the late, most fully developed, or most creative stage or period high Gothic (4) : advanced in complexity, development, or elaboration the higher primates including humans higher mathematics b : verging on lateness —usually used in the phrase high time It's high time he won an award. c : long past : remote high antiquity 3 : elevated in pitch (see 4pitch 4b(1)) a high note 4 : relatively far from the equator high latitude 5 : rich in quality : luxurious high living 6 : slightly tainted or spoiled high game meat; also : malodorous smelled rather high 7 : exalted or elevated in character : noble high purposes 8 : of greater degree, amount, cost, value, or content than average, usual, or expected high prices high temperatures high blood pressure traveling at a high rate of speed unemployment was high 9 : of relatively great importance: such as a : foremost in rank, dignity, or standing high officials b : serious, grave high crimes c : observed with the utmost solemnity high religious observances d : critical, climactic the high point of the novel e : intellectually or artistically of the first order or best quality high culture f : marked by sublime, heroic, or stirring events or subject matter high tragedy a tale of high adventure 10 : forcible, strong high winds 11 : stressing matters of doctrine and ceremony; specifically : high church 12 a : filled with or expressing great joy or excitement high spirits b : intoxicated by or as if by a drug or alcohol high on cocaine 13 : articulated or pronounced with some part of the tongue close to the palate a high vowel — high on : enthusiastically in approval or support of party leaders high on a new candidate

age (n)

1 a : the time of life at which some particular qualification, power, or capacity arises or rests the voting age is 18; specifically : majority b : one of the stages of life c : the length of an existence extending from the beginning to any given time a boy 10 years of age d : lifetime e : an advanced stage of life 2 : a period of time dominated by a central figure or prominent feature the age of Pericles : such as a : a period in history or human progress the age of reptiles the age of exploration b : a cultural period marked by the prominence of a particular item entering the atomic age c : a division of geologic time that is usually shorter than an epoch 3 a : the period contemporary with a person's lifetime or with his or her active life b : a long time —usually used in plural haven't seen him in ages c : generation 4 : an individual's development measured in terms of the years requisite for like development of an average individual

waive (v)

1 archaic : GIVE UP, FORSAKE 2 : to throw away (stolen goods) 3 archaic : to shunt aside (a danger or duty) : EVADE 4a : to relinquish (something, such as a legal right) voluntarily waive a jury trial b : to refrain from pressing or enforcing (something, such as a claim or rule) : FORGO waive the fee 5 : to put off from immediate consideration : POSTPONE 6 [ influenced by 1wave ] : to dismiss with or as if with a wave of the hand waived the problem aside 7 : to place (a ball player) on waivers also : to release after placing on waivers waived; waiving

demiurge (n)

1 capitalized a : a Platonic subordinate deity who fashions the sensible world in the light of eternal ideas b : a Gnostic subordinate deity who is the creator of the material world 2 : one that is an autonomous creative force or decisive power

groundswell (n)

1 usually ground swell : a broad deep undulation of the ocean caused by an often distant gale or seismic disturbance 2 : a rapid spontaneous growth (as of political opinion) a groundswell of support

repudiate (v)

1a : to refuse to accept especially : to reject as unauthorized or as having no binding force repudiate a contract repudiate a will b : to reject as untrue or unjust repudiate a charge 2 : to refuse to acknowledge or pay repudiate a debt 3 : to refuse to have anything to do with : DISOWN repudiate a cause ... unless they repudiated the failed policies of the past and took decisive action, the party might fracture or lose its hold on the electorate. repudiated; repudiating — Walter A. McDougall 4 dated : to divorce or separate formally from (a woman to whom one is betrothed or married) The incident was witnessed by ... the Marquess Zanipolo, who, in consequence, has already repudiated his unhappy bride. — Edith Wharton repudiated; repudiating

warm up (v)

: to engage in exercise or practice especially before entering a game or contest broadly : to get ready

law of averages (n)

LOA suggests it'll happen eventually, even if only 1% of the time. the commonsense observation that probability influences everyday life so that over the long term the possible outcomes of a repeated event occur with specific frequencies

active (adj)

an active lifestyle. 1 : characterized by action rather than by contemplation or speculation an active life 2 : producing or involving action or movement 3 a of a verb form or voice : asserting that the person or thing represented by the grammatical subject performs the action represented by the verb Hits in he hits the ball is active. b : expressing action as distinct from mere existence or state active verbs such as eat and sing 4 : quick in physical movement : lively 5 : marked by vigorous activity : busy The stock market was active. 6 : requiring vigorous action or exertion active sports 7 : having practical operation or results : effective an active law 8 a : disposed to action : energetic took an active interest b : engaged in an action or activity an active club member c of a volcano : currently erupting or likely to erupt — compare dormant 2a, 1extinct 1b d : characterized by emission of large amounts of electromagnetic energy an active galactic nucleus 9 : engaged in full-time service especially in the armed forces active duty 10 : marked by present operation, transaction, movement, or use an active account 11 a : capable of acting or reacting : reacting readily active nitrogen active ingredients b : tending to progress or to cause degeneration active tuberculosis c of an electronic circuit element : capable of controlling voltages or currents d (1) : requiring the expenditure of energy active calcium ion uptake (2) : functioning by the emission of radiant energy or sound radar is an active sensor 12 : still eligible to win the pot in poker 13 : moving down the line : visiting in the set —used of couples in contra dances or square dances 14 medical : producing active immunity Active immunization against Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, is now usually achieved with combined pertussis-tetanus-diphtheria (DTP) vaccine. —Scientific American Medicine — actively adverb — activeness noun

entice (v)

an enticing offer. enticed; enticing transitive verb : to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing hope or desire : tempt — enticement play \in-ˈtī-smənt, en-\ noun — enticingly

forbidden fruit (n)

an immoral or illegal pleasure

friction (n)

avoiding any social friction. 1a : the rubbing of one body against another the friction of sandpaper on wood b : the force that resists relative motion between two bodies in contact oil in a car engine reduces friction 2 : the clashing between two persons or parties of opposed views : DISAGREEMENT friction between neighbors friction between state and federal authorities 3 : sound produced by the movement of air through a narrow constriction in the mouth or glottis

accolade (n)

awarded several accolades. 1 a : a mark of acknowledgment : award received the highest accolade of his profession b : an expression of praise a movie that has drawn accolades from both fans and critics 2 a : a ceremonial embrace b : a ceremony or salute conferring knighthood 3 music : a brace or a line used in music to join two or more staffs carrying simultaneous parts

outerspace (n)

deep in outerspace. space immediately outside the earth's atmosphere; broadly : interplanetary or interstellar space

deepen (v)

deepening a bond. deepened; deepening play \ˈdē-pə-niŋ, ˈdēp-niŋ\ transitive verb : to make deep or deeper intransitive verb : to become deeper or more profound

get-go (n)

from the get-go. : the very beginning —used in the phrase from the get-go didn't like me from the get-go

give up (v)

give up on... 1 : to yield control or possession of : surrender forced to give up his job 2 : to desist from : abandon refused to give up her efforts 3 : to declare incurable or insoluble 4 a : to abandon (oneself) to a particular feeling, influence, or activity gave himself up to despair b : to devote to a particular purpose or use 5 : to despair of seeing we'd given you up 6 : to allow (a hit or run in baseball) while pitching intransitive verb : to cease doing or attempting something especially as an admission of defeat : quit —often used with on don't give up on the project — give up the ghost : to cease to live or function : die

grand (adj)

grand appearance. 1a : having more importance than others : FOREMOST b : having higher rank than others bearing the same general designation the grand champion 2a : INCLUSIVE, COMPREHENSIVE the grand total of all money paid out b : DEFINITIVE, INCONTROVERTIBLE grand example 3 : CHIEF, PRINCIPAL the grand ballroom 4 : large and striking in size, scope, extent, or conception grand design 5a : LAVISH, SUMPTUOUS a grand celebration b : marked by a regal form and dignity c : fine or imposing in appearance or impression sported a grand mustache d : LOFTY, SUBLIME writing in the grand style 6a : pretending to social superiority : SUPERCILIOUS b : intended to impress a person of grand gestures 7 : very good : WONDERFUL a grand time

holding pattern (n)

in a holding pattern. 1 : the usually oval course flown (as over an airport) by aircraft awaiting clearance especially to land 2 : a state of waiting or suspended activity or progress

lighthearted (adj)

lighthearted conversation. 1 : free from care, anxiety, or seriousness : happy-go-lucky a lighthearted mood 2 : cheerfully optimistic and hopeful : easygoing they can be lighthearted in the midst of misery —H. J. Forman — lightheartedly adverb — lightheartedness noun

dormant (adj)

lying dormant. 1 heraldry : represented on a coat of arms in a lying position with the head on the forepaws 2 : marked by a suspension of activity: such as a : temporarily devoid of external activity a dormant volcano b : temporarily in abeyance yet capable of being activated seeds will remain dormant until spring reawaken her dormant emotions 3 a : asleep, inactive dormant creatures b : having the faculties suspended : sluggish c : having biological activity suspended: such as (1) : being in a state of suspended animation (2) botany : not actively growing but protected (as by bud scales) from the environment —used of plant parts 4 : associated with, carried out, or applied during a period of dormancy dormant grafting

deal (v)

make a deal/dealing with... dealt play \ˈdelt\; dealing play \ˈdē-liŋ\ transitive verb 1 a : to give as one's portion : apportion dealt out three sandwiches apiece a judge dealing out punishments b card games : to distribute (playing cards) to players Deal the cards. 2 : administer, deliver dealt him a blow 3 business a : sell deals drugs b : trade deal a player to another team intransitive verb 1 card games : to distribute the cards to players your turn to deal 2 : to concern oneself or itself the book deals with education a lawyer who deals with real estate law 3 business a : to engage in bargaining : trade b : to sell or distribute something as a business deal in insurance 4 a : to take action with regard to someone or something deal with an offender Who's going to deal with this mess? b : to reach or try to reach a state of acceptance or reconcilement trying to deal with her son's death — dealer

modus operandi (n)

plural modi operandi play \ˈmō-ˌdē-, ˈmō-ˌdī-\ : a method of procedure the best approach ... was to do things through quiet persuasion, which was his modus operandi —James Traub especially : a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime got her picture identified, discovered her modus operandi, and put a stakeout on her neighborhood —Time

practice (v)

practiced also practised; practicing also practising transitive verb 1 a : carry out, apply practice what you preach b : to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually practice politeness c : to be professionally engaged in practice medicine 2 a : to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient practice the act b : to train by repeated exercises practice pupils in penmanship 3 obsolete : plot intransitive verb 1 : to do repeated exercises for proficiency 2 : to pursue a profession actively 3 archaic : intrigue 4 : to do something customarily 5 : to take advantage of someone he practised on their credulity with huge success —The Times Literary Supplement (London) — practicer noun

blueprint (n)

put together the blueprint for... 1 : a photographic print in white on a bright blue ground or blue on a white ground used especially for copying maps, mechanical drawings, and architects' plans 2 : something resembling a blueprint (as in serving as a model or providing guidance) especially : a detailed plan or program of action a blueprint for victory

raise (v)

raise issue with. raised; raising transitive verb 1 : to cause or help to rise to a standing position 2 a : awaken, arouse b : to stir up : incite raise a rebellion c : to flush (game) from cover d : to recall from or as if from death 3 a : to set upright by lifting or building raise a monument b : to lift up raise your hand raise sunken treasure c : to place higher in rank or dignity : elevate d : heighten, invigorate raise the spirits e : to end or suspend the operation or validity of raise a siege 4 : to get together for a purpose : collect raise funds 5 a : grow, cultivate raise cotton b : to bring to maturity : rear raise a child c : to breed and bring (an animal) to maturity 6 a : to give rise to : provoke raise a commotion b : to give voice to raise a cheer 7 : to bring up for consideration or debate raise an issue 8 a : to increase the strength, intensity, or pitch of don't raise your voice b : to increase the degree of c : to cause to rise in level or amount raise the rent d (1) : to increase the amount of (a poker bet) (2) : to bet more than (a previous bettor) e (1) : to make a higher bridge bid in (a partner's suit) (2) : to increase the bid of (one's partner) 9 : to make light and porous raise dough 10 : to cause to ascend raise the dust 11 : to multiply (a quantity) by itself a specified number of times raise two to the fourth power 12 : to bring in sight on the horizon by approaching raise land 13 a : to bring up the nap of (cloth) b : to cause (something, such as a blister) to form on the skin 14 : to increase the nominal value of fraudulently raise a check 15 : to articulate (a sound) with the tongue in a higher position 16 : to establish radio communication with intransitive verb 1 dialect : rise 2 : to increase a bet or bid — raiser noun — raise Cain or raise hell 1 : to act wildly : create a disturbance 2 : to scold or upbraid someone especially loudly raised hell with the umpire — raise eyebrows : to cause surprise or mild disapproval — raise the bar : to set a higher standard new software that raises the bar for competitors

autopilot (n)

running on autopilot. 1 : a device for automatically steering ships, aircraft, and spacecraft also : the automatic control provided by such a device 2 : AUTOMATIC PILOT sense 2

confidence (n)

self-confidence. 1a : a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances had perfect confidence in her ability to succeed met the risk with brash confidence b : faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way have confidence in a leader 2 : the quality or state of being certain : CERTITUDE they had every confidence of success 3a : a relation of trust or intimacy took his friend into his confidence b : reliance on another's discretion Their story was told in strictest confidence. c : support especially in a legislative body vote of confidence 4 : a communication made in confidence : SECRET accused him of betraying a confidence

self-taught (adj)

self-taught programmer. 1 : having knowledge or skills acquired by one's own efforts without formal instruction a self-taught musician 2 : learned by oneself self-taught knowledge

acid (n)

taking acid. 1 : a sour substance; specifically : any of various typically water-soluble and sour compounds that in solution are capable of reacting with a base (see 1base 7a) to form a salt, redden litmus, and have a pH less than 7, that are hydrogen-containing molecules or ions able to give up a proton to a base, or that are substances able to accept an unshared pair of electrons from a base 2 : something incisive, biting, or sarcastic a social satire dripping with acid 3 : lsd — acidy \ˈa-sə-dē\ adjective

hobby (n)

taking on a hobby. plural hobbies : a small Old World falcon (Falco subbuteo) that is dark blue above and white below with dark streaking on the breast

huddle (v)

team huddle. 1 British : to arrange carelessly or hurriedly the solemnities had to be huddled through at express speed —Manchester Examiner 2 a : to crowd together Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free ... —Emma Lazarus b : to draw (oneself) together : crouch People were huddled around their radios. 3 : to wrap oneself closely in huddled her coat around her intransitive verb 1 a : to gather in a close-packed group They huddled around the campfire. b : to curl up : crouch Students huddled over their desks. 2 a : to hold a consultation huddled to discuss the proposal b football : to gather away from the line of scrimmage to receive instructions (as from the quarterback) for the next down (see 5down 3b) : to gather in a huddle (see 2huddle 2b)

mutually exclusive (adj)

the two aren't mutually exclusive. being related such that each excludes or precludes the other mutually exclusive events; also : incompatible their outlooks were not mutually exclusive

lens (n)

through the lens of... 1 a : a piece of transparent material (such as glass) that has two opposite regular surfaces either both curved or one curved and the other plane and that is used either singly or combined in an optical instrument for forming an image by focusing rays of light b : a combination of two or more simple lenses c : a piece of glass or plastic used (as in safety goggles or sunglasses) to protect the eye 2 : a device for directing or focusing radiation other than light (such as sound waves, radio microwaves, or electrons) 3 : something shaped like a biconvex optical lens lens of sandstone 4 : a highly transparent biconvex lens-shaped or nearly spherical body in the eye that focuses light rays (as upon the retina) — see eye illustration 5 : something that facilitates and influences perception, comprehension, or evaluation viewing the current legal battle ... through partisan lenses —New Republic 6 : gravitational lens — lensed play \ˈlenzd\ adjective — lensless

curveball (n)

throwing (you) a curveball. : a slow or moderately fast baseball pitch thrown with spin to make it swerve downward and usually to the left when thrown from the right hand or to the right when thrown from the left hand — curveball verb

introject (v)

to incorporate (attitudes or ideas) into one's personality unconsciously — introjection play \ˌin-trə-ˈjek-shən\ noun

gratify (v)

a gratifying outcome. 1 archaic : remunerate, reward 2 : to be a source of or give pleasure or satisfaction to it gratified him to have his wife wear jewels —Willa Cather 3 : to give in to : indulge, satisfy gratify a whim

gentleman's agreement (n)

a handshake based gentleman's agreemant. an agreement secured only by the honor of the participants

seminal (adj)

a seminal work. 1 : of, relating to, or consisting of seed or semen 2 : containing or contributing the seeds of later development : CREATIVE, ORIGINAL a seminal book

anomie (n)

a sense of aimlessness or despair that arises when we can no longer reasonably expect life to be predictable; too little social regulation; normlessness

turbulent (adj)

a turbulent romance. 1a : exhibiting physical turbulence turbulent air b : characterized by agitation or tumult : TEMPESTUOUS a turbulent marriage 2 : causing unrest, violence, or disturbance a set of mischievous, turbulent rebels —Anne Brönte