GRE Words (4836)

seminal

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

denomination

religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic

savant

scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know

sect

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

scapegoat

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

seamy

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

scintillate

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

scotch

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

shard

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

scanty

meager; insufficient

seasonable

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

sheathe

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

savory

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

scenario

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

sham

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

sedentary

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

seedy

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

seminary

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

scorch

sear; N.

sere

sear; parched; dry

seine

seine net; net for catching fish

voluptuous

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

sentinel

sentry; lookout

sever

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

shimmer

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

scuttle

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

hide

skin of an animal

servitude

slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment

servile

slavish; cringing; N. servility

overwhelm

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

stagnant

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

torrid

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

sultry

(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous

muggy

(of weather) warm and damp

mellifluous

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

equivocal

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

remunerative

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

cursive

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

polity

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

upright

(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral

wont

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

bloated

(unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air

convoluted

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

bleak

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

clavicle

collarbone

amass

collect (gradually, in a very large amount)

corpus

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

menagerie

collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo

agglomeration

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

hue

color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue

spectrum

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

pigment

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

militant

combative; bellicose; N.

pugnacity

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

merger

combination (of two business corporations); act of merging

amalgam

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

coalesce

combine; fuse; N. coalescence

knit

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

belie

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

contravene

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

antithesis

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

foil

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

dominate

control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; ³»·ÁŽÙºžŽÙ

ascendancy

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

amenities

convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies

mores

conventions; moral standards; moral customs

tan

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

cogent

convincing

broil

cook by direct heat; N.

facsimile

copy

replica

copy

wily

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

Machiavellian

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

hurtle

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

grovel

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

statutory

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

credo

creed

fissure

crevice; crack

juncture

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

animadversion

critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval

pan

criticize harshly

askew

crookedly; slanted; at an angle

throng

crowd (of people or things); V.

horde

crowd; swarm

diadem

crown

shack

crude cabin

hut

crude dwelling; shack

fell

cruel; (of a disease) deadly

mash

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

pulverize

crush or grind into very small particles

squash

crush; quash; suppress

quash

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

oatmeal

crushed oats used for making porridge

exclaim

cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory

limpid

crystal clear

inveigle

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

beguile

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

illusive

deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive

artifice

deception; trickery

stratagem

deceptive scheme; clever trick

delusive

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

resolve

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

conclusive

decisive; ending all debate

hatch

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

avow

declare openly; N. avowal

decipher

decode; CF. indecipherable

adorn

decorate

embroider

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

garnish

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

fringe

decorative edge of hanging threads; edge

wane

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

edict

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

ordain

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

ordinance

decree; authoritative order

consecrate

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

infer

deduce; conclude; N. inference

ignominy

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

tureen

deep dish for serving soup

grudge

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

coma

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

remorse

deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach

inveterate

deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old

profound

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

ingrained

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

slander

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

libel

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

discredit

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

foil

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

rampart

defensive mound of earth

sully

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

mulct

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

unfrock

defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority

debase

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

crestfallen

dejected; dispirited

retard

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

belated

delayed

dilatory

delaying; tending to delay

calculated

deliberately planned; likely

filigree

delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork

finesse

delicate skill; V: handle with finesse

dainty

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

choice

delicate; of very fine quality

exquisite

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

acquittal

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

cataclysm

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

hallucination

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

exact

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

peremptory

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

laborious

demanding much work or care; tedious

disavowal

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

centigrade

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

panoramic

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

inveigh

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

gainsay

deny

atheistic

denying the existence of God; N. atheism

abscond

depart secretly and hide

exodus

departure (of a large number of people)

contingent

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

bearing

deportment; connection

turpitude

depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude

bereaved

deprived of (someone beloved through death)

bereft

deprived of (something valuable); lacking

devolve

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

taunt

deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.

deducible

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

derivation

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

posterity

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

lineage

descent; ancestry

sacrilegious

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

forsake

desert; abandon; renounce

renegade

deserter; traitor; ADJ.

defection

desertion

comeuppance

deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke

merit

deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise

retribution

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

culpable

deserving blame; blameworthy

reprehensible

deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame

venerable

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

reverend

deserving reverence; N: priest

monogram

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

invidious

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

crave

desire; want intensely

vile

despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander

annihilate

destroy

raze

destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground

obliterate

destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village

defoliate

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

corrode

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

holocaust

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

carnage

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

demolition

destruction; V. demolish

scion

detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant

resolution

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

resolve

determination; resolution; firmness of purpose

predetermine

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

canvass

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

bent

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

dogged

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

loathe

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

abominable

detestable; extremely unpleasant

odium

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

depose

dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify

ravage

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

swerve

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

aberration

deviation from the normal; mental disorder

sensual

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

pious

devout; religious; N. piety

piety

devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious

sleight

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

diabolical

diabolic; devilish; fiendish

horoscope

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

lexicon

dictionary

suffocate

die or kill from lack of air; suppress

disparity

difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity

diverse

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

plight

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

predicament

difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma

fastidious

difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky

inscrutable

difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious

nebula

diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy

quarry

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

exhume

dig out of the ground; remove from a grave

unearth

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

disinter

dig up; unearth; OP. inter

delve

dig; search deeply; investigate

quandary

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

assiduous

diligent

application

diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself

sedulous

diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity

industrious

diligent; hard-working; N. industry

wean

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

habituate

accustom or familiarize; addict

inured

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

wangle

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

appropriate

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

exonerate

acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt

arbitrate

act as judge (at the request of both sides)

incarnation

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

vivisection

act of dissecting living animals

outrage

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

orientation

act of finding oneself in society; orienting

summation

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

ambush

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

provision

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

recital

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

diversion

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

volition

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

usage

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

disjunction

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

clown

act stupidly; play the fool; N.

pantomime

acting without dialogue; V.

stealth

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

animosity

active enmity

vigor

active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous

anguish

acute pain; extreme suffering

leaven

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

elaboration

addition of details; intricacy

addendum

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

accessory

additional object; useful but not essential thing

condign

adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved

viscid

adhesive; gluey

imperative

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

assimilate

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

refrain

abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus

celibate

abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy

pr\'ecis

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

recondite

abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret

preposterous

absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous

plenitude

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

affluence

abundance; wealth

luxuriant

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

invective

abuse

vituperative

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

chasm

abyss; very deep crack

spoonerism

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

fortuitous

accidental; by chance; N. fortuity

adventitious

accidental; casual; happening by chance

incriminate

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

adjacent

adjoining; neighboring; close by

compromise

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

acclimate

adjust to climate or environment; adapt

ward

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

ventilate

admit fresh air into to replace stale air

enfranchise

admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise

concede

admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal

espouse

adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal

embellish

adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details)

promote

advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote a new product

precocious

advanced in development; N. precocity

solicitous

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

perquisite(perk)

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

canker

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

aloof

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

siren

apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature

gyroscope

apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc.

ostensible

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

loom

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

verisimilitude

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

propitiate

appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory

mitigate

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

acclaim

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

lubricate

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

accost

approach and speak first to a person

converge

approach; tend to meet; come together

apposite

appropriate; fitting

approbation

approval

ratify

approve formally; confirm; verify

sanction

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

countenance

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

endorse

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

conduit

aqueduct; passageway for fluids

fervent

ardent; zealous; hot

fervid

ardent; zealous; hot

parish

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

callus

area of thick hard skin

haggle

argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain)

disputatious

argumentative; fond of argument

stem_from

arise from; originate from

militia

army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers

battalion

army unit made up of four or more companies

incite

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

provocative

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

odious

arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile

codify

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

graduate

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

graduated

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

hierarchy

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

rig

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

symmetry

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

meter

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

apprehend

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

advent

arrival

hubris

arrogance; excessive self-conceit

overweening

arrogant; presumptuous

incendiary

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

gastronomy

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

rhetoric

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

choreography

art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances

prosody

art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse

treatise

article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly

sluice

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

culvert

artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road

affected

artificial; pretended

factitious

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

aesthetic

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

ashen

ash-colored; deadly pale

assail

assault

compile

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

acquiesce

assent; agree passively; comply without protest

contention

assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition

allocate

assign; set apart for a particular purpose

succor

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

abet

assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage

consort

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

quench

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

pose

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

posture

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

supposititious

assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical

imposture

assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor

supposition

assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose

premise

assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based

dumbfound(dumfound)

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

heinous

atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime

append

attach

annex

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

bombardment

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

polemic

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

revile

attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)

iconoclastic

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

offensive

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

court

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

engage

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

personable

attractive (in personality or appearance)

prepossessing

attractive; CF. preoccupying ?

comely

attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance

impute

attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation

dictum

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

decree

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

magisterial

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

pundit

authority on a subject; expert; learned person

proxy

authorized agent; authority to act for another

postmortem

autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem

covetous

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

antipathy

aversion; dislike or opposition

eschew

avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks

compound

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

synthesis

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

intervene

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

rally

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

accrue

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

practical

based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man

theoretical

based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical

fundamental

basic; primary; essential

disparate

basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated

prefigure

be a sign of; foreshadow

fret

be annoyed or vexed; Ex. fret over your poor grades; N: irritation of mind; ADJ. fretful

beware

be cautious (of)

dote

be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline

adjoin

be next to

behoove(behove)

be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.

appreciate

be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference

betray

be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.

prevail

be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something

nib

beak(bill); pen point

fructify

bear fruit; produce fruit

comport

bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment

fruition

bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come to/be brought to fruition

ursine

bearlike; pertaining to a bear

bestial

beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel

thresh

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

convene

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

solace

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

malapropism

comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop

zany

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

fiat

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

enjoin

command; order; forbid

bid

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

memorialize

commemorate

embark

commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey

annotate

comment; make explanatory notes

perpetrate

commit an offense; do (something wrong)

plebeian

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

hackneyed

commonplace; trite

tumult

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

analogous

comparable; similar

simile

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

glamor

compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous

urgent

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

compulsion

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

reparation

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

lexicographer

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

whine

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

rail

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

snivel

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

grouse

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

grumble

complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N.

unanimity

complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous

bliss

complete happiness; ADJ. blissful

sovereignty

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

consummate

complete; V.

complement

complete; consummate; make perfect; N.

integral

complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part

absolute

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

imbroglio

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

improvise

compose on the spur of the moment

collected

composed; calm; self-possessed

fathom

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

addiction

compulsive habitual need

palm

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

thrash

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

flail

beat with or as if with a flail; move wildly; thresh grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about; N: threshing tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a long handle

finery

beautiful clothes for a special occasion

calligraphy

beautiful writing; excellent penmanship

pulchritude

beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous

pall

become boring; grow tiresome

betroth

become engaged to marry

relent

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

ingratiate

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

blush

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

prosper

become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care

topple

become unsteady and fall down

narcissist

conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus

degenerate

become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person

putrescent

becoming putrid; putrefying

apiculture

bee-keeping

implore

beg

importune

beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way)

beseech

beg; plead with

mendicant

beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar

wage

begin and continue (a war)

inaugurate

begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural

sprout

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

initiate

begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated

novice

beginner

tyro

beginner; novice

conception

beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception

incipient

beginning; in an early stage

genesis

beginning; origin

smirk

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

plausible

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

hermetic

concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult

olfactory

concerning the sense of smell

flirt

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

subservient

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

mischief

behavior (of children) causing trouble with no serious harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops; ADJ. mischievous: causing mischief; playfully troublesome

demeanor

behavior; bearing

decapitate

behead

ubiquitous

being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity

arrears

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

singular

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

aboriginal

being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine

veritable

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

credence

belief

monotheism

belief in one God

credulity

belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\'e; ADJ. credulous

fatalism

belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death

pessimism

belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic

Epicurean

believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N.

disparage

belittle

subliminal

below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement

stoop

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

droop

bend or hang downward; become weakened; Ex. His shoulders drooped with tiredness; N.

genuflect

bend the knee as in worship

refraction

bending of a ray of light

beleaguer

besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset

inordinate

beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive; Ex. inordinate demands

irreproachable

beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct

preternatural

beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces

indenture

bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified time (as between an apprentice and his master)

covenant

binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise

astringent

binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism

mercantile

concerning trade or merchants

obligatory

binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate

mordant

biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit

acrid

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

feud

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

diatribe

bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse

gall

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

pithy

concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty

terse

concise; abrupt; pithy

brevity

conciseness; shortness of duration

coda

concluding section of a musical or literary composition

peroration

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

finale

conclusion; concluding part

damn

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

denounce

condemn; criticize; N. denunciation

doom

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

abridge

condense or shorten

deign

condescend; stoop

anemia

condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic

squalor

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

analgesia

condition of being unable to feel pain

pedantic

bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry

uncouth

boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish

churlish

boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo

abut

border upon; adjoin

verge

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

margin

border; room; allowance beyond what is needed; Ex. margin of safety

maritime

bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces

blas\'e

bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored

standstill

condition of no movement or activity; stop

florescence

condition or period of flowering

healthful

conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air

ennui

boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy

tedium

boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious

overbearing

bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate

abysmal

bottomless

obeisance

bow (to show respect and obedience)

hive

box for bees; V: cause to go in a hive

pugilist

boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing

plait

braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail

ramify

branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions

ramification

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

exploit

brave and successful act; deed or action, particularly a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean

valor

bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave

fortitude

bravery; courage; strength of mind

fracas

brawl(noisy quarrel or fight) in which a number of people take part; melee

fray

brawl; fight; V: wear away or unravel by rubbing; have loose threads developing; cause to become worn out (a person's temper or nerves); CF. rub

violate

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

renege

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

breach

breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V.

exhale

breathe out; OP. inhale

respiration

breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory

fancier

breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal

concise

brief and compact

laconic

brief and to the point; using few words; terse

gloss

brief explanation note or translation of a difficult expression; V.

glossary

brief explanation of words used in the text

gleam

brief flash of light; glow; V.

motto

brief statement used to express a principle

compendium

brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious

illuminate

brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks

resplendent

brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious

incur

bring upon oneself

farce

broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly things happening; ADJ. farcical

spatula

broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing

comprehensive

broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive

sibling

brother or sister

tawny

brownish yellow

contusion

bruise

atrocity

brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious

bugaboo

bugbear; object of baseless terror

fabricate

build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society

edifice

building (of imposing size)

browbeat

bully; intimidate

encumber

burden; N. encumbrance

onus

burden; responsibility

incubus

burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus

onerous

burdensome

takeoff

burlesque; act of leaving the ground

wholesome

conducive to mental or physical health; healthful

bestow

confer

parley

conference (between opponents); CF. speak

corroborate

confirm; support; strengthen

discord

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

compliance

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

befuddle

confuse thoroughly

fluster

confuse; make nervous and confused; N.

muddle

confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion

obfuscate

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

confound

confuse; puzzle

disconcert

confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb

hubbub

confused uproar; loud noise; din

cauterize

burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection

incinerate

burn to ashes

flicker

burn unsteadily or fitfully; move waveringly; N: flickering movement or light; brief sensation; Ex. flicker of excitement

caustic

burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless

implode

burst inward; CF. vaccum tube

inter

bury; N. interment

entrepreneur

businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial

bemused

confused; lost in thought; preoccupied

welter

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

coagulate

congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant

natal

connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal

historical

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

nexus

connection

gourmet

connoisseur of food and drink; epicure

epicure

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

subjugate

conquer; bring under control

anoint

consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)

deliberate

consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow

notable

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

mercurial

capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood

enthrall

capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound

thrifty

careful about money; economical; N. thrift

flagrant

conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous

collusion

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

constitution

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

liaison

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

taint

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

vie

contend; compete

vying

contending; CF. vie

lottery

contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots

selective

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

tactful

careful no to cause offence; OP. tactless

studied

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

lax

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

vulture

carrion-eating birds

quiver

case for arrows

bewitch

cast a spell over; captivate completely

cavalier

casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight

offhand

casual; done without prior thought or preparation

cursory

casual; hastily done with little attention to detail

descry

catch sight of (something distant)

pander

cater to (the low desires of others)

grievance

cause of complaint; complaint

indoctrinate

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

conjure

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

nauseate

cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea

germinate

cause to sprout; sprout

suspend

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

generate

cause; produce; create

engender

cause; produce; give rise to

prompt

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

touching

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

problematic

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

carcinogenic

causing cancer; N. carcinogen

sublime

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

grim

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

analgesic

causing insensitivity to pain; N.

nauseous

causing nausea; feeling nausea

pestilential(pestilent)

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

pathetic

causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching

vitriolic

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

prudent

cautious; careful; prudential

chary

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

luminary

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

reprove

censure; rebuke; N. reproof

kernel

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

mace

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

formality

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

ordination

ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest

certitude

certainty

curb

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

hap

chance; luck

odds

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

vicissitude

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

veer

change in direction; swerve

metamorphosis

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

ossify

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

shift

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

variegate

change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)

gerrymander

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

innovation

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

fickle

changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless

volatile

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

migrant

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

padre

chaplain (in the armed forces)

temperament

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

generic

characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus

universal

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

impeach

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

arraign

charge in court; indict

indict

charge; N. indictment

mountebank

charlatan; boastful pretender

quack

charlatan; impostor

talisman

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

amulet

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

winsome

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

engaging

charming; attractive

idyllic

charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene

babble

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

jabber

chatter rapidly or unintelligibly

tawdry

cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry

cozen

cheat; hoodwink; swindle

swindler

cheater

fraudulent

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

jaunty

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

alacrity

cheerful promptness without reluctance

geniality

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

fermentation

chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation

masticate

chew

ruminate

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

arch-

chief; first; Ex. archbishop

cardinal

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

puerile

childish; immature; CF. puer: boy

infantile

childish; infantlike

progeny

children; offspring; descendants

indiscriminate

choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions

draw

choosing of a lot or card

chortle

chuckle with delight; N.

prelate

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

curmudgeon

churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person

rotunda

circular building or hall covered with a dome

vociferous

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

friction

clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against

talon

claw of bird

expurgate

clean; remove offensive parts of a book

bouillon

clear beef (or meat) soup

exculpate

clear from blame or guilt

vindicate

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

distinctive

clearly different from others of the same kind

distinct

clearly different; clearly noticed

perspicuity

clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity

chaplain

clergyman attached to a chapel

resourceful

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

sly

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

cunning

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

shrewd

clever; astute

precipice

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

clime

climate

clamber

climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble

surveillance

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

rapport

close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony

circuit

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

attire

clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel

outfit

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

raiment

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

buffoonery

clowning

saccharine

cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin

bludgeon

club; heavy-headed weapon; V.

gauche

clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth

lout

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

maladroit

clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling

fodder

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

abusive

coarsely insulting; physically harmful

rooster

cock; adult male chicken

persist

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

persevere

continue steadily in spite of difficulties

din

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

esoteric

hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica

drudgery

hard unpleasant work; menial work

adamant

hard; inflexible

arduous

hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work

callous

hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind

defame

harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory

deleterious

harmful

noxious

harmful; CF. obnoxious

injurious

harmful; causing injury

detrimental

harmful; damaging; N. detriment

innocuous

harmless

placebo

harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill

consonant

harmonious; in agreement; N.

compatible

harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together

concord

harmony; accord

consonance

harmony; agreement

conformity

harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance

bridle

harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger

belabor

harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically

expedite

hasten; make go faster

slapdash

hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)

headlong

hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV.

incubate

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

malicious

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

misogynist

hater of woman; CF. misogyny

misogamy

hatred of marriage

supercilious

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

tend

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

vertebrate

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

consanguineous(consanguine)

having a common ancestor

concentric

having a common center

cognate

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

blunt

having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt

determinate

having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final

wan

having a pale or sickly color; pallid

sour

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

capillary

having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity

autocratic

having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy

apolitical

having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs

odorous

having an odor

clairvoyant

having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance

voluminous

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

ponderous

having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing

anthropomorphic

having human form or characteristics

relevant

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

desperate

having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort

effete

having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted

multiform

having many forms

multilingual

having many languages; fluent in several languages

versatile

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

ciliated

having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash

peerless

having no equal; incomparable

uninhibited

having no inhibitions; free in behavior and feelings

static

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

unprecedented

having no previous example; novel; unparalleled

monochromatic

having only one color

prurient

having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire

verisimilar

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

musky

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

rancid

having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank

authoritative

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

civil

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

cognitive

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

fluted

having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar); V. flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: long rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column

effeminate

having womanly traits

promontory

headland

salubrious

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

hale

healthy

bank

heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a bank; tilt in turning

calorific

heat-producing; N. calorie

ardor

heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent

celestial

heavenly

lopsided

heavier or larger on one side than the other; Ex. lopsided way of walking

cumbersome

heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform

ballast

heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast

communal

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

facilitate

help bring about; make less difficult

conducive

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

beneficial

helpful; useful; advantageous

aristocracy

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

recluse

hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive

halting

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

flinch

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

falter

hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N.

potpourri

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

pitfall

hidden danger; concealed trap

irony

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

impede

hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block

cache

hiding place; V.

intellect

higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability

culmination

highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war

apogee

highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee

agog

highly excited; intensely curious

prodigy

highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder

baroque

highly ornate

high-flown

highly pretentious or inflated

virtuoso

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

coup

highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d'\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills

impediment

hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment

insinuate

hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate

inkling

hint; slight indication

intimate

hint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close relationship; familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate knowledge/thoughts in the diary; N: close friend or confidant; CF. intimacy

bump

hit or knock against with force; N.

slap

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

swipe

hit with a sweeping motion; N.

repress

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

clasp

hold firmly within arms

tenacious

holding fast (as to a belief); persistent

tenure

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

riveting

holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing

pertinacious

holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent

retentive

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

concave

hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex

hermitage

home of a hermit

domicile

home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain.

waif

homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays

vagrant

homeless wanderer

nostalgia

homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic

integrity

honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness

fete(f\^ete)

honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast

commemorate

honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war

distinction

honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction

kudos

honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement

homage

honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to

disconsolate

hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)

cornucopia

horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty

ghastly

horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast

animus

hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition

inroad

hostile invasion; advance that lessens the quantity or difficulty of something; Ex. The long illness made serious inroads on his savings; CF. raid

antagonism

hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist

pudding

hot sweet dish

choleric

hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera

embrace

hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet

colossal

huge

behemoth

huge creature; something of monstrous size or power

gargantuan

huge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of Gargantua and Pantagruel

enormity

hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous

brawn

human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness

humility

humbleness of spirit

mortify

humiliate by embarassing excessively; shame; punish the flesh; discipline (one's body) by self-denial; Ex. mortified by her blunder; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. cause to die

degradation

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

indulgent

humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence

parody

humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.

waggish

humorous; mischievous; tricky

precipitate

hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden

crossbreed

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

trance

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

mesmerize

hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer

rakish

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

splice

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

yoke

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

couple

join; unite; OP. uncouple

affiliation

joining; associating with

facetious

joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous

bantering

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

peregrination

journey; V. peregrinate

festive

joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival

conviction

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

judiciary

judicial branch of government

succulent

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

warrant

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

warranted

justified; authorized

treasure

keep as precious; cherish

shun

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

detain

keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention

retain

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

vigil

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

decimate

kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of

strangle

kill by choking or suffocating; suppress

smother

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

insolence

impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude

nirvana

in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude

comatose

in a coma; extremely sleepy

gamely

in a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight gamely against a superior boxer; ADJ. game

amok(amuck)

in a state of rage; Ex. run amok

congruent

in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous

pell-mell

in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell

virtual

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

vassal

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

sound

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

enamored

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

nominal

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

chaotic

in utter disorder

inert

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

malapropos

inappropriate; ADV.

oblivious

inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting)

innate

inborn

implacable

incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy

invulnerable

incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure

sterile

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

cremate

incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium

nascent

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

proclivity

inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)

sadistic

inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty

factious

inclined to form factions; causing dissension

reticent

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

prone

inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone

subsume

include (as a member of a group); encompass

comprise

include; consist of

comprehend

include; understand

partial

incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something

unobtrusive

inconspicuous; not blatant

skittish

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

increment

increase

wax

increase gradually (as the moon); grow

propagate

increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas

slaughter

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

gracious

kind in a generous way (to someone less important)

ignite

kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to

beneficent

kindly; doing good

benign

kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor

gentle

kindly; soft; mild; of good family

realm

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

amplify

increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph

crescendo

increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent

augment

increase; add to

enhance

increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve

implicate

incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime

irremediable

incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy

consanguinity

kinship; relationship by birth

bawdy

indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd

trinket

knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry

cognizance

knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware

imbalance

lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion

nonchalance

indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts

resentment

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

mealymouthed

indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive

circumlocution

indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly)

innuendo

indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo

oblique

indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line); Ex. oblique reference

incontrovertible

indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable

irrefutable

indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable

apathy

lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic

discrepancy

lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions

incongruity

lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate

languor

lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression

spontaneity

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

irreverence

lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent

disproportion

lack of proportion (between the parts); ADJ. disproportionate

timidity

lack of self-confidence or courage

levity

lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner

privation

lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive

imprudent

lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious

languid

lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless

insipid

lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character

prosaic

lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose

frivolous

lacking in seriousness; flippant; self-indulgently carefree; unworthy of serious attention; relatively unimportant; trivial

idiosyncrasy

individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic

opportunist

individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism

hypnosis

induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize

humor

indulge; comply with the wishes of; N. quality that makes something amusing; state of mind; mood; Ex. in a bad humor; Ex. out of humor

fledgling(fledgeling)

inexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person

inerrancy

infallibility

unerringly

infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes

dispirited

lacking in spirit

listless

lacking in spirit or energy; languid

witless

lacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic

lackadaisical

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

vapid

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

lackluster

lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull

flippant

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

arrhythmic

lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia

incontinent

lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious

insubstantial

lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial

bemoan

lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of

peon

landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage

jargon

language used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk

parlance

language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance

lassitude

languor; weariness; listlessness

metropolis

large city

swarm

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

bevy

large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets

handsome

large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome reward

galaxy

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

caldron(cauldron)

large kettle

slew

large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left

sledge

large sled drawn by work animals

galleon

large three-masted sailing ship

sleigh

large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice

tome

large volume; book

billow

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

salacious

lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk

ultimatum

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

terminus

last stop of railroad; end

enduring

lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive

chuckle

laugh quietly

ludicrous

laughable; ridiculous; trifling

statute

law enacted by the legislature

litigation

lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V. litigate

solicitor

lawyer in the lower court of law

shyster

lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner

spawn

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

stratum

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

laity

laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy

indolent

lazy

sluggard

lazy person

sluggish

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

seduce

lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive

livid

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

protagonist

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

gaunt

lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren

bound

leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to say my opinion; CF. bounce, rebound

holster

leather pistol case (that hangs on a belt around the waist)

maroon

leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown

bequeath

leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest

rou\'e

lecherous man

scraps

leftover food

lien

legal claim or right on a property

moratorium

legal delay of payment or action; Ex. declare moratorium on the building of new houses

chancellor

legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor

rightful

legally correct; Ex. rightful owner

legislature

legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make laws

usury

lending money at illegal high rates of interest

duration

length of time something lasts

prolong

lengthen; extend; draw out

subdue

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

depreciate

lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value

console

lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation

diminution

lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish

bate

let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate

anticlimax

letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting

torpor

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

missive

letter; written statement; CF. sent

fallible

liable to err

opprobrium

infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous

contagion

infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air

illimitable

infinite; limitless

dysentery

inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract

overblown

inflated; exaggerated

wreak

inflict; Ex. wreak one's vengeance on

subjective

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

apprise

inform

lavish

liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; V. give in abundance

unfetter

liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter

recline

lie down

prevaricate

lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)

hereafter

life after death

afterlife

life after death; later part of one's life

diorama

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

inanimate

lifeless; not animate

intermediary

intermediate; acting as a mediator; N: mediator; go-between

misconstrue

interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge

boost

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

flick

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

giddy

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

cadaverous

like a corpse; pale

vulpine

like a fox; crafty

glacial

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

leonine

like a lion

meteoric

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

ethereal

like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. ether: upper air

imperial

like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism

ligneous

like wood

labile

likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability

circumscribe

limit; confine; draw a line around

parameter

limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget

finite

limited

modicum

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

qualified

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

queue

line (of waiting people or vehicles)

pedigree

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

tarry

linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle

concatenate

link as in a chain

roster

list (of names)

repertoire

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

enumerate

list; mention one by one

compilation

listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling

aphasia

loss of speech due to injury or illness

raffle

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

strident

loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency

clamor

loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous

blare

loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light

clangor

loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging

loll

lounge about

adore

love deeply and respect highly

sybarite

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

philanthropist

lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy

galley

low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves)

growl

low, guttural, menacing sound (as of a dog)

murmur

low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble

nether

lower; Ex. nether garments/regions

abase

lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect

nadir

lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith

allegiance

loyalty

fidelity

loyalty; accuracy

tepid

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

careen

lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger

decoy

lure or bait; V.

entice

lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt

lascivious

lustful

lewd

lustful

libidinous

lustful

bask

luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth

underlying

lying below; fundamental

supine

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

mendacious

lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity

centrifuge

machine that separates substances by whirling them

berserk

mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited

functional

made for practical use only (without decoration); functioning; Ex. functional modern furniture; CF. functionalism

antique

made in an earlier period and usu. valuable; N: object that was made in an earlier period and that is rare or valuable

rarefied

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

osseous

made of bone; bony

shoddy

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

miscellaneous

made up of a variety of parts

frenzied

madly excited; N. frenzy: violent wild excitement

mutilate

maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part

brunt

main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument

trunk

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

phylum

major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division

assuage

mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)

enact

make (a bill) into law

disbar

make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profession

dilute

make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president

crochet

make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet

falsify

make (something written) false by changing

grate

make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; shred by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated cheese N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fireplace

expiate

make amends for (a sin)

atone

make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for

endear

make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced

embitter

make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.

dazzle

make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze; fill with wonder

coin

make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented

desolate

make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert

disgruntle

make discontented

inebriate

make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person

intoxicate

make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxicated by all the money he might win

reconcile

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

aggrandize

make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement

preclude

make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate

adulterate

make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances

institutionalize

make into an institution; put or confine in an institution

nullify

make invalid; make null; invalidate

roil

make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb

enliven

make lively or spirited; animate

trim

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

entail

make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B

preen

make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune

char

make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion

addle

make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)

tarnish

make or become dull or discolored; N.

putrefy

make or become putrid; N. putrefaction

shrivel

make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often by drying)

adapt

make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.

rumble

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

perpetuate

make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity

impoverish

make poor; deprive of natural strength or something important; Ex. impoverished soil

impregnate

make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate

rationalize

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

requite

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

intrigue

make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of; N: secret scheme; plot; secret love affair

indemnify

make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured

burnish

make shiny by rubbing; polish

rustle

make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together

slick

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

stultify

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

fuddle

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

attenuate

make thin; weaken

stun

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

alienate

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

obviate

make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need

exploit

make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation

validate

make valid; confirm; ratify

annul

make void

caulk(calk)

make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)

integrate

make whole; combine; make into one unit

rejuvenate

make young again

optician

maker and seller of eyeglasses

testator

maker of a will; CF. testatrix

raspy

making a harsh noise; grating; harsh

unregenerate

making no attempt to change one's bad practices

compensatory

making up for; repaying

ram

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

calumny

malicious misrepresentation; slander

ductile

malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled

fetid(foetid)

malodorous; foul

groom

man employed to take care of horses; V: make neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal)

yeoman

man or farmer owning small estate; middle-class farmer

suitor

man who is courting a woman

layman

man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional

megalomania

mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance

anthropoid

manlike; resembling a human being; N.

virile

manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength

gait

manner of walking or running; speed

manifold

many in number or kind; numerous; varied

cartographer

map-maker

disfigure

mar the appearance of; spoil

deface

mar; disfigure

blemish

mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished

uproarious

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

ceremonious

marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy

checkered(chequered)

marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares

indecisive

marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. indecisive battle

ingenious

marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity

humane

marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian

ribald

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

striated

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

nubile

marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial

array

marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array

requiem

mass for the dead; dirge

conglomeration

mass of material sticking together

foliage

masses of leaves; CF. defoliate

monumental

massive; impressively large; built as a monument

bout

match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu

inimitable

matchless; not able to be imitated

labyrinth

maze

repast

meal; feast; banquet

denotation

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

expletive

meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word

niggardly

meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person

dint

means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work

interim

meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper

mete

measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment

venison

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

carnivorous

meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore

automaton

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

officious

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

jaundice

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

geriatrics

medical treatment and care of old age

opiate

medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium

alchemy

medieval chemistry

tryst

meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet

rendezvous

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

smelt

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

molten

melted; Ex. molten lava

proletarian

member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages)

memoir

memoirs; autobiography; biography

formidable

menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question

minatory

menacing; threatening

composure

mental calmness

delirium

mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious

psychosis

mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic

acumen

mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen

faculty

mental or bodily powers; teaching staff

capacity

mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president

discerning

mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive

quicksilver

mercury

euthanasia

mercy killing

mirth

merriment; laughter

jocund

merry

courier

messenger

herald

messenger; sign of something to come; V: announce; proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher

die

metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice

rivet

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

lode

metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)

regime

method of system or government

metrical

metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. metrical translation of Homer

bourgeois

middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions

euphemism

mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic

leniency

mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment

regiment

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

quorum

minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting

misdemeanor

minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing

skirmish

minor fight; minor battle in war; V.

quibble

minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil

squabble

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

punctilious

minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail

sundry

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

misadventure

mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure

urchin

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

prank

mischievous trick

tightwad

miser; excessively frugal person

skinflint

miser; stingy person

wretch

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

illusion

misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion

botch

mismanage; blow

bungle

mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior

projectile

missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)

erroneous

mistaken; wrong; incorrect

jumble

mix in a confused way

mingle

mix together in close association

shuffle

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

knead

mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with the hands); Ex. knead dough

promiscuous

mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity

garbled

mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or distort (a message) to such an extent as to make misleading or unintelligible

medley

mixture

alloy

mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness

compost

mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost

miscellany

mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items

rabble

mob; noisy crowd

gibe

mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks

paragon

model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue

paradigm

model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word

temper

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

temperate

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

sobriety

moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness

restraint

moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction

unassuming

modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner

lull

moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of security; CF. lullaby

potentate

monarch; sovereign

cloister

monastery or convent

alms

money or goods given to the poor

dowry

money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage

lucre

money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre

hybrid

mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize

simian

monkeylike; N: ape or monkey

mausoleum

monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos

low

moo; make the sound of a cow

rectitude

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

reprobate

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

chaste

morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere

righteous

morally upright; just

phobia

morbid fear

saturnine

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

morgue

mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation

tessellated

mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern

optimum

most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition

definitive

most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court

maternal

motherly; N. maternity: motherhood

gesticulation

motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures (while speaking)

actuate

motivate; activate; cause to act

mercenary

motivated solely by money or gain; N.

lugubrious

mournful; sorrowful

orifice

mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth

mobile

movable; not fixed; N. mobility

shunt

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

prance

move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)

frisk

move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful

wince

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

accelerate

move faster

skulk

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

slink

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

waft

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

scurry

move hastily; hurry; move briskly

lumber

move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through the woods; N: timber

maraud

move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army

lag

move or develop more slowly; straggle; Ex. lag behind the rest; N.

waver

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

dart

move or throw suddenly and quickly

start

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

fumble

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

creep

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

sneak

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

amorous

moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances

impetus

moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse

slack

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

undulating

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

headfirst

moving with the head leading; headlong

motley

multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a paid fool at medieval courts)

regicide

murder of a king or queen

brawny

muscular; having well-developed muscles

mawkish

mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental

overture

musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace

reprise

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

maim

mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed for life

correlation

mutual relationship

reciprocal

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

concerted

mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together

internecine

mutually destructive

cryptic

mysterious; hidden; secret

occult

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

runic

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

centaur

mythical figure, half man and half horse

ingenuous

naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid

title

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

appellation

name; title

recount

narrate or tell (a story); count over again

gorge

narrow canyon; steep rocky cleft; ravine (made by a stream which runs through it)

parochial

narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes

isthmus

narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land

rift

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

interstice

narrow space between things

ravine

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

philistine

narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete

insularity

narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula

commonwealth

nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation

indigenous

native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World

corollary

natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)

habitat

natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation

propensity

natural inclination

impending

nearing; approaching; about to happen

propinquity

nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship

proximity

nearness; ADJ. proximate

myopic

nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia

dapper

neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry

spruce

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

deft

neat; skillful

natty

neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser

requisite

necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary

tautological

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

dereliction

neglect of duty; abandonment

negligence

neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care

derelict

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

remiss

negligent; careless about a duty

whinny

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

titter

nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.

overwrought

nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done

aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry)

nest of a large bird of prey

noncommittal

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

shoot

new growth from a plant

neologism

new or newly coined word or phrase

agility

nimbleness; ability to move quickly

outmoded

no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned

patrician

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

uproar

noisy confusion

bacchanal

noisy party with a lot of drinking

altercation

noisy quarrel

brawl

noisy quarrel

cipher

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

amoral

nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong

drivel

nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense

gibberish

nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; babbling

reduce

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

sap

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

refectory

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

protocol

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

address

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

subsidy

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

beeline

direct quick route

referendum

direct vote by all the people

plebiscite

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

vindictive

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

clemency

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

refute

disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation

impugn

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

contest

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

discount

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

notoriety

disrepute; ill fame

dissident

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

heterogeneous

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

disband

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

girth

distance around something; circumference

remote

distant in manner; aloof

repulsion

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

cloying

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

unsavory

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

pronounced

distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp

mannerism

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

feature

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

discriminate

distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference

discernible

distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement

awry

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

caricature

distortion; burlesque

dispense

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

disseminate

distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)

perturb

disturb greatly

discompose

disturb the composure of; confuse

partition

divide into parts

stratified

divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify

bifurcated

divided into two branches; forked

charisma

divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism

schism

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

dichotomy

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

precinct

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

canto

division of a long poem

stanza

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

genus

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

drudge

do drudgery; N: person who drudges

lethargic

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

anodyne

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

apothecary

druggist; pharmacist

bacchanalian

drunken

carousal

drunken revel; V. carouse

provender

dry food for livestock; fodder

desiccate

dry up

stolid

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

drab

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

humdrum

dull; monotonous

stodgy

dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book

effigy

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

gnome

dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards

abide

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

abode

dwelling place; home

moribund

dying; at the point of death; CF. death

gusto

eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm

zeal

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

inquisitive

eager for knowledge; unduly curious

germ

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

levee

earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise

palliate

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

facile

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

affable

easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly

combustible

easily burned; N. CF. combustion

gullible

easily deceived

squeamish

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

lucid

easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity

accessible

easy to approach; obtainable

erode

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

gobble

eat very quickly

corrosive

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

omnivorous

eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything

ecclesiastic

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

reverberate

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

ecosystem

ecological community together with its environment

brink

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

weird

eerie; strange; unnatural

effectuate

effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation

articulate

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

effective

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

economy

efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources

exertion

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

refulgent

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

maudlin

effusively sentimental

ovoid

egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate

egotistical

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

correlate

either of the correlated things; V.

resilient

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

unexceptionable

entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism

entree(entr\'ee)

entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle

solicit

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

suppliant

entreating; beseeching; N.

ambience

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

begrudge

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

gourmand

epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink

commensurate

equal in extent; of the same size

parity

equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate

accoutre

equip; N. accoutrement

paraphernalia

equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry

tantamount

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

delete

erase; strike out

misapprehension

error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend

blunder

error; stupid mistake

arcane

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

gist

essence; main point; substance

crux

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

attribute

essential quality; V: ascribe; explain

intrinsic

essential; inherent; built-in

appraise

estimate value of; N. appraisal

solecism

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

alcove

nook; recess

irreparable

not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair

indelible

not able to be erased

intangible

not able to be perceived by touch; vague

impenetrable

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

impassable

not able to be traveled or crossed

passive

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

irrelevant

not applicable; unrelated

impersonal

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

impartial

not biased; fair; N. impartiality

optional

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

unceremonious

not done politely without due formalities

unearthly

not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly

insatiable

not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite

ineffectual

not effective; not having a desired effect; weak

extraneous

not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject

incidental

not essential; minor; N: something incidental

evasive

not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit

tentative

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

fake

not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor; sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/the signature

homely

not good-looking; unattractive

discordant

not harmonious; conflicting

asymmetric

not identical on both sides of a dividing central line

objective

not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim

unwitting

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

figurative

not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech

disingenuous

not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous

exotic

not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress

synthetic

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

atypical

not normal; not typical

heedless

not noticing; disregarding

unassailable

not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question

extemporaneous

not planned; impromptu; extempore

impenitent

not repentant

unrequited

not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love

elusive

evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me.

incident

event; event that causes a crisis

perpetual

everlasting

biennial

every two years

credential

evidence concerning one's authority; written proof of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court.

apparent

evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement

manifest

evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly

machinations

evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve an evil end; V. machinate

fiend

evil spirit; devil

baleful

evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look

sinister

evil; ominous

malefactor

evildoer; criminal

gestate

evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period of development from conception until birth

precise

exact

plumb

exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of

inflated

exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)

hyperbole

exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola

autopsy

examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.

audit

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

collate

examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)

surpass

exceed

transcendent

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

plethora

excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses

self-indulgence

excessive indulgence of one's own desire

egoism

excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical

hysteria

excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hysteric: person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: attack of hysteria

fanaticism

excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic

superfluous

excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity

meticulous

excessively careful (with great attention to detail); painstaking; scrupulous

rhapsody

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

hypercritical

excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities)

obese

excessively fat; N. obesity

prude

excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature); N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety

ornate

excessively or elaborately decorated

uxorious

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

interjection

exclamation; Ex. ``Ouch''

ejaculation

exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate

except

exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality

pretext

excuse

dominant

exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive

grueling

exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race

artful

exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice

halfhearted

exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm

iridescent

exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence

expatriate

exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country

subsistence

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

congenital

existing at birth

primordial

existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary

egress

exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress

dilate

expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)

distend

expand; swell out

oust

expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting

vicarious

experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ

queasy

experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy

adept

expert at; very skilled

expound

explain

gloss_over

explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults

explicate

explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable

construe

explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue

elucidate

explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid

exegesis

explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages

legend

explanatory list of symbols on a map

expository

explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition

probe

explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe

detonation

explosion

debunk

expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule

traduce

expose to slander

condole

express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow

deprecate

express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory

gloat

express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated over the stolen jewels.

decry

express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films

derogatory

expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage

significant

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

ironic

expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner

potential

expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth

plaintive

expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song

eulogy

expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize

idiom

expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic

eloquence

expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced

bowdlerize

expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler

cordon

extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; (Ÿî±ú¿¡Œ °Üµå¶û ¹ØÀž·Î °ÉÄ¡ŽÂ) ÀåœÄ ž®º»; V.

extrinsic

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

pterodactyl

extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger

prowess

extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle

turmoil

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

depravity

extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave

penury

extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy

opulence

extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant

blatant

extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy

jingoist

extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism

exacting

extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety

parched

extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)

ravenous

extremely hungry; voracious

destitute

extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience

draconian

extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician

minuscule(miniscule)

extremely small

lilliputian

extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels

minute

extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting

astigmatism

eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism

vision

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

physiognomy

face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features

brave

face courageously; Ex. brave the storm

visage

face; appearance

grimace

facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V.

founder

fail completely; sink; CF. flounder

default

failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.

equitable

fair; impartial; OP. inequitable

equity

fairness; justice; OP. inequity

philanderer

faithless lover; flirt

ravel

fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist

drip

fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops

plummet

fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.

windfall

fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event

deciduous

falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth

dilapidated

falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation

delusion

false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that

perjury

false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath

fallacious

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

spurious

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

renown

fame; ADJ. renowned

conversant

familiar with; having knowledge of

ancestry

family descent; ADJ. ancestral

grotesque

fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement)

bizarre

fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional

chimerical

fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature

leave-taking

farewell or departure

modish

fashionable; conforming to the current fashion

fleet

fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral

latch

fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch; V: close with a latch

fussy

fastidious; finicky; easily upset

kismet

fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.

patriarch

father and ruler of a family or tribe

beget

father; become the father of; produce; give rise to

captious

faultfinding; too critical

impeccable

faultless

propitious

favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign

auspicious

favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices

nepotism

favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew

claustrophobia

fear of being locked in

acrophobia

fear of heights

hydrophobia

fear of water; rabies

xenophobia

fear or hatred of foreigners; N. xenophobe

trepidation

fear; nervous apprehension

apprehensive

fearful; discerning

timorous

fearful; timid; demonstrating fear

intrepid

fearless

practicable

feasible

plume

feather, esp. large or showy one; something that rises into the air (like the shape of a feather); Ex. plume of smoke: ¹öŒž ±žž§

plumage

feathers of a bird;

lineaments

features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line

commiserate

feel or express pity or sympathy for

euphoria

feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric

affinity

feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages

nausea

feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness

simulate

feign; imitate

pretend

feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense

visceral

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

vixen

female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew

ewe

female sheep

amazon

female warrior

pen

fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose

frond

fern leaf; palm or banana leaf

fecundity

fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young

febrile

feverish

demoniac(demoniacal)

fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil

ferocious

fierce; violent; N. ferocity

melee

fight

dossier

file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back

replenish

fill up again

fraught

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

elated

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

aghast

filled with great surprise or fear; horrified

sordid

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

d\'enouement

final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained

ultimate

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

ascertain

find out for certain; make certain

aversion

firm dislike

assurance

firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in fron of his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure; make (something) certain to heappen; make (someone) feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured; confident in one's own ability; showing certainty

inherent

firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic

tenacity

firmness; persistence

primal

first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence

primary

first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first

draft

first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript

arable

fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land

tantrum

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

paroxysm

fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst

spasmodic

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

propriety

fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary

aptitude

fitness; talent

moodiness

fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: state of mind or emotion

rig

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

ration

fixed portion; V: distribute as rations

flaccid

flabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid muscles

panache

flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. ÀÜ ŸÆ·¡·Î õÀ» »©³»ŽÂ ŒØŸŸ

gaudy

flashy; showy

meretricious

flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute

floe

flat mass of floating ice

delta

flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river

blandishment

flattery

adulation

flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved

armada

fleet of warships

fugitive

fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large

evanescent

fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce

carnal

fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body

pliant

flexible; easily influenced

pliable

flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable

supple

flexible; limber; pliant

willowy

flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow

lithe

flexible; supple; CF. limber

limber

flexible; supple; pliable; V.

coquette

flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.

inundate

flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work

deluge

flood; rush; V.

parquet

floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece

trickle

flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.

dribble

flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.

exude

flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation

influx

flowing into

confluence

flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together

flux

flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux

glib

fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick

voluble

fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility

flit

fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower

ensue

follow (as a result)

subsequent

following in time or order; later

retinue

following; attendants

bookish

fond of books and reading

endearment

fond word or act; expression of affection

ambrosia

food of the gods

viand

food; CF. live

victuals

food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food

austere

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

compress

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

extrude

force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die

vehement

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

duress

forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress

prognosis

forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic

paramount

foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal

harbinger

forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come)

precursor

forerunner; predecessor

vanguard

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

bode

foreshadow; portend

presage

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

portend

foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning

premonition

forewarning; presentiment; foreboding

granulate

form into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or particle

satire

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

concordat

formal agreement

requisition

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

dissertation

formal essay; treatise

panegyric

formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.

disquisition

formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report

stately

formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic

phalanx

formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)

predecessor

former occupant of a post

redoubtable

formidable; causing fear

amorphous

formless; lacking shape or definition

citadel

fortress

noisome

foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome

malodorous

foul-smelling

quadruped

four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped

rubble

fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)

aromatic

fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell

chassis

framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached

gallows

framework from which a noose is suspended (used for execution by hanging)

candor

frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid

extricate

free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle

carefree

free from worries; having no problems

gratis

free; without charge; ADJ.

latitude

freedom from narrow limitations

impunity

freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish

congeal

freeze; coagulate

frenetic(phrenetic)

frenzied; frantic

furor

frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury

repine

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

amity

friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations

intimidate

frighten; N. intimidation

outskirts

fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston

inextricable

from which it is impossible to get free; that cannot be untied; Ex. inextricable troubles; Ex. inextricable two histories

facade(fa\c{c}ade)

front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance

scowl

frown angrily; N: angry frown

hail

frozen rain drop; V: salute or greet; precipitate hail

husbandry

frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman

baffle

frustrate; perplex

discomfit

frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb

outlaw

fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.

flowery

full of flowers; full of ornate expressions

enterprising

full of initiative; showing enterprise

scholarly

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

vital

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

porous

full of pores; like a sieve

vain

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

vibrant

full of vigor or energy; vibrating

buxom

full-bosomed; plump; jolly

replete

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

rationale

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

obsequy

funeral ceremony

undertaker

funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials

dirge

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

purveyor

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

hindmost

furthest behind; farthest to the rear

jollity

gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay

temporize

gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself

lope

gallop slowly

hiatus

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

pucker

gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold

glean

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

muster

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

garner

gather; store up; amass

blithe(blithesome)

gay; joyous

consensus

general agreement; opinion reached by a group

dynamo

generator for producing electricity; energetic person

magnanimity

generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous

largess

generous gift (given to people who do not have enough)

benevolent

generous; charitable; having a wish to do good

bountiful

generous; graciously generous; showing bounty

zephyr

gentle breeze; west wind

unfeigned

genuine; real

orient

get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate

grisly

ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies

apparition

ghost; phantom

vampire

ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living

spectral

ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom

benefactor

gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose

legacy

gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor

colossus

gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance

titanic

gigantic; N. titan

mammoth

gigantic; enormous

embody

give a bodily form to; incorporate; include

vouch

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

tinge

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

burlesque

give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly

predispose

give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition

foreshadow

give an indication beforehand; be a sign of (what is coming); portend; prefigure

defer

give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous

suckle

give or take milk at the breast or udder

harbor

give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge

fashion

give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay

resign

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

relinquish

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

waive

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

forgo(forego)

give up; do without

render

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

avid

greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity

verdigris

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

patina

green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting

verdant

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

lament

grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation

gruesome

grisly; horrible

primp

groom oneself with care; adorn oneself

lechery

gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man

killjoy

grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others

herd

group of animals; crowd; one who looks after a herd; Ex. shepherd/goatherd; Ex. herd instinct; Ex. herdsman; V: come together in a herd; look after a herd; Ex. herd cattle

avantgarde

group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard

entourage

group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround

archipelago

group of closely located islands

primate

group of mammals including humans

cohorts

group of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander (in the ancient Rome)

choir

group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir

junta

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

trilogy

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

camp

group sharing a common cause or opinion

coterie

group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests

proliferate

grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation

burgeon

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

flourish

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

cumulative

growing by addition; accumulative

rampant

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

accretion

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

macabre

gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death

warranty

guarantee; assurance by seller

tutelage

guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction

surmise

guess; N.

arroyo

gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater

recidivism

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

inebriated

habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety

taciturn

habitually silent; talking little

trite

hackneyed; commonplace

banal

hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed

crone

hag; ugly old woman

hackles

hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make someone's hackles rise

coiffure

hairstyle

hirsute

hairy; having a lot of hair

somnolent