Test

acerbic

(especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright., acid in temper, mood or tone"his acerbic wit"tasting sour or bitter.

accede

1. assent or agree to a demand, request, or treaty."the authorities did not accede to the strikers' demands"2. assume an office or position. "he acceded to the post of director in September", become a member of a community or organization."Albania acceded to the IMF in 1990"

charisma

1: a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (such as a political leader)His success was largely due to his charisma.2: a special magnetic charm or appealthe charisma of a popular actor

ardent

1: characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager zealous support or activityardent proponents of the billan ardent admirerardent fans2: FIERY, HOTan ardent sun3: SHINING, GLOWINGardent eyes

chary

1: discreetly cautious: such asa: hesitant and vigilant about dangers and risksa government chary of getting involved in foreign entanglementsb: slow to grant, accept, or expenda person very chary of compliments

arid

1: excessively dryspecifically : having insufficient rainfall to support agriculturean arid region2: lacking in interest and life : JEJUNEarid textbooks

asinine

1: extremely or utterly foolish or sillyan asinine excuse2: of, relating to, or resembling an ass

atrocious

1: extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel : BARBARICprisoners subjected to atrocious treatment2: APPALLING, HORRIFYINGthe atrocious weapons of modern waran atrocious accident3a: utterly revolting : ABOMINABLEatrocious working conditionsatrocious weatherb: of very poor qualityatrocious handwriting

anew

1: for an additional time : AGAINbegin anew2: in a new or different forma story told anew on film

ample

1: generous or more than adequate in size, scope, or capacityThere was room for an ample garden.2: generously sufficient to satisfy a requirement or needThey had ample money for the trip.3: BUXOM, PORTLYan ample figure

amply

1: generous or more than adequate in size, scope, or capacityThere was room for an ample garden.2: generously sufficient to satisfy a requirement or needThey had ample money for the trip.3: BUXOM, PORTLYan ample figure

cacophony

1: harsh or jarring sound : DISSONANCE sense 2specifically : harshness in the sound of words or phrases2: an incongruous or chaotic mixture : a striking combinationa cacophony of colora cacophony of smells

bulbous

1: having a bulb : growing from or bearing bulbs2: resembling a bulb especially in roundnessa bulbous nose

circuitous

1: having a circular or winding coursea circuitous routea circuitous journey by snowmobile2: not being forthright or direct in language or actiona circuitous explanationHis circuitous form of logic was mind-boggling.

clairvoyant

1: having clairvoyance : able to see beyond the range of ordinary perceptionclaims to be clairvoyant2: of or relating to clairvoyanceclairvoyant powersthe clairvoyant revelations of a mediumclairvoyant nounDefinition of clairvoyant (Entry 2 of 2): one having the power of clairvoyance

antechamber

ANTEROOM, "The store was labyrinth, with narrow staircases in the backs of small rooms, and chambers and antechambers that opened up into expansive arenas of clothing.

cessation

a temporary or final ceasing (as of action) : STOPmutually agreed to a cessation of fighting

biped

a two-footed animalAustralopithecines were bipeds.

amour

a usually illicit love affairwrote of his amours in his memoirsalso : LOVER

cantata

a composition for one or more voices usually comprising solos, duets, recitatives, and choruses and sung to an instrumental accompanimentHarrell's father, who died when the cellist was 15, happened to be the great baritone and Metropolitan Opera star Mack Harrell, a singer capable of bringing grandeur to Wagner operas and deep compassion to Bach cantatas.

antilogy

a contradiction in terms or ideas

afrikaans

a language developed from 17th century Dutch that is one of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa

bibliophile

a lover of books especially for qualities of formatalso : a book collector, for bibliophiles, no electronic device could possibly give the tactile pleasure of a beautifully bound book

abbot

a man who is the head of an abbey of monks.

canaanite

a member of a Semitic people inhabiting ancient Palestine and Phoenicia from about 3000 b.c.

aide-de-camp

a military officer who assists a higher ranking officer

animalcule

a minute usually microscopic organismExamples of animalcule in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebVan Leeuwenhoek estimated, correctly, that there were more animalcules swimming and creeping around in his mouth than there were people living in the Netherlands.

acclivity

an upward slope.

carte blanche

full discretionary (see DISCRETION sense 1a) powerwas given carte blanche to furnish the houseExamples of carte blanche in a Sentence We gave the decorator carte blanche to furnish the house.

agog

full of intense interest or excitement : EAGERkids all agog over new toysThe news has chemists agog. Her supporters were agog at the idea.

accumulate

gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of."investigators have yet to accumulate enough evidence"gradually gather or acquire (a resulting whole)."her goal was to accumulate a huge fortune"gather; build up."the toxin accumulated in their bodies"

circulate

intransitive verb 1: to move in a circle, circuit, or orbitespecially : to follow a course that returns to the starting pointblood circulates through the body2: to pass from person to person or place to place: such asa: to flow without obstructionb: to become well-known or widespreadrumors circulated through the townc: to go from group to group at a social gatheringd: to come into the hands of readersspecifically : to become sold or distributedtransitive verb : to cause to circulate

collaborate

intransitive verb 1: to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavorAn international team of scientists collaborated on the study.2: to cooperate with or willingly assist an enemy of one's country and especially an occupying forcesuspected of collaborating with the enemy3: to cooperate with an agency or instrumentality with which one is not immediately connectedThe two schools collaborate on library services.

cohere

intransitive verb 1a: to hold together firmly as parts of the same massbroadly : STICK, ADHEREb: to display cohesion of plant parts2: to hold together as a mass of parts that cohere3a: to become united in principles, relationships, or interestsb: to be logically or aesthetically consistenttransitive verb : to cause (parts or components) to cohere

acquaint

make someone aware of or familiar with."new staff should be acquainted with fire exit routes"be an acquaintance."I am not acquainted with any young lady of that name"

censorious

marked by or given to censure (see CENSURE entry 1 sense 2)censorious commentsa censorious critic

clandestine

marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy : SURREPTITIOUSa clandestine love affair

acetic

of or like vinegar or acetic acid.

arbitrator

one that arbitrates a dispute : ARBITERan impartial arbitrator

claimant

one that asserts a right or titlea claimant to an estatealso : CLAIMER sense 1Examples of claimant in a Sentence They are claimants to the dead man's estate.Claimants will need to fill out the appropriate paperwork.

bellwether

one that takes the lead or initiative : LEADERalso : an indicator of trendsPack, who has 13 dealerships in three states, said Ford's latest moves are essential and a bellwether of things to come for everybody.

administrator

one who administers affairs, one who directs or manages

apostate

one who commits apostasy

clothier

one who makes or sells clothingExamples of clothier in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebAnd over the weekend, booksellers, sporting goods stores, florists, clothiers and other retail shops were permitted to sell with curbside pickup.

aeronaut

one who operates or travels in an airship or balloonDirected by Tom Harper, the movie is inspired by the true story of Victorian scientist James Glaisher and the aeronaut Henry Coxwell.

abhor

regard with disgust and hatred."professional tax preparers abhor a flat tax because it would dry up their business"

achromatic

relating to, employing, or denoting lenses that transmit light without separating it into constituent colors.without colour, "achromatic gloom"

abnegate

renounce or reject (something desired or valuable)."he attempts to abnegate personal responsibility"

birthright

right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birththe freedom that is our birthright believed that the house was her birthright

aforesaid

said or named before or above

azan

(Islam) the call to prayer proclaimed five times a day

amorous

1: strongly moved by love and especially sexual loveamorous couples2: being in love : ENAMORED —usually used with ofamorous of the girl3a: indicative of lovereceived amorous glances from her partnerb: of or relating to lovean amorous novel

antipodes

1: the parts of the earth diametrically opposite —usually used in plural —often used of Australia and New Zealandas contrasted to the western hemisphere2: the exact opposite or contrary

bedaub

1: to daub over : BESMEAR2: to ornament with vulgar excessthe toddler delightedly bedaubed herself with her mother's makeup

benevolent

1a: marked by or disposed to doing gooda benevolent donorb: organized for the purpose of doing gooda benevolent society2: marked by or suggestive of goodwillbenevolent smiles

apotheosis

1a: the perfect form or example of something : QUINTESSENCEthe apotheosis of Hollywood glamour... Nelson Rockefeller, the other top contender and the apotheosis of liberal Republicanism.— Sam Tanenhausb: the highest or best part of something : PEAKThe city reaches its apotheosis at the holiday ...— David Leavin2: elevation to divine status : DEIFICATIONthe apotheosis of Roman emperors

aplomb

: complete and confident composure or self-assurance : POISEShe played several roles with equal aplomb.

annal

ANNALSespecially : annals of a single year, locale, or people

cadge

BEG, SPONGEcadge a free cup of coffee

benison

BLESSING, BENEDICTIONduring the harbor festival the parish priest offered a benison for the local fishermen

augustinian

Definition of Augustinian (Entry 1 of 2)1: a member of an Augustinian orderspecifically : a friar of the Hermits of St. Augustine founded in 1256 and devoted to educational, missionary, and parish work2: a follower of St. AugustineAugustinian adjectiveDefinition of Augustinian (Entry 2 of 2)1: of or relating to St. Augustine or his doctrines2: of or relating to any of several orders under a rule ascribed to St. Augustine

ad hoc

Definition of ad hoc (Entry 1 of 2): for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider applicationThe decisions were made ad hoc.ad hoc adjectiveDefinition of ad hoc (Entry 2 of 2)1a: concerned with a particular end or purposean ad hoc investigating committeeb: formed or used for specific or immediate problems or needsad hoc solutions2: fashioned from whatever is immediately available : IMPROVISEDlarge ad hoc parades and demonstrations— Nat Hentoff

aliment

Definition of aliment (Entry 1 of 2): FOOD, NUTRIMENTalso : SUSTENANCEthere was nothing there of conversational aliment— Kingsley Amisaliment verbal·​i·​ment | \ ˈa-lə-ˌment \alimented; alimenting; alimentsDefinition of aliment (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to give aliment to : NOURISH, SUSTAINNoun borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin alimentum, from alere "to nurse, supply with nutrition, support, maintain" + -mentum -MENT — more at OLD entry 1 Verb borrowed form Middle French alimenter, borrowed from Late Latin alimentāre "to nourish, maintain," derivative of Latin alimentum "food, sustenance" — more at ALIMENT entry 1

ascendant

Definition of ascendant (Entry 1 of 2)1: the point of the ecliptic or degree of the zodiac that rises above the eastern horizon at any moment2: a state or position of dominant power or importance3: a lineal or collateral relative in the ascending lineascendant adjectivevariants: or less commonly ascendentDefinition of ascendant (Entry 2 of 2)1a: moving upward : RISINGb: directed upwardan ascendant stem2a: SUPERIORb: DOMINANT sense 1a

august

Definition of august (Entry 1 of 2): marked by majestic dignity or grandeurher august lineagean august mansionAugust nounAu·​gust | \ ˈȯ-gəst \Definition of August (Entry 2 of 2): the eighth month of the Gregorian calendar

awe

Definition of awe (Entry 1 of 2)1: an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublimestood in awe of the kingregard nature's wonders with awe2archaica: DREAD, TERRORb: the power to inspire dreadawe verbawed; awingDefinition of awe (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to inspire or fill with aweWe were awed by the beauty of the mountains.

banter

Definition of banter (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to speak to or address in a witty and teasing mannerShe laughed and bantered him a little, remembering too late that she should have been dignified and reserved.— Kate Chopin2archaic : DELUDE3chiefly Southern US and Midland US : CHALLENGEintransitive verb : to speak or act playfully or wittilyThe two friends bantered with each other.banter nounDefinition of banter (Entry 2 of 2): good-natured and usually witty and animated jokinglistening to their lively banter

chronicle

Definition of chronicle (Entry 1 of 2)1: a historical account of events arranged in order of time usually without analysis or interpretationa chronicle of the Civil War2: NARRATIVE sense 1a chronicle of the struggle against drug traffickerschronicle verbchronicled; chronicling\ ˈkrä-​ni-​k(ə-​)liŋ \Definition of chronicle (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to present a record of in or as if in a chroniclechronicle Victorian societychronicle the doings of the rich and famous

cleft

Definition of cleft (Entry 1 of 2)1: a space or opening made by or as if by splitting : FISSURE2: a usually V-shaped indented formation : a hollow between ridges or protuberancesthe anal cleft of the human bodycleft adjectiveDefinition of cleft (Entry 2 of 2): partially split or dividedspecifically : divided about halfway to the midriba cleft leaf

collier

Definition of collier (Entry 1 of 4)1: one that produces charcoal2: a coal miner3: a ship for transporting coal

besmear

SMEARbesmeared the mirror with jelly

brimstone

SULFUR

bombardier

a bomber-crew member who releases the bombsThe bombardier applied a tourniquet and shot him with morphine but the leg could not be saved; it was amputated the next day.

ampersand

a character typically & standing for the word and

briticism

a characteristic feature of British English

accusation

a charge or claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong."accusations of bribery"

archdeacon

a clergyman having the duty of assisting a diocesan bishop in ceremonial functions or administrative workExamples of archdeacon in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebKeith Cartwright, archdeacon of the Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, officiated.

baize

a coarse woolen or cotton fabric napped to imitate feltExamples of baize in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebSome gamblers go through elaborate rituals before casting their dice onto the green baize table.

clique

a narrow exclusive circle or group of personsespecially : one held together by common interests, views, or purposeshigh school cliques

bromine

a nonmetallic chemical element of the halogen group that is used especially in the production of flame retardants and formerly in gasoline additives and medicines (such as bromides)— see CHEMICAL ELEMENTS TABLEExamples of bromine in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebBut a group based on a metal, such as tin, and a halogen, such as chlorine, bromine or iodine, do have that property.

atheist

a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods : one who subscribes to or advocates atheism

barograph

a recording barometer

coiffure

a style or manner of arranging the hairI love his eerily perfect coiffure and his ... impish smile ...

citizenry

a whole body of citizensExamples of citizenry in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe fragmentation of the citizenry—in other words, their political isolation from each other, their inability to make connections—helps maintain popular government in America.

antonym

a word of opposite meaningThe usual antonym of good is bad.

cession

a yielding to another : CONCESSION territorial cessions from one state to another The law required cession of the land to the heirs.

bulrush

a: any of a genus (Scirpus, especially S. lacustris) of annual or perennial sedges that bear solitary or much-clustered spikelets containing perfect flowers with a perianth of six bristlesbBritish : either of two cattails (Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia)c: PAPYRUSExamples of bulrush in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebDedicated to Nile gods and commissioned by wealthy citizens, they are set above a shore lined with bulrushes. Eroded but evocative, some retain images of patrons and traces of paintings.

admissible

accepted or allowed, acceptable

acoustic

adjective: 1. relating to sound or the sense of hearing."dogs have a much greater acoustic range than humans"(of building materials) used for soundproofing or modifying sound."acoustic tiles"(of an explosive mine or other weapon) able to be set off by sound waves.2.(of popular music or musical instruments) not having electrical amplification."a sad, gentle acoustic ballad"noun: 1.the properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it."Symphony Hall has perfect acoustics"2.the branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound.3.a musical instrument without electrical amplification, typically a guitar.

abject

adjective: abject1.(of something bad) experienced or present to the maximum degree."his letter plunged her into abject misery"2.(of a person or their behavior) completely without pride or dignity; self-abasing."an abject apology"

antitoxin

an antibody that is capable of neutralizing the specific toxin (such as a specific causative agent of disease) that stimulated its production in the body and is produced in animals for medical purposes by injection of a toxin or toxoid with the resulting serum being used to counteract the toxin in other individualsalso : an antiserum containing antitoxinsExamples of antitoxin in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebDiphtheria bacteria produces a toxin, making it especially deadly, unless the antitoxin serum is administered.

acreage

an area of land, "a 35% increase in net acreage"

centurion

an officer commanding a Roman century

acculturation

assimilation to a different culture, typically the dominant one."the process of acculturation may impact both social and psychological well-being"

bigamy

aw : the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to anotherwas accused of bigamy

acclimate

become accustomed to a new climate or to new conditions."it will take a few days to get acclimated to the altitude"

arrant

being notoriously without moderation : EXTREMEwe are arrant knaves, all; believe none of us— William Shakespeare

antemundane

being or occurring prior to the creation of the world

bacterium

biology : any of a domain (Bacteria) (see DOMAIN sense 8) of chiefly round, spiral, or rod-shaped single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms that typically live in soil, water, organic matter, or the bodies of plants and animals, that make their own food especially from sunlight or are saprophytic or parasitic, are often motile by means of flagella, reproduce especially by binary fission, and include many important pathogens

antispasmodic

capable of preventing or relieving spasms or convulsions, "Like peppermint, warmth can have an antispasmodic effect on your body and help your intestines to relax instead of contract too hard or too much, lessening that achy sensation that all too often comes along with gas, Dr. Wakim-Fleming says.

circumspect

careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : PRUDENTdiplomacy required a circumspect responseThey are circumspect in all their business dealings.

abominable

causing moral revulsion."the uprising was suppressed with abominable cruelty"very bad or unpleasant."a cup of abominable tea"

accuse

charge (someone) with an offense or crime."he was accused of murdering his wife's lover", "he was accused of favoritism"

clangour

chiefly British spelling of CLANGOR

accouter

clothe or equip in something noticeable or impressive."magnificently accoutred, he was led up to the high altar"

auriferous

containing gold

capacious

containing or capable of containing a great dealthe museum's capacious rooms

censurable

deserving or open to censurecensurable behavior

cantankerous

difficult or irritating to deal witha cantankerous mule

bronchus

either of the two primary divisions of the trachea that lead respectively into the right and the left lungbroadly : BRONCHIAL TUBEExamples of bronchus in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebFor lung and bronchus cancer, the five-year survival rate was 19.4% with a 5.2% survival rate in cases where the cancer spread to distant parts of the body.— Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, "Rush Limbaugh and Shannen Doherty have advanced cancer. What does that mean? What is Stage IV?," 5 Feb. 2020

abet

encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular, to commit a crime or other offense."he was not guilty of murder but was guilty of aiding and abetting others"

albeit

even though : ALTHOUGHan enjoyable, albeit expensive, vacation

avarice

excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain : GREEDINESS, CUPIDITY, "HBO's Succession exposes the tragic emotional vacuity lurking beneath corporate avarice run amok.

acquisitive

excessively interested in acquiring money or material things."we live in a competitive and acquisitive society"

cohesive

exhibiting or producing cohesion or coherencea cohesive social unitcohesive soilsthe cohesive property of clay

abound

exist in large numbers or amounts."rumors of a further scandal abound"have in large numbers or amounts."this land abounds with wildlife"

abundant

existing or available in large quantities; plentiful."there was abundant evidence to support the theory", "the riverbanks were abundant in wild plants"

bibliomania

extreme preoccupation with collecting books

abysmal

extremely bad; appalling."the quality of her work is abysmal"

bellicose

favoring or inclined to start quarrels or warsNever in peacetime, perhaps, have the statements of our government officials been more relentlessly bellicose. Yet their actions have been comparatively cautious.— New Yorker, 24 June 1985For three centuries Viking raiders haunted western Europe. The bellicose Charlemagne himself felt menaced.

afresh

from a fresh beginning : ANEW, AGAIN

capricious

governed or characterized by caprice : IMPULSIVE, UNPREDICTABLE... every balloon voyage is a race between capricious winds and the amount of fuel on board.

acrid

having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell."acrid fumes"angry and bitter."an acrid farewell"

close-hauled

having the sails set for sailing as nearly against the wind as the vessel will go

apposite

highly pertinent or appropriate : APTapposite remarksapposite examples

abed

in bed

collide

intransitive verb 1: to come together with solid or direct impactThe car collided with a tree.Two helicopters collided.2: CLASHcolliding culturesScience and religion collided in the court.

coalesce

intransitive verb 1: to grow togetherThe edges of the wound coalesced.2a: to unite into a whole : FUSEseparate townships have coalesced into a single, sprawling colony— Donald Gouldb: to unite for a common end : join forcespeople with different points of view coalesce into opposing factions— I. L. Horowitz3: to arise from the combination of distinct elementsan organized and a popular resistance immediately coalesced— C. C. Mengestransitive verb : to cause to unitesometimes a book coalesces a public into a mass market— Walter Meade

bask

intransitive verb 1: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmospherebasking in the warmth of the sun2: to take pleasure or derive enjoymentbasked in the spotlighttransitive verb obsolete : to warm by continued exposure to heat... basks at the fire his hairy strength ...— John Milton

cognizant

knowledgeable of something especially through personal experiencealso : MINDFULcognizant of the potential dangers

arcane

known or knowable only to a few people : SECRETarcane ritesan arcane ritualbroadly : MYSTERIOUS, OBSCUREarcane explanationsarcane technical details

callow

lacking adult sophistication : IMMATUREcallow youthcallow newcomers

banal

lacking originality, freshness, or novelty : TRITE"The more banal, the more commonplace, the more predictable, the triter, the staler, the dumber, the better.

abscond

leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action such as theft."she absconded with the remaining thousand dollars"

achillean

like Achilles (as in strength, invincibility, or moody and resentful wrath), invincible

calvish

like a calf, stupid

accustom

make (someone or something) accept something as normal or usual."I accustomed my eyes to the lenses"

abash

make (someone) feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed."she was not ===ed at being caught"

accentuate

make more noticeable or prominent."his jacket unfortunately accentuated his paunch"

abnormal

not conforming to rule or system

autumnal

of, relating to, or characteristic of autumnautumnal weatherautumnal colors He averred that he was innocent. "I am innocent," he averred.the autumnal equinoxI am often surprised to see rising amid these trees the rounded tops of apple-trees glowing with red or yellow fruit, in harmony with the autumnal tints of the forest.— Henry David Thoreau

centimetre

one 100th of a meter

canto

one of the major divisions of a long poemExamples of canto in a Sentence the first canto of Dante's "Inferno"

antislavery

opposed to slaveryan antislavery activistthe antislavery movement

aboriginal

original or indigenous to a place

askew

out of line : at an angleThe picture hung askew.

bolero

pauses in a position with one arm arched over the headalso : music in ³/₄ time for a bolero2: a loose waist-length jacket open at the frontExamples of bolero in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe Mexican group, founded by Jose Guadalupe Esparza in 1979, is known for their authentic cumbia, ballads, and bolero sounds, fusing it with modern melodies.

auroral

pertaining to the dawn

badinage

playful repartee : BANTER, "the sophisticated badinage of the characters in plays by Oscar Wilde

bumptious

presumptuously, obtusely, and often noisily self-assertive : OBTRUSIVEGeorge Washington's mother, Mary Ball Washington, is often seen as a bumptious obstacle to her son's success.— New York Times, "New & Noteworthy," 11 June 2019There is a tonal ambiguity to the bumptious romantic pursuit that follows, a surprisingly tremulous and fragile air, which may be what dismayed critics who were expecting a more conventional drama.— Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "Revisiting "Moment by Moment," Lily Tomlin and John Travolta's Wrongly Despised 1978 Melodrama," 9 Sep. 2019

bombast

pretentious inflated speech or writingpolitical bombast

alacrity

promptness in response : cheerful readinessaccepted the invitation with alacrity

abrade

scrape or wear away by friction or erosion."a landscape slowly abraded by a fine, stinging dust"

collusion

secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purposeacting in collusion with the enemy

acidulous

sharp-tasting; sour.(of a person's remarks or tone) bitter; cutting.

analogous

similar or comparable to something else either in general or in some specific detailTimbre in music is analogous to color in painting.— Aaron CoplandAn airplane's joystick is somewhat analogous to the reins on a horse.: similar in a way that invites comparison : showing an analogy or a likeness that permits one to draw an analogya town council and a government body that serves an analogous function

abjure

solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim)."his refusal to abjure the Catholic faith"

burly

strongly and heavily built : HUSKYa burly man

aghast

struck with terror, amazement, or horror : shocked and upsetwas aghast when she heard the news

chutzpah

supreme self-confidence : NERVE, GALLIt took a lot of chutzpah to stand up to him the way she did.

acumen

the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain."business acumen"

admittance

the act of admitting

britannia

the ancient Roman name for Great Britain

agriculture

the art or science of cultivating the ground

abdomen

the belly/stomach

autobiography

the biography of a person narrated by himself or herself

abbey

the building or buildings occupied by a community of monks or nuns.

arboriculture

the cultivation of trees and shrubs especially for ornamental purposes

bole

the main stem of a tree apart from limbs and roots— called also bole

abscission

the natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and ripe fruit."leaf abscission in trees"

acme

the point at which someone or something is best, perfect, or most successful."physics is the acme of scientific knowledge"

beseech

transitive verb 1: to beg for urgently or anxiouslybeseeched him to write while he was away— R. W. Hatch2: to request earnestly : IMPLOREbesought their protectionintransitive verb : to make supplication

alter

transitive verb 1: to make different without changing into something elsean event that altered the course of history2: CASTRATE, SPAYhad the puppies alteredintransitive verb : to become differentcustoms that alter with the times

clarify

transitive verb 1: to make understandableclarify a subjectThe president was forced to clarify his position on the issue.2: to free of confusionneeds time to clarify his thoughts3: to make (a liquid or something liquefied) clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matterclarify syrupintransitive verb : to become clearwaiting for the present muddled diplomatic situation to clarify— Newsweek

circumvent

transitive verb 1: to manage to get around especially by ingenuity or stratagemthe setup circumvented the red tape— Lynne McTaggartcircumvent a problem2a: to hem inCircumvented by the enemy, he had to surrender.b: to make a circuit aroundthe river circumvented

attain

transitive verb 1: to reach as an end : GAIN, ACHIEVEattain a goal2: to come into possession of : OBTAINhe attained preferment over his fellows3: to come to as the end of a progression or course of movementThey attained the top of the hill.attain a ripe old ageintransitive verb : to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort —usually used with towill probably attain to a height of six feet

browbeat

transitive verb : to intimidate or disconcert by a stern manner or arrogant speech : BULLYlikes to browbeat the waitstaff

abortive

unsuccessful, "an abortive attempt to overthrow the government"

anecdote

usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident "Like many Jesuits who then ate most of their meals in refectories, McKenzie was a master raconteur with endless anecdotes, stories, and one-liners.

accord

verb, 1. give or grant someone (power, status, or recognition)."the powers accorded to the head of state"2.(of a concept or fact) be harmonious or consistent with.Noun: 1. an official agreement or treaty.agreement or harmony."the government and the rebels are in accord on one point"

account

verb, consider or regard in a specified way."her visit could not be accounted a success"

acclaim

verb, praise enthusiastically and publicly."the conference was acclaimed as a considerable success"enthusiastic and public praise."she has won acclaim for her commitment to democracy"

accurse

to consign to destruction, misery, or evil by a curse : ANATHEMATIZE —now used chiefly as past participlelooked upon her as a thing accursed

allure

to entice by charm or attraction... I had been fool enough to allow myself to be so quickly allured by her charms ...— Anthony Trollope

antiquate

to make old or obsolete, "Planning for what to do about Cuyahoga County's antiquated Justice Center, which includes the county jail, is about to ramp back up.

abut

(of an area of land or a building) be next to or have a common boundary with."gardens abutting Prescott Street"

accrue

(of sums of money or benefits) be received by someone in regular or increasing amounts over time."financial benefits will accrue from restructuring"accumulate or receive (such payments or benefits).make provision for (a charge) at the end of a financial period for work that has been done but not yet invoiced.

accommodate

1. (of physical space, especially a building) provide lodging or sufficient space for."the cabins accommodate up to 6 people"2. fit in with the wishes or needs of."any language must accommodate new concepts"

abate

1. (of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative) become less intense or widespread."the storm suddenly abated"2. cause to become smaller or less intense."nothing abated his crusading zeal"3, lessen, reduce, or remove (especially a nuisance)."this action would not have been sufficient to abate the odor nuisance"

abrasive

1.(of a substance or material) capable of polishing or cleaning a hard surface by rubbing or grinding."the trees were abrasive to the touch"2.(of a person or manner) showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh."her abrasive and arrogant personal style won her few friends"

acquit

1.free (someone) from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty."she was acquitted on all counts"2. conduct oneself or perform in a specified way."all the young women in the contest acquitted themselves well"

actuarial

1: of or relating to actuaries

actuality

1: the quality or state of being actual2: something that is actual : FACT, REALITYpossible risks which have been seized upon as actualities— T. S. Eliotin actuality: in actual fact

accordion

a portable musical instrument with metal reeds blown by bellows, played by means of keys and buttons."an accordion player"folding like the bellows of an accordion."an accordion pleat"

acetate

a salt or ester of acetic acid, containing the anion CH3COO− or the group —OCCH3.

absence

a state of being absent, "she found his total absence of facial expression disconcerting", "repeated absences from school"

abbess

a woman who is the head of an abbey of nuns.

acrophobia

abnormal dread of being in a high place : fear of heights

acquiesce

accept something reluctantly but without protest."Sara acquiesced in his decision"

acknowledgment

acceptance of the truth or existence of something."there was no acknowledgment of the family's trauma", "he received an award in acknowledgment of his work"

accomplish

achieve or complete successfully."the planes accomplished their mission"

accouterments

additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity."the accoutrements of religious ritual"

aboveboard

adjective, legitimate, honest, and open."we felt the judging was all above board and fair"adverb, in a legitimate, honest, and open way. "the accountants acted completely above board"

accolade

an award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit."the ultimate official accolade of a visit by the president"a touch on a person's shoulders with a sword at the bestowing of a knighthood.

acrimony

anger and bitterness : harsh or biting sharpness especially of words, manner, or feelingsThe dispute continued with increased acrimony.

acrimonious

angry and bitter : caustic, biting, or rancorous especially in feeling, language, or manneran acrimonious dispute

accost

approach and address (someone) boldly or aggressively."reporters accosted him in the street"

aberrant

departing from an accepted standard.diverging from the normal type."aberrant chromosomes"

absolute

not qualified or diminished in any way; total."absolute secrecy", "the policy is absolute folly"(of a decree) final."the decree of nullity was made absolute"

abstemious

not self-indulgent, especially when eating and drinking.""We only had a bottle." "Very abstemious of you.""

abrogate

repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement)."a proposal to abrogate temporarily the right to strike"evade (a responsibility or duty)."we believe the board is abrogating its responsibilities to its shareholders"

absolve

set or declare (someone) free from blame, guilt, or responsibility."the pardon absolved them of any crimes"

abridge

shorten (a piece of writing) without losing the sense."the introduction is abridged from the author's afterword to the novel"LAWcurtail (a right or privilege)."even the right to free speech can be abridged"

abbreviate

shorten: "the business of artists and repertory, commonly abbreviated to A&R","I decided to abbreviate my stay in Cambridge"

abduct

take (someone) away illegally by force or deception; kidnap."the millionaire who disappeared may have been ===ed"

abstinence

the fact or practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, typically alcohol."I started drinking again after six years of abstinence"

accretion

the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter."the accretion of sediments in coastal mangroves"

abort

to miscarry, to bring forth something prematurely, "the pilot aborted his landing"

codicil

1: a legal instrument made to modify an earlier will2: APPENDIX, SUPPLEMENTEsper said, revealing for the first time the existence of the codicils to the agreement.

accompaniment

1. a musical part that supports or partners a solo instrument, voice, or group."she sang to a guitar accompaniment"a piece of music played to complement or as background to an activity."lush string accompaniments to romantic scenes in movies"2.something that is supplementary to or complements something else, typically food."sugar snap peas make a delicious accompaniment for salmon"

accessory

1. a thing which can be added to something else in order to make it more useful, versatile, or attractive."a range of bathroom accessories"2. someone who gives assistance to the perpetrator of a crime, without directly committing it, sometimes without being present."she was charged as an accessory to murder"adj, contributing to or aiding an activity or process in a minor way; subsidiary or supplementary."functionally the maxillae are a pair of accessory jaws"

analyst

1: a person who analyzes or who is skilled in analysis2: PSYCHOANALYSTExamples of analyst in a Sentence My analyst felt that I was making good progress.

brackish

1: somewhat saltybrackish water2a: not appealing to the tastebrackish teab: REPULSIVEa brackish personality

athirst

1archaic : THIRSTY2: having a strong eager desireI that for ever feel athirst for glory— John Keats

caitiff

: COWARDLY, DESPICABLE

arthurian

: of or relating to King Arthur and his court

assonate

: to correspond in sound especially by assonance

bar

Definition of bar (Entry 1 of 9)1a: a straight piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is wide and has any of various uses (as for a lever, support, barrier, or fastening)windows with bars across thema door secured by an iron barb: a solid piece or block of material that is longer than it is widea bar of golda candy barc: a usually rigid piece (as of wood or metal) longer than it is wide that is used as a handle or supportespecially : a handrail used by ballet dancers to maintain balance while exercising2: something that obstructs or prevents passage, progress, or action: such asalaw : the destruction of an action (see ACTION sense 5) or claima statute of limitations bar to the present actionalso : a plea or objection that effects such destructionb: an intangible or nonphysical impedimentHis poor attitude was a bar to his success.c: a submerged or partly submerged bank (as of sand) along a shore or in a river often obstructing navigation3lawa(1): the railing in a courtroom that encloses the place about the judge where prisoners are stationed or where the business of the court is transacted in civil cases(2): COURT, TRIBUNALThe younger judge brought a fresh viewpoint to the bar.(3): a particular system of courtspractices at the New York bar(4): an authority or tribunal that hands down judgmentwill be judged at the bar of public opinionb(1): the barrier in the English Inns of Court that formerly separated the seats of the benchers or readers (see READER sense 2) from the body of the hall occupied by the students(2): the whole body of barristers or lawyers qualified to practice in the courts of any jurisdictiondreams of being admitted to the bar(3): the profession of barrister or lawyer... heighten respect for members of the bar and judiciary ...— W. L. Hoyt(4)US : the test that a person must pass in order to become eligible to work as a lawyerpassed the bar and went into private practicethe bar exam/examination4: a straight stripe, band, or line much longer than it is wide: such asaheraldry : one of two or more horizontal stripes on a heraldic shieldb: a metal or embroidered strip worn on a usually military uniform especially to indicate rank (as of a company officer) or service (see SERVICE entry 1 sense 6b)a second lieutenant's bar5a: a counter at which food or especially alcoholic beverages are servedWe sat at the bar while we waited for a table.b: a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks and sometimes food are served : BARROOMThey went to a bar for drinks.c: SHOP sense 2ba coffee bar6musica: a vertical line across the musical staff before the initial measure accent (see ACCENT entry 1 sense 5)b: MEASURESing the first two bars.7textiles : a lace and embroidery joining covered with buttonhole stitch for connecting various parts of the pattern in needlepoint lace and cutwork8: STANDARDwants to raise the bar for approving new drugs9: a strip along the edge of a computer window that contains commonly used options or iconsThe horizontal navigation bar across the top and bottom enables users to move quickly from primary section to primary section within the site ...— Editor and Publisherbehind bars: in jailputting criminals behind barsbar verbbarred; barringDefinition of bar (Entry 2 of 9)transitive verb 1a: to fasten with a long, narrow piece of wood, metal, or other material : to fasten with a bar (see BAR entry 1 sense 1a)b: to place bars across to prevent ingress or egressbar the door2: to mark with straight stripes, bands, or lines that are much longer than they are wide : to mark with bars (see BAR entry 1 sense 4) : STRIPEa feather barred with blue3a: to confine or shut in by or as if by bars (see BAR entry 1 sense 1a)barring prisoners in their cellsb: to set aside : to not take into consideration : RULE OUTdid not bar the possibility of further measuresc: to keep out : EXCLUDE —often used with fromWomen were barred from joining the club.4a: to put forth legal objection to (something, such as a claim or action)final judgment barred the subsequent claim: to prevent (a party) from bringing a claim or actionPlaintiffs are barred from litigating such claims.b: PREVENT, FORBIDa decision barring his participation

alleviate

a: to make (something, such as pain or suffering) more bearablea drug that alleviates the symptomsusing relaxation techniques to alleviate stressTo draw customers, [Richard G.] Rosenberg became certified in pedorthics—an area that involves the design, make and modification of shoes to alleviate foot ailments.— Dana Hedgpethb: to partially remove or correct (something undesirable)government programs to alleviate povertyEnticing retirees into the work force to alleviate the current labor shortage ...— Cullen Murphy

bilious

and that aids especially in the emulsification and absorption of fats : of or relating to bile (see BILE sense 1b)bbiology : marked by or suffering from liver dysfunction and especially excessive secretion of bilea bilious attacka bilious patientc: appearing as if affected by a bilious disordera sickly bilious face2: of or indicative of a peevish ill-natured dispositionbilious commentaryher bilious humor3: sickeningly unpleasantthe bilious weatherwith clapboards painted red and bilious yellow— Sinclair Lewis

cholera

any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals usually marked by severe gastrointestinal symptomsespecially : an acute diarrheal disease caused by an enterotoxin produced by a comma-shaped gram-negative bacillus (Vibrio cholerae synonym V. comma) when it is present in large numbers in the proximal (see PROXIMAL sense 2) part of the human small intestineThat year a cholera outbreak in central London killed more than 500 people in just two weeks.

abstruse

difficult to understand; obscure."an abstruse philosophical inquiry"

bicameral

government : having, consisting of, or based on two legislative chambers (see CHAMBER entry 1 sense 4a)a bicameral legislature comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate

capitulate

intransitive verb 1a: to surrender often after negotiation of termsThe enemy was forced to capitulate unconditionally.b: to cease resisting : ACQUIESCEThe company capitulated to the labor union to avoid a strike.2archaic : PARLEY, NEGOTIATEBut a few have begun to capitulate in the wake of criticism on social media and media coverage.— Mike Snider, USA TODAY, "Charter, MicroStrategy reverse policies, allow work at home during coronavirus outbreak," 20 Mar. 2020His anti-heroes often capitulate to the tyrannical forces around them, whether those forces are bureaucratic or familial.— Jeremy Lybarger, The New York Review of Books, "The Mordant Fables of Juraj Herz," 20 Apr. 2020

bungle

intransitive verb : to act or work clumsily and awkwardlybungled badly in the campaigntransitive verb : MISHANDLE, BOTCHbungle a jobbungled the investigation

clamber

intransitive verb : to climb awkwardly or with effort especially by using both the hands and the feetWe clambered over the rocks.They clambered up the hill.

botanize

intransitive verb : to collect plants for botanical investigation : to study plants in their natural habitatShe was preparing to go botanizing with Conservation International's Robin Foster in the scientifically unexplored depths of the reserve.— Adrian ForsythThe group botanized along the coast.transitive verb : to explore for botanical purposesHe spent the day botanizing the park.

caterwaul

ntransitive verb 1: to make a harsh cry2: to protest or complain noisilyIn a season of a lively baseball, the Twins hit a silly number of home runs and came caterwauling out of the great north and took their division.— Michael Powell, New York Times, "Twins Don't Know What Hit Them. (Hint: It Was the Yankees Again.)," 8 Oct. 2019The media-Democrat caterwauling over Trump's election-rigging spiel was not rooted in patriotic commitment to the American democratic tradition of accepting election outcomes.

attrition

sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive other than that of the love of God2: the act of rubbing together : FRICTIONalso : the act of wearing or grinding down by frictionStones can be smoothed and polished by attrition.3: the act of weakening or exhausting by constant harassment, abuse, or attacka war of attrition4: a reduction in numbers usually as a result of resignation, retirement, or deatha company with a high rate of attrition

chassis

the supporting frame of a structure (such as an automobile or television)Leaf springs are attached to the car's chassis.also : the frame and working parts (as of an automobile or electronic device) exclusive of the body or housingExamples of chassis in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebEven after hours of continuous heavy graphics and CPU load testing, performance did not drop—and the chassis and keyboard did not feel hot to the touch.

calvinism

the theological system of Calvin and his followers marked by strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of humankind, and the doctrine of predestination

altercate

to dispute angrily or noisily : WRANGLE"this discussion is so silly we might as well altercate on how many angels can dance on the point of a needle

beleaguer

transitive verb 1: BESIEGEa town beleaguered by an armya beleaguered city2: TROUBLE, HARASSbeleaguered parentsan economically beleaguered city

beguile

transitive verb 1: HOODWINKbeguiled her classmates into doing the work for her2: to engage the interest of by or as if by guileHis seductive voice beguiled the audience.3: to lead by deceptionbeguiled into ambush4: to while away especially by some agreeable occupationalso : DIVERT sense 2The seven poems were written to beguile the tedium of a sea voyage.— Vernon Louis Parringtonintransitive verb : to deceive by wileshad intended to beguile

becalm

transitive verb 1a: to keep motionless by lack of windbecalmed at last, she slept soundly for the first time in weeksb: to stop the progress of2: to make calm : SOOTHE

blanch

transitive verb : to take the color out ofAge had blanched his hair.: such asacooking : to scald or parboil in water or steam in order to remove the skin from, whiten, or stop enzymatic action in (such as food for freezing)blanch the asparagus in salted boiling waterb: to bleach by excluding lightblanch the leaves of a plantc: to make ashen or palefear blanches the cheekintransitive verb : to become white or pale (as from shock or fear)His face blanched with horror.—often used figuratively to describe a reaction of shock or dismay that makes someone unwilling or reluctant to proceedCivilians also saw benefits to the system but blanched when talk then included references to $300-plus user fees.— Dan Fales... the managers of the companies blanched at the expenditures necessary to retool factories.— Charles C. Mann

calumniate

transitive verb1: to utter maliciously false statements, charges, or imputations about2: to injure the reputation of by calumnythe short-lived Sedition Act of 1798 made it illegal to calumniate the President of the United States

adjudge

transitive verb1a: to decide or rule upon as a judge : ADJUDICATE, The court adjudged the contract to be fraudulent.b: to pronounce judicially : RULE3: to hold or pronounce to be : DEEMadjudge the book a success4: to award or grant judicially in a case of controversy

acuity

: keenness of perceptionhearing acuitymental acuity

abyss

a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm."a rope led down into the dark abyss"a wide or profound difference between people; a gulf."the abyss between the two nations"the regions of hell conceived of as a bottomless pit."Satan's dark abyss"a catastrophic situation seen as likely to occur."teetering on the edge of the abyss of a total political wipeout"

abeyance

a state of temporary disuse or suspension."matters were held in abeyance pending further inquiries"

abscess

a swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus."once the abscesses burst, they usually discharge for several days before gradually healing up"

abomination

a thing that causes disgust or hatred."concrete abominations masquerading as hotels"a feeling of hatred."their abomination of indulgence"

access

noun, a means of approaching or entering a place."the staircase gives access to the top floor"verb, approach or enter (a place)."single rooms have private baths accessed via the balcony"

armada

1: a fleet of warships2: a large force or group usually of moving things

anonymity

1: the quality or state of being anonymousenjoyed the anonymity of life in a large city2: one that is anonymousa crowd of faceless anonymities

brouhaha

: HUBBUB, UPROARA brouhaha erupted over her statements.

brae

: a hillside especially along a river

anthropomorphous

ANTHROPOMORPHIC

cauterize

transitive verb 1: to sear with a cautery or causticcauterize a wound2: to make insensible : DEADENThey will do anything to stay in office; their consciences have been cauterized.

antemeridian

: occurring before noon : of or relating to the forenoonantemeridian choresat 9 o'clock— compare ANTE MERIDIEM

adduce

: to offer as example, reason, or proof in discussion or analysisadduce evidence in support of a theory

amputate

: to remove by or as if by cuttingespecially : to cut (a part, such as a limb) from the body, "His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.

braze

: to solder with a nonferrous alloy having a lower melting point than the metals being joined

amalgamate

: to unite in or as if in an amalgamespecially : to merge into a single bodyThey amalgamated the hospital with the university.

blurt

: to utter abruptly and impulsively —usually used with out "Gosh, you look awful!" she blurted.

adjuration

1: a solemn oath2: an earnest urging or advising though he was loath to take over the family business, he couldn't refuse his ailing father's adjuration an adjuration to check the facts carefully before publishing the exposé on corruption in the statehouse

abide

1. accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation)."I said I would abide by their decision"2. be unable to tolerate (someone or something)."if there is one thing I cannot abide it is a lack of discipline"

acknowledge

1. accept or admit the existence or truth of."the plight of the refugees was acknowledged by the authorities"(of a body of opinion) recognize the fact or importance or quality of."the art world has begun to acknowledge his genius"express or display gratitude for or appreciation of."he received a letter acknowledging his services"3. .show that one has noticed or recognized (someone) by making a gesture or greeting."she refused to acknowledge my presence"

acquire

1. buy or obtain (an asset or object) for oneself."I managed to acquire all the books I needed"2. learn or develop (a skill, habit, or quality)."you must acquire the rudiments of Greek"come to have (a particular reputation) as a result of one's behavior or activities."he acquired a reputation for scrupulous honesty"

abusive

1. extremely offensive and insulting."he became quite abusive and swore at her"2 engaging in or characterized by habitual violence and cruelty."abusive parents"3.involving injustice or illegality."the abusive and predatory practices of businesses"

accredit

1. give credit to (someone) for something."he was accredited with being one of the world's fastest sprinters" attribute an action, saying, or quality to."the discovery of distillation is usually accredited to the Arabs"2. (of an official body) give authority or sanction to (someone or something) when recognized standards have been met."institutions that do not meet the standards will not be accredited for teacher training"3. give official authorization for (someone, typically a diplomat or journalist) to be in a particular place or to hold a particular post."an ambassador accredited to a northern European country"

accession

1. the attainment or acquisition of a position of rank or power, typically that of monarch or president."the Queen's accession to the throne"the action or process of formally joining or being accepted by an association, institution, or group."the accession of Spain and Portugal into the European Community"the formal acceptance of a treaty or agreement."accession to the Treaty of Paris"2. new item added to an existing collection of books, paintings, or artifacts."did not anticipate any further accession of wealth from the man's estate"

abdicate

1.(of a monarch) renounce one's throne."in 1918 Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated as German emperor", 2,fail to fulfill or undertake (a responsibility or duty)."the government was accused of abdicating its responsibility"

abstract

1.existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence. "the novel was too abstract and esoteric to sustain much attention"2. relating to abstract art."abstract pictures that look like commercial color charts"verb: 1. "to abstract science and religion from their historical context can lead to anachronism" 2. make a written summary of (an article or book)."staff who index and abstract material for an online database" in the abstract — in a general way; without reference to specific instances."there's a fine line between promoting US business interests in the abstract and promoting specific companies"

accompany

1.go somewhere with (someone) as a companion or escort."the two sisters were to accompany us to New York"2 be present or occur at the same time as (something else)."the illness is often accompanied by nausea"3. play a musical accompaniment for.

abstain

1.restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something."abstaining from chocolate"refrain from drinking alcohol."most pregnant women abstain or drink very little"2.formally decline to vote either for or against a proposal or motion."forty-one voted with the Opposition, and some sixty more abstained"

categorical

1: ABSOLUTE, UNQUALIFIEDa categorical denial2a: of, relating to, or constituting a categoryb: involving, according with, or considered with respect to specific categoriesa categorical system for classifying books

apprehend

1: ARREST, SEIZEapprehend a thief2a: to become aware of : PERCEIVEShe immediately apprehended the problem.b: to anticipate especially with anxiety, dread, or fear3: to grasp with the understanding : recognize the meaning ofintransitive verb : UNDERSTAND, GRASP

append

1: ATTACH, AFFIXappended a diagram to the instructions2: to add as a supplement or appendix (as in a book)notes appended to each chapter

calorific

1: CALORIC2: of or relating to heat productionExamples of calorific in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebKnown for being dense and calorific, mooncakes are typically filled with lotus seed or red bean paste and a salted egg yolk symbolizing the moon.

christendom

1: CHRISTIANITY sense 12: the part of the world in which Christianity prevails

befog

1: CONFUSE2: FOG, OBSCURE the professor's convoluted explanation only befogged the textbook's presentation of this scientific principle the morning murk befogged our view of the harbor

colloquy

1: CONVERSATION, DIALOGUEa colloquy between senators2: a high-level serious discussion : CONFERENCEa colloquy between the trial judge and defendant

alabaster

1: a compact fine-textured usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments2: a hard calcite or aragonite that is translucent and sometimes banded "In Chicago, fourteen classical-style pavilions with alabaster facades were illuminated at night by Nikola Tesla's alternating-current system which produced a dazzling presentation, which led to the White City moniker.

baton

1: CUDGEL, TRUNCHEONspecifically : BILLY CLUB2: a staff borne as a symbol of office3: a narrow heraldic bend4: a slender rod with which a leader directs a band or orchestra5: a hollow cylinder carried by each member of a relay team and passed to the succeeding runner6: a hollow metal rod with a weighted bulb at one or both ends that is flourished by a drum major or drum majorette7: a piece of food that has been cut into a narrow strip that is thicker than a julienned piece of foodWe cut carrots into slabs, then batons, then dice.— Janet Rausa FullerRioters set police cars ablaze, smashed businesses' windows and skirmished with baton-wielding officers in streets from Atlanta to Los Angeles, as anger over Floyd's death spread across the country.— Fox News, "Trump: US military 'ready, willing and able' to help Minneapolis if needed," 30 May 2020Police drew their batons and formed a barrier near the police headquarters at Seventh Street and Broadway.

beau

1: DANDY sense 12: BOYFRIEND sense 2 Her beaux between marriage generally fell into two categories: ineffectual pretty boys or handsome brutes.— Joanne Kaufman, People, 21 Mar. 1988This was essentially the vehicle that had been perfected, through more than a century or two, for—and by—a continuing line of fops, beaux, macaronis, dudes, bucks, blades, swells, bloods and mashers.— Osbert Sitwell, The Scarlet Tree, 1975

cataclysm

1: FLOOD, DELUGE2: CATASTROPHE sense 3a3: a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolitionbroadly : an event that brings great changesan international economic cataclysm

appease

1: PACIFY, CONCILIATEespecially : to make concessions to (someone, such as an aggressor or a critic) often at the sacrifice of principlesappeased the dictator by accepting his demandsPlacaters, who try hard to appease others so as to keep the peace, fear getting hurt in some way.— Mike Cote2: to cause to subside : ALLAYappeased my hungertrying to appease her guilty conscience3: to bring to a state of peace or quiet : CALMappease a quarrel

boor

1: PEASANT2: a rude or insensitive person I can't invite a boor like him to dinner! He'd offend the other guests. a loudmouthed boor who embarrassed his family at every social event they attended

charlatan

1: QUACK entry 4 sense 2charlatans harming their patients with dubious procedures2: one making usually showy pretenses to knowledge or ability : FRAUD, FAKERa charlatan willing to do and say virtually anything to remain in the spotlight— Alan Brinkley

catholicism

1: ROMAN CATHOLICISM2: the faith, practice, or system of Catholic Christianity

bestrew

1: STREW2: to lie scattered over the flower girl delightedly bestrewed the aisle with rose petals

ancillary

1: SUBORDINATE, SUBSIDIARYthe main factory and its ancillary plants2: AUXILIARY, SUPPLEMENTARYthe need for ancillary evidenceancillary expensesancillary equipment

bauble

1: TRINKET sense 1He affixed the bauble, with a kiss, upon her middle finger ...— Elinor Wylie2: a scepter of a fool (see FOOL entry 1 sense 2a)... the licensed jester ... brandished his bauble ...— Sir Walter Scott3: something of trifling appeal4British : ORNAMENTspecifically : a Christmas ornamentOur tree was decorated, most tastefully, with apt baubles bought from Georg Jensen.— Geoffrey Wolff

canary

1: a Canary Islands usually sweet wine similar to Madeira2: a lively 16th century court dance3: a small finch (Serinus canarius synonym S. canaria) of the Canary Islands that is usually greenish to yellow and is kept as a cage bird and singer4slang : INFORMER sense 2Like the first tender shoots of spring, or perhaps the proverbial canary in the coal mine, traffic is beginning to reappear in Los Angeles.— Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, "L.A. traffic is starting to pick up again, and travel speeds are slowing down," 8 May 2020Georgians are now the largely unwilling canaries in an invisible coal mine, sent to find out just how many individuals need to lose their job or their life for a state to work through a plague.

barcarole

1: a Venetian boat song usually in ⁶/₈ or ¹²/₈ time characterized by the alternation of a strong and weak beat that suggests a rowing rhythm2: music imitating a barcarole

bight

1: a bend in a coast forming an open bayalso : a bay formed by such a bend2: a slack part or loop in a rope

bromide

1: a binary compound of bromine with another element or a radical including some (such as potassium bromide) used as sedatives2a: a commonplace or tiresome person : BOREb: a commonplace or hackneyed statement or notion

ailment

1: a bodily disorder or chronic diseasea stomach ailment2: UNREST, UNEASINESSan emotional ailment

botany

1: a branch of biology dealing with plant life2a: plant lifeb: the properties and life phenomena exhibited by a plant, plant type, or plant group3: a botanical treatise or studyespecially : a particular system of botany

anatomy

1: a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms2: a treatise on anatomical science or art3: the art of separating the parts of an organism in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function : DISSECTION4obsolete : a body dissected or to be dissected5: structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its partsthe anatomy of birdshuman anatomy6: a separating or dividing into parts for detailed examination : ANALYSISthe anatomy of a marriage7a(1): SKELETON(2): MUMMYb: the human bodywore an outfit that showed off various parts of her anatomy

americanism

1: a characteristic feature of American English especially as contrasted with British English2: attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests, or ideals of the U.S.3a: a custom or trait peculiar to Americab: the political principles and practices essential to American culture

archangel

1: a chief angel2archangels plural : an order of angels— see CELESTIAL HIERARCHY

anthology

1: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or musican anthology of American poetry2: ASSORTMENT... an anthology of threadbare clichés of ... bistro cuisine ...— Jay Jacobs

calumny

1: a misrepresentation intended to harm another's reputationdenounced his opponent for his defamatory insinuations and calumny2: the act of uttering false charges or misrepresentations maliciously calculated to harm another's reputationHe was the target of calumny for his unpopular beliefs.

aphorism

1: a concise statement of a principle2: a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment : ADAGEthe high-minded aphorism, "Let us value the quality of life, not the quantity"3: an ingeniously terse style of expression : aphoristic languageThese are dazzling chapters, packed with perfectly chosen anecdotes and pithy with aphorism.— John Keegan

battalion

1: a considerable body of troops organized to act together : ARMY2: a military unit composed of a headquarters and two or more companies, batteries, or similar units3: a large groupa battalion of angry protesters the nation's battalions were forced to fight on two fronts simultaneously

census

1: a count of the population and a property evaluation in early Rome2: a usually complete enumeration of a populationspecifically : a periodic governmental enumeration of populationAccording to the latest U.S census, 16% of the population is of Hispanic or Latino origin.3: COUNT, TALLYa census of deer in a game refuge

animadversion

1: a critical and usually censorious remark —often used with on2: adverse criticism

carcass

1: a dead body : CORPSEespecially : the dressed body of a meat animalButchers trimmed the meat from the carcass.2: the living, material, or physical bodyIt was nearly noon when he finally hauled his carcass out of bed.3: the decaying or worthless remains of a structurethe carcass of an abandoned automobile4: the underlying structure or frame of something (as of a piece of furniture)

chasm

1: a deep cleft in the surface of a planet (such as the earth) : GORGEbuilt a bridge over the chasm2: a marked division, separation, or differencethe chasm between the rich and the poor

calamity

1: a disastrous event marked by great loss and lasting distress and sufferingcalamities of naturean economic calamity2: a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss

chateau

1: a feudal castle or fortress in France2: a large country house : MANSION3: a French vineyard estate

citadel

1: a fortress that commands (see COMMAND entry 1 sense 2c) a city2: STRONGHOLDthe nation's citadel of health research— Constance Holdena citadel of higher education

claque

1: a group hired to applaud at a performance2: a group of sycophantsWhile Anderson's feature films encourage exhortations from a nihilistic claque, the little-remarked-upon Haim videos offer welcome emotional accord similar to Altman's example.— Armond White, National Review, "Paul Thomas Anderson's Best Work — on Video," 1 Apr. 2020Late Saturday afternoon, the former two-term Colorado governor was wandering—almost unrecognized—on the fringes of a claque of Joe Biden supporters after the end of South Carolina Democratic convention in Columbia.

clergy

1: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian churchMembers of the clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.2: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religionBuddhist clergy

arcade

1: a long arched building or gallery2a: an arched covered passageway or avenue (as between shops)bchiefly British : a building that includes many shopsA job fair ... today will introduce locals to the details of the 250 jobs that a new shopping arcade will bring when its doors open this autumn.— The Journal (Newcastle, England)3: a series of arches with their columns or piers4: an amusement center having coin-operated gamesExamples of arcade in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebRead the governor's full Phase 2 guidelines for various sectors: The new guidance will allow bowling alleys, pools and arcades to reopen with physical distancing, and allow non-contact youth sports to reopen subject to equipment sharing guidelines.— oregonlive, "26 Oregon counties apply for Phase 2 reopening," 3 June 2020Effective Friday, water parks can open but limit occupancy to 25% of their capacity and keep any video arcades closed, the proclamation stated.— USA TODAY, "Milk giveaway, 'Pass the pork,' famous rodeo foiled: News from around our 50 states," 28 May 2020

buffoon

1: a ludicrous figure : CLOWN2: a gross and usually ill-educated or stupid personacting like a ridiculous buffoon

amusement

1: a means of amusing or entertainingwhat are her favorite amusements2: the condition of being amusedcould not hide his amusement3: pleasurable diversion : ENTERTAINMENTplays the piano for amusement

automaton

1: a mechanism that is relatively self-operatingespecially : ROBOT2: a machine or control mechanism designed to follow automatically a predetermined sequence of operations or respond to encoded instructions3: an individual who acts in a mechanical fashionHe is an unfeeling automaton.

barb

1: a medieval cloth headdress passing over or under the chin and covering the neck2a: a sharp projection extending backward (as from the point of an arrow or fishhook) and preventing easy extractionalso : a sharp projection with its point similarly oblique to something elseb: a biting or pointedly critical remark or comment3: BARBEL entry 24: any of the side branches of the shaft of a feather— see FEATHER ILLUSTRATION5: a plant hair or bristle ending in a hook

aristocrat

1: a member of an aristocracyespecially : NOBLEan aristocrat by birth2a: one who has the bearing and viewpoint typical of the aristocracyb: one who favors aristocracy3: one believed to be superior of its kindthe aristocrat of Southern resorts— Southern Living

anglo-saxon

1: a member of the Germanic peoples conquering England in the fifth century a.d. and forming the ruling class until the Norman conquest— compare ANGLE, JUTE, SAXON2a: ENGLISHMANspecifically : a person descended from the Anglo-Saxonsb: a white gentile of an English-speaking nation3: OLD ENGLISH sense 14: direct plain Englishespecially : English using words considered crude or vulgar

cobbler

1: a mender or maker of shoes and often of other leather goods2archaic : a clumsy workman3: a tall iced drink consisting usually of wine, rum, or whiskey and sugar garnished with mint or a slice of lemon or orange4: a deep-dish fruit dessert with a thick top crustExamples of cobbler in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebAt Zapataria Martos, a traditional cobbler in Madrid, Eduardo Martos is fatalistic about his prospects.

bric-a-brac

1: a miscellaneous collection of small articles commonly of ornamental or sentimental value : CURIOS2: something suggesting bric-a-brac especially in extraneous decorative quality

amalgam

1: a mixture of different elementsan amalgam of musical formsThe crowd was an amalgam of young and old.2: an alloy of mercury with another metal that is solid or liquid at room temperature according to the proportion of mercury present and is used especially in making tooth cementsDentists have used silver-colored mercury amalgam (mercury mixed, about 50/50, with a combination of silve

catastrophe

1: a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruinDeforestation and erosion can lead to an ecological catastrophe.2: utter failure : FIASCOthe party was a catastrophe3a: a violent and sudden change in a feature of the earthb: a violent usually destructive natural event (such as a supernova)4: the final event of the dramatic action especially of a tragedy

blunderbuss

1: a muzzle-loading firearm with a short barrel and flaring muzzle to facilitate loading2: a blundering person

cadenza

1: a parenthetical flourish in an aria or other solo piece commonly just before a final or other important cadence2: a technically brilliant sometimes improvised solo passage toward the close of a concerto3: an exceptionally brilliant part of an artistic and especially a literary work

autocrat

1: a person (such as a monarch) ruling with unlimited authority2: one who has undisputed influence or powerHe was the autocrat of his household.

auditor

1: a person authorized to examine and verify accounts2: one who hears or listensespecially : one who is a member of an audience3: a person who audits a course of study4: a person who hears something (such as a court case) in the capacity of judgeAnother target for Democrats, Scott Perry's 10th district, has their nominee in state auditor Eugene DePasquale.

alderman

1: a person governing a kingdom, district, or shire as viceroy for an Anglo-Saxon king2a: a magistrate formerly ranking next below the mayor in an English or Irish city or boroughb: a high-ranking member of a borough or county council in Ireland or formerly in England chosen by elected members3: a member of a city legislative bodyEd Burke, the second most powerful alderman in Chicago.

beneficiary

1: a person or thing that receives help or an advantage from something : one that benefits from somethingthe main beneficiaries of these economic reforms2alaw : the person designated to receive the income of an estate that is subject to a trust (see TRUST entry 1 sense 3a)b: the person named (as in an insurance policy) to receive proceeds or benefits (see BENEFIT entry 1 sense 2b)named her husband as the sole beneficiary of her life insurance policy

assignee

1: a person to whom an assignment is made2: a person appointed to act for another3: a person to whom a right or property is legally transferred

bedlam

1: a place, scene, or state of uproar and confusionThere was bedlam in the streets after the verdict was announced.2or Bedlam : an asylum for the mentally ill3obsolete : MADMAN, LUNATIC

bastion

1: a projecting part of a fortificationa bastion at each of the fort's five corners2: a fortified area or positionbombing island bastions3: STRONGHOLD sense 2the last bastion of academic standards— Amer. Scientist

antiphon

1: a psalm, anthem, or verse sung responsively2: a verse usually from Scripture said or sung before and after a canticle, psalm, or psalm verse as part of the liturgyExamples of antiphon in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebConsider using a disposable worship aid or the use of familiar hymns, songs, antiphons, and acclamations.

almanac

1: a publication containing astronomical and meteorological data for a given year and often including a miscellany of other information2: a usually annual publication containing statistical, tabular, and general informationExamples of almanac in a Sentence an almanac of town newsRecent Examples on the WebUnfamiliar readers, fear not; Haratischvili writes deceptively easy prose and inserts historical and cultural references, as clear as an almanac, along the way.

chancery

1: a record office for public archives or those of ecclesiastical, legal, or diplomatic proceedings2acapitalized : a high court of equity in England and Wales with common-law functions and jurisdiction over causes in equityb: a court of equity in the American judicial systemc: the principles and practice of judicial equity3a: a chancellor's court or office or the building in which it is locatedb: the office in which the business of a Roman Catholic diocese is transacted and recordedc: the office of an embassy : CHANCELLERY sense 3in chancery1: in litigation in a court of chanceryalso : under the superintendence of the lord chancellora ward in chancery2: in a hopeless predicamentExamples of chancery in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe documents were taken from three sites: the diocesan chancery; a warehouse storage facility; and St. Cecilia's parish in north Oak Cliff.

antidote

1: a remedy to counteract the effects of poisonneeded the antidote for the snake's venom2: something that relieves, prevents, or counteractsan antidote to boredom

casuistry

1: a resolving of specific cases of conscience, duty, or conduct through interpretation of ethical principles or religious doctrine2: specious argument : RATIONALIZATIONExamples of casuistry in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebWith his casuistry, Whitman seems intent on convincing himself, more than anyone, that this health regimen will work.

bylaw

1: a rule adopted by an organization chiefly for the government of its members and the regulation of its affairs2: a local ordinancethe club's bylaws bar any member whose annual dues remain unpaid from voting in the election

aegis

1: a shield or breastplate emblematic of majesty that was associated with Zeus and Athena2a: PROTECTIONunder the aegis of the Constitutionb: controlling or conditioning (see CONDITION entry 2 sense 5a) influencepassed new laws under the aegis of national security3a: AUSPICES, SPONSORSHIPunder the aegis of the museumb: control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or systemunder the aegis of the government

atrocity

1: a shockingly bad or atrocious act, object, or situationthe atrocities of war2: the quality or state of being atrocious... the paralysing atrocity of the thought which occupied her.— Joseph Conrad

alkali

1: a soluble salt obtained from the ashes of plants and consisting largely of potassium or sodium carbonatebroadly : a substance (such as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having marked basic properties— compare BASE sense 6a2: ALKALI METAL3: a soluble salt or a mixture of soluble salts present in some soils of arid regions in quantity detrimental to agricultureExamples of alkali in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebDon't use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company.

adjutant

1: a staff officer in the army, air force, or marine corps who assists the commanding officer and is responsible especially for correspondence2: one who helps : ASSISTANT the senator's adjutants and aides always arrive ahead of him on the campaign trail

bier

1: a stand on which a corpse or coffin is placedalso : a coffin together with its stand2archaic : a framework for carrying

axiom

1: a statement accepted as true as the basis for argument or inference : POSTULATE sense 1one of the axioms of the theory of evolution2: an established rule or principle or a self-evident truthcites the axiom "no one gives what he does not have"3: a maxim widely accepted on its intrinsic meritthe axioms of wisdom

colossus

1: a statue of gigantic size and proportions2: a person or thing of immense size or powerThe building is a colossus of steel and glass. Leonardo da Vinci remains a colossus in the history of art.

antipathy

1: a strong feeling of dislikean antipathy to taxesa deep antipathy between the groups2: something disliked : an object of aversion... perhaps his greatest antipathies were cabs, old women, doors that would not shut ...— Charles Dickens3obsolete : opposition in feeling

avocation

1: a subordinate occupation pursued in addition to one's vocation especially for enjoyment : HOBBYHe's a professional musician, but his avocation is photography.He had the restrained manners developed when tennis was the avocation of gentleman jocks ...— Margo Jefferson2: customary employment : VOCATION'My name is Riah,' said the old man, with courteous action, 'and my avocation is in London city.'— Charles Dickens3archaic : DIVERSION, DISTRACTION

catalyst

1: a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible2: an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or actionThat waterway became the catalyst of the area's industrialization.He was the catalyst in the native uprising.

annuity

1: a sum of money payable yearly or at other regular intervals2: the right to receive an annuity3: a contract or agreement providing for the payment of an annuity

attache

1: a technical expert on a country's diplomatic staff at a foreign capitala military attaché2: ATTACHÉ CASE

addendum

1: a thing added : ADDITION2: a supplement to a book —often used in plural but singular in construction "Francine du Plessix Gray, in an essay first written in 1991 and updated with an addendum here, writes eloquently of a lifelong obsession with weight loss, stemming from the harsh judgments of a mother enraptured by fashion.

cliche

1: a trite phrase or expressionalso : the idea expressed by it2: a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation3: something (such as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplaceNon-Amateur writers avoid industriously the word Orwellian, because even years ago it became an overused and underdefined cliché.

animus

1: a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill willharbored an animus toward them... the sixties mentality, with its strong animus against what it defines as "elitism" ...— Daniel J. Singal2: basic attitude or governing spirit : DISPOSITION, INTENTION3: an inner masculine part of the female personality in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung— compare ANIMA

altar

1: a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship —often used figuratively to describe a thing given great or undue precedence or value especially at the cost of something elsesacrificed his family life on the altar of career advancement2a: a tablelike construction used in the Christian church in celebrating the Eucharistb: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual —often used with the to refer to the act of getting marriedThey are destined for the altar.She left him at the altar. [=she decided at the last minute not to go through with her planned marriage to him]Examples of altar in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebFlowers remain on the altar with a Bible and a hymnal.— Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, "Midland church swallowed by floodwaters: 'It tears a hole in your heart'," 23 May 2020The lighthearted ad ends with the two brides sharing a quick kiss on the altar.— Mae Anderson, Twin Cities, "Hallmark's flip-flop on same-sex ads backfires," 16 Dec. 2019These example sentences a

cartilage

1: a usually translucent (see TRANSLUCENT sense 1) somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (such as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates2: a part or structure composed of cartilageExamples of cartilage in a Sentence She fell and damaged some cartilage in her knee.

biography

1: a usually written history of a person's lifea new biography of Abraham Lincoln2: biographical writings as a wholethe genre of biography3: an account of the life of something (such as an animal, a coin, or a building)the biography of the commonwealth

arroyo

1: a watercourse (such as a creek) in an arid region2: a water-carved gully or channelExamples of arroyo in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebFar closer, a gang of 30 to 40 dark javelina barreled up a nearby arroyo.— San Antonio Express-News, ""It's almost like having a national park all to yourself."," 18 Oct. 2019

barometer

1: an instrument for determining the pressure of the atmosphere and hence for assisting in forecasting weather and for determining altitude (see ALTITUDE sense 1a)2: something that indicates fluctuations (as in public opinion)housing sales and other economic barometers3: STANDARD, TESTa barometer to measure high school talent— Jeff Fellenzer

anagram

1: a word or phrase made by transposing the letters of another word or phraseThe word "secure" is an anagram of "rescue."2anagrams plural in form but singular in construction : a game in which words are formed by rearranging the letters of other words or by arranging letters taken (as from a stock of cards or blocks) at randomanagram verbanagrammed; anagrammingDefinition of anagram (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: ANAGRAMMATIZEanagrammed the letters of "battle" to form "tablet"2: to rearrange (the letters of a text) in order to discover a hidden message

artisan

1: a worker who practices a trade or handicraft : CRAFTSPERSONa skilled artisan2: a person or company that produces something (such as cheese or wine) in limited quantities often using traditional methods —often used before another nounartisan breads

bullock

1: a young bull2: a castrated bull : STEERIn a famous image from 1981, India trotted out its first communication satellite, APPLE, on a bullock cart.— Niha Masih, Washington Post, "Moon mission is a signal of India's growing space ambitions," 12 July 2019The six bulls, accompanied by tame bullocks, ran together in a pack for most of the 850-meter (930-yard) course to the city's bullring.

adverse

1: acting against or in a contrary direction : HOSTILEhindered by adverse winds2a: opposed to one's interestsan adverse verdictheard testimony adverse to their positionespecially : UNFAVORABLEadverse criticismb: causing harm : HARMFULadverse drug effects

bilateral

1: affecting reciprocally two nations or partiesa bilateral treatya bilateral trade agreement2: having two sidesdealing with a bilateral problem3biologya: of, relating to, or affecting the right and left sides of the body or the right and left members of paired organsbilateral nephrectomyb: having bilateral symmetry

application

1: an act of applying:a(1): an act of putting something to useapplication of new techniques(2): a use to which something is putnew applications for old remediesb: an act of administering or laying one thing on anotherapplication of paint to a housec: assiduous attentionsucceeds by application to her studies2a: REQUEST, PETITIONan application for financial aidb: a form used in making a requestfilling out an application3: a program (such as a word processor or a spreadsheet) that performs a particular task or set of tasks4: the practical conclusion or lesson to be derived from a speech or writing (such as a moral tale)5: a medicated or protective layer or materialan oily application for dry skin6: capacity for practical usewords of varied application

apostasy

1: an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith2: abandonment of a previous loyalty : DEFECTIONExamples of apostasy in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebOnly a heretic could so do, and they can be burned for apostasy.

combustion

1: an act or instance of burningSmoke is produced during combustion.2: a usually rapid chemical process (such as oxidation) that produces heat and usually lightThe carburetor mixes fuel with air for combustion.also : a slower oxidation (as in the body)3: violent agitation : TUMULT... periods of great social combustion alternating with quiescence ...— Kurt AndersenOther Words from

collision

1: an act or instance of colliding : CLASH2: an encounter between particles (such as atoms or molecules) resulting in exchange or transformation of energy The car was destroyed in the collision.

alimony

1: an allowance made to one spouse by the other for support pending or after legal separation or divorce2: the means of living : MAINTENANCEDeductions will still be allowed for alimony paid as a result of agreements signed in 2018 and before, and such payments will still be taxable to recipients.— WSJ, "WSJ Tax Guide 2019: Alimony Payments," 15 Feb. 2019And ex-spouses who receive alimony are no longer required to claim it as income.

catapult

1: an ancient military device for hurling missiles2: a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)catapult verbcatapulted; catapulting; catapultsDefinition of catapult (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to throw or launch by or as if by a catapultintransitive verb : to become catapultedhe catapulted to fame

chauvinist

1: an attitude of superiority toward members of the opposite sexmale chauvinismalso : behavior expressive of such an attitude2: undue partiality or attachment to a group or place to which one belongs or has belongedregional chauvinism3: excessive or blind patriotism— compare JINGOISMhis fervent nationalism mutated into blatant chauvinism— Elizabeth Fuller

behest

1: an authoritative order : COMMANDThe meeting was called at the senator's behest.2: an urgent promptingAt the behest of her friends, she read the poem aloud.

benefice

1: an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attached2: a feudal estate in lands : FIEF

anachronism

1: an error in chronologyespecially : a chronological misplacing of persons, events, objects, or customs in regard to each otherfound several anachronisms in the movie2: a person or a thing that is chronologically out of placeespecially : one from a former age that is incongruous in the presentBy the time I reached my teens, the housewife was an anachronism, replaced on television by the perky, glamorous, character of That Girl, Marlo Thomas, who kept her boyfriend at bay in the interest of pursuing her acting career.— Joyce Maynard3: the state or condition of being chronologically out of place

autopsy

1: an examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death or the character and extent of changes produced by disease— called also necropsy 2: a critical examination, evaluation, or assessment of someone or something past

archipelago

1: an expanse of water with many scattered islands2: a group of islands3: something resembling an archipelagoespecially : a group or scattering of similar thingsan archipelago of small parks within the city

allusion

1: an implied or indirect reference especially in literaturea poem that makes allusions to classical literaturealso : the use of such references2: the act of making an indirect reference to something : the act of alluding to something

burgher

1: an inhabitant of a borough or a town2: a member of the middle class : a prosperous solid citizen

asylum

1: an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors : SANCTUARY2: a place of retreat and security : SHELTER3a: the protection or security afforded by an asylum : REFUGEb: protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying freedom from what is required by law for most people4somewhat old-fashioned : an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill

chattel

1: an item of tangible movable or immovable property except real estate and things (such as buildings) connected with real property2: SLAVE, BONDMANslaveholders who were determined to hold on to their human chattel

brigadier

1: an officer in the British army commanding a brigade and ranking immediately below a major general2: BRIGADIER GENERALExamples of brigadier in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebAndrew attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and would go on to serve in the military for 34 years, eventually rising to the position of brigadier.

assessor

1: an official who assists a judge or magistrate2: one that assessesespecially : an official who assesses property for taxationExamples of assessor in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebIts current value, according to the Cook County assessor's office, is about $50 million — a decline of two-thirds in only five years.

aperture

1: an opening or open space : HOLEentered the cave through a narrow aperture2a: the opening in a photographic lens that admits the lightb: the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrumentc: the diameter of the objective lens or mirror of a telescope

amphitheater

1: an oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats ranged about an open space and used in ancient Rome especially for contests and spectacles2a: a very large auditoriumb: a room with a gallery from which doctors and students may observe surgical operationsc: a rising gallery in a modern theaterd: a flat or gently sloping area surrounded by abrupt slopes3: a place of public entertainment (as for games or concerts)

chameleon

1: any of a family (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly arboreal (see ARBOREAL sense 2) Old World lizards with prehensile (see PREHENSILE sense 1) tail, independently movable eyeballs, and unusual ability to change the color of the skin2a: a person who often changes his or her beliefs or behavior in order to please others or to succeedShe's a political chameleon.b: one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearanceTourmaline is the chameleon of the gem kingdom because it can assume virtually any color.3: AMERICAN CHAMELEON

anthropoid

1: any of a suborder (Anthropoidea) of higher primates (such as macaques and marmosets)especially : APE sense 1a2: a person resembling an apethe howling anthropoids of the Hookworm Belt— H. L. Mencken

blasé

1: apathetic to pleasure or excitement as a result of excessive indulgence or enjoyment : WORLD-WEARYa blasé travelerblasé about one's hometown2: SOPHISTICATED, WORLDLY-WISE3: UNCONCERNEDhis blasé reaction to losing the match

afire

1: being on fire : BLAZING2: being in a state of great excitement or energyher music set the audience afire

affable

1: being pleasant and at ease in talking to othersan affable host2: characterized by ease and friendlinessan affable manner

avid

1: characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit : very eager and enthusiasticavid readers/fansan avid golfer2: desirous to the point of greed : urgently eager : GREEDYavid for publicity/success

anxious

1: characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency : WORRIEDanxious parents2: characterized by, resulting from, or causing anxiety : WORRYINGThey spent an anxious night.3: ardently or earnestly wishingShe was anxious to learn more.

amphibious

1: combining two characteristics2a: relating to or adapted for both land and wateramphibious vehiclesb: executed by coordinated action of land, sea, and air forces organized for invasionan amphibious landingalso : trained or organized for such actionamphibious forces3: able to live both on land and in wateramphibious plants

adventitious

1: coming from another source and not inherent or innatea Federal house without adventitious later additionsadventitious influences2: arising or occurring sporadically or in other than the usual locationadventitious roots

anthropocentric

1: considering human beings as the most significant entity of the universe2: interpreting or regarding the world in terms of human values and experiences

alcoholism

1: continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks2a: a chronic, a progressive, potentially fatal disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addictionNOTE: Alcoholism is typically characterized by the inability to control alcoholic drinking, impairment of the ability to work and socialize, tendency to drink alone and engage in violent behavior, neglect of physical appearance and proper nutrition, alcohol-related illness (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver), and moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms (such as irritability, anxiety, tremors, insomnia, and confusion) upon detoxification. b: acute alcohol poisoning resulting from the usually rapid consumption of excessive alcoholic beverages

baleful

1: deadly or pernicious in influencebaleful effects2: foreboding or threatening evilgave him a baleful look

chicanery

1: deception by artful subterfuge or sophistry : TRICKERYHe wasn't above using chicanery to win votes.2: a piece of sharp practice (as at law) : TRICKresorted to political chicaneriesfinancial chicaneries

breadth

1: distance from side to side : WIDTHthe height, breadth, and depth of each piece of furniture2: something of full widthbegin with a breadth of silk3a: comprehensive quality : SCOPEthe breadth of his learningb: liberality of views or tastebreadth of mind

circumlocution

1: the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an ideahad no patience with diplomatic circumlocutions2: evasion in speechcircumlocutions concerning what constitutes torture

augury

1: divination from auspices (see AUSPICE sense 3) or omensAncient augury involved the interpretation of the flight patterns of birds.also : an instance of this2: OMEN, PORTENT" ... the best augury of a man's success in his profession is that he thinks it the finest in the world."— George Eliot

arrogant

1: exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance often by an overbearing manneran arrogant official2: showing an offensive attitude of superiority : proceeding from or characterized by arrogancean arrogant reply

causal

1: expressing or indicating cause : CAUSATIVEa causal clause introduced by since2: of, relating to, or constituting a causethe causal agent of a disease3: involving causation or a cause : marked by cause and effecta causal linkevidence suggests that there is a strong causal relationship between an individual's experiences with his parents and his later capacity to make affectional bonds— G. A. Miller4: arising from a causea causal development

apolitical

1: having no interest or involvement in political affairsalso : having an aversion to politics or political affairs2: having no political significance

bilingual

1: having or expressed in two languagesa bilingual documentan officially bilingual nation2: using or able to use two languages especially with equal fluencybilingual in English and Japanese3: of or relating to bilingual education

archaic

1: having the characteristics of the language of the past and surviving chiefly in specialized usesan archaic wordNOTE: In this dictionary the label archaic is affixed to words and senses relatively common in earlier times but infrequently used in present-day English. 2: of, relating to, or characteristic of an earlier or more primitive time : ANTIQUATEDarchaic legal traditions3capitalized : of or belonging to the early or formative phases of a culture or a period of artistic developmentespecially : of or belonging to the period leading up to the classical period of Greek culture4: surviving from an earlier periodspecifically : typical of a previously dominant evolutionary stage5capitalized : of or relating to the period from about 8000 b.c. to 1000 b.c. and the North American cultures of that time

ado

1: heightened fuss or concern : TO-DOmuch ado about the need for reform2: time-wasting bother over trivial detailswrote the paper without further ado3: TROUBLE, DIFFICULTYThe journey itself is not described; our heroes disembark without ado at Philadelphia.— Anthony Lane

bibulous

1: highly absorbent2a: fond of alcoholic beveragesb: of, relating to, or marked by the consumption of alcoholic beverages special drying cloths that are so bibulous that they can absorb 10 times their weight in water a campaign to make the bibulous fraternity brother a collegiate archetype of the past

betimes

1: in good time : EARLY2archaic : in a short time : SPEEDILY3: at times : OCCASIONALLY

clement

1: inclined to be merciful : LENIENTa clement judge2: MILDclement weather for this time of year

belligerent

1: inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness2: waging warspecifically : belonging to or recognized as a state at war and protected by and subject to the laws of warDespite their impressive canopies, ficus are susceptible to limb failure, and their particularly belligerent roots warp and buckle sidewalks.

chaste

1: innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse2: CELIBATEMonks lead a chaste life.3: pure in thought and act : MODESTwas sincerely trying to be chaste4a: severely simple in design or execution : AUSTEREchaste classicismthe pure, chaste lines of ancient Greek buildingsb: CLEAN, SPOTLESS

asunder

1: into partstorn asunder2: apart from each other... he staggered away, with his legs very wide asunder.— Charles Dickens

apathy

1: lack of feeling or emotion : IMPASSIVENESSdrug abuse leading to apathy and depression2: lack of interest or concern : INDIFFERENCEpolitical apathySynonyms & Antony

artless

1: lacking art, knowledge, or skill : UNCULTUREDan artless brute2a: made without skill : CRUDEan artless attempt to win votesb: free from artificiality : NATURALartless grace3: free from guile or craft : sincerely simplean artless young woman

blithe

1: lacking due thought or consideration : CASUAL, HEEDLESSblithe unconcerna blithe disregard for the rights of others2: of a happy lighthearted character or dispositiona blithe spiritblithe enjoyment

asexual

1: lacking sex or functional sex organsasexual plants2a: involving or reproducing by reproductive processes (such as cell division, spore formation, fission (see FISSION entry 1 sense 2), or budding (see BUD entry 2 sense intransitive 3)) that do not involve the union of individuals or gametesasexual reproductionan asexual generationb: produced by asexual reproductionasexual spores3a: not involving, involved with, or relating to sex : devoid of sexualityan asexual relationshipb: not having sexual feelings toward others : not experiencing sexual desire or attractionIn general, an asexual person does not feel or otherwise experience any sexual attraction, according to The Asexual Visibility & Education Network (AVEN). Basically, it is an inborn absence of sexual desire.— Lindsay E. Mack4: not having or showing a particular sexual identity : neither male nor female... parents who first encounter the world of Pokemon through their youngsters may have no idea what this land of soft, rounded, asexual creatures is or what drives it.— Vince Horiuchi

amenable

1: liable to be brought to account : ANSWERABLEcitizens amenable to the law2a: capable of submission (as to judgment or test) : SUITEDThe data is amenable to analysis.b: readily brought to yield, submit, or cooperatea government not amenable to changec: WILLING sense 1was amenable to spending more time at home

bountiful

1: liberal or generous in bestowing gifts or favors2: given or provided abundantlya bountiful harvest

ancestry

1: line of descent : LINEAGEespecially : honorable, noble, or aristocratic descent2: persons initiating or comprising a line of descent : ANCESTORS

carnal

1a: relating to or given to crude bodily pleasures and appetitesgluttony and other carnal activitiesb: marked by sexualitycarnal love2: BODILY, CORPOREALseen with carnal eyes3a: TEMPORALcarnal weaponsthe superiority of the spiritual and eternal over the carnal— H. O. Taylorb: WORLDLYa carnal mind

anesthesia

1: loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousnessThe patient was given intravenous medication to induce anesthesia.... doctors freeze the tumor with little coils filled with liquid nitrogen that are inserted in the prostate under anesthesia.— Andy GroveAwareness during anesthesia is a serious complication with potential long-term psychological consequences.— Michael S. Avidan et al.We often radiograph dogs when they are under anesthesia for spaying or neutering or other routine procedures.— Bonnie Wilcox— see also GENERAL ANESTHESIA, LOCAL ANESTHESIA2: an agent that produces anesthesia : ANESTHETICA capnometer measures the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, thereby insuring that the tubes bringing oxygen and anesthesia to the patient are properly placed.— Lisa BelkinShe was still groggy from her anesthesia, and she had an I.V. tube in her arm.— The New YorkerThese substances [=endorphins], which have been identified in recent years through research on brain chemistry, act as a natural anesthesia that can lessen extreme pain.— Norman CousinsExamples of anesthesia in a Sentence The patient was given an injection to induce anesthesia.

booming

1: making a loud deep soundhis booming voice2: growing or expanding very quicklya booming business3: forcefully or powerfully executedhit a booming serve

captious

1: marked by an often ill-natured inclination to stress faults and raise objectionscaptious criticsa captious rivalry2: calculated to confuse, entrap, or entangle in argumenta captious question

agile

1: marked by ready ability to move with quick easy gracean agile dancer2: having a quick resourceful and adaptable characteran agile mind

brusque

1: markedly short and abrupta brusque reply2: blunt in manner or speech often to the point of ungracious harshnesswas brusque with the customers

chivalry

1: mounted men-at-arms... the eleven kings with their chivalry never turned back ...— Thomas Malory2archaica: martial (see MARTIAL sense 1) valorb: knightly skill3: gallant or distinguished gentlemen... Belgium's capital had gathered then her beauty and her chivalry ...— Lord Byron4: the system, spirit, or customs of medieval knighthoodbut Lancelot on him urged all the devisings of their chivalry— Alfred Tennyson5: the qualities of the ideal knight : chivalrous conductchivalry demanded of him that he be conspicuous through his gallant, courteous, and generous behavior— H. W. Van Loon

bona fide

1: neither specious nor counterfeit : GENUINEhas become a bona fide celebrity2: made with earnest intent : SINCEREa bona fide proposal3law : made in good faith without fraud or deceita bona fide offer to buy a farm

blatant

1: noisy especially in a vulgar or offensive manner : CLAMOROUS2: completely obvious, conspicuous, or obtrusive especially in a crass or offensive manner : BRAZENblatant disregard for the rules

atypical

1: not typical : IRREGULAR, UNUSUALan atypical form of a diseaseatypical weather for this area2medical : relating to or being an antipsychotic drug (such as risperidone) that tends to produce fewer adverse side effects on movement (such as dyskinesia) than previously used antipsychotic drugs (such as haloperidol)Atypical antipsychotics work more precisely, manipulating both dopamine and serotonin and suppressing symptoms without causing so many associated problems.— Jeffrey Kluger

biennial

1: occurring every two yearsa biennial celebration2: continuing or lasting for two yearsspecifically, of a plant : growing vegetatively during the first year and fruiting and dying during the secondBiennial herbs flower in their second year.

apocryphal

1: of doubtful authenticity : SPURIOUSan apocryphal story about George Washington2often capitalized : of or resembling the ApocryphaApocryphal books of the Old Testament

choral

1: of or relating to a chorus or choira choral group2: sung or designed for singing by a choira choral arrangement

bucolic

1: of or relating to shepherds or herdsmen : PASTORAL2a: relating to or typical of rural lifeb: IDYLLIC

antediluvian

1: of or relating to the period before the flood described in the Bible2a: made, evolved, or developed a long time agoan antediluvian automobilethat antediluvian relic known as a slide ruleb: extremely primitive or outmodedan antediluvian prejudiceantediluvian in his politics

beatific

1: of, possessing, or imparting beatitude2: having a blissful appearancea beatific smile

baconian

1: of, relating to, or characteristic of Francis Bacon or his doctrines2: of or relating to those who believe that Francis Bacon wrote the works usually attributed to Shakespeare

astral

1: of, relating to, or coming from the starsastral influencesunusual astral occurrences2: of or relating to a mitotic or meiotic aster3: of or consisting of a supersensible substance held in theosophy to be next above the tangible world in refinement4a: VISIONARYb: elevated in station or position : EXALTED

authoritarian

1: of, relating to, or favoring blind submission to authorityhad authoritarian parents2: of, relating to, or favoring a concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to the peoplean authoritarian regime

arboreal

1: of, relating to, or resembling a tree2: inhabiting or frequenting treesarboreal monkeys

churlish

1: of, resembling, or characteristic of a churl : VULGAR2: marked by a lack of civility or graciousness : SURLYhe didn't like the churlish tone in his voice— Margaret Trumanoutrage is among your more churlish emotions— Robert GoldsboroughIt would be churlish not to congratulate her.3: difficult to work with or deal with : INTRACTABLEchurlish soil

awry

1: off the correct or expected course : AMISSTheir plans went awry.2: in a turned or twisted position or direction : ASKEWHis wig was put on all awry, with the tail straggling about his neck.— Charles Dickens

afoot

1: on foot2: in the process of development : UNDERWAYa plan is afoot to build a new school

caste

1: one of the hereditary social classes in Hinduism that restrict the occupation of their members and their association with the members of other castes2a: a division of society based on differences of wealth, inherited rank or privilege, profession, occupation, or raceb: the position conferred by caste standing : PRESTIGEart and religion have lost caste— F. L. Baumer3: a system of rigid social stratification characterized by hereditary status, endogamy, and social barriers sanctioned by custom, law, or religion4: a specialized form (such as the worker of an ant or bee) of a polymorphic social insect that carries out a particular function in the colonysoldier castes for fighting enemy ants

apostle

1: one sent on a mission: such asa: one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paulb: the first prominent Christian missionary to a region or groupSt. Boniface, the Apostle of Germany2a: a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or systemb: an ardent supporter : ADHERENTapostles of high technology3: the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations4: one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men

antichrist

1: one who denies or opposes Christspecifically : a great antagonist expected to fill the world with wickedness but to be conquered forever by Christ at his second coming2—used in an exaggerated way to describe a person regarded as a powerful and malevolent adversary —usually used with theWith time this contrast hardened into hacker iconography. Gates was the anti-Christ, a man whose corporate stranglehold on the software industry had left it awash in ugly products.— Robert Wright

amateur

1: one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a professionShe played soccer as an amateur before turning professional.a tournament that is open to both amateurs and professionals2: one lacking in experience and competence in an art or scienceThe people running that company are a bunch of amateurs.He's a mere amateur when it comes to cooking.3: DEVOTEE, ADMIRERI am a philologist or amateur of the language ...— Phillip Howard

apothecary

1: one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes2: PHARMACY

apparent

1: open to view : VISIBLEThe changes were readily apparent.2: clear or manifest to the understandingfor reasons that are apparent3: appearing as actual to the eye or mindwas in apparent danger4: manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be factually validdied of an apparent heart attackThe air of spontaneity is perhaps more apparent than real.— J. R. Sutherland5law : having an indefeasible right to succeed to a title or estate

artful

1: performed with or showing art or skillan artful performance on the violin2a: using or characterized by art and skill : DEXTEROUSan artful prose stylistb: adroit in attaining an end usually by insinuating or indirect means : WILYan artful cross-examiner3: ARTIFICIALtrim walks and artful bowers— William Wordsworth

comely

1: pleasurably conforming to notions of good appearance, suitability, or proportionGoing in with him, they observed that all was neat and comely ...— Willa Cather2: having a pleasing appearance : not homely or plaina comely young woman

ascetic

1: practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual disciplinean ascetic monkan ascetic diet2: austere in appearance, manner, or attitude

beneficial

1: producing good results or helpful effects : conferring benefits (see BENEFIT entry 1 sense 1)the beneficial effects of regular exerciseinsects that are beneficial to your garden2: receiving or entitling one to receive advantage, use, or benefita beneficial owner of securitiesa beneficial interest in an estate

apartheid

1: racial segregationspecifically : a former policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in the Republic of South Africa2: SEPARATION, SEGREGATIONcultural apartheidgender apartheidExamples of apartheid in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe Daily Show host recounts a childhood growing up in Soweto township during the last days of apartheid South Africa.

akin

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

asperity

1: roughness of manner or of temper : harshness of behavior or speech that expresses bitterness or angerHe asked with some asperity just what they were implying.2: RIGOR, SEVERITY... whether hearing herself described as a 'lovely woman' softened the asperity of her grief ...— Charles Dickens3a: roughness of surface : UNEVENNESSalso : a tiny projection from a surfacethe asperities of the tongueb: roughness of sound

bashful

1: socially shy or timid : DIFFIDENT, SELF-CONSCIOUSHe was bashful as a child.2: resulting from or typical of a bashful naturea bashful smile

anomaly

1: something different, abnormal, peculiar, or not easily classified : something anomalousThey regarded the test results as an anomaly.2: deviation from the common rule : IRREGULARITY3: the angular distance of a planet from its perihelion as seen from the sun"In approximately 10% of patients, autism can be explained by genetic syndromes and known chromosomal anomalies (most of which have recognizable features in addition to autism) ...

adjunct

1: something joined or added to another thing but not essentially a part of itThe website is designed as an adjunct to the book.3a: an associate or assistant of anotherb: an adjunct faculty member at a college or university (see ADJUNCT entry 2 sense 2)1: added or joined as an accompanying object or circumstance2: attached in a subordinate or temporary capacity to a staffan adjunct professor

amenity

1: something that helps to provide comfort, convenience, or enjoymenthotels with modern amenitiesproviding residents with the basic amenities2usually amenities : something (such as a conventional social gesture) that promotes smoothness or pleasantness in social relationshipsmaintaining social amenities3a: the quality of being pleasant or agreeableb(1): the attractiveness and value of real estate or of a residential structure(2): a feature conducive to such attractiveness and value

adhesion

1: steady or firm attachment : ADHERENCE2: the action or state of adhering3: the abnormal union of separate tissue surfaces by new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory processalso : the newly formed uniting tissue4: agreement to joinadhesion of all nations to a copyright convention5: the molecular attraction exerted between the surfaces of bodies in contact

actionable

1: subject to or affording ground for an action or suit at law2: capable of being acted onactionable information

calculable

1: subject to or ascertainable by calculation2: that may be counted on : DEPENDABLECertainty became fully calculable, knowledge of the future knowable in the present.

carnivorous

1: subsisting or feeding on animal tissues2of a plant : subsisting on nutrients obtained from the breakdown of animal protoplasm (as of insects)3: of or relating to the carnivores4: RAPACIOUS

avuncular

1: suggestive of an uncle especially in kindliness or genialityavuncular indulgenceJovial and avuncular, the President's chief of staff seems oblivious to the pressures that accompany what is arguably the second most powerful job in the land.— Craig Unger2: of or relating to an uncleTwo weeks of poker had led to his writing to his uncle a distressed, but confident, request for more funds; and the avuncular foot had come down with a joyous bang.— P. G. Wodehouse

attainment

1: the act of attaining something : the condition of being attainedShe values educational attainment above all else.2: something attained : ACCOMPLISHMENTHis scientific attainments are well known.

coincidence

1: the act or condition of coinciding : CORRESPONDENCE... a perfect coincidence between truth and goodness ...— Robert South2: the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection... causal connection requires something more than mere coincidence as to time and place ...— Wayne R. LaFavealso : any of these occurrences

alteration

1: the act or process of altering somethingThe dress needs alteration for a proper fit.: the state of being altered2: the result of changing or altering something: such asa: a change made in fitting a garmentno charge for alterationsb: a change in a legal instrument that alters its legal effectShe made some alterations to her will.c: a mineral that has been altered by a chemical process : METASOMATISM

choreography

1: the art of symbolically representing dancing2a: the composition and arrangement of dances especially for balletb: a composition created by this art3: something resembling choreographya snail-paced choreography of delicate high diplomacy— Wolfgang Saxon

autocracy

1: the authority or rule of an autocrat2: government in which one person possesses unlimited power3: a community or state governed by autocracy, "the Magna Carta is historically important because it signified the British rejection of autocracy and constituted the first formal restraining of the power of the monarch

brokerage

1: the business or establishment of a broker2: a broker's fee or commissionExamples of brokerage in a Sentence one of the country's largest brokerages She works for a brokerage firm.

anode

1: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which oxidation occurs: such asa: the positive terminal of an electrolytic cellb: the negative terminal of a galvanic cell2: the electron-collecting electrode of an electron tubebroadly : the positive electrode of a diode— compare CATHODE "Because a mix of the gases can explode, today's most common setups separate the anode and cathode with a thick, porous plastic sheet.— Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "Next generation water splitter could help renewables power the globe," 10 Mar. 2020The anode is a nanocomposite material that contains an enzyme that breaks down lactic acid.

cathode

1: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction occurs:a: the negative terminal of an electrolytic cellb: the positive terminal of a galvanic cell2: the electron-emitting electrode of an electron tubebroadly : the negative electrode of a diode— compare ANODEThe lithium-cobalt-oxide cathode is the positive side of the LI battery.— John Pearley Huffman, Car and Driver, "John Goodenough Made the Modern EV Possible," 31 May 2020European players, including Belgian materials technology company Umicore N.V. and German chemical company BASF SE, make battery materials from catalysts to cathodes.— Richard Weiss, Bloomberg.com, "Europe Floors It in the Race to Dominate Car Batteries," 29 Oct. 2019

allegory

1: the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existencea writer known for his use of allegoryalso : an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expressionThe poem is an allegory of love and jealousy.2: a symbolic representation : EMBLEM sense 2

amplitude

1: the extent or range of a quality, property, process, or phenomenon: such asa: the extent of a vibratory movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the mean position to an extremeb: the maximum departure of the value of an alternating current or wave from the average value2: extent of dignity, excellence, or splendor3: the quality or state of being ample : FULLNESS, ABUNDANCE... the long unerring lines, the sweep and amplitude of the great artist's stroke ...— Edith Wharton4mathematics : the angle assigned to a complex number when it is plotted in a complex plane using polar coordinates— called also argument — compare ABSOLUTE VALUE sense 25: the height achieved on a jump by a snowboarder, skateboarder, skier, etc." ... a lot of my strength in snowboarding is my amplitude ... "— Shaun White

carnage

1: the flesh of slain animals or humansa multitude of dogs came to feast on the carnage— T. B. Macaulay2: great and usually bloody slaughter or injury (as in battle)the carnage of war

bibliography

1: the history, identification, or description of writings or publications2a: a list often with descriptive or critical notes of writings relating to a particular subject, period, or authora bibliography of modern poetryb: a list of works written by an author or printed by a publishing housecompiled a complete bibliography of John Donne3: the works or a list of the works referred to in a text or consulted by the author in its productionThe book's bibliography contains over 400 items.

assonance

1a: relatively close juxtaposition of similar sounds especially of vowels (as in "rise high in the bright sky")b: repetition of vowels without repetition of consonants (as in stony and holy) used as an alternative to rhyme in verse2: resemblance of sound in words or syllables

avatar

1: the incarnation of a Hindu deity (such as Vishnu)2a: an incarnation in human formb: an embodiment (as of a concept or philosophy) often in a personShe was regarded as an avatar of charity and concern for the poor.3: a variant phase or version of a continuing basic entitythe latest avatar of the conservative movement4: an electronic image that represents and may be manipulated by a computer user (as in a game)

archetype

1: the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies : PROTOTYPE... the House of Commons, the archetype of all the representative assemblies which now meet ...— Thomas Babington Macaulayalso : a perfect exampleHe is the archetype of a successful businessman.2: IDEA sense 4c3psychology : an inherited idea or mode of thought in the psychology of C. G. Jung that is derived from the experience of the race and is present in the unconscious of the individual

circumference

1: the perimeter of a circleThe circle measures 22 inches in circumference.2: the external boundary or surface of a figure or object : PERIPHERYfrom the center to the circumference of the sphereOther Words from circumference

advent

1: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting2a: the coming of Christ at the Incarnation (see INCARNATION sense 3b(1))b: SECOND COMING3not capitalized : a coming into being or usethe advent of springthe advent of pasteurizationthe advent of personal computers

apogee

1: the point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earthalso : the point farthest from a planet or a satellite (such as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it— compare PERIGEE2: the farthest or highest point : CULMINATIONAegean civilization reached its apogee in Crete.

ampere

1: the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electric current that is equivalent to a flow of one coulomb per second or to the steady current produced by one volt applied across a resistance of one ohm2: the base unit of electric current in the International System of Units that is equal to a constant current which when maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite length and negligible circular sections one meter apart in a vacuum produces between the conductors a force equal to 2 × 10−7 newton per meter of length a current of 15 amperes

avidity

1: the quality or state of being avid:a: keen eagernessb: consuming greed2: AFFINITY sense 2b(2), an advanced case of avidity that led to shoplifting at the tender age of 13 in her avidity to express her opinions, she frequently and unthinkingly interrupts people

brotherhood

1: the quality or state of being brothers2: FELLOWSHIP, ALLIANCE3: an association (such as a labor union or monastic society) for a particular purpose4: the whole body of persons engaged in a business or profession

callosity

1: the quality or state of being callous: such asa: marked or abnormal hardness and thicknessb: lack of feeling or capacity for emotion2: CALLUS sense 1

chastity

1: the quality or state of being chaste: such asa: abstention from unlawful sexual intercourseb: abstention from all sexual intercourseThe priest took a vow of chastity.c: purity in conduct and intentionsought to protect her threatened chastityd: restraint and simplicity in design or expression... describes the familiar campaigns with an admirable chastity of diction.— Richard Brookhiser2: personal integrity

anthropology

1: the science of human beingsespecially : the study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture2: theology dealing with the origin, nature, and destiny of human beings

chronology

1: the science that deals with measuring time by regular divisions and that assigns to events their proper dates2: a chronological table, list, or accounta chronology of the author's works3: an arrangement (as of events) in order of occurrencereconstruct the chronology of the tripThe book provides a chronology of events leading up to the American Civil War.

archaeology

1: the scientific study of material remains (such as tools, pottery, jewelry, stone walls, and monuments) of past human life and activities2: remains of the culture of a people : ANTIQUITIESthe archaeology of the Incas

assurance

1: the state of being assured: such asa: a being certain in the mindthe puritan's assurance of salvationb: confidence of mind or manner : easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertaintyspoke with assurance about his future plansalso : excessive self-confidence : BRASHNESS, PRESUMPTIONc: SECURITY2: something that inspires or tends to inspire confidencegave repeated assurances of goodwill3: the act or action of assuring someone or something: such asa: PLEDGE, GUARANTEEYou have my solemn assurance that it is true.b: the act of conveying real property (see REAL entry 1 sense 2)also : the instrument (see INSTRUMENT entry 1 sense 5) by which it is conveyedcchiefly British : INSURANCE

arrear

1: the state of being behind in the discharge of obligations —usually used in pluralThey were in arrears with the rent. [=they had failed to pay the rent when it was due]2a: an unfinished duty —usually used in pluralarrears of work that have piled upb: an unpaid and overdue debt —usually used in pluralpaying off the arrears of the past several monthsExamples of arrear in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebChina appears to be up to date in its payments; there are no amounts in arrears from prior years on WHO's report.

certitude

1: the state of being or feeling certain2: certainty of act or event3: something that is certain : CERTAINTYIn the United States, death is feared ... . Though it is a certitude that we all must deal with someday ...— Anne M. Johnson

bondage

1: the tenure or service of a villein, serf, or slave2: a state of being bound usually by compulsion (as of law or mastery): such asa: CAPTIVITY, SERFDOMb: servitude or subjugation to a controlling person or forceyoung people in bondage to drugs3: sadomasochistic sexual practices involving the physical restraint of one partner

bodice

1: the upper part of a woman's dress2archaic : CORSET, STAYSInstead of heavy breathing and heaving bodices, this adaptation owes more to the pointillism of Wes Anderson, with its dioramic compositions, brightly colored symmetries, and fishbowl sets.

alluvion

1: the wash or flow of water against a shore2: FLOOD, INUNDATION3: ALLUVIUM4: an accession to land by the gradual addition of matter (as by deposit of alluvium) that then belongs to the owner of the land to which it is addedalso : the land so added the nonstop torrential rains were threatening to produce an alluvion of biblical proportions

allocate

1: to apportion for a specific purpose or to particular persons or things : DISTRIBUTEallocate tasks among human and automated components2: to set apart or earmark : DESIGNATEallocate a section of the building for special research purposes

calibrate

1: to ascertain the caliber of (something)2: to determine, rectify, or mark the graduations of (something, such as a thermometer tube)3: to standardize (something, such as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors4: to adjust precisely for a particular functioncalibrate a thermometer5: to measure preciselycarefully calibrate the dosage of a medicineespecially : to measure against a standard

allege

1: to assert without proof or before provinga report alleging that the company deliberately overcharged its customersShe is alleged to have stolen more than $50,000 over the course of several years.2: to bring forward as a reason or excuse

allot

1: to assign as a share or portionallot 10 minutes for the speech2: to distribute by or as if by lotallot seats to the pressOther Words from allot

assail

1: to attack violently : ASSAULTThe military has for years been developing offensive capabilities, giving it the power not just to defend the US but to assail its foes.— James Bamford2: to encounter, undertake, or confront energeticallyWhen a lazy man does make up his mind to assail a piece of work, he is like a dog with a bone.— P. G. Wodehouse3: to oppose, challenge, or criticize harshly and forcefullya proposal assailed by critics... it is evident that Khrushchev was in trouble at home. The Chinese had also begun to assail him for being soft on the imperialists.— Alexander Darlin4a: to trouble or afflict in a manner that threatens to overwhelma man assailed by doubts/fears... but now a terrible fear began to assail me.— Bram StokerMany diseases stemming from bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections can assail human as well as canine systems.— Tom Ewingb: to be perceived by (a person, a person's senses, etc.) in a strongly noticeable and usually unpleasant wayHere, too, is brought ... all the waste stuff of the nation—everything that is subject to rot, and that can add to the foul stench that assails our nostrils.— Edgar Rice Burroughs

arraign

1: to call (a defendant) before a court to answer to an indictment : CHARGE2: to accuse of wrong, inadequacy, or imperfectionSloss was arraigned on Feb. 17 and has a bond set at $1 million, according to court records.— Ben Tobin, The Courier-Journal, "2 LMPD officers charged with failing to help domestic violence victim before murder," 22 May 2020She was arraigned Wednesday and appointed a public defender, a state courts database shows.

bedeck

1: to clothe with finery : DECK2: DECORATE sense 2bedecked the house with hundreds of miniature lights for the party the ladies arrived bedecked in furs

coerce

1: to compel to an act or choicewas coerced into agreeingabusers who coerce their victims into silence2: to achieve by force or threatcoerce compliancecoerce obedience3: to restrain or dominate by forcereligion in the past has tried to coerce the irreligious— W. R. Inge

avow

1: to declare assuredlyShe avowed her innocence.2: to declare openly, bluntly, and without shameever ready to avow his reactionary outlook

annul

1: to declare or make legally invalid or voidwants the marriage annulledHis title to the estate was annulled.2: to reduce to nothing : OBLITERATE3: to make ineffective or inoperative : NEUTRALIZEannul a drug's effect

aver

1: to declare positivelyMr. Murray avers that many large organizations in the private sector are run by curmudgeons like him ...— Joseph Epstein2lawa: to verify or prove to be true in pleading a causeb: to allege or assert in pleading

bereave

1: to deprive of something —usually used with ofMadam, you have bereft me of all words ...— William Shakespeare2: to take away (a valued or necessary possession) especially by forcenews of a death in the family bereaved them of the unmitigated joy that normally prevails at a wedding

assess

1: to determine the rate or amount of (something, such as a tax, charge, or fine)2a: to impose (something, such as a tax) according to an established rateb: to subject to a tax, charge, or levyEvery homeowner will be assessed a tax according to the value of the property.3: to make an official valuation of (property) for the purposes of taxationTheir property is assessed at $200,000.4: to determine the importance, size, or value ofassess a problemassess the damage5sports : to charge (a player or team) with a foul or penalty

adorn

1: to enhance the appearance of especially with beautiful objectsadorned the wall with her paintings2: to enliven or decorate as if with ornamentspeople of fashion who adorned the Court

bemoan

1: to express deep grief or distress overbemoan the death of their leader2: to regard with displeasure, disapproval, or regretbemoaning the lack of civility in modern political discourse

ascertain

1: to find out or learn with certaintyascertain the truthtrying to ascertain the cause of the fireinformation that can be easily ascertained on the Internet2archaic : to make certain, exact, or precise

adumbrate

1: to foreshadow vaguely : INTIMATEthe social unrest that adumbrated the French Revolution2: to suggest, disclose, or outline partiallyadumbrate a plan3: OVERSHADOW, OBSCUREbubbling optimism, not at all adumbrated by difficulties

begrudge

1: to give or concede reluctantly or with displeasurebegrudge moneybegrudged the weeks spent away from home2: to look upon with disapproval or envybegrudge their rivals' success

bequeath

1: to give or leave by will (see WILL entry 2 sense 1) —used especially of personal propertya ring bequeathed to her by her grandmother2: to hand down : TRANSMITlessons bequeathed to future generations

aggrieve

1: to give pain or trouble to : DISTRESS2: to inflict injury onSanders' supporters have every right to be aggrieved at Warren subsequently issuing the code red.— Libby Watson, The New Republic, "Let Them Fight!," 16 Jan. 2020Asked about the credibility of some of the testimonies, Lau said the commission will hear from anyone who feels aggrieved by Cicig.

assuage

1: to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses) : EASEunable to assuage their grief2: PACIFY, QUIET... vainly strove ... to assuage an implacable foe ...— Edward Gibbon3: to put an end to by satisfying : APPEASE, QUENCHassuaging his thirst

bemuse

1: to make confused : PUZZLE, BEWILDER2: to occupy the attention of : DISTRACT, ABSORBhas bemused audiences around the world3: to cause to have feelings of wry or tolerant amusementseems truly bemused that people beyond his circle in Seattle would be interested in his ruminations

aggrandize

1: to make great or greater : INCREASE, ENLARGEaggrandize an estate2: to make appear great or greater : praise highly3: to enhance the power, wealth, position, or reputation ofexploited the situation to aggrandize himself

beatify

1: to make supremely happy2Christianity : to declare to have attained the blessedness of heaven and authorize the title "Blessed" and limited public religious honorShe was beatified six years after her death.Sheen, who before his death in 1979 was famous for his radio and TV preaching, had been scheduled to be beatified — the last step before sainthood — in a ceremony in Peoria on Dec. 21.— Washington Post, "Catholic dioceses spar over Archbishop Sheen sainthood," 12 Dec. 2019Pope John Paul II -- who in 1979 became the first pontiff to visit Mexico -- beatified then canonized Diego as a saint.— Laura Rodríguez, chicagotribune.com, "Why 200,000 people travel each December on foot, by horse and even semitruck to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines," 11 Dec. 2019These example sente

aggravate

1: to make worse, more serious, or more severe : to intensify unpleasantlyproblems have been aggravated by neglect2a: to rouse to displeasure or anger by usually persistent and often petty goadingwere aggravated by the noise and trafficb: to produce inflammation in

befuddle

1: to muddle or stupefy with or as if with drink... befuddled with drink all the time.— Ellen Glasgow2: CONFUSE, PERPLEXa problem that still befuddles the experts

beget

1: to procreate as the father : SIREHe died without begetting an heir.2: to produce especially as an effect or outgrowthViolence only begets more violence.

arrange

1: to put into a proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence, relationship, or adjustmentarrange flowers in a vasearrange cards alphabetically2: to make preparations for : PLANarranged a reception for the visitor3a: to adapt (a musical composition) by scoring for voices or instruments other than those for which originally writtenb: ORCHESTRATE4: to bring about an agreement or understanding concerning : SETTLEarrange an exchange of war prisonersintransitive verb 1: to bring about an agreement or understandingShe arranged to have a table at the restaurant.2: to make preparations : PLANHe arranged for a vacation with his family.

aspire

1: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goalShe aspired to a career in medicine.2: ASCEND, SOAR

appraise

1: to set a value on : to estimate the amount ofappraise the damage2: to evaluate the worth, significance, or status ofespecially : to give an expert judgment of the value or merit ofappraise an actor's careerOther Words from appra

anoint

1: to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance2a: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremonyThe priest anointed the sick.b: to choose by or as if by divine electionanoint him as his successoralso : to designate as if by a ritual anointmentCritics have anointed her as an important new literary figure.

analyze

1: to study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts of (something) by analysis2: to subject to scientific or grammatical analysischemically analyze a specimenanalyze a sentence3: PSYCHOANALYZE

allay

1: to subdue or reduce in intensity or severity : ALLEVIATEexpect a breeze to allay the heat2: to make quiet : CALMtrying to allay their fearsintransitive verb obsolete : to diminish in strength : SUBSIDE

avenge

1: to take vengeance for or on behalf ofvowed to avenge their murdered father2: to exact satisfaction for (a wrong) by punishing the wrongdoerwas determined to avenge the assault, The brothers vowed to avenge the death of their father. They vowed to avenge their father by capturing and punishing his killer.

avert

1: to turn away or aside (the eyes, one's gaze, etc.) in avoidanceI found the sight so grotesque that I had to avert my eyes ...— John Gregory Dunne2: to see coming and ward off : AVOIDavert disaster

cede

1: to yield or grant typically by treatyRussia ceded Alaska to the U.S. in 1867.2: ASSIGN, TRANSFERceded his stock holdings to his children

candor

1: unreserved, honest, or sincere expression : FORTHRIGHTNESSthe candor with which he acknowledged a weakness in his own case— Aldous Huxley2: freedom from prejudice or malice : FAIRNESS... a heavy accusation ... from a gentleman of your talents, liberality, and candor.— Noah Webster3aliterary : BRIGHTNESS, BRILLIANCEthe sun poured with a more golden candor— Christoper Morleybobsolete : unstained purity4archaic : KINDLINESS

altruism

1: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of otherscharitable acts motivated purely by altruism2: behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species

apprehensive

1: viewing the future with anxiety or alarm : feeling or showing fear or apprehension about the future... many adults who do not think twice about the risks of driving an automobile are apprehensive about flying.— Henry Petroski2: capable of understanding or quick to do so : DISCERNING3: having awareness or knowledge of something : COGNIZANT

buxom

1: vigorously or healthily plumpa buxom warm friendly woman— Burl Ivesspecifically : full-bosomed2archaic : full of gaiety3obsoletea: OBEDIENT, TRACTABLEb: offering little resistance : FLEXIBLEwing silently the buxom air— John Milton

bacchanalian

1Bacchanalia plural : a Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, song, and revelry2a: ORGY sense 2b: ORGY sense 3, "Let's leave aside the implausibility of this bacchanalia.— David Segal, New York Times, "'Better Call Saul' Season 5, Episode 2 Recap: Down the Drain," 24 Feb. 2020Except for the politicians and the artists, the participants in that extended bacchanalia are forgotten today, and De Courcy is generally unsuccessful in bringing them back to life.

cataract

1[Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French catharacte, from Medieval Latin cataracta, from Latin, portcullis] : a clouding of the lens of the eye or of its surrounding transparent membrane that obstructs the passage of light2aobsolete : WATERSPOUTb: WATERFALLespecially : a large one over a precipicec: steep rapids in a riverthe cataracts of the Niled: DOWNPOUR, FLOODcataracts of raincataracts of information

acute

1a(1): characterized by sharpness or severity of sudden onsetacute pain(2): having a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short courseacute illness(3): being, providing, or requiring short-term medical care (as for serious illness or traumatic injury)acute hospitalsan acute patientb: lasting a short timeacute experiments2: ending in a sharp point: such asa: being or forming an angle measuring less than 90 degreesan acute angleb: composed of acute anglesan acute triangle3aof an accent mark : having the form ´b: marked with an acute accentc: of the variety indicated by an acute accent4a: marked by keen discernment or intellectual perception especially of subtle distinctionsan acute thinkerb: responsive to slight impressions or stimuliacute hearing5: felt, perceived, or experienced intenselyacute distress6: demanding urgent attentionan acute emergency

christen

1a: BAPTIZE sense 1was christened when he was three months oldb: to name at baptismThey christened the baby Anne.2: to name or dedicate (something, such as a ship) by a ceremony that often involves breaking a bottle of champagne3: NAME sense 1The newspaper christened her as the reigning Queen of Tennis.4: to use for the first timeThey christened the new ballpark with a win.

approbation

1a: COMMENDATION, PRAISEa plan that has won the approbation of the mayorb: an act of approving formally or officially2obsolete : PROOF

aptitude

1a: INCLINATION, TENDENCYan aptitude for hard workb: a natural ability : TALENTan aptitude for gymnastics2: capacity for learningan aptitude for languages3: general suitability : APTNESS

bethink

1a: REMEMBER, RECALLb: to cause (oneself) to be reminded2: to cause (oneself) to consider

clan

1a: a Celtic group especially in the Scottish Highlands comprising a number of households whose heads claim descent from a common ancestorthe MacDonald clanb: a group of people tracing descent from a common ancestor : FAMILYThe whole clan gets together for the holidays.2: a group united by a common interest or common characteristicsthe country club clan

bureaucracy

1a: a body of nonelected government officialsb: an administrative policy-making group2: government characterized by specialization of functions, adherence to fixed rules, and a hierarchy of authority3: a system of administration marked by officialism, red tape, and proliferationThe setting in of a plodding international justice bureaucracy.— Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, "What arrest for Rwanda genocide means for justice everywhere," 27 May 2020But in their efforts to remain apolitical, Daniels and Carell have failed to give their series any discernible point of view, delivering instead an innocuous and startlingly unfunny sitcom about military bureaucracy.

analogy

1a: a comparison of two otherwise unlike things based on resemblance of a particular aspectb: resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike : SIMILARITY2: inference that if two or more things agree with one another in some respects they will probably agree in others3: correspondence between the members of pairs or sets of linguistic forms that serves as a basis for the creation of another form4: correspondence in function between anatomical parts of different structure and origin— compare HOMOLOGY

anemia

1a: a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volumeb: ISCHEMIA2: lack of vitality, "But for some women, the heavy bleeding associated with fibroids can cause anemia, fatigue and decreased quality of life.

aqueduct

1a: a conduit for waterespecially : one for carrying a large quantity of flowing waterb: a structure for conveying a canal over a river or hollow2: a canal or passage in a part or organ

aura

1a: a distinctive atmosphere surrounding a given sourceThe place had an aura of mystery.b: a subtle sensory stimulus (such as an aroma)2medical : a subjective (see SUBJECTIVE entry 1 sense 4b) sensation (as of voices, colored lights, or crawling and numbness) experienced at the onset of a neurological condition and especially a migraine or epileptic seizure3: an energy field that is held to emanate from a living being4: a luminous radiation : NIMBUS

aroma

1a: a distinctive, pervasive, and usually pleasant or savory smellthe aroma of freshly-baked breadbroadly : ODORb: the odor of a wine imparted by the grapes from which it is madeThe wine has a fruity aroma.2: a distinctive quality or atmosphere : FLAVORthe sweet aroma of success

aspersion

1a: a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone's reputationcasting aspersions on her integrityb: the act of making such a charge : DEFAMATION2: a sprinkling with water especially in religious ceremoniesthe aspersion of the congregation before Mass

canard

1a: a false or unfounded report or storyespecially : a fabricated reportThe report about a conspiracy proved to be a canard.b: a groundless rumor or beliefthe widespread canard that every lawyer is dishonest2: an airplane with horizontal stabilizing and control surfaces in front of supporting surfacesalso : a small airfoil in front of the wing of an aircraft that can increase the aircraft's performance

caveat

1a: a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practicesa caveat against unfair practicesb: an explanation to prevent misinterpretationc: a modifying or cautionary detail to be considered when evaluating, interpreting, or doing somethingThe driving instructor gave his students this caveat: if you are driving under the speed limit, stay in the far right lane.2: a legal warning to a judicial officer to suspend a proceeding until the opposition has a hearing

cameo

1a: a gem carved in relief (see RELIEF entry 1 sense 6)especially : a small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another contrasting layer serving as backgroundb: a small medallion (see MEDALLION sense 2) with a profiled head in relief2: a carving or sculpture made in the manner of a cameo3: a usually brief literary or filmic piece that brings into delicate or sharp relief the character of a person, place, or eventhis cameos and short commentaries on men and manners— R. T. Dunlop4: a small theatrical role usually performed by a well-known actor and often limited to a single sceneA major star appears in a cameo in the movie.broadly : a brief appearance or role

calculus

1a: a method of computation or calculation in a special notation (as of logic or symbolic logic)b: the mathematical methods comprising differential and integral calculus —often used with the2: CALCULATION... even political conservatives agree that an economic calculus must give way to a strategic consciousness when national or global security is at stake.— Stephen H. Schneider3a: a concretion usually of mineral salts around organic material found especially in hollow organs or ductsb: TARTAR entry 1 sense 14: a system or arrangement of intricate or interrelated parts

casualty

1a: a military person lost through death, wounds, injury, sickness, internment, or capture or through being missing in actionThe army sustained heavy casualties.b: a person or thing injured, lost, or destroyed : VICTIMthe ex-senator was a casualty of the last election2: serious or fatal accident : DISASTERlosses from fire, storm, or other casualty— J. S. Seidman3archaic : CHANCE, FORTUNElosses that befall them by mere casualty— Sir Walter Raleigh

cavalcade

1a: a procession (see PROCESSION entry 1 sense 1) of riders or carriagesb: a procession of vehicles or ships2: a dramatic sequence or procession : SERIESa cavalcade of natural disasters

aureole

1a: a radiant light around the head or body of a representation of a sacred personageb: something resembling an aureolean aureole of hair2: RADIANCE, AURAan aureole of youth and health3: the luminous area surrounding the sun or other bright light when seen through thin cloud or mist : CORONA4: a ring-shaped zone around an igneous intrusion

cadence

1a: a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in languagethe grand cadence of his poetryb: the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activityThe drill sergeant counted cadence.the steady cadence of the drums2a: a falling inflection of the voiceb: a concluding and usually falling strainspecifically : a musical chord sequence moving to a harmonic close or point of rest and giving the sense of harmonic completion3: the modulated and rhythmic recurrence of a sound especially in natureThe stylistic trend of borrowing rhythmic cadences and production techniques from hip-hop and R&B created further barriers for Guyton.— Jewly Hight, Los Angeles Times, "Is country music finally ready for Mickey Guyton?," 9 Apr. 2020But in Kirke's version, sung with a lullaby-like cadence and melody, the words take on a whole different meaning.

alcove

1a: a small recessed section of a room : NOOKb: an arched opening (as in a wall) : NICHE2: SUMMERHOUSE sense 2 a small alcove in one corner of the backyard garden an ancient vase in an alcove and a sculpture of Achilles on a stand in the museum's Greek Hall

chaos

1a: a state of utter confusionthe blackout caused chaos throughout the cityb: a confused mass or mixturea chaos of television antennas2aoften capitalized : a state of things in which chance is supremeespecially : the confused unorganized state of primordial matter before the creation of distinct forms— compare COSMOSb: the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system (such as the atmosphere, boiling water, or the beating heart)3obsolete : CHASM, ABYSS

aspiration

1a: a strong desire to achieve something high or greatan aspiration to become famous—usually plurala young man with political/literary aspirationsb: an object of such desireAn acting career is her aspiration.2: a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction: such asa: the act of breathing and especially of breathing inb: the withdrawal (as by suction) of fluid or tissue from the bodythe aspiration of stomach fluidsc: the taking of foreign matter into the lungs with the respiratory currentproblems caused by the aspiration of fluids into the patient's lungs3linguisticsa: audible breath that accompanies or comprises a speech soundb: the pronunciation or addition of an aspirationthe aspiration of the letter "h" in "a house"also : the symbol of an aspiration

caprice

1a: a sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or actionpolicy changes that seem to be motivated by nothing more than capriceb: a sudden usually unpredictable condition, change, or series of changesthe caprices of the weatherThe differing responses reflect, at least in part, the caprice of a virus that has .— Robert Klemko, Washington Post, "America's coronavirus divide is reflected in two New Mexico mayors. One asked for a lockdown. The other defied orders.," 7 May 2020Andy bobs up and down on the waves of the warden's caprice, sometimes living relatively well and sometimes thrown in the hole.2: a disposition to do things impulsivelya preference for democratic endeavor over authoritarian caprice3: CAPRICCIO sense 3

armory

1a: a supply of arms for defense or attackb: a collection of available resources2: a place where arms and military equipment are storedespecially : one used for training reserve military personnel3: a place where arms are manufactured

artifact

1a: a usually simple object (such as a tool or ornament) showing human workmanship or modification as distinguished from a natural objectespecially : an object remaining from a particular periodcaves containing prehistoric artifactsb: something characteristic of or resulting from a particular human institution, period, trend, or individual... morality is an artifact of human culture, devised to help us negotiate social relations.— Michael Pollanc: something or someone arising from or associated with an earlier time especially when regarded as no longer appropriate, relevant, or important... that over-simplified but eloquent quality that keeps Jefferson alive for us while Washington and Adams, his superiors in so many other respects, are artifacts of a quaint and lost world.— Jack Rakove2a: a product of artificial character (as in a scientific test) due usually to extraneous (such as human) agencyb: an electrocardiographic and electroencephalographic wave that arises from sources other than the heart or brainc: a defect in an image (such as a digital photograph) that appears as a result of the technology and methods used to create and process the image... can produce a very good picture, but there will be some loss of detail and some color artifacts such as adjacent colors bleeding into each other.— Consumer Reports

cadet

1a: a younger brother or sonb: youngest sonc: a younger branch of a family or a member of it2a: one in training for a military or naval commissionespecially : a student in a service academyb: a student at a police academy : a person who is in training to become a police officerDuring his swearing-in speech last August, the 54-year-old head cop pointed out that he still wears the same size uniform that he wore when he was a cadet at the Police Academy 34 years ago.— Bernard C. Parks3: a student at a police academy : a person who is in training to become a police officerPolice departments typically require cadets to pass a fitness test at the police academy, but not many require officers to stay in shape after that.— Christopher Swope4slang : PIMP

anarchy

1a: absence of governmentb: a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authoritythe city's descent into anarchyc: a utopian society of individuals who enjoy complete freedom without government2a: absence or denial of any authority or established orderanarchy prevailed in the ghettob: absence of order : DISORDERnot manicured plots but a wild anarchy of nature— Israel Shenker3: ANARCHISM

balsam

1a: an aromatic and usually oily and resinous substance flowing from various plantsespecially : any of several resinous substances containing benzoic or cinnamic acid and used especially in medicineb: a preparation containing resinous substances and having a balsamic odor2a: a balsam-yielding treeespecially : BALSAM FIRb: IMPATIENSespecially : a common garden ornamental (Impatiens balsamina)3: BALM sense 5

collage

1a: an artistic composition made of various materials (such as paper, cloth, or wood) glued on a surfacecut pictures from magazines to make a collageb: a creative work that resembles such a composition in incorporating various materials or elementsthe album is a collage of several musical styles2: the art of making collagesan artist known for her use of collage3: HODGEPODGEa collage of ideas4: a work (such as a film) having disparate scenes in rapid succession without transitions

auricle

1a: an atrium of a heartb: PINNA sense 1c: an anterior ear-shaped pouch in each atrium of the human heart2: an angular or ear-shaped lobe, process, or appendageExamples of auricle in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe World Cup, bless its enormous heart — which this year is missing Italian, American, Chilean and Dutch ventricles and auricles — can bring out the worst (acting, officiating) and best (quotes, actions) in people.

arsenal

1a: an establishment for the manufacture or storage of arms and military equipmentThe city is home to a federal arsenal.b: a collection of weapons2: STORE, REPERTOIREthe team's arsenal of veteran players

bailiff

1a: an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executionsb: a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or usher2chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm The bailiff had handed her stuffed animals over the years and the judge always tried to find a safe place for her.— Steve Lopezcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, "Column: My students earned the cap and gown, but they'll miss out on the day they dreamed about for years," 25 Apr. 2020With the help of her mom, Vilailuck Teigen, as the bailiff, Chrissy delivers legally binding verdicts.

ardor

1a: an often restless or transitory warmth of feelingthe sudden ardors of youthb: extreme vigor or energy : INTENSITYthe ardor of a true believerc: ZEALd: LOYALTY2: sexual excitement

apparition

1a: an unusual or unexpected sight : PHENOMENONstrange apparitions in the skyb: a ghostly figurereported seeing ghostly apparitions in the old house2: the act of becoming visible : APPEARANCEthe apparition of sunlight through the window

cogent

1a: appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : CONVINCINGcogent evidenceb: PERTINENT, RELEVANTa cogent analysis2: having power to compel or constraincogent forces

bravado

1a: blustering swaggering conductyouthful bravadob: a pretense of bravery2: the quality or state of being foolhardy His stories are always told with bravado. I remember his youthful bravado.

artifice

1a: clever or artful skill : INGENUITY... believing that characters had to be created from within rather than with artifice.— Garson Kaninb: an ingenious device or expedient2a: an artful stratagem : TRICK... revising the state's constitution through a series of legal stratagems and artifices ...— W. Haywood Burnsb: false or insincere behaviorsocial artifice

chronic

1a: continuing or occurring again and again for a long timechronic indigestionchronic experimentsb: suffering from a chronic diseasethe special needs of chronic patients2a: always present or encounteredespecially : constantly vexing, weakening, or troublingchronic petty warfarechronic meddling in one another's domestic affairs— Amatzia Baramb: being such habituallya chronic grumbler

calibre

1a: degree of mental capacity or moral qualityteachers of high caliberb: degree of excellence or importancethe caliber of instruction2a: the diameter of a bullet or other projectileb: the diameter of a bore of a gun usually expressed in hundredths or thousandths of an inch and typically written as a decimal fraction.32 caliber3: the diameter of a round or cylindrical bodyespecially : the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder

bereft

1a: deprived or robbed of the possession or use of something —usually used with ofboth players are instantly bereft of their poise— A. E. Wierb: lacking something needed, wanted, or expected —used with ofthe book is ... completely bereft of an index— The Times Literary Supplement (London)2: suffering the death of a loved one : BEREAVEDa bereft mother

clemency

1a: disposition to be merciful and especially to moderate the severity of punishment dueThe judge ignored the prisoner's pleas for clemency.b: an act or instance of leniencyThe governor's clemencies saved the lives of many death-row prisoners.2: pleasant mildness of weatherThe fair was a great success, owing to the clemency of the weather.

ambiguous

1a: doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctnesseyes of an ambiguous colorb: INEXPLICABLE2: capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or waysan ambiguous smilean ambiguous terma deliberately ambiguous replyOther Words from ambiguou

arbitrary

1a: existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of willan arbitrary choiceWhen a task is not seen in a meaningful context it is experienced as being arbitrary.— Nehemiah Jordanb: based on or determined by individual preference or convenience rather than by necessity or the intrinsic nature of somethingan arbitrary standardtake any arbitrary positive number2a: not restrained or limited in the exercise of power : ruling by absolute authorityan arbitrary governmentb: marked by or resulting from the unrestrained and often tyrannical exercise of powerprotection from arbitrary arrest and detention3law : depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by lawThe manner of punishment is arbitrary.

angular

1a: forming an angle : sharp-corneredb: having one or more angles2: measured by an angleangular distance3a: stiff in character or manner : lacking smoothness or graceb: lean and having prominent bone structure

bullion

1a: gold or silver considered as so much metalthe bullion contained in a silver dollarspecifically : uncoined gold or silver in bars or ingotsover a million dollars in gold bullionb: metal in the masslead bullion2clothing : lace, braid, or fringe of gold or silver threadsthe bullion on his uniformExamples of bullion in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebBuyers tend to stay away when the bullion price in Mumbai rises above about 30,000 rupees ($422.97) for 10 grams.

arduous

1a: hard to accomplish or achieve : DIFFICULTan arduous taskyears of arduous trainingb: marked by great labor or effort : STRENUOUS... a life of arduous toil.— A. C. Cole2: hard to climb : STEEPan arduous pathOther Words from

amorphous

1a: having no definite form : SHAPELESSan amorphous cloud massb: being without definite character or nature : UNCLASSIFIABLEan amorphous segment of societyc: lacking organization or unityan amorphous style of writing2: having no real or apparent crystalline forman amorphous mineral

ambitious

1a: having or controlled by ambition : having a desire to be successful, powerful, or famousan ambitious young executiveb: having a desire to achieve a particular goal : ASPIRINGambitious for power2: resulting from, characterized by, or showing ambitionan ambitious film

amoral

1a: having or showing no concern about whether behavior is morally right or wrongamoral politiciansan amoral, selfish personb: being neither moral nor immoralspecifically : lying outside the sphere to which moral judgments applyScience as such is completely amoral.— W. S. Thompson2: being outside or beyond the moral order or a particular code of moralsamoral customs

audacious

1a: intrepidly daring : ADVENTUROUSan audacious mountain climberb: recklessly bold : RASHan audacious maneuver2: contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum : INSOLENTan audacious maverick3: marked by originality and verveaudacious experiments

clumsy

1a: lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or graceclumsy fingersb: lacking tact or subtletya clumsy joke2: awkward or inefficient in use or construction : UNWIELDYa clumsy contraptioncriticized her sentence for its clumsy construction

candid

1a: marked by honest sincere expressiona candid discussionb: disposed to criticize severely : BLUNTcandid criticsc: indicating or suggesting sincere honesty and absence of deceptionher candid face2: free from bias, prejudice, or malice : FAIRa candid observer3: relating to or being photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posedcandid photos of the family at play4: WHITEcandid flames

boisterous

1a: noisily turbulent : ROWDYb: marked by or expressive of exuberance and high spirits2: STORMY, TUMULTUOUS3obsoletea: COARSEb: DURABLE, STRONGc: MASSIVEThe crowd was young and boisterous, the cheeseburgers were juicy and perfectly charred, and the place was always packed.— Jonathan Black, Saveur, October 2007Things had apparently gotten a little too boisterous during the Northern Ohio Girls Soccer League games. And it wasn't the kids. Fed up with noisy, know-it-all parents, the league banned cheering and jeering from the sidelines for one game, which they dubbed Silent Sunday.

adjacent

1a: not distant : NEARBYthe city and adjacent suburbsb: having a common endpoint or borderadjacent lotsadjacent sides of a trianglec: immediately preceding or following2of two angles : having the vertex and one side in common

benign

1a: of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or lifeespecially : not becoming cancerousa benign lung tumorb: having no significant effect : HARMLESSenvironmentally benign2: of a gentle disposition : GRACIOUSa benign teacher3a: showing kindness and gentlenessbenign facesb: FAVORABLE, WHOLESOMEa benign climate

bestial

1a: of or relating to beastsgrotesque combinations of human and bestial formsb: resembling a beasta bestial shape2a: lacking intelligence or reason... the bestial man has no sense of right and wrong ...— J. E. Hankinsb: marked by base (see BASE entry 3 sense 1a) or inhuman instincts or desires : BRUTALbestial violence... a scene of bestial intoxication ...— Herman Melville

cerebral

1a: of or relating to the brain or the intellectb: of, relating to, affecting, or being the cerebrumcerebral edemacerebral arteries2a: appealing to intellectual appreciationcerebral dramab: primarily intellectual in naturea cerebral societybooks for cerebral readers

aqueous

1a: of, relating to, or resembling waterb: made from, with, or by wateran aqueous solution2medical : of or relating to the aqueous humorExamples of aqueous in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe compound was used in aqueous firefighting foam on the base for decades, until it was closed in 1993.

antagonism

1a: opposition of a conflicting force, tendency, or principlethe antagonism of democracy to dictatorshipb: actively expressed opposition or hostilityantagonism between factionspersonal antagonism2: opposition in physiological actionespecially : interaction of two or more substances such that the action of any one of them on living cells or tissues is lessened

aseptic

1a: preventing infectionaseptic techniquesb: free or freed from pathogenic microorganismsan aseptic operating room2: lacking vitality, emotion, or warmthaseptic essays

catharsis

1a: purification or purgation of the emotions (such as pity and fear) primarily through artb: a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension2: elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression3: PURGATION

assonant

1a: relatively close juxtaposition of similar sounds especially of vowels (as in "rise high in the bright sky")b: repetition of vowels without repetition of consonants (as in stony and holy) used as an alternative to rhyme in verse2: resemblance of sound in words or syllablesThe fairy even hovers over Harbart's suicide, and a similar lighter touch informs the prose, enlivened by assonance and alliteration.— John Domini, chicagotribune.com, "'Harbat': Speaking to the dead, the living — and now Americans, too," 7 Aug. 2019The fairy even hovers over Harbart's suicide, and a similar lighter touch informs the prose, enlivened by assonance and alliteration.

anterior

1a: situated before or toward the frontan anterior ligamentb: situated near or toward the head or part most nearly corresponding to a head2: coming before in time or developmentlabor problems anterior to the strike

bland

1a: smooth and soothing in manner or qualitybland approvala bland smileb: exhibiting no personal concern or embarrassment : UNPERTURBEDa bland confession of guilt2a: not irritating, stimulating, or invigorating : SOOTHINGa bland oilthe bland climate of the southern coastb: DULL, INSIPIDbland stories with little plot or actiona bland rendition of the songc: lacking strong flavorExpect both kinds of salsify to be subtle and delicate—too bland for some tastebuds.— Elizabeth Schneider

anathema

1a: someone or something intensely disliked or loathed —usually used as a predicate nominative... this notion was anathema to most of his countrymen.— Stephen Jay Gouldb: one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority2a: a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunicationb: the denunciation of something as accursedc: a vigorous denunciation : CURSE

austere

1a: stern and cold in appearance or manneran austere Puritanb: SOMBER, GRAVEan austere critic2: morally strict : ASCETIC3: markedly simple or unadornedan austere officean austere style of writing4: giving little or no scope for pleasureaustere diets5of a wine : having the flavor of acid or tannin predominant over fruit flavors usually indicating a capacity for aging

coalition

1a: the act of coalescing : UNIONthe coalition of water vapor into raindropsb: a body formed by the coalescing of originally distinct elements : COMBINATIONThey formed a coalition with downtown merchants.2: a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint actionA multiparty coalition ruled the country.

ascent

1a: the act of rising or mounting upward : CLIMBcompleted their ascent of the mountainb: an upward slope or rising grade : ACCLIVITYfollowed the steep ascent to the top of the hillc: the degree of elevation : INCLINATION, GRADIENT2: an advance in social status or reputation : PROGRESStheir ascent from the lower class to the middle class3: a going back in time or upward in order of genealogical succession

azure

1a: the blue color of the clear skyb: the heraldic color blue2: the unclouded sky3archaic : LAPIS LAZULI

antithesis

1a: the direct oppositeHer temperament is the very antithesis of mine.b(1): the rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences (as in "action, not words" or "they promised freedom and provided slavery")(2): OPPOSITION, CONTRASTthe antithesis of prose and versec: the second of two opposing words, clauses, or sentences that are being rhetorically contrasted2philosophy : the second stage of a dialectical process

ambrosial

1a: the food of the Greek and Roman godsb: the ointment or perfume of the gods2: something extremely pleasing to taste or smell3: a dessert made of oranges and shredded coconut

allegiance

1a: the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lordb(1): the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or governmentI pledge allegiance to my country.(2): the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides2: devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or causeallegiance to a political partyOther Words from allegiance

antistrophe

1a: the repetition of words in reversed orderb: the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses2a: a returning movement in Greek choral dance exactly answering to a previous stropheb: the part of a choral song delivered during the antistrophe

alliance

1a: the state of being allied : the action of allyingnations in close allianceb: a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individualsa closer alliance between government and industry2: an association to further the common interests of the membersspecifically : a confederation of nations by treatythe alliance of Western nations3: union by relationship in qualities : AFFINITYan alliance of industry and academia4: a treaty of alliance

arrangement

1a: the state of being arranged : ORDEReverything in neat arrangementb: the act of arrangingwas responsible for the arrangement of the details2: something arranged: such asa: a preliminary measure : PREPARATIONtravel arrangementsb: a piece of music that has been changed so that it can be performed by particular types of voices or instrumentsc: an informal agreement or settlement especially on personal, social, or political mattersarrangements under the new regime3: something made by arranging parts or things togethera floral arrangement

bathos

1a: the sudden appearance of the commonplace in otherwise elevated matter or styleb: ANTICLIMAX2: exceptional commonplaceness : TRITENESS3: insincere or overdone pathos : SENTIMENTALISM The serious message of the film is ruined by the bathos of its ridiculous ending. a novel that wallows in bathos

apex

1a: the uppermost point : VERTEXthe apex of a mountainb: the narrowed or pointed end : TIPthe apex of the tongue2: the highest or culminating pointthe apex of his career3: the point of sharpest curvature in a path (such as that followed by a turning vehicle)a driver hitting the apex as he races around a cornerAt the apex of the turn his rear wheels apparently came unstuck from the oil-drenched groove.— Robert F. Jones

chimera

1acapitalized : a fire-breathing she-monster in Greek mythology having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tailb: an imaginary monster compounded of incongruous parts2: an illusion or fabrication of the mindespecially : an unrealizable dreama fancy, a chimera in my brain, troubles me in my prayer— John DonneHis utopia was a chimera.3: an individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse genetic constitutionA hybrid created through fusion of a sperm and an egg from different species is a chimera.

altitude

1a: the vertical elevation of an object above a surface (such as sea level or land) of a planet or natural satelliteb: the angular elevation of a celestial object above the horizonc(1): a perpendicular line segment from a vertex (see VERTEX sense 2a) of a geometric figure (such as a triangle or a pyramid) to the opposite side or the opposite side extended or from a side or face to a parallel side or face or the side or face extended(2): the length of an altitude2a: vertical distance or extentb: position at a heightThe plane lost altitude.c: an elevated region : EMINENCE —usually used in plural3: a high level (as of quality or feeling)the altitudes of his anger

belabor

1a: to attack verballyIf I had been ill-natured, I should have shown up the little great man, who had once belabored me in his feeble way.— Oliver Wendell Holmesb: to beat soundly... ancient battles in which the combatants belabored one another with swords, staffs, cudgels, halberds and other heavy-duty weapons until the blood flowed ...— James Rogers2: to explain or insist on excessivelyher habit of belaboring the obviousHe needlessly belabored the point.

annihilate

1a: to cause to cease to exist : to do away with entirely so that nothing remainsb: to destroy a considerable part ofBombs annihilated the city.The enemy troops were annihilated.c: to defeat overwhelmingly : ROUTannihilated the visitors 56-02a: to cause to be of no effect : NULLIFYa right to freedom that cannot be annihilatedb: to destroy the substance or force ofFear can annihilate one's confidence.3: to regard as of no consequence4: to cause (something, such as a particle and its antiparticle) to vanish or cease to exist by coming together and changing into other forms of energy (such as photons)matter and antimatter annihilate each otherintransitive verb of a particle and its antiparticle : to vanish or cease to exist by coming together and changing into other forms of energy (such as photons)

arrogate

1a: to claim or seize without justificationb: to make undue claims to having : ASSUME2: to claim on behalf of another : ASCRIBE They've arrogated to themselves the power to change the rules arbitrarily. She arrogated the leadership role to herself.

admonish

1a: to indicate duties or obligations tob: to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous mannerwere admonished for being late2: to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement toadmonished them to be careful... users are admonished to change passwords regularly ...— Mark Pothier3: to say (something) as advice or a warningThe sign admonished, "Watch your step.""Please be silent while I tell my story," LaPautre admonished.— Louise Erdrich

burgeon

1a: to send forth new growth (such as buds or branches) : SPROUTb: BLOOMwhen the flame trees and jacaranda are burgeoning— Alan Carmichael2: to grow and expand rapidly : FLOURISHThe market for her work has burgeoned in recent years.tiny events which burgeon into national alarums— Herman Wouk

assimilate

1a: to take into the mind and thoroughly understandassimilate informationStudents need to assimilate new concepts.b: to take in and utilize as nourishment : to absorb into the systemThe body assimilates digested food.2a: to absorb into the cultural tradition of a population or group... the belief that tolerant hosts would be able to assimilate immigrants of whatever creed or colour.— Brian Holmesb: to make similar... the only faculty that seems to assimilate man to the immortal gods.— Joseph Conradcphonetics : to alter by the process of assimilation (see ASSIMILATION sense 3)3: COMPARE, LIKENintransitive verb : to be taken in or absorbed : to become assimilatedFood assimilates better if taken slowly.— Francis Cutler Marshall

colloquial

1a: used in or characteristic of familiar and informal conversationIn colloquial English, "kind of" is often used for "somewhat" or "rather."also : unacceptably informalb: using conversational stylea colloquial writer2: of or relating to conversation : CONVERSATIONALcolloquial expressions

ambidextrous

1a: using both hands with equal ease or dexterityan ambidextrous pitcherGuatelli says the master was ambidextrous, that he sketched with his right hand while he wrote with his left—simultaneously.— John P. Wiley Jr.bsoccer : using both feet with equal ease : TWO-FOOTEDWhen Zinger played the Ghosts in the regular season, he kicked with his right foot. This time, the ambidextrous soccer player went with his left.— Lianne Elliott2: designed or suitable for use by the left or right handWith two firing buttons, it's the first ambidextrous joystick—just as comfortable for lefties as righties.— Popular Computing3: unusually skillful : VERSATILEHe is completely ambidextrous, that is to say, completely able to express himself in verse or prose— T. S. Eliot4: characterized by duplicity : DOUBLE-DEALINGHe was unordained, uneducated, and theologically so ambidextrous that he could be either Lutheran or Reformed as the situation required.— G. H. Genzmer

brine

1a: water saturated or strongly impregnated with common saltb: a strong saline solution (as of calcium chloride)2: the water of a sea or salt lakebrine verbbrined; briningDefinition of brine (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to treat (as by steeping) with brineNoun The chicken was soaked in brine before it was roasted. for hundreds of years people from Atlantic Canada have made their living from the brineRecent Examples on the Web: NounUsing computer models, the researchers noted that 40 percent of the Martian surface could have these brines.

authentic

1a: worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on factpaints an authentic picture of our societyb: conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential featuresan authentic reproduction of a colonial farmhousec: made or done the same way as an originalauthentic Mexican fare2: not false or imitation : REAL, ACTUALan authentic cockney accent3: true to one's own personality, spirit, or characteris sincere and authentic with no pretensions4aof a church mode : ranging upward from the keynote— compare PLAGAL sense 1bof a cadence : progressing from the dominant chord to the tonic— compare PLAGAL sense 25obsolete : AUTHORITATIVE

bureau

1aBritish : WRITING DESKespecially : one having drawers and a slant topb: a low chest of drawers for use in a bedroom2a: a specialized administrative unitespecially : a subdivision of an executive department of a governmentthe Federal Bureau of Investigationb: a branch of a newspaper, newsmagazine, or wire service in an important news centerthe newspaper's Washington bureauc: a usually commercial agency that serves as an intermediary especially for exchanging information or coordinating activitiescredit bureauthe local visitor's bureau

brawn

1aBritish : the flesh of a boarb: HEADCHEESE2a: full strong musclesb: muscular strengthan actor who is more famous for his brawn than for his talent

asset

1assets plurala: the property of a deceased person subject by law to the payment of his or her debts and legaciesb: the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts2: ADVANTAGE, RESOURCEHis wit is his chief asset.3a: an item of value ownedbassets plural : the items on a balance sheet showing the book value of property owned4: something useful in an effort to foil or defeat an enemy: such asa: a piece of military equipmentb: SPY

auspice

1auspices plural : kindly patronage and guidancedoing research under the auspices of the local historical society2: a prophetic signespecially : a favorable sign3: observation by an augur especially of the flight and feeding of birds to discover omens a program for inner-city youths that is under the auspices of a national corporation interpreted the teacher's smile as an auspice that he would get an A on his presentation

breech

1breeches\ ˈbri-​chəz also ˈbrē-​ \ plurala: short pants covering the hips and thighs and fitting snugly at the lower edges at or just below the kneewearing riding breechesb: PANTS2a: the hind end of the body : BUTTOCKSbmedical : BREECH PRESENTATIONalso : a fetus that is presented with the buttocks first3: the part of a firearm at the rear of the barrel (see BARREL entry 1 sense 3a)

annunciation

1capitalized : March 25 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the announcement of the Incarnation to the Virgin Mary2: the act of announcing or of being announced : ANNOUNCEMENTExamples of annunciation in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThese will cover the birth and annunciation of Jesus and the journey and adoration of the Magi.

assassin

1capitalized : a member of a Shia Muslim sect who at the time of the Crusades was sent out on a suicidal mission to murder prominent enemies2: a person who commits murderespecially : one who murders a politically important person either for money or from fanatical adherence to a cause

cherubic

1cherubim plural : an order of angels— see CELESTIAL HIERARCHY2plural usually cherubsa: a beautiful usually winged child in painting and sculptureb: an innocent-looking usually chubby and rosy personThis torrent of arcane football lingo spewed from the lips of a red-haired, freckle-faced cherub ...— Tim Layden

actuary

1obsolete : CLERK, REGISTRAR2: a person who calculates insurance and annuity premiums, reserves, and dividends

cabalism

1often capitalized : esoteric doctrine or interpretation according to the Jewish cabala2: adherence to some traditional theological interpretation or tenetsthe "key verse" and "key word" theory is a form of cabalism based on a fundamental misconception of the nature of the Biblical material— J. C. Swaim

behemoth

1often capitalized, religion : a mighty animal described in Job 40:15-24 as an example of the power of God2: something of monstrous size, power, or appearancea behemoth truck

bide

1past tense usually bided : to wait for —used chiefly in the phrase bide one's timeis biding his time before asking for a raise2archaic : WITHSTANDtwo men ... might bide the winter storm— W. C. Bryant3chiefly dialectal : to put up with : TOLERATE... couldn't bide children on his place ...— J. W. Rileyintransitive verb 1: to continue in a state or conditionbide still a moment2: to wait awhile : TARRY3: to continue in a place : SOJOURNbide in a cabin

benediction

1religion : the invocation (see INVOCATION sense 1a) of a blessinga prayer of benedictionespecially : the short blessing with which public worship is concludeddismissed the congregation with a benediction2: something that promotes goodness or well-being... the Mexican sun is no pleasant benediction like our northern sun ...— Gertrude Diamant3often capitalized, Christianity : a Roman Catholic or Anglo-Catholic devotion (see DEVOTION sense 1c) including the exposition of the eucharistic Host in the monstrance and the blessing of the people with it4: an expression of good wishes... yearning for the benediction of the New York critics ...

awaken

: AWAKEHe was awakened by a knock at the door.I awakened from a deep sleep.She awakened to the smell of bacon and eggs.news that the long-dormant volcano is now awakeninga new generation awakening to the importance of political actionShortly after settling in, she was awakened in the middle of the night by the phone ...— Herb CaenThe honourable gentleman made a speech which drew tears from the eyes of the ladies, and awakened the liveliest emotions in every individual present.— Charles DickensThat new, different noise we hear is from a giant constituency awakening in our field, and it will get louder.— Library Journal

amity

: FRIENDSHIPespecially : friendly relations between nationsan era of international amity

antenatal

: PRENATALantenatal diagnosis of birth defects

ambivalent

: having or showing simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings toward something or someone : characterized by ambivalence... people whose relationship to their job is ambivalent, conflicted.— Terrence RaffertyAmericans are deeply ambivalent about the country's foreign role. Isolationist yearnings coexist uneasily with superpower policies.— David P. Calleo

chronometer

: TIMEPIECE, a device for measuring time, such as a watch or clockI don't know about you, but by the time the short fat hand of my analog chronometer is on the six, I'm about ready to take the rest of the day off.— Stanley Bingespecially : one designed to keep time with great accuracy despite external forcesSelf-educated English clockmaker John Harrison (1693-1776) found the answer by inventing a chronometer—a friction-free timepiece, impervious to pitch and roll, temperature and humidity—that would carry the true time from the home port to any destination.— Genevieve Stuttaford

archbishop

: a bishop at the head of an ecclesiastical province or one of equivalent honorary rank, "Galileo served the first six months of his house arrest at the archbishop's home.— Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "We now have more evidence that Galileo likely never said "And yet it moves"," 17 May 2020

clientele

: a body of clientsa shop that caters to an exclusive clienteleExamples of clientele in a Sentence ... Gottfried had been complaining for months that our local clientele didn't have the class to appreciate the house.

cartridge

: a case or container that holds a substance, device, or material which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle and that usually can be easily changed: such asa: a tube (as of metal) containing a complete charge for a firearm and usually an initiating device (such as a primer)b: a case containing an explosive charge for blastingc: an often cylindrical container for insertion into a larger mechanism or apparatusd: CASSETTE sense 2e: a small case that contains a phonograph needle and transducer and is attached to a tonearmf: a removable case containing a magnetic tape or one or more disks and used as a computer storage mediumg: a case for holding printed circuit chips containing a computer programa video-game cartridgeExamples of cartridge in a Sentence The printer needs a new ink cartridge.

bon mot

: a clever remark : WITTICISMhis bons mots were being repeated ... from coast to coast

cadaver

: a dead bodyespecially : one intended for dissectionmedical students who train by using cadavers

anthracite

: a hard natural coal of high luster differing from bituminous coal in containing little volatile matter and in burning very cleanly— called also hard coal

brogan

: a heavy shoeespecially : a coarse work shoe reaching to the ankleExamples of brogan in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe planks, once painted, were worn down to a bare, ancient gray by rain and sun, and by a few billion brogans, black wingtips, and scandalous high-heeled shoes.

aerostat

: a lighter-than-air aircraft (such as a balloon or blimp), "Things are looking good: The sun and a waning gibbous moon compete for attention in a nearly cloudless sky, and an aerostat tethered close to the pad registers almost no wind.

braggart

: a loud arrogant boasterthinks he's a loudmouth braggart

bungalow

: a one-storied house with a low-pitched roofalso : a house having one and a half stories and usually a front porchExamples of bungalow in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebDine at Ariana Restaurant, a restaurant built into a cozy bungalow, or The Blacksmith Restaurant, which was built into a former smithy.

bete noire

: a person or thing strongly detested or avoided : BUGBEARan idiosyncratic driver whose bête noire was the left turn— Marylin Bender

assailant

: a person who attacks someone violentlyan assault by an unknown assailantShe could identify the assailant and his two accomplices, and she wanted to press charges.— Jennifer BaumgardnerDetectives speculated that she may have been punched on the chin, perhaps knocked unconscious by her assailant.— Joseph Wambaugh

anglophobia

: a person who is averse to or dislikes England and things English

bigot

: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudicesespecially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (such as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance

aficionado

: a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity : DEVOTEEaficionados of the bullfightmovie aficionados

arbiter

: a person with power to decide a dispute : JUDGEThe mayor will act as the final arbiter in any dispute between board members.2: a person or agency whose judgment or opinion is considered authoritativearbiters of taste

aviary

: a place for keeping birds confinedExamples of aviary in a Sentence The zoo has a new outdoor aviary.

belle

: a popular and attractive girl or womanespecially : a girl or woman whose charm and beauty make her a favoritethe belle of the ball

adage

: a saying often in metaphorical form that typically embodies a common observationShe reminded him of the adage: "A penny saved is a penny earned."

anteroom

: a small outer room that leads to another room and that is often used as a waiting roomExamples of anteroom in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe unit has its own blood lab and an anteroom where health care workers can put on and take off their protective gear.

adversity

: a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortuneshowing courage in the face of adversity

animosity

: a strong feeling of dislike or hatred : ill will or resentment tending toward active hostility : an antagonistic attitude, "Few rivalries can match that of the Cards and Cubs in terms of history, color and animosity. Things are tense in an off year, but in 2003 the teams are at the top of the National League Central division (along with the Houston Astros), separated by a half-game.

adroit

: having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situationsan adroit leaderadroit maneuvers

anomalous

: inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected : IRREGULAR, UNUSUALResearchers could not explain the anomalous test results.2a: of uncertain nature or classificationan anomalous figure in the world of politicsb: marked by incongruity or contradiction : PARADOXICAL

ambulance

: a vehicle equipped for transporting the injured or sickExamples of ambulance in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebIn a video shot by a bystander, after about eight minutes in the hold, Floyd's body goes limp and unresponsive before he is placed on a stretcher and put into an ambulance.— Fox News, "George Floyd's death: Faith leaders call for prayer amid violent unrest in Minneapolis," 28 May 2020Jim followed closely, clutching his wife's hand as she was raised into an ambulance for her transfer.— Savannah Eadens, The Courier-Journal, "73-year-old Louisville woman survives coronavirus after 51 days in intensive care," 17 May 2020

beret

: a visorless usually woolen cap with a tight headband and a soft full flat topExamples of beret in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebTwo young men in matching berets and Rainbow Coalition tees are at the front of the little crowd.

caret

: a wedge-shaped mark made on written or printed matter to indicate the place where something is to be insertedExamples of caret in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebClick the caret in the Search Email Box and a drop-down form will appear.— Kim Komando, USA TODAY, "6 smart ways to manage your inbox and email overload," 15 Nov. 2019

bronchitis

: acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubesalso : a disease marked by this

adieu

: an expression of good wishes when someone leaves : GOODBYEa heartfelt adieubid his teammates adieu—often used interjectionallyAdieu, my friends!

atomizer

: an instrument for atomizing usually a perfume, disinfectant, or medicamentExamples of atomizer in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe product is a liquid, not a gel, and distillery owner Nick Spink suggests using it in an atomizer or pump bottle.

anemometer

: an instrument for measuring and indicating the force or speed and sometimes direction of the windOfficers were checking seven wind-detection machines, known as anemometers, as the balloons proceeded down the route from West 77th Street and Central Park West to the grandstand at Herald Square.— Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, "Macy's Thanksgiving Parade: Phew! Giant Balloons Fly — Just Not Very High," 28 Nov. 2019The Police Department also has seven wind-monitoring devices, called anemometers, to measure gusts along the route.— BostonGlobe.com, "If the giant balloons are grounded, Veras said, it would be only the second time in the history of the Macy's parade that they were forbidden from taking flight. The first was in 1971, when a cold, wet, and windy Thanksgiving kept the balloons on the ground.," 27 Nov. 2019

bursar

: an officer (as of a monastery or college) in charge of funds : TREASURERExamples of bursar in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe Times of London reports that bursar Andrew Parker made them a counteroffer.

brooch

: an ornament that is held by a pin or clasp and is worn at or near the neckExamples of brooch in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebOn her: Louis Vuitton shirt, $2,210, vest, $2,760, skort, $3,450, brooch, price upon request, and belt, $750, louisvuitton.com, Stetson hat, $245, stetson.com, Church's boots, $1,150, church-footwear.com.

alder

: any of a genus (Alnus) of toothed-leaved trees or shrubs of the birch family that have catkins which become woody, that typically grow in cool moist ground, and that have wood used especially in turneryalso : its woodThe kitchen has a Texas-style feel with knotty alder cabinetry, stone flooring and a custom copper vent-a-hood.

antigen

: any substance (such as an immunogen or a hapten) foreign to the body that evokes an immune response either alone or after forming a complex with a larger molecule (such as a protein) and that is capable of binding with a product (such as an antibody or T cell) of the immune response

armful

: as much as the arm or arms can holdExamples of armful in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebEveryone left with an armful and with the same look, suspended between appetite and the prospect of an appetite satisfied.

applicable

: capable of or suitable for being applied : APPROPRIATEstatutes applicable to the caseA fee is applicable when a scheduled payment is late.

amicable

: characterized by friendly goodwill : PEACEABLEamicable relations/discussionsan amicable agreement

carrion

: dead and putrefying fleshVultures live chiefly on carrion.also : flesh unfit for foodExamples of carrion in a Sentence Vultures live chiefly on carrion.

adulation

: excessive or slavish admiration or flatteryenjoys the adulation of his fans

anhydrous

: free from water and especially water of crystallizationExamples of anhydrous in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebFive tanker cars carrying anhydrous ammonia ruptured, releasing a cloud of caustic, poisonous gas over the city.— Deanna Weniger, Twin Cities, "Local station wants to be source for limited English speaking communities before and after a crisis," 7 July 2019The system used helium as a pressurizing gas, inhibited nitrogen tetroxide for an oxidizer, and a blended hydrazine fuel made up of a mixture of around 50 percent unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine and 50 percent anhydrous hydrazine.— Alex Hollings, Popular Mechanics, "The Art of the Return Trip: How NASA Got Apollo 11 Home," 24 July 2019

averse

: having an active feeling of repugnance, dislike, or distaste —usually used with toShe was not averse to taking chances.He seems to be averse to strenuous exercise.—commonly used in compounds both with and without a hyphena conservative risk-averse investora crowd averse teen

buoyant

: having buoyancyWarm air is more buoyant than cool air.: such asa: capable of floatingCork is naturally buoyant.b: CHEERFUL, GAYin a buoyant moodc: capable of maintaining a satisfactorily high levela buoyant economy

brindled

: having obscure dark streaks or flecks on a usually gray or tawny grounda brindled cow

astute

: having or showing shrewdness and an ability to notice and understand things clearly : mentally sharp or cleveran astute observerastute remarksalso : CRAFTY, WILY

appalling

: inspiring horror, dismay, or disgustliving under appalling conditionsappalling savageryOther Words from app

bogus

: not genuine : COUNTERFEIT, SHAMa bogus claimThe evidence was completely bogus.

angelic

: of or relating to angelsangelic formsFor even they, the very devils, when they sinned, sinned by such a sin as alone was compatible with such angelical natures ...— James Joyce: resembling, or suggestive of, an angel (as in purity, holiness, innocence, or beauty)a sweet, angelic childan angelic voice/smileWhen women are brooding over their children, or busied in a sick-room, who has not seen in their faces those sweet angelic beams of love and pity?— William Makepeace ThackerayAt 12, Westenra was busking on the streets of Christchurch, singing arias and Bee Gees tunes in an angelic soprano ...— Joan AndermanOther Words from angelicangelically \ an-​ˈje-​li-​k(ə-​)lē \ adverb smiling angelically And, oh, how good we were! How angelically and unnaturally good!— Lucy Maud Montgomery

aural

: of or relating to the ear or to the sense of hearingvisual and aural sensations, " a quiet room for people seeking relief from the overload of aural stimulus just outside

amatory

: of, relating to, or expressing sexual loveamatory adventures

appellate

: of, relating to, or recognizing appealsspecifically : having the power to review the judgment of another tribunalan appellate courtExamples of appellate in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebLesley Anne Tiller, who represented Mr. Lambert, 40, during one of his trials and his appellate case, said the j

aesthete

: one having or affecting sensitivity to the beautiful especially in art He regards art critics as a bunch of pretentious aesthetes.

bloated

: overfilled and extended with liquid, gas, food, etc.felt bloated from eating too mucha bloated body—often used figuratively to describe something as having grown excessively largea bloated budgeta bloated bureaucracy

antiphony

: responsive alternation between two groups especially of singersExamples of antiphony in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe Italian Jewish composer Salamone Rossi set Psalm 112 in Hebrew, in mainly chordal antiphony.

brevity

: shortness of durationespecially : shortness or conciseness of expressionMike Espy resigned under pressure as Secretary of Agriculture yesterday at a news conference remarkable for its brevity and general absence of whining.— New York Times, 4 Oct. 1994Lincoln was able to achieve the loftiness, ideality, and brevity of the Gettysburg Address because he had spent a good part of the 1850s repeatedly relating all the most sensitive issues of the day to the Declaration's supreme principle.

assiduous

: showing great care, attention, and effort : marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent applicationassiduous planningan assiduous book collectorShe tended her garden with assiduous attention.

benefactor

: someone or something that provides help or an advantage : one that confers a benefita benefactor of humankindespecially : a person who makes a gift or bequestHis endowments ... placed him high among the benefactors of the convent.— Jane Austena wealthy benefactor

armistice

: temporary stopping of open acts of warfare by agreement between the opponents : TRUCE

adoration

: the act of adoring : the state of being adoredExamples of adoration in a Sentence They looked at the baby in adoration. The doctor has earned the adoration of his patients.

advocacy

: the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal : the act or process of advocating (see ADVOCATE entry 2) somethingknown for his advocacy of gay rightsExamples of advocacy in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebHer career in advocacy for those with communication disorders included service on the advisory boards of numerous child abuse and speech and hearing organizations.

affiliation

: the state or relation of being closely associated or affiliated with a particular person, group, party, company, etc.The radio station has maintained a longtime affiliation with the concert hall and often has featured performers as guests on the air.A former Democrat, Joseph McCarthy had switched his affiliation and was elected in the Republican landslide of 1946 ...— Ted Widmer... hundreds of businessmen owe their success to an affiliation with organized crime.— William Bastone

adept

: thoroughly proficient : EXPERTan adept negotiatorHe's adept at fixing computers.Definition of adept (Entry 2 of 2): a highly skilled or well-trained individual : EXPERTan adept at chess

asseverate

: to affirm or declare positively or earnestlyhe always asseverated that he did not know— G. K. Chesterton

befriend

: to become or act as a friend tobefriended the new studentExamples of befriend in a Sentence He befriended the new student.

appertain

: to belong or be connected as a rightful part or attribute : PERTAIN the rights and privileges that appertain to marriage the doctrine that the swath of land between the Atlantic and the Pacific naturally appertained to the United States

afflict

: to cause pain or suffering to : to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguishpeople afflicted with arthritisa region afflicted by hunger and povertyb: TROUBLE, INJURE

alienate

: to cause to be estranged : to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent especially where attachment formerly existedHe alienated most of his colleagues with his bad temper.Her position on this issue has alienated many former supporters.2: to convey or transfer (something, such as property or a right) usually by a specific act rather than the due course of law3: to cause to be withdrawn or diverted

apportion

: to divide and share out according to a planespecially : to make a proportionate division or distribution ofRepresentatives are apportioned among the states.

boycott

: to engage in a concerted refusal to have dealings with (a person, a store, an organization, etc.) usually to express disapproval or to force acceptance of certain conditionsboycotting American products

apprise

: to give notice to : TELLThey apprised him of his rights.

allude

: to make indirect referencecomments alluding to an earlier discussionbroadly : REFERSynonyms

adamant

: unshakable or insistent especially in maintaining a position or opinion : UNYIELDINGan adamant insistence on doing things his own waywas adamant about making the changeadamant nounDefinition of adamant (Entry 2 of 2)1: a stone (such as a diamond) formerly believed to be of impenetrable hardness2: an unbreakable or extremely hard substance"Trust not in your gold and silver, trust not in your high fortresses; for, though the walls were of iron, and the fortresses of adamant, the Most High shall put terror into your hearts and weakness into your councils ..."— George Eliot

antidepressant

: used or tending to relieve or prevent depressionantidepressant drugs

askance

: with disapproval or distrust : SCORNFULLYThey eyed the stranger askance.Many critics have looked askance at the proposal.2: with a side-glance : OBLIQUELYThat experienced pilot of the Broads looked askance at his watch, and drew Allan aside at the first opportunity.— Wilkie Collins

ad infinitum

: without end or limit, "And a disappointing routine has also emerged, one in which these narratives are shared ad infinitum with no call to action on actually solving the problem, and not even a sliver of hope."

antiquary

ANTIQUARIAN

centenary

CENTENNIAL

addle

Definition of addle (Entry 1 of 2)1of an egg : ROTTEN2: CONFUSEDaddle verbaddled; addling\ ˈad-​liŋ , ˈa-​dᵊl-​iŋ \Definition of addle (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to throw into confusion : CONFOUNDintransitive verb 1: to become rotten : SPOIL2: to become confusedAdjective my brain grew more and more addle as I made my way through the tax instructionsVerb It's a dangerous poison that's strong enough to addle the brain.

adhere

Definition of adhereintransitive verb 1: to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusingThe stamp failed to adhere to the envelope.2: to give support or maintain loyaltyadhere to traditional values3: to bind oneself to observanceadhere to the rules4obsolete : ACCORD sense intransitive 1transitive verb : to cause to stick fastThe paper had been adhered to the wall.

adulterate

Definition of adulterate (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb : to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or elementespecially : to prepare for sale by replacing more valuable with less valuable or inert ingredientsHe was in the same plight as the manufacturer who has to adulterate and misrepresent his product. If he does not, some one else will.— Upton Sinclair Definition of adulterate (Entry 2 of 2)1: being adulterated : SPURIOUS2: tainted with adultery : ADULTEROUS... that incestuous, that adulterate beast ...— William Shakespeare

adversary

Definition of adversary (Entry 1 of 2): one that contends with, opposes, or resists : an enemy or opponenta clever adversaryadversary adjectiveDefinition of adversary (Entry 2 of 2)1: of, relating to, or involving an enemy or adversary2: having or involving antagonistic parties or opposing interestsDivorce can be an adversary proceeding.

advert

Definition of advert (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb 1: to turn the mind or attention —used with toadverted to the speaker2: to call attention in the course of speaking or writing : make reference —used with toadverted to foreign-language sourcesadvert nounad·​vert | \ ˈad-ˌvərt \Definition of advert (Entry 2 of 2)chiefly British: ADVERTISEMENT

advisory

Definition of advisory (Entry 1 of 2)1: having or exercising power to advisean advisory council2: containing or giving adviceadvisory nounplural advisoriesDefinition of advisory (Entry 2 of 2): a report giving information (as on the weather) and often recommending action to be takenExamples of advisory in a SentenceAdjective He attended a meeting of the advisory committee. She is acting in an advisory role in the administration.

advocate

Definition of advocate (Entry 1 of 2)1: one who pleads the cause of anotherspecifically : one who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court2: one who defends or maintains a cause or proposalan advocate of liberal arts education3: one who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or groupa consumer advocatean advocate for women's healthHe has paid respectful attention to the home schooling movement by meeting with its advocates and endorsing their cause.— Elizabeth Drewadvocate verbad·​vo·​cate | \ ˈad-və-ˌkāt \advocated; advocatingDefinition of advocate (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to support or argue for (a cause, policy, etc.) : to plead in favor ofThey advocated a return to traditional teaching methods.a group that advocates vegetarianismintransitive verb : to act as advocate for someone or something... a tradition of advocating for the equality and civil rights of all people ...— Fred KuhrOther Words fr

aerial

Definition of aerial (Entry 1 of 2)1a: of, relating to, or occurring in the air or atmospherethe aerial acrobatics of circus performersb: existing or growing in the air rather than in the ground or in wateraerial plantsc: high in the airaerial spiresd: operating or operated overhead on elevated cables or railsan aerial tram2: suggestive of air: such asa: lacking substanceaerial distinctionsb: FANCIFUL, ETHEREALvisions of aerial joy— P. B. Shelley3a: of or relating to aircraftaerial navigationaerial combatb: designed for use in, taken from, or operating from or against aircraftaerial photographs/photographyc: effected by means of aircraftaerial transportationa city subjected to aerial bombardmentaerial viewsaerial spraying4American football : of, relating to, or gained by the forward passaerial touchdownsa team known for its aerial attackaerial nounaer·​i·​al | \ ˈer-ē-əl \Definition of aerial (Entry 2 of 2)1: ANTENNA sense 22American football : FORWARD PASS3: an acrobatic maneuver performed (as by skiers and gymnasts) in the airalso aerials plural : a ski event featuring such maneuvers

aesthetic

Definition of aesthetic (Entry 1 of 2)1a: of, relating to, or dealing with aesthetics or the beautifulaesthetic theoriesb: ARTISTICa work of aesthetic valuec: pleasing in appearance : ATTRACTIVE... easy-to-use keyboards, clear graphics, and other ergonomic and aesthetic features ...— Mark Mehler2: appreciative of, responsive to, or zealous about the beautifulalso : responsive to or appreciative of what is pleasurable to the senseshis aesthetic sensibility3: done or made to improve a person's appearance or to correct defects in a person's appearanceaesthetic plastic surgeryaesthetic nounaes·​thet·​ic | \ es-ˈthe-tik , is-, British usually ēs- \variants: or less commonly estheticDefinition of aesthetic (Entry 2 of 2)1aesthetics also esthetics\ es-​ˈthe-​tiks , is-​ , British usually ēs-​ \ plural in form but singular or plural in construction : a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty2: a particular theory or conception of beauty or art : a particular taste for or approach to what is pleasing to the senses and especially sightmodernist aestheticsstaging new ballets which reflected the aesthetic of the new nation— Mary Clarke & Clement Crisp3aesthetics also esthetics plural : a pleasing appearance or effect : BEAUTYappreciated the aesthetics of the gemstones

affiliate

Definition of affiliate (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1a: to bring or receive into close connection as a member or branchThe medical school is affiliated with a hospital.b: to associate as a memberaffiliates herself with the local club2: to trace the origin ofaffiliated Shakespeare's "Hamlet" to earlier playsintransitive verb : to connect or associate oneself : COMBINErefused to affiliate with any political partyaffiliate nounaf·​fil·​i·​ate | \ ə-ˈfi-lē-ət , -ˌāt \Definition of affiliate (Entry 2 of 2): an affiliated person or organizationthe network's local affiliates

affinity

Definition of affinity (Entry 1 of 2)1: relationship by marriage2a: sympathy marked by community of interest : KINSHIPShe has an affinity to him because of their common musical interests.b(1): an attraction to or liking for somethingpeople with an affinity to darkness— Mark Twainpork and fennel have a natural affinity for each other— Abby Mandel(2): an attractive force between substances or particles that causes them to enter into and remain in chemical combinationc: a person especially of the opposite sex having a particular attraction for one3a: likeness based on relationship or causal connectionfound an affinity between the teller of a tale and the craftsman— Mary McCarthythis investigation, with affinities to a case history, a psychoanalysis, a detective story— Oliver Sacksb: a relation between biological groups involving resemblance in structural plan and indicating a common originaffinity adjectiveDefinition of affinity (Entry 2 of 2)chemistry : of, relating to, involving, or used in affinity chromatographyThe unwanted antibodies are removed in affinity columns, which contain a matrix to which other antibodies have already been allowed to bind ...— Scientific AmericanAlthough affinity labeling was originally developed for the investigation of enzymes, it has also added significantly to the study of the structure of active sites in other systems ...— Meir Wilchek et al.

affirmative

Definition of affirmative (Entry 1 of 2)1: asserting that the fact is sogave an affirmative answeraffirmative proof2: POSITIVEan affirmative approach3: favoring or supporting a proposition or motionan affirmative votewas on the affirmative side in the debate4logic : asserting a predicate of a subjectaffirmative nounDefinition of affirmative (Entry 2 of 2)1: an expression (such as the word yes) of affirmation or assent2: the side that upholds the proposition stated in a debate3logic : an affirmative (see AFFIRMATIVE entry 1 sense 4) propositionin the affirmative: with an affirmative reply : with a reply that means "yes"He answered in the affirmative.

affix

Definition of affix (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to attach physicallyaffix a stamp to a letter2: to attach in any way : ADD, APPENDaffix a signature to a document3: IMPRESSaffixed my sealaffix nounaf·​fix | \ ˈa-ˌfiks \Definition of affix (Entry 2 of 2)1grammar : one or more sounds or letters occurring as a bound form attached to the beginning or end of a word, base, or phrase or inserted within a word or base and serving to produce a derivative word or an inflectional formThe affix in the word "attendance" is "-ance."2: APPENDAGE

affluent

Definition of affluent (Entry 1 of 2)1: having an abundance of goods or riches : WEALTHYaffluent familiesour affluent society2: flowing in abundanceaffluent streamsaffluent creativityaffluent nounDefinition of affluent (Entry 2 of 2)1: a tributary stream... its meandering stream, one of the smaller affluents of the Sacramento.— John Muir2[derivative of affluent entry 1] : a wealthy or affluent personThe affluents exhibit far less demographic diversity than is exhibited in any of the lower-income segments of the population.— Pamela N. Danzinger

affront

Definition of affront (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1a: to insult especially to the face by behavior or languageHe was affronted by her rudeness.b: to cause offense tolaws that affront society2a: to face in defiance : CONFRONTaffront deathbobsolete : to encounter face-to-face3: to appear directly beforeaffront nounDefinition of affront (Entry 2 of 2)1: a deliberate offense : INSULTan affront to his dignity2obsolete : a hostile encounter

aggregate

Definition of aggregate (Entry 1 of 3): formed by the collection of units or particles into a body, mass, or amount : COLLECTIVE: such asa(1): clustered in a dense mass or headan aggregate flower(2): formed from several separate ovaries of a single floweraggregate fruitb: composed of mineral crystals of one or more kinds or of mineral rock fragmentsc: taking all units as a wholeaggregate salesaggregate verbag·​gre·​gate | \ ˈa-gri-ˌgāt \aggregated; aggregatingDefinition of aggregate (Entry 2 of 3)transitive verb 1: to collect or gather into a mass or wholeThe census data were aggregated by gender.2: to amount to (a whole sum or total) : TOTALaudiences aggregating several million peopleaggregate nounag·​gre·​gate | \ ˈa-gri-gət \Definition of aggregate (Entry 3 of 3)1: a mass or body of units or parts somewhat loosely associated with one anotherFroth is an aggregate of tiny bubbles.2: the whole sum or amount : SUM TOTALspent an aggregate of 10 million dollars in advertising during the past three years3a: a rock composed of mineral crystals of one or more kinds or of mineral rock fragments : an aggregate rockb: any of several hard inert materials (such as sand, gravel, or slag) used for mixing with a cementing material to form concrete, mortar, or plasterc: a clustered mass of individual soil particles varied in shape, ranging in size from a microscopic granule to a small crumb, and considered the basic structural unit of soil4: SET sense 215: MONETARY AGGREGATEin the aggregate: considered as a whole : COLLECTIVELYDividends for the year amounted in the aggregate to 25 million dollars.

agnostic

Definition of agnostic (Entry 1 of 2)1: a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (such as God) is unknown and probably unknowablebroadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god2: a person who is unwilling to commit to an opinion about somethingpolitical agnosticsagnostic adjectiveDefinition of agnostic (Entry 2 of 2)1: of, relating to, or being an agnostic : involving or characterized by agnosticism2: NONCOMMITTAL, UNDOGMATIC3a: not preferring a particular device or system —usually used after a noun"Children are platform agnostic," said Alice Cahn, vice-president of development for Cartoon Network. "If you want to look foolish with a preschooler, say, 'Sorry, you can't watch that. It's not on.' It's TiVoed, it's online, it's on video on demand."— Business Wireb: designed to be compatible with different devices (such as computers or smartphones) or operating systems —usually used after a nouncontent that is OS agnostic—often used in combinationThe application is platform-agnostic, so it can work on your tablet or cell phone.

anguish

Definition of anguish (Entry 1 of 2): extreme pain, distress, or anxietycries of anguishmental anguishanguish verbanguished; anguishing; anguishesDefinition of anguish (Entry 2 of 2)intransitive verb : to suffer anguishHe anguished over his failure.transitive verb : to cause to suffer anguisha heart that had been anguished with sorrow

agrarian

Definition of agrarian (Entry 1 of 2)1: of or relating to fields or lands or their tenureagrarian landscapes2a: of, relating to, or characteristic of farmers or their way of lifeagrarian valuesb: organized or designed to promote agricultural interestsan agrarian political partyagrarian nounDefinition of agrarian (Entry 2 of 2): a member of an agrarian party or movement (see AGRARIAN entry 1 sense 2b)

albino

Definition of albino (Entry 1 of 2): an organism exhibiting deficient pigmentationespecially : a human being who is congenitally deficient in pigment and usually has a milky or translucent skin, white or colorless hair, and eyes with pink or blue iris and deep-red pupilalbino adjectiveDefinition of albino (Entry 2 of 2): exhibiting the deficient pigmentation characteristic of albinosalbino sharksThe Draize test commonly uses six rabbits (preferably of the albino strain because of the clarity of their red eyes) to test a substance for eye irritancy.— Rachel Urquhart

alchemy

Definition of alchemy1: a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life2: a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way... the practitioners of financial alchemy that transformed the world of money in the 1980's ...— Gordon Williams3: an inexplicable or mysterious transmuting

alias

Definition of alias (Entry 1 of 2): otherwise called : otherwise known as —used to indicate an additional name that a person (such as a criminal) sometimes usesJohn Smith alias Richard Jones was identified as the suspect.alias nounDefinition of alias (Entry 2 of 2): an assumed or additional name that a person (such as a criminal) sometimes usesa fugitive using several aliasesHe checked into the hotel using an alias.John Smith, who goes by the alias Richard Jones

alibi

Definition of alibi (Entry 1 of 2)1: the plea of having been at the time of the commission of an act elsewhere than at the place of commissionHis alibi was that he was at the movies at the time of the crime.also : the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time2: an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment (as for failure or negligence)made up an alibi for why she missed the meeting3: someone or something that provides a person with an alibiHis wife was his alibi.alibi verbalibied; alibiingDefinition of alibi (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to exonerate (someone) by an alibi : to furnish an excuse for... took statements from anyone not alibied.— Joseph Wambaughintransitive verb : to offer an excuse

alien

Definition of alien (Entry 1 of 3)1a: belonging or relating to another person, place, or thing : STRANGEan alien environmentb: relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government : FOREIGNalien residentsc: EXOTIC sense 1alien plantsd: coming from another world : EXTRATERRESTRIALalien beingsan alien spaceshipWhen it comes to knowing what alien life forms might be like, we don't have any idea.— Kate Shuster2: differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibilityideas alien to democracyalien nounDefinition of alien (Entry 2 of 3)1: a person of another family, race, or nationaliens seeking asylum in the U.S.2: a foreign-born resident who has not been naturalized and is still a subject or citizen of a foreign countrybroadly : a foreign-born citizen3: EXTRATERRESTRIALa movie about an invasion of Earth by monstrous aliens4: EXOTIC sense 1Russian thistle, kudzu, and other aliensalien verbaliened; aliening; aliensDefinition of alien (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb 1: ALIENATE, ESTRANGE2: to transfer the title of (property)Other Words from alien

alloy

Definition of alloy (Entry 1 of 2)1: the degree of mixture with base metals : FINENESS2: a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when moltenalso : the state of union of the components3a: an admixture that lessens valueb: an impairing alien element4: a compound, mixture, or union of different thingsan ethnic alloy of many peoples5archaic : a metal mixed with a more valuable metal to give durability or some other desired qualityalloy verbal·​loy | \ ə-ˈlȯi also ˈa-ˌlȯi \alloyed; alloying; alloysDefinition of alloy (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1a: TEMPER, MODERATEb: to impair or debase by admixture2: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal3: to mix so as to form an alloyintransitive verb : to lend itself to being alloyediron alloys well

ally

Definition of ally (Entry 1 of 3)transitive verb : to unite or form a connection or relation between : ASSOCIATEHe allied himself with a wealthy family by marriage.intransitive verb : to form or enter into an alliancetwo factions allying with each otherally nounal·​ly | \ ˈa-ˌlī , ə-ˈlī \plural alliesDefinition of ally (Entry 2 of 3)1: a sovereign or state associated with another by treaty or leagueAmerica and its allies2: one that is associated with another as a helper : a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity, or strugglea political allyShe has proven to be a valuable ally in the fight for better working conditions.—often now used specifically of a person who is not a member of a marginalized or mistreated group but who expresses or gives support to that groupThe storyline on "Glee" captures something larger that we are seeing with a new generation of allies (allies are people who support LGBT rights but aren't LGBT themselves).— David M. Hall3: a plant or animal linked to another by genetic or taxonomic proximityferns and their allies-ally adverb suffixDefinition of -ally (Entry 3 of 3): -LY entry 2terrifically—in adverbs formed from adjectives in -ic with no alternative form in -ical

aloft

Definition of aloft (Entry 1 of 2)1: at or to a great heightmeasuring the winds aloft2: in the airespecially : in flight (as in an airplane)meals served aloft3: at, on, or to the masthead or the higher riggingwent aloft to unfurl the sailsaloft prepositionDefinition of aloft (Entry 2 of 2): on top of : ABOVEbright signs aloft hotels

aloof

Definition of aloof (Entry 1 of 2): removed or distant either physically or emotionallyan aloof, unfriendly mannerHe stood aloof from worldly success.— John Buchanaloof adverbDefinition of aloof (Entry 2 of 2): at a distancetrying to keep failure aloof

apropos

Definition of apropos (Entry 1 of 3): being both relevant and opportuneapropos commentsapropos prepositionDefinition of apropos (Entry 2 of 3): with regard to (something) : APROPOS OFApropos the proposed changes, I think more information is needed.apropos adverbDefinition of apropos (Entry 3 of 3)1: at an opportune time : SEASONABLYYour letter arrived apropos.2: by way of interjection or further comment : with regard to the present topic

alternate

Definition of alternate (Entry 1 of 3)1: occurring or succeeding by turnsa day of alternate sunshine and rain2a: arranged first on one side and then on the other at different levels or points along an axial linea plant with alternate leaves— compare OPPOSITE entry 1b: arranged one above or alongside the otheralternate layers of brick and stone3: every other : every secondHe works on alternate days.4: constituting an alternativetook the alternate route home5: ALTERNATIVE sense 2did not approve of their son's alternate lifestylealternate verbal·​ter·​nate | \ ˈȯl-tər-ˌnāt also ˈal- \alternated; alternatingDefinition of alternate (Entry 2 of 3)transitive verb 1: to perform by turns or in successionalternated comedies and dramas2: to cause to alternateintransitive verb : to change from one to another repeatedlyRain alternated with sun.alternate nounal·​ter·​nate | \ US and Canadian ˈȯl-tər-nət also ˈal-; chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər- \Definition of alternate (Entry 3 of 3)1: ALTERNATIVE2: one that substitutes for or alternates with anotherThey chose twelve jurors and two alternates.

alternative

Definition of alternative (Entry 1 of 2)1: offering or expressing a choiceseveral alternative plans2: different from the usual or conventional: such asa: existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or economic systeman alternative newspaperalternative lifestylesb: of, relating to, or being rock music that is regarded as an alternative to conventional rock and is typically influenced by punk rock, hard rock, hip-hop, or folk musican alternative bandalso : of, relating to, or being music of a genre other than rock that is similarly regarded as an alternative to the conventional music of that genrealternative countryc: of or relating to alternative medicinealternative therapies3: occurring or succeeding by turns : ALTERNATE sense 1alternative nounDefinition of alternative (Entry 2 of 2)1a: a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosena government facing the alternative of high taxes or poor highwaysb: an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses or propositionsthe alternative of going by train or by plane2a: one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosenThe menu offered several vegetarian alternatives.b: something which can be chosen insteadThe only alternative to intervention.3: alternative rock musica fan of alternative

alto

Definition of alto (Entry 1 of 2)1a: COUNTERTENORb: CONTRALTO2: the second highest voice part in a 4-part chorus3: a member of a family of instruments having a range lower than that of the treble or sopranoespecially : an alto saxophonealto adjectiveDefinition of alto (Entry 2 of 2): relating to or having the range or part of an altoExamples of alto in a SentenceNoun She sang in her school choir as an alto.Adjective He plays the alto sax.

amble

Definition of amble (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb : to go at or as if at an easy gait : SAUNTERspent the day ambling through the parkamble nounDefinition of amble (Entry 2 of 2)1a: an easy gait of a horse in which the legs on the same side of the body move togetherb: RACK entry 5 sense b2: an easy gait3: a leisurely walktook a casual amble through the gardens

ambush

Definition of ambush (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to attack by surprise from a hidden place : WAYLAYOur troops ambushed the enemy units.... his caravan that season had been ambushed and shot at twice on the way down ...— Rudyard Kipling2: to station in ambush (see AMBUSH entry 2 sense 2)Mr and Mrs Fyne ambushed at their window—a most incredible occupation for people of their kind—saw with renewed anxiety a cab come to the door.— Joseph Conradintransitive verb : to lie in wait : LURKambush nounplural ambushesDefinition of ambush (Entry 2 of 2)1: a trap in which one or more concealed persons lie in wait to attack by surprisesoldiers caught in an ambushSuddenly a shout comes down the line: "Contact front!" It's an ambush, with gunmen on both sides of the road.— Lev Grossman... it is plain he must have been as stupid with weariness as myself, and looked as little where we were going, or we should not have walked into an ambush like blind men.— Robert Louis Stevenson2: the concealed position of a person or group stationed to make a surprise attacka group of soldiers lying in ambush... tanks alone are vulnerable to opposing infantry with antitank weapons, particularly at night when the infantry can more easily wait in ambush or approach unseen.— Neil Sheehanalso : the person or group so stationedAll was then dead silence; for, loquacious as he was on other occasions, Captain Dalgetty knew well the necessity of an ambush keeping itself under covert.— Robert Burns3: the act of approaching or confronting someone with something unexpected —often used before another nounambush journalism... did not return calls or e-mails and was hostile when a television crew conducted an ambush interview several years ago.— Neely Tucker

amiss

Definition of amiss (Entry 1 of 2)1a: in a mistaken way : WRONGLYIf you think he is guilty, you judge amiss.b: ASTRAYSomething had gone amiss.2: in a faulty way : IMPERFECTLYpracticed more so as not to play the piece amissamiss adjectiveDefinition of amiss (Entry 2 of 2)1: not being in accordance with right order2: FAULTY, IMPERFECTThere's nothing/something amiss with the engine.3: out of place in given circumstances —usually used with a negativeA few remarks may not be amiss here.

amnesty

Definition of amnesty (Entry 1 of 2): the act of an authority (such as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individualsThe government granted amnesty to all political prisoners.a general amnestyamnesty verbamnestied; amnestyingDefinition of amnesty (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to grant amnesty to : to pardon (someone) officially often before a trial or convictionOnly last Thursday Mr. Clinton told the U.S. that the generals were responsible for the killings ... Now, they are to be amnestied and allowed to remain in Haiti if they so wish.— A. M. RosenthalTraditionally, the incoming president amnesties all outstanding driving offences: during the months before an election people park even more selfishly than usual and drive at unbelievable speeds, knowing if they're caught, they'll be amnestied.— Richard Horton

analgesic

Definition of analgesic (Entry 1 of 2): an agent producing diminished sensation to pain without loss of consciousness : a drug that is used to relieve pain and produce analgesiaopioid analgesicsa topical analgesicAspirin and acetaminophen are the oral analgesics of first choice in the treatment of mild to moderate pain caused by cancer.— William T. McGivney et al.analgesic adjectiveDefinition of analgesic (Entry 2 of 2): relating to, characterized by, or producing analgesia : relieving or lessening pain without loss of consciousnessGinger, a member of the same plant family as turmeric, contains anti-inflammatory compounds and volatile oils ... that show analgesic and sedative effects in animal studies.— Anahad O'Connoranalgesic drugsa topical analgesic creamalso : caused by the use of analgesicsanalgesic nephropathy

castigate

transitive verb : to subject to severe punishment, reproof, or criticismThe judge castigated the lawyers for their lack of preparation.

animate

Definition of animate (Entry 1 of 2)1: possessing or characterized by life : ALIVE2: full of life : ANIMATED3: of or relating to animal life as opposed to plant life4: referring to a living thingan animate nounanimate verban·​i·​mate | \ ˈa-nə-ˌmāt \animated; animatingDefinition of animate (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to give spirit and support to : ENCOURAGE2a: to give life tob: to give vigor and zest to3: to move to actiona criminal animated by greed4a: to make or design in such a way as to create apparently spontaneous lifelike movementanimate a cartoonb: to produce in the form of an animated cartoonanimate a story

annex

Definition of annex (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to attach as a quality, consequence, or conditionMany privileges were annexed exclusively to royalty.2archaic : to join together materially : UNITE3: to add to something earlier, larger, or more importantannexed a bibliography to the thesis4: to incorporate (a country or other territory) within the domain of a stateThe U.S. annexed Texas in 1845.5: to obtain or take for oneselfannex nounan·​nex | \ ˈa-ˌneks , -niks \Definition of annex (Entry 2 of 2): something annexed as an expansion or supplement: such asa: an added stipulation or statement : APPENDIXapproved the annex in the treatyb: a building that is attached to or near a larger building and usually used as part of it : WINGHistorical photographs were on view in the library's annex.

ante

Definition of ante (Entry 1 of 3)1: a poker stake usually put up before the deal to build the potThe dealer called for a dollar ante.2a: COST, PRICEThese improvements would raise the ante.b: RISK, STAKESThe new law ups the ante on tax cheats.c: a level (as of achievement or intensity) regarded especially as a goal or standarda film that ups the ante on special effectsante verbanted; anteingDefinition of ante (Entry 2 of 3)transitive verb : to put up (an ante)also : PAY, PRODUCE —usually used with uphad to ante up five thousand dollars to attend the senator's banquetintransitive verb : PAY UP —usually used with upThe dealer waited until everyone had anted up before he dealt the cards.ante- prefixDefinition of ante- (Entry 3 of 3)1a: prior : earlierantedateb: anterior : forwardanteroom2: prior to : earlier thanantediluvian

antedate

Definition of antedate (Entry 1 of 2): a date assigned to an event or document earlier than the actual date of the event or documentantedate verban·​te·​date | \ ˈan-ti-ˌdāt , ˌan-ti-ˈdāt \antedated; antedating; antedatesDefinition of antedate (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1a: to date as of a time prior to that of executionb: to assign to a date prior to that of actual occurrence2archaic : ANTICIPATE3: to precede in time" The church antedates the village itself. dinosaurs antedate cavemen by millions of years

antic

Definition of antic (Entry 1 of 2)1: an attention-drawing, often wildly playful or funny act or action : CAPER —usually pluralchildish antics2archaic : a performer of a grotesque or ludicrous part : BUFFOONantic adjectiveDefinition of antic (Entry 2 of 2)1a: characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdityan antic farceb: whimsically lighthearted : FROLICSOMEGelbart's intelligence is antic and playful.— Lloyd Rose2archaic : GROTESQUE, BIZARRE

antique

Definition of antique (Entry 1 of 3)1: existing since or belonging to earlier times : ANCIENTantique trade routes to India2a: being in the style or fashion of former timesantique manners and gracesb: made in or representative of the work of an earlier periodantique mirrorsalso : being an antique3: selling or exhibiting antiquesan antique showantique nounan·​tique | \ (ˌ)an-ˈtēk \Definition of antique (Entry 2 of 3)1: a relic or object of ancient times2a: a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years agob: a manufactured product (such as an automobile) from an earlier periodantique verban·​tique | \ (ˌ)an-ˈtēk \antiqued; antiquingDefinition of antique (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb : to finish or refinish in antique style : give an appearance of age toantique a tableintransitive verb : to shop around for antiques

antiseptic

Definition of antiseptic (Entry 1 of 2)1a: opposing sepsis, putrefaction, or decayespecially : preventing or arresting the growth of microorganisms (as on living tissue)an antiseptic solutionb: acting or protecting like an antiseptican antiseptic mouthwash2: relating to or characterized by the use of antisepticsantiseptic treatment3a: scrupulously clean : ASEPTICantiseptic surgical instrumentsb: extremely neat or orderlyespecially : neat to the point of being bare or uninterestinga spare, antiseptic waiting roomc: free from what is held to be contaminatingan antiseptic version of rustic life4a: coldly impersonalan antiseptic greetingb: of, relating to, or being warfare conducted with cold precision from a safe distance with few or no casualties on one's sideantiseptic bombingsantiseptic nounDefinition of antiseptic (Entry 2 of 2): a substance that inhibits the growth or action of microorganisms especially in or on living tissueclean the wound with an antisepticalso : GERMICIDE

apprentice

Definition of apprentice (Entry 1 of 2)1a: one bound by indenture (see INDENTURE entry 1 sense 1a(3)) to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or tradeb: one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or callinga carpenter's apprentice— compare JOURNEYMAN sense 1, MASTER entry 1 sense 1c2: an inexperienced person : NOVICEan apprentice in cookingapprentice verbapprenticed; apprenticingDefinition of apprentice (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to set at work as an apprenticeespecially : to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indentureintransitive verb : to serve as an apprentice

appropriate

Definition of appropriate (Entry 1 of 2): especially suitable or compatible : FITTINGan appropriate responseremarks appropriate to the occasionappropriate verbap·​pro·​pri·​ate | \ ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt \appropriated; appropriatingDefinition of appropriate (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to take exclusive possession of : ANNEXNo one should appropriate a common benefit.2: to set apart for or assign to a particular purpose or useappropriate money for a research program3: to take or make use of without authority or rightnatural habitats that have been appropriated for human use

appurtenance

Definition of appurtenance1appurtenances plural : accessory objectsthe appurtenances of wealth2law : an incidental right (such as a right-of-way) attached to a principal property right and passing in possession with it3: a subordinate part or adjunctThe appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony.— William ShakespeareExamples of appurtenance in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebFrom them lamps projected at rakish angles, their bases embedded in the other appurtenances and items needed to convert dormitory rooms into homes-away-from home.

aquatic

Definition of aquatic (Entry 1 of 2)1: growing or living in or frequenting wateraquatic mosquito larvae2: taking place in or on wateraquatic sportsaquatic nounDefinition of aquatic (Entry 2 of 2)1: an aquatic animal or plant2aquatics\ ə-​ˈkwä-​tiks , -​ˈkwa-​ \ plural in form but singular or plural in construction : water sports

arable

Definition of arable (Entry 1 of 2)1: fit for or used for the growing of cropsarable land2British : engaged in, produced by, or being the cultivation of arable landarable farmingarable farmersarable nounDefinition of arable (Entry 2 of 2)chiefly British: land fit or used for the growing of cropsalso : a plot of such landthe village arable of Anglo-Saxon times

arbor

Definition of arbor (Entry 1 of 3): a shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs or vinesarbor noun (2)Definition of arbor (Entry 2 of 3)1: a spindle or axle of a wheel2: a main shaft or beam3: a shaft on which a revolving cutting tool is mounted4: a spindle on a cutting machine that holds the work to be cutarbor- combining formvariants: or arbori-Definition of arbor- (Entry 3 of 3): treearboriculture

archive

Definition of archive (Entry 1 of 2)1: a place in which public records or historical materials (such as documents) are preservedan archive of historical manuscriptsa film archivealso : the material preserved —often used in pluralreading through the archives2: a repository or collection especially of informationarchive verbarchived; archivingDefinition of archive (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to file or collect in or as if in an archivearchive documentsarchived tissue samples

aria

Definition of aria (Entry 1 of 2)1: AIR, MELODY, TUNEspecifically : an accompanied, elaborate melody sung (as in an opera) by a single voiceenjoyed the soprano's romantic aria2: a striking solo performance (as in a movie)... Russell Crowe's performance in Gladiator was all about the physical stuff—it was a brute-force aria of fighting and flexing and unleashing hell ...— Jeff Gordinier3: a written or spoken passage or text likened to a dramatic or emotional operatic solo... a plainspoken but moving aria on the joys of rural living ...— Lauren CollinsAria geographical name\ ˈer-ē-ə , ˈa-rē-ə, ə-ˈrī-ə \Definition of Aria (Entry 2 of 2)1an eastern province of the ancient Persian Empire; district now in northwestern Afghanistan and eastern Iran2— see HERATExamples of aria in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: NounFull coverage of the coronavirus outbreak Corbett was clear that her route included getting a doctorate and ideally working on rapid vaccine development — an aria to Graham's ears.— NBC News, "Scientist Kizzmekia Corbett leads the way on COVID-19 vaccine trials with dedication and humor," 7 Apr. 2020Often Rivera's poetic speeches become repetitive arias, rather than real people using poetry to try to climb out of their hellscape.— cleveland, "'Marisol' at Cleveland Public Theatre is a poetic visit to a parallel universe," 11 Mar. 2020

articulate

Definition of articulate (Entry 1 of 2)1a: expressing oneself readily, clearly, and effectivelyan articulate teacheralso : expressed in such a manneran articulate argumentb: divided into syllables or words meaningfully arranged : INTELLIGIBLEan articulate cry/utterancec: able to speakSo furious was he that he was hardly articulate ...— Arthur Conan Doyle2a: consisting of segments united by joints : JOINTEDarticulate animalsb: distinctly marked offan articulate period in historyarticulate verbar·​tic·​u·​late | \ är-ˈti-kyə-ˌlāt \articulated; articulatingDefinition of articulate (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1a: to give clear and effective utterance to : to put into wordsarticulate one's grievancesHe found it hard to articulate his feelings.b: to utter distinctlyarticulating each note in the musical phrasec: to give definition to (something, such as a shape or object)Eight shades of gray were chosen to articulate different spaces.— Carol Vogeld: to give shape or expression to (something, such as a theme or concept)a drama that uses eerie props to articulate a sense of foreboding2a: to unite by or as if by means of a joint : JOINTb: to form or fit into a systematic wholearticulating a program for all school gradesintransitive verb 1: to utter clear and understandable sounds2: to become united or connected by or as if by a jointMost bones articulate with other bones in one or more places.

ashen

Definition of ashen (Entry 1 of 2): of, relating to, or made from ash woodashen adjective (2)Definition of ashen (Entry 2 of 2): resembling ashes (as in color)especially : deathly palea face ashen and haggard

assay

Definition of assay (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1a: to analyze (something, such as an ore) for one or more specific componentsassayed the gold to determine its purityb: to judge the worth of : ESTIMATEassay the results of the new changes2: TRY, ATTEMPTAgain Israel assayed to reply, but could not.— Herman Melvilleintransitive verb : to prove up in an assayassay nounas·​say | \ ˈa-ˌsā , a-ˈsā \Definition of assay (Entry 2 of 2)1: examination and determination as to characteristics (such as weight, measure, or quality)2: analysis (as of an ore or drug) to determine the presence, absence, or quantity of one or more componentsalso : a test used in this analysis3: a substance to be assayedalso : the tabulated result of assaying4archaic : TRIAL, ATTEMPT

assent

Definition of assent (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb : to agree to or approve of something (such as an idea or suggestion) especially after thoughtful consideration : CONCURassent to a proposalassent nounas·​sent | \ ə-ˈsent , a- \Definition of assent (Entry 2 of 2): an act of agreeing to something especially after thoughtful consideration : an act of assenting : ACQUIESCENCE, AGREEMENTShe gave her assent to the proposal.

assert

Definition of asserttransitive verb 1a: to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressivelyThe suspect continued to assert his innocence.b: to compel or demand acceptance or recognition of (something, such as one's authority)... the confrontations that inevitably occur [between orangutans] when several males try to assert dominance ...— NationalGeographic.comWallace asserted control early—shutting down both candidates when they tried to talk over one another, and shushing the audience when it reacted too audibly.— Glenn Thrush2a: to demonstrate the existence ofHe wished to vindicate himself in some way, to assert his manhood.— James Joyceb: POSIT, POSTULATEassert oneself1: to speak or act in a manner that compels recognition especially of one's rights... she wants him to learn to assert himself with people in positions of authority.— Malcolm Gladwell... a long-suffering Irish community asserted itself by putting its own politicians in power.— Ellis Cose2: to become more strongly apparent : to become clearly seen, known, or experiencedUnbidden, a glint asserts itself in Ms. Brown's eyes ...— Joanne Kaufman... a passion that through its long suppression was now asserting itself with volcanic necessity.— Zadie Smith

astound

Definition of astound (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb : to fill with bewilderment or wonderThe unusual surgical techniques illustrated ... will astound even the most bemused readers.— Alan T. Martyastound adjectiveDefinition of astound (Entry 2 of 2)archaic: overwhelmed with astonishment or amazement : ASTOUNDED

astringent

Definition of astringent (Entry 1 of 2)1: causing a tightening of soft organic tissues : STYPTIC2: suggestive of an astringent effect upon tissue : rigidly severe : AUSTEREdry astringent commentsalso : PUNGENT, CAUSTICastringent nounDefinition of astringent (Entry 2 of 2): an astringent agent or substance: such asa: a medicine for checking the discharge of mucus or serum by causing shrinkage of tissueb: a liquid cosmetic for cleansing the skin and contracting the pores

athwart

Definition of athwart (Entry 1 of 2)1: ACROSS2: in opposition toa procedure directly athwart the New England prejudices— R. G. Coleathwart adverbDefinition of athwart (Entry 2 of 2)1: across especially in an oblique direction2: in opposition to the right or expected courseand quite athwart goes all decorum— William Shakespeare

atrophy

Definition of atrophy (Entry 1 of 2)1: decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissueatrophy of musclesalso : arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant2: a wasting away or progressive declineIt was not a solitude of atrophy, of negation, but of perpetual flowering.— Willa Catheran atrophy of imaginationatrophy verbat·​ro·​phy | \ ˈa-trə-fē , -ˌfī \atrophied; atrophying; atrophiesDefinition of atrophy (Entry 2 of 2)transitive + intransitive : to waste away (as from disease or disuse) : to undergo atrophyExtended periods of weightlessness resulted in body fluids pooling in the upper torso, causing changes in how the heart pumped blood. In addition, muscles began to atrophy, bones lost calcium and mass ...— Warren E. LearyBecause of an incomplete spine, only one nerve serviced her legs, causing them to atrophy.— Ada BrownellCommunion with nature strengthens both body and soul; isolation from nature causes both to atrophy.— Mark Purcellalso : to cause (something) to waste away or undergo atrophyWhen reform becomes too theological, it atrophies some forces even while it galvanizes others.— John C. Culver— see also ATROPHIED

attenuate

Definition of attenuate (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to lessen the amount, force, magnitude, or value of : WEAKEN... shows great skill in the use of language to moderate or attenuate the impact of awkward facts.— Bernard Lewis2: to reduce the severity, virulence, or vitality ofan attenuated virus3: to make thin or slenderGlass can be attenuated into fibers.4: to make thin in consistency : RAREFYattenuate oil by heating itintransitive verb : to become thin, fine, or lessattenuate adjectiveat·​ten·​u·​ate | \ ə-ˈten-yə-wət , -yü-ət \Definition of attenuate (Entry 2 of 2)1: reduced especially in thickness, density, or forcethe attenuate limbs of a starving person2: tapering gradually usually to a long slender pointattenuate leaves

attribute

Definition of attribute (Entry 1 of 2)1: a quality, character, or characteristic ascribed to someone or somethinghas leadership attributes2: an object closely associated with or belonging to a specific person, thing, or officea scepter is the attribute of powerespecially : such an object used for identification in painting or sculpture3grammar : a word ascribing a qualityespecially : ADJECTIVEattribute verbat·​trib·​ute | \ ə-ˈtri-ˌbyüt , -byət \attributed; attributingDefinition of attribute (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to explain (something) by indicating a causeHe attributed his success to hard work.2a: to regard as a characteristic of a person or thingshould not attribute adult reasoning to childrenb: to reckon as made or originated in an indicated fashionattributed the invention to a Russianc: CLASSIFY, DESIGNATE

auburn

Definition of auburn (Entry 1 of 3)1: of the color auburn2: of a reddish-brown colorauburn nounDefinition of auburn (Entry 2 of 3): a moderate brownAuburn geographical nameAu·​burn | \ ˈȯ-bərn \Definition of Auburn (Entry 3 of 3)1city in eastern Alabama population 53,380NOTE: Auburn University is located in Auburn, Alabama. 2city on the Androscoggin River in southwestern Maine population 23,0553city in central New York population 27,6874city east-northeast of Tacoma in western Washington population 70,180Examples of auburn in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: AdjectiveAttempting to re-create them at home felt as foolish as attempting to dye my hair Emma Stone auburn with a red Sharpie.— Jenny Singer, Glamour, "This Easy Trick Will Give You Heavenly, Fluffy Pancakes in Minutes," 19 May 2020In the new vids, the reality star reveals a short auburn bob, which perfectly complements her eyes.— Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Shared a Makeup-Free Selfie While Self-Isolating," 24 Mar. 2020

audible

Definition of audible (Entry 1 of 3): heard or capable of being heardspoke in a barely audible voiceaudible nounDefinition of audible (Entry 2 of 3)American football: a substitute offensive or defensive play called at the line of scrimmageaudible verbaudibled; audibling\ ˈȯ-​də-​b(ə-​)liŋ \Definition of audible (Entry 3 of 3)intransitive verb American football: to call an audibleChicago quarterback Jim Harbaugh audibled to a pass play ...— Peter King

audit

Definition of audit (Entry 1 of 2)1a: a formal examination of an organization's or individual's accounts or financial situationThe audit showed that the company had misled investors.b: the final report of an audit2: a methodical examination and reviewan energy audit of the houseaudit verbaudited; auditing; auditsDefinition of audit (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to perform an audit of or foraudit the booksaudit the company2: to attend (a course) without working for or expecting to receive formal creditaudited a foreign language course

audition

Definition of audition (Entry 1 of 2)1: the power or sense of hearing2: the act of hearingespecially : a critical hearingan audition of new recordings3: a trial performance to appraise an entertainer's meritsaudition verbauditioned; auditioning\ ȯ-​ˈdi-​sh(ə-​)niŋ \Definition of audition (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to test or try out especially in an auditionintransitive verb : to give a trial performanceWhen he came in to audition, he was very charming. They auditioned several girls for the role.

auditory

Definition of auditory (Entry 1 of 2)1archaic : AUDIENCE2archaic : AUDITORIUMauditory adjectiveDefinition of auditory (Entry 2 of 2): of, relating to, or experienced through hearingauditory stimuli

brunt

Definition of brunt1: the principal force, shock, or stress (as of an attack)bear the brunt of the stormthe brunt of the struggle with the German army fell upon the Russians— Walter Lippmann2: the greater part : BURDEN

augment

Definition of augment (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to make greater, more numerous, larger, or more intenseThe impact of the report was augmented by its timing.2: SUPPLEMENTShe took a second job to augment her income.3grammar : to add an augment to (a verb form) (see AUGMENT entry 2)intransitive verb : to become augmentedaugment nounaug·​ment | \ ˈȯg-ˌment \Definition of augment (Entry 2 of 2)grammar: a vowel prefixed or a lengthening of the initial vowel to mark past time especially in Greek and Sanskrit verbs

augur

Definition of augur (Entry 1 of 2)1: an official diviner of ancient Rome2: one held to foretell events by omensaugur verbaugured; auguring; augursDefinition of augur (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to foretell especially from omens2: to give promise of : PRESAGEThis bad news augurs disaster for all of us.intransitive verb : to predict the future especially from omensNoun ancient Roman augurs who predicted the future by reading the flight of birdsVerb The decision doesn't augur well.

aurora

Definition of aurora (Entry 1 of 2)1: DAWN2capitalized : the Roman goddess of dawn— compare EOS3: a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions and is caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field linesAurora geographical nameAu·​ro·​ra | \ ə-ˈrȯr-ə , ȯ- \Definition of Aurora (Entry 2 of 2)1city in north central Colorado east of Denver population 325,0782city west of Chicago in northeastern Illinois population 197,8993town north of Toronto in southeastern Ontario, Canada population 53,203

autarchy

Definition of autarchy (Entry 1 of 2): AUTARKYautarchy noun (2)plural autarchiesDefinition of autarchy (Entry 2 of 2): absolute sovereignty : AUTOCRACY

auxiliary

Definition of auxiliary (Entry 1 of 2)1a: offering or providing helpb: functioning in a subsidiary capacityan auxiliary branch of the state university2of a verb : accompanying another verb and typically expressing person, number, mood, or tenseIn "I will go," the word "will" is an auxiliary verb.3a: SUPPLEMENTARYa telescope with its auxiliary apparatusb: constituting a reservean auxiliary power plantan auxiliary police force4of a boat : equipped with sails and a supplementary inboard enginean auxiliary sloopauxiliary nounplural auxiliariesDefinition of auxiliary (Entry 2 of 2)1a: an auxiliary person, group, or devicespecifically : a member of a foreign force serving a nation at warb: a Roman Catholic titular bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right of succession— called also auxiliary bishop 2: a sailing boat or ship equipped with a supplementary inboard engine3grammar : an auxiliary verb

avalanche

Definition of avalanche (Entry 1 of 2)1: a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipice2: a sudden great or overwhelming rush or accumulation of somethinghit by an avalanche of paperwork3physics : a cumulative process in which photons or accelerated charge carriers produce additional photons or charge carriers through collisions (as with gas molecules)avalanche verbavalanched; avalanchingDefinition of avalanche (Entry 2 of 2)intransitive verb : to descend in an avalancheSnow avalanched down the mountain.transitive verb : OVERWHELM, FLOODThe office was avalanched with applications.Examples of avalanche in a SentenceNoun He was buried by an avalanche.

avant-garde

Definition of avant-garde (Entry 1 of 2): an intelligentsia that develops new or experimental concepts especially in the artsthe avant-garde in the film industryavant-garde adjectiveDefinition of avant-garde (Entry 2 of 2): of or relating to an avant-gardeavant-garde writersan avant-garde filmmaker

aye

Definition of aye (Entry 1 of 3): YESaye, aye, siraye noun\ ˈī \variants: or less commonly ayplural ayesDefinition of aye (Entry 2 of 3): an affirmative vote or voterthe ayes have itaye adverb (2)\ ˈā \variants: or less commonly ayDefinition of aye (Entry 3 of 3): ALWAYS, CONTINUALLY, EVERlove that will aye endure— W. S. Gilbert

badger

Definition of badger (Entry 1 of 2)1a: any of various burrowing mammals (especially Taxidea taxus and Meles meles) of the weasel family that are widely distributed in the northern hemisphereb: the pelt or fur of a badger2capitalized : a native or resident of Wisconsin —used as a nicknamebadger verbbadgered; badgering; badgersDefinition of badger (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to harass or annoy persistently... the mill foreman so taunted the workers, so badgered them and told them that they dared not quit ...— Sinclair Lewis

baffle

Definition of baffle (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to defeat or check (someone) by confusing or puzzling : to confuse or frustrate completely : DISCONCERTHer behavior baffled her parents.2: to check or break the force or flow of by or as if by a baffle (see BAFFLE entry 2)baffle the steambaffle nounDefinition of baffle (Entry 2 of 2): a device (such as a plate, wall, or screen) to deflect, check, or regulate flow or passage (as of a fluid, light, or sound)

bale

Definition of bale (Entry 1 of 3)1: great evil2: WOE, SORROW... bring us bale and bitter sorrowings ...— Edmund Spenserbale noun (2)Definition of bale (Entry 2 of 3): a large bundle of goodsspecifically : a large closely pressed package of merchandise bound and usually wrappeda bale of papera bale of haybale verbbaled; balingDefinition of bale (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb : to make up into a balein the field baling hay

balk

Definition of balk (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb 1: to refuse abruptly —used with atCongress balked at putting up the money— Thomas Fleming2: to stop short and refuse to proceedThe horse balked at the jump and threw the rider.3sports : to commit a balk (see BALK entry 2 sense 1)transitive verb 1: to check or stop by or as if by an obstacle : BLOCK... had neither been balked nor been frightened ...— Francis Hackett2archaic : to pass over or by... such an age as ours balks no expense ...— William Cowperbalk nounDefinition of balk (Entry 2 of 2)1abaseball : an occurrence in which a pitcher stops suddenly or makes an illegal movement after starting to throw a pitchThe pitcher was charged with a balk.bsports : failure of a competitor to complete a motion (such as a jump, vault, or dive)2billiardsa: the space behind the balkline on a billiard tableb: any of the outside divisions made by the balklines3: HINDRANCE, CHECK4: BEAM, RAFTER5: a ridge of land left unplowed as a dividing line or through carelessness

ballast

Definition of ballast (Entry 1 of 2)1: a heavy substance (such as rocks or water) placed in such a way as to improve stability and control (as of the draft of a ship or the buoyancy of a balloon or submarine)tossed several tons of ballast overboard2: something that gives stability (as in character or conduct)She provided the ballast we needed during stressful times.3: gravel or broken stone laid in a railroad bed or used in making concrete4: a device used to provide the starting voltage or to stabilize the current in a circuit (as of a fluorescent lamp)in ballastof a ship : having only ballast for a loadballast verbballasted; ballasting; ballastsDefinition of ballast (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to steady or equip with or as if with ballastThey ballast the canoe with large rocks.2: to fill in (something, such as a railroad bed) with ballast (see BALLAST entry 1 sense 3)Examples of ballast in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: NounAfter four hours, Vescovo started dropping variable ballast weights, to slow his descent.

bandy

Definition of bandy (Entry 1 of 3)transitive verb 1a: to discuss lightly or banteringlyNames of potential running mates have been bandied about.b: EXCHANGEbandy complimentsespecially : to exchange (words) argumentativelyc: to toss from side to side or pass about from one to another often in a careless or inappropriate mannerA gun is not a toy to be bandied about.d: to use in a glib or offhand manner —often used with aboutbandy these statistics about with considerable bravado— Richard Pollak2: to bat (something, such as a tennis ball) to and fro3archaic : to band togetherintransitive verb 1obsolete : CONTEND2archaic : UNITEbandy nounDefinition of bandy (Entry 2 of 3)sports : a game similar to hockey and believed to be its prototypebandy adjectiveDefinition of bandy (Entry 3 of 3)1of legs : BOWED2: BOWLEGGED... stood beyond the bandy table ...— Dylan Thomas

bane

Definition of bane (Entry 1 of 3)1: a source of harm or ruin : CURSEnational frontiers have been more of a bane than a boon for mankind— D. C. Thomson2a: DEATH, DESTRUCTION... stop the way of those that seek my bane ...— Philip Sidneyb: WOEc: POISONdobsolete : KILLER, SLAYERbane verbbaned; baningDefinition of bane (Entry 2 of 3)transitive verb obsolete: to kill especially with poisonbane noun (2)Definition of bane (Entry 3 of 3)chiefly Scotland: BONE

bard

Definition of bard (Entry 1 of 3)1a: a tribal poet-singer skilled in composing and reciting verses on heroes and their deedsb: a composer, singer, or declaimer of epic or heroic verse2: POETbard noun (2)\ ˈbärd \variants: or bardeDefinition of bard (Entry 2 of 3): a piece of armor or ornament for a horse's neck, breast, or flankbard verbbarded; barding; bardsDefinition of bard (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb 1: to furnish (a horse's neck, breast, or flank) with a piece of armor or ornament : to furnish with bards (see BARD entry 2)2[borrowed from French barder, verbal derivative of barde "strip of fat to cover meat," figurative use of barde "piece of armor for a horse, packsaddle"] : to dress meat for cooking by covering with strips of fat

baritone

Definition of baritone (Entry 1 of 2)1: a male singing voice of medium compass between bass and tenoralso : a person having this voice2: a member of a family of instruments having a range between tenor and bassespecially : the baritone saxhorn or baritone saxophonebaritone adjectivevariants: or less commonly barytoneDefinition of baritone (Entry 2 of 2): relating to or having the range or part of a baritone

barrage

Definition of barrage (Entry 1 of 3): a dam placed in a watercourse to increase the depth of water or to divert it into a channel for navigation or irrigationbarrage noun (2)bar·​rage | \ bə-ˈräzh , -ˈräj \Definition of barrage (Entry 2 of 3)1military : artillery fire laid on a line (see LINE entry 1 sense 6c) close to friendly troops to screen and protect themThe enemy laid down a barrage of machine-gun fire as our platoon approached the bridge.2: a vigorous or rapid outpouring or projection of many things at oncea barrage of phone callsunleashed a barrage of insultsan oratorical barragebarrage verbbar·​rage | \ bə-ˈräzh , -ˈräj \barraged; barragingDefinition of barrage (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb : to deliver a barrage (see BARRAGE entry 2) againstwere barraged with bulletsbeing barraged by campaign ads before the election

barren

Definition of barren (Entry 1 of 2)1: not reproducing: such asa: incapable of producing offspring —used especially of females or matingsbarren womenb: not yet or not recently pregnantcof plants : habitually failing to fruitbarren apple trees2: not productive: such asa: producing little or no vegetation : DESOLATEbarren desertsb: producing inferior cropsbarren soilc: unproductive of results or gain : FRUITLESSa barren scheme3: DEVOID, LACKING —used with ofbarren of excitement4: lacking interest or charma barren routine5: lacking inspiration or ideasa barren mindbarren nounDefinition of barren (Entry 2 of 2)1barrens plural, geography : an extent of usually level land having an inferior growth of trees or little vegetation2: a tract of barren land

barrister

Definition of barrister: a counsel admitted to plead at the bar and undertake the public trial of causes in an English superior court— compare SOLICITORExamples of barrister in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThe arrest of prominent activists last month, including veteran politicians, a publishing tycoon and senior barristers, thrust the protest movement back into the spotlight and drew condemnation from Washington and international rights groups.— NBC News, "Democratic and pro-China lawmakers scuffle in Hong Kong legislature," 8 May 2020

barterer

Definition of barter (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb : to trade by exchanging one commodity for another : to trade goods or services in exchange for other goods or servicesfarmers bartering for supplies with their cropsbartered with the store's ownertransitive verb : to trade or exchange by or as if by barteringbartering work for foodbarter nounDefinition of barter (Entry 2 of 2)1: the act or practice of trading goods or services for other goods or services : the act or practice of carrying on trade by bartering2: goods or services that are traded for other goods or services : the thing given in exchange in bartering

bass

Definition of bass (Entry 1 of 4): any of numerous edible marine or freshwater bony fishes (especially families Centrarchidae, Serranidae, and Percichthyidae of the order Perciformes)bass adjective\ ˈbās \Definition of bass (Entry 2 of 4)1: deep or grave in tone2a: of low pitchb: relating to or having the range or part of a bassbass noun (2)\ ˈbās \Definition of bass (Entry 3 of 4)1a: the lowest voice part in a 4-part chorusb: the lower half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range— compare TREBLE entry 1c: the lowest adult male singing voicealso : a person having this voiced: a member of a family of instruments having the lowest rangeespecially : DOUBLE BASS2: a deep or grave tone : a low-pitched soundbass noun (3)\ ˈbas \Definition of bass (Entry 4 of 4)1: BASSWOOD sense 12: a coarse tough fiber from palms

baste

Definition of baste (Entry 1 of 3)transitive verb : to sew with long loose stitches in order to hold something in place temporarilybaste verb (2)basted; bastingDefinition of baste (Entry 2 of 3)transitive verb : to moisten (foods, especially meat) at intervals with a liquid (such as melted butter, fat, or pan drippings) especially during the cooking process to prevent drying and add flavorbaste a roast every half hourbaste verb (3)basted; bastingDefinition of baste (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb 1: to beat severely or soundly : THRASH2: to scold vigorously : BERATE

batten

Definition of batten (Entry 1 of 3)intransitive verb 1a: to grow fatb: to feed gluttonously2: to grow prosperous especially at the expense of another —usually used with ontransitive verb : FATTENbatten nounDefinition of batten (Entry 2 of 3)1aBritish : a piece of lumber used especially for flooringb: a thin narrow strip of lumber used especially to seal or reinforce a joint2: a strip, bar, or support resembling or used similarly to a batten (as in a sail)batten verb (2)battened; battening\ ˈbat-​niŋ , ˈba-​tᵊn-​iŋ \Definition of batten (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb 1: to furnish with battens2: to fasten with or as if with battens —often used with downintransitive verb : to make one secure by or as if by battensbattening down for the hurricanebatten down the hatches: to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation

battery

Definition of battery1a: the act of beating someone or something with successive blows : the act of battering (see BATTER entry 1 sense 1)blaw : an offensive touching or use of force on a person without the person's consentevidence that supports a charge of battery— compare ASSAULT entry 1 sense 2a2[Middle French batterie, from battre to beat] militarya: a grouping of artillery pieces for tactical (see TACTICAL sense 1a(1)) purposesa battery of cannon from the Revolutionary Warb: the guns of a warshipthe starboard battery3military : an artillery (see ARTILLERY sense 2b) unit in the army equivalent to a company (see COMPANY entry 1 sense 2b)4a: a combination of apparatus for producing a single electrical effecta battery of generatorsb: a group of two or more cells (see CELL sense 5) connected together to furnish electric currentalso : a single cell that furnishes electric currentneed to replace the flashlight's batteriescbatteries plural : level of energy or enthusiasmneeds a vacation to recharge her batteries5a(1): a number of similar articles, items, or devices arranged, connected, or used together : SET, SERIESran through a battery of testsa battery of filing cabinets(2): a series of cages or compartments for raising or fattening poultry —often used before another nounbattery chickensbattery farmingb: a usually impressive or imposing group : ARRAYa battery of specialists6: the position of readiness of a gun for firingthe gun would not return to battery— Infantry Journal7baseball : the pitcher and catcher of a teamone of the greatest batteries in baseball history

bawdy

Definition of bawdy (Entry 1 of 2)1: boisterously or humorously indecentbawdy jokes2: OBSCENE, LEWDa bawdy comedianbawdy nounDefinition of bawdy (Entry 2 of 2): BAWDRY sense 2

bawl

Definition of bawl (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb 1: to cry out loudly and unrestrainedlya sergeant bawling at his troops2: to cry loudly : WAILHe lay on his bed, bawling uncontrollably.transitive verb : to cry out at the top of one's voice"Get out of the car!" she bawled.bawl nounDefinition of bawl (Entry 2 of 2): a loud prolonged cry : OUTCRY... political bawls and bellows about cattle prices ...— Time

beam

Definition of beam (Entry 1 of 2)1a: a long piece of heavy often squared timber suitable for use in constructionbweaving : a wood or metal cylinder in a loom on which the warp (see WARP entry 1 sense 1a) is woundc: the part of a plow to which handles, standard, and coulter are attachedd: the bar of a balance from which scales hange: one of the principal horizontal supporting members (as of a building or ship)a steel beam supporting a flooralso : BOOM, SPARthe beam of a cranefnautical : the extreme width of a ship at the widest partgengines : an oscillating lever on a central axis receiving motion at one end from an engine connecting rod and transmitting it at the other2a: a ray or shaft of lightbeams from the searchlightsb: a collection of nearly parallel rays (such as X-rays) or a stream of particles (such as electrons)c: a constant directional radio signal transmitted for the guidance of pilotsalso : the course indicated by a radio beam3: the main stem of a deer's antler4: the width of the buttocks... immensely broad in the beam ...— Ann Bridgeon the beam1: following a guiding beam2: proceeding or operating correctlybeam verbbeamed; beaming; beamsDefinition of beam (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to emit in beams or as a beam (see BEAM entry 1 sense 2)The sun beamed its light through the window.2: to support with beams (see BEAM entry 1 sense 1)The house was beamed with heavy timbers.3a: to transmit especially by satellite : BROADCAST... the 90-minute show was beamed to more than 200 countries and territories around the world.— TV Guideb: to transmit (data) electronicallybeaming images of the planet back to EarthThe amount of data beamed over fiber-optic networks is rising exponentially every year, yet only 0.1% of fiber capacity is in use.— Leslie Cauleyespecially : to transmit (data) wirelesslyInfrared connectivity enables users to work collaboratively on documents without having to log on to the network, and for quickly "beaming" data between different devices (for example, between two notebooks, or between a notebook and a printer, without a need for a cable).— Newsweekc: to direct to a particular audiencea commercial beamed at middle-class votersintransitive verb 1: to send out rays of lightSunlight beamed through the window.2: to smile with joyThe bride was beaming.

beatitude

Definition of beatitude1a: a state of utmost blissbChristianity —used as a title for a primate especially of an Eastern church2Christianity : any of the declarations made in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-11) beginning in the King James Version "Blessed are"

beck

Definition of beck (Entry 1 of 3)transitive verb archaic: BECKONbeck noun (1)\ ˈbek \Definition of beck (Entry 2 of 3)1chiefly Scottish : BOW, CURTSY2a: a beckoning gestureb: SUMMONS, BIDDINGat one's beck and call: ready to obey one's command immediatelybeck noun (2)\ ˈbek \Definition of beck (Entry 3 of 3)British: CREEK sense 1

belay

Definition of belay (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1a: to secure (a rope or cable) by turns around a cleat (see CLEAT entry 1 sense 1b), pin, or bittb: to make fast : to fasten downbelaying ammunition on deck2nautical : STOP, CANCELbelay that last order3a: to secure (a person) at the end of a ropebelay a climber... belaying each other over the difficult places.— National Geographicb: to secure (a rope) to a person or objectintransitive verb 1: to be made fastknowing where each rope belays on deck2nautical : STOP, QUIT —used in the imperativebelay there3: to make a line (see LINE entry 1 sense 1) fast by turns around a cleat, pin, or bittbelay nounDefinition of belay (Entry 2 of 2)1: the securing of a person or a safety rope to an anchor point (as during mountain climbing)Belays are more difficult to secure on ice and snow than on rock ...— Kenneth A. Hendersonalso : a method of so securing a person or rope2: something (such as a projection of rock) to which a person or rope is anchored

benefit

Definition of benefit (Entry 1 of 2)1a: something that produces good or helpful results or effects or that promotes well-being : ADVANTAGEdiscounted prices and other benefits of a museum membershipThe benefits outweigh the risks of taking the drug.reaping the benefits of their hard workchanges that will be to your benefitb: useful aid : HELPwithout the benefit of a lawyer2a: financial help in time of sickness, old age, or unemploymentis on unemployment benefita disability benefita family on benefitsb: a payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policycollecting his retirement benefitsc: a service (such as health insurance) or right (as to take vacation time) provided by an employer in addition to wages or salaryThe job doesn't pay much, but the benefits are good.3: an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or causeholding a benefit to raise money for the school4archaic : an act of kindness : BENEFACTIONbenefit verbbenefited\ ˈbe-​nə-​ˌfi-​təd \ also benefitted; benefiting also benefittingDefinition of benefit (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to be useful or profitable totax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthyheld a fund-raiser to benefit her campaignintransitive verb : to receive help or an advantage : to receive benefitpatients who will benefit from the drughas benefited from his experiences in the military

bent

Definition of bent (Entry 1 of 3)1: unenclosed grassland2botanya(1): a reedy grass (see GRASS entry 1 sense 2)(2): a stalk of stiff coarse grassb: BENT GRASSbent adjectiveDefinition of bent (Entry 2 of 3)1: changed by bending out of an originally straight or even conditionbent twigsstanding with knees slightly bent2: strongly inclined : DETERMINED —usually used with onwas bent on going3slanga: different from the normal or usual... she was so bent that she's probably a woman who ought to be locked up somewhere ...— Robert Redfordbchiefly British : DISHONEST, CORRUPTa bent copcchiefly US : INTOXICATED, DRUNKLike to get bent? This hangover beater will help you get back on track.— Vibebent out of shape: extremely upset or angryget bentslang —used as an angry or contemptuous way of dismissing someone's statement, suggestion, etc.I try to call him the next morning to apologize, but he tells me to get bent.— Chuck Klostermanbent noun (2)Definition of bent (Entry 3 of 3)1a: a strong inclination or interest : BIASthe organization's religious bentb: a special inclination or capacity : TALENTstudents with a scientific bent2: capacity of enduranceThey fool me to the top of my bent.— Shakespeare3engineering : a transverse framework (as in a bridge) to carry lateral as well as vertical loads

berserk

Definition of berserk (Entry 1 of 2)1: an ancient Scandinavian warrior frenzied in battle and held to be invulnerable2: one whose actions are recklessly defiantberserk adjectiveDefinition of berserk (Entry 2 of 2): FRENZIED, CRAZED —usually used in the phrase go berserksinister ravings of an imagination gone berserk— John Gruen

berth

Definition of berth (Entry 1 of 2)1anautical : sufficient distance for maneuvering a shipKeep a clear berth of the shoals.b: an amount of distance maintained for safetygive the fire a wide berthgiving him a wide berth until he is in a better mood2a: the place where a ship lies when at anchor or at a wharfwas docked at her usual berthb: a space for an automotive vehicle at resta truck-loading berth3: a place to sit or sleep especially on a ship or vehicle : ACCOMMODATIONa comfortable cabin with a deep berthan upper berth4a: a billet (see BILLET entry 1 sense 2a) on a shipwaiting for a berth as a ship's surgeon— Bernard Keelanb: JOB, POSITION, PLACEa starting berth on the teamberth verbberthed; berthing; berthsDefinition of berth (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to bring (something, such as a ship or automotive vehicle) into a berthThe ship was berthed at this pier.2: to allot quarters or accommodations to : to allot a berth toa place to berth the crewintransitive verb : to come into a berthwhere the ship typically berths

bevel

Definition of bevel (Entry 1 of 3): OBLIQUE, BEVELEDa bevel edgebevel nounDefinition of bevel (Entry 2 of 3)1: an instrument consisting of two rules or arms jointed together and opening to any angle for drawing angles or adjusting surfaces to be cut at an angle2a: the angle that one surface or line makes with another when they are not at right anglesb: the slant of such a surface or linec: the surface or line at such a slant or inclination3: the part of printing type extending from face to shoulderbevel verbbeveled or bevelled; beveling or bevelling\ ˈbev-​liŋ , ˈbe-​və-​ \Definition of bevel (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb : to cut or shape to a bevelintransitive verb : INCLINE, SLANT the bevel of the mirrorVerb a tool that is used for beveling wood

bicker

Definition of bicker (Entry 1 of 2)1: petulant quarreling : ALTERCATION2: a sound of or as if of bickeringbicker verbbickered; bickering\ ˈbi-​k(ə-​)riŋ \Definition of bicker (Entry 2 of 2)intransitive verb 1: to engage in a petulant or petty quarrelbickering over money2a: to move with a rapidly repeated noisea bickering streamb: QUIVER, FLICKER

bilge

Definition of bilge (Entry 1 of 2)1: the bulging part of a cask or barrel2a: the part of the underwater body of a ship between the flat of the bottom and the vertical topsidesb: the lowest point of a ship's inner hull3: stale or worthless remarks or ideasbilge verbbilged; bilgingDefinition of bilge (Entry 2 of 2)intransitive verb : to become damaged in the bilge

bilk

Definition of bilk (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to block the free development of : FRUSTRATEfate bilks their hopes2a: to cheat out of something valuable : DEFRAUDbilking investors out of their life savingsb: to evade payment of or tobilks his creditorsc: to obtain (something) by defrauding someoneThe Tampa couple sent out phony sonograms and bilked money from couples wanting children, authorities say.— Brady Dennis3: to slip away frombilked her pursuersbilk nounDefinition of bilk (Entry 2 of 2): an untrustworthy tricky individual : CHEAT

billow

Definition of billow (Entry 1 of 2)1: WAVEespecially : a great wave or surge of waterthe rolling billows of the sea2: a rolling mass (as of flame or smoke) that resembles a high waveBillows of smoke poured out of the building.billows of fogbillow verbbillowed; billowing; billowsDefinition of billow (Entry 2 of 2)intransitive verb 1: to rise or roll in waves or surgesthe billowing sea2: to bulge or swell out (as through action of the wind)billowing clouds... the flags ... billowed out in pride ...— G. B. Oxnamtransitive verb : to cause to billowa field of burning grass billowing thick black clouds of smoke into the sky— Donald Windham

caucus

Definition of caucus (Entry 1 of 2): a closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party or faction usually to select candidates or to decide on policya presidential caucusalso : a group of people united to promote an agreed-upon causecaucus verbcaucused; caucusing; caucusesDefinition of caucus (Entry 2 of 2)intransitive verb : to meet in or hold a caucusThe committee caucused to select the most promising candidates.

bitterness

Definition of bitter (Entry 1 of 4)1a: being, inducing, or marked by the one of the five basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, and often disagreeable and characteristic of citrus peels, unsweetened cocoa, black coffee, mature leafy greens (such as kale or mustard), or aleThe pill left a bitter taste in my mouth.bitter beerbitter chocolates— compare SALTY entry 1 sense 1b, SOUR entry 1 sense 1, SWEET entry 1, UMAMI entry 2 sense 1b: distasteful or distressing to the mind : GALLINGa bitter sense of shame2: marked by intensity or severity:a: accompanied by severe pain or sufferinga bitter deathb: being relentlessly determined : VEHEMENTa bitter partisanc: exhibiting intense animositybitter enemiesd(1): harshly reproachfulbitter complaints(2): marked by cynicism and rancorbitter contemptwas still bitter about not being chosene: intensely unpleasant especially in coldness or rawnessa bitter wind3: caused by or expressive of severe pain, grief, or regretbitter tearsbitter nounDefinition of bitter (Entry 2 of 4)1a: bitter quality... stepping outside your comfort zone and taking the bitter with the sweet.— James Poniewoziksb: the taste sensation that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, and often disagreeable and is characteristic of citrus peels, unsweetened cocoa, black coffee, mature leafy greens (such as kale or mustard), or ale— compare SALTY entry 2, SOUR entry 2 sense 1b, SWEET entry 3 sense 2, UMAMI entry 12abitters\ ˈbi-​tərz \ plural : a usually alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used especially in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic (see TONIC entry 1 sense 1b)bBritish : a very dry (see DRY entry 1 sense 7b) heavily hopped alebitter verbbittered; bittering; bittersDefinition of bitter (Entry 3 of 4)transitive verb : to make bitter (see BITTER entry 1)bittered alebitter adverbDefinition of bitter (Entry 4 of 4): to an intense or severe degree : to a bitter (see BITTER entry 1) degreeIt's bitter cold.

bivouac

Definition of bivouac (Entry 1 of 2)1: a usually temporary encampment under little or no shelter2a: encampment usually for a nightb: a temporary or casual shelter or lodgingbivouac verbbivouacked; bivouackingDefinition of bivouac (Entry 2 of 2)intransitive verb 1: to make a bivouac : CAMPa place for the troops to bivouac2: to take shelter often temporarilytransitive verb : to provide temporary quarters forThey were bivouacked in the gym during the storm.

bizarre

Definition of bizarre (Entry 1 of 2): strikingly out of the ordinary: such asa: odd, extravagant, or eccentric in style or modeHis behavior was bizarre.bizarre storiesa bizarre outfitb: involving sensational contrasts or incongruitiesthe bizarre timidity of a tall, strapping young manbizarre nounDefinition of bizarre (Entry 2 of 2)botany : a flower with atypical striped marking

blare

Definition of blare (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb : to sound loud and stridentradios blaringtransitive verb 1: to sound or utter raucouslysat blaring the car horn2: to proclaim flamboyantlyheadlines blared his defeatblare nounDefinition of blare (Entry 2 of 2)1: a loud strident noise2: dazzling often garish brilliance3: FLAMBOYANCE

blaze

Definition of blaze (Entry 1 of 5)1a: an intensely burning fireb: intense direct light often accompanied by heatthe blaze of TV lightsc: an active burningespecially : a sudden bursting forth of flame2: something that resembles the blaze of a fire: such asa: a dazzling displaya blaze of colorb: a sudden outbursta blaze of furywent down in a blaze of glorycblazes plural : HELLgo to blazesas hot as blazesblaze verb (1)blazed; blazingDefinition of blaze (Entry 2 of 5)intransitive verb 1a: to burn brightlythe sun blazed overheadb: to flare up : FLAMEinflation blazed up2: to be conspicuously brilliant or resplendentfields blazing with flowers3: to shoot rapidly and repeatedly —usually used with away4: to proceed extremely rapidly : BLASTblazing down the highwayblaze verb (2)blazed; blazingDefinition of blaze (Entry 3 of 5)transitive verb : to make public or conspicuousblaze noun (2)Definition of blaze (Entry 4 of 5)1a: a usually white stripe down the center of the face of an animalb: a white or gray streak in the hair of the head2: a trail markerespecially : a mark made on a tree by chipping off a piece of the barkblaze verb (3)blazed; blazingDefinition of blaze (Entry 5 of 5)transitive verb 1: to mark (a trail) with blazes (see BLAZE entry 4 sense 2)2: to lead in some direction or activityblaze new trails in education

blazon

Definition of blazon (Entry 1 of 2)1a: armorial bearings : COAT OF ARMSb: the proper description or representation of heraldic or armorial bearings2: ostentatious displayblazon verbblazoned; blazoning\ ˈblāz-​niŋ , ˈblā-​zᵊn-​iŋ \Definition of blazon (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to publish widely : PROCLAIM2a: to describe (heraldic or armorial bearings) in technical termsb: to represent (armorial bearings) in drawing or engraving3a: DISPLAYb: DECK, ADORNthe town was blazoned with flags

bleak

Definition of bleak1: exposed and barren and often windswepta bleak landscapebleak soils2: COLD, RAWa bleak November evening3a: lacking in warmth, life, or kindliness : GRIMa bleak prison documentaryb: not hopeful or encouraging : DEPRESSINGa bleak prognosisa bleak outlookthe future looks bleakc: severely simple or austerea bleak hotel room

blemish

Definition of blemish (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb : to spoil by a flawblemish nounDefinition of blemish (Entry 2 of 2): a noticeable imperfectionespecially : one that seriously impairs appearance

blight

Definition of blight (Entry 1 of 2)1botanya: a disease or injury of plants marked by the formation of lesions, withering, and death of parts (such as leaves and tubers)potato blightb: an organism (such as an insect or a fungus) that causes blight2: something that frustrates plans or hopesthe blight of povertyan abandoned factory that was a blight on the neighborhood3: something that impairs or destroys... censorship ... has brought under its blight Ireland's greatest poets, dramatists, and scholars.— Paul Blanshard4: a deteriorated conditionurban blightblight verbblighted; blighting; blightsDefinition of blight (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1botany : to affect (a plant) with a disease or injury marked by the formation of lesions, withering, and death of parts (such as leaves and tubers) : to affect with blight (see BLIGHT entry 1 sense 1)The apple trees were blighted by fungus.2: to impair the quality or effect ofthe condition that has blighted his son's life— Patricia Guthrieintransitive verb botany : to suffer from or become affected with blightThe potatoes blighted.

blockade

Definition of blockade (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to subject to a blockade2: BLOCK, OBSTRUCTblockade nounDefinition of blockade (Entry 2 of 2)1: the isolation by a warring nation of an enemy area (such as a harbor) by troops or warships to prevent passage of persons or suppliesbroadly : a restrictive measure designed to obstruct the commerce and communications of an unfriendly nation2: something that blocks3: interruption of normal physiological function (such as transmission of nerve impulses) of a cellular receptor, tissue, or organalso : inhibition of a physiologically active substance (such as a hormone)

caustic

Definition of caustic (Entry 1 of 2)1: capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action : CORROSIVEThe chemical was so caustic that it ate through the pipe.2: marked by incisive sarcasma caustic film reviewcaustic humor3: relating to or being the surface or curve of a caustic (see CAUSTIC entry 2 sense 2)caustic nounDefinition of caustic (Entry 2 of 2)1: a caustic agent: such asa: a substance that burns or destroys organic tissue by chemical actionb: a strong corrosive alkali (such as sodium hydroxide)2: the envelope of rays emanating from a point and reflected or refracted by a curved surface

bluff

Definition of bluff (Entry 1 of 5)1a: having a broad flattened fronta ship with bluff bowsb: rising steeply with a broad flat or rounded frontthe bluff banks of the river2: good-naturedly frank and outspokena bluff, easygoing fellowbluff noun (1)Definition of bluff (Entry 2 of 5): a high steep bank : CLIFFstood on the bluffs overlooking the oceanbluff verbbluffed; bluffing; bluffsDefinition of bluff (Entry 3 of 5)transitive verb 1a: to deter or frighten by pretense or a mere show of strengthbluffed them into surrenderingb: DECEIVEbluff her way in without a ticketc: FEIGNThe catcher bluffed a throw to first.2card games : to deceive (an opponent) by a bold bet on an inferior handwas bluffed out of a winning handintransitive verb : to bluff someone : act deceptivelyYou can tell when he is bluffing.bluff noun (2)Definition of bluff (Entry 4 of 5)1a: a false threat or claim intended to deter or deceive someone : an act or instance of bluffing (see BLUFF entry 3)Having ... nothing to support his pretensions he decided to put up a bluff.— Sherwood AndersonHis boss called his bluff.b: the practice of bluffingThe agreement had been reached, after weeks of bluff and haggle ...— Time2: one who bluffsBluff geographical name\ ˈbləf \Definition of Bluff (Entry 5 of 5)town in southern New ZealandNOTE: Bluff serves as the port for the city of Invercargill.

blunder

Definition of blunder (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb 1: to move unsteadily or confusedlyIn their exhaustion they often blundered against each other ...— Norman Mailer2: to make a mistake through stupidity, ignorance, or carelessnessblundered by not acting soonertransitive verb 1: to utter stupidly, confusedly, or thoughtlesslyblundered an apology2: to make a stupid, careless, or thoughtless mistake in... blundering matters through ignorance ...— Rafael Sabatiniblunder nounDefinition of blunder (Entry 2 of 2): a gross error or mistake resulting usually from stupidity, ignorance, or carelessnessa costly tactical blunder

boatswain

Definition of boatswain1: a petty officer on a merchant ship having charge of hull maintenance and related work2: a naval warrant officer in charge of the hull and all related equipmentExamples of boatswain in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebAnthony Gillilan, the boatswain's mate of the watch, was in charge of both sailors.

bode

Definition of bode (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to indicate (something, such as a future event) by signs : PRESAGEbode disasterrecent data that bodes well for her reelection2archaic : to announce beforehand : FORETELLbode ill: to show or suggest that future developments or events will be unfavorable or unwelcome : to be a sign of trouble to comeAny further diminishing of the species' gene pool can only bode ill for the future.— John Hew Fanshawebode well: to show or suggest that future developments or events will be good or favorable : to be a sign of good things to come... the news ... does not bode well for our future standard of living.— Lester C. ThurowbodeDefinition of bode (Entry 2 of 2)past tense of BIDE

bodily

Definition of bodily (Entry 1 of 2)1: having a body : PHYSICAL2: of or relating to the bodybodily comfortbodily organsbodily adverbDefinition of bodily (Entry 2 of 2)1a: in the fleshb: in a manner that involves physically moving someone's bodyThe blast lifted him bodily into the air.Jerry Wexler called him a "parasite" and threw him bodily out of his office.— Jack Kroll2: as a whole : ALTOGETHER

boll

Definition of boll (Entry 1 of 2): the usually roundish pod or capsule of some plants (such as cotton or flax)Böll biographical name\ ˈbəl , ˈbœl \Definition of Böll (Entry 2 of 2)Heinrich Theodor 1917-1985 German writerExamples of boll in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: NounAs children in the 1960s, Collier and his siblings worked the cotton fields around Black Swamp, lugging burlap sacks up and down long rows and pulling white bolls from between the plants' needle-like stems.— Los Angeles Times, "Along the Mississippi, Obamacare's neglected legacy: civil rights," 11 May 2020Many bolls are left unpicked owing to labour shortages.

bolster

Definition of bolster (Entry 1 of 2)1: a long pillow or cushion2: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing (see BEARING sense 5)bolster verbbolstered; bolstering\ ˈbōl-​st(ə-​)riŋ \Definition of bolster (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to support with or as if with a bolster : REINFORCElay bolstered up in bedextra men will bolster already augmented dock details— Stanley Levey2: to give a boost tonews that bolstered his spirits

bomb

Definition of bomb (Entry 1 of 2)1a: an explosive device fused to detonate under specified conditionsb: ATOMIC BOMBalso : nuclear weapons in general —usually used with the2: a vessel for compressed gases: such asa: a pressure vessel for conducting chemical experimentsb: a container for an aerosol (such as an insecticide) : SPRAY CAN3: a rounded mass of lava exploded from a volcano4: a lead-lined container for radioactive material5: FAILURE, FLOPthe play was a bomb6British : a large sum of money7aBritish : a great success : HITbslang : one that is striking or extraordinary —used with thetheir new album is the bomb8a: a long pass in footballb: a very long shot (as in basketball)shooting 3-point bombsalso : HOME RUN9: something unexpected and unpleasant —often used with dropdropped a bomb with her resignationbomb verbbombed; bombing; bombsDefinition of bomb (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to attack with or as if with bombs : BOMBARDThe planes successfully bombed their target.a bombed village2a: to defeat decisivelybbaseball : to score many runs against (a pitcher)Allen tried a new slider pitch without success and was bombed in Cincinnati.— Jack Lang3: to hit (a ball, puck, or shot) very hardbomb a home runbomb a long drive down the fairway4slang : to fail (a test)I bombed my history exam.intransitive verb 1informal : to fall flat : to fail completelyThe movie bombed at the box office.a joke that bombed2informal : to move rapidlya car bombing down the hill

bombard

Definition of bombard (Entry 1 of 2): a late medieval cannon used to hurl large stonesbombard verbbom·​bard | \ bäm-ˈbärd also bəm- \bombarded; bombarding; bombardsDefinition of bombard (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to attack especially with artillery or bombers2: to assail vigorously or persistently (as with questions)3: to subject to the impact of rapidly moving particles (such as electrons)Using data effectively is all about combing through the junk (data) that we are bombarded with daily.— Sangeeta Tanwar, Quartz India, "At Indian packaging giant UFlex, growth is all about upskilling staff," 15 Apr. 2020Millions of parents are in the same position these days. I'm bombarded with well-meaning suggestions for online children's activities and learning resources.

boon

Definition of boon (Entry 1 of 2)1: a timely benefit : BLESSINGa boon to new homeownersThe rain was a boon for parched crops.2: BENEFIT, FAVORespecially : one that is given in answer to a requestwould not grant his boonboon adjectiveDefinition of boon (Entry 2 of 2)1: CONVIVIALa boon companion2archaic : FAVORABLE

bosom

Definition of bosom (Entry 1 of 3)1a: the human chest and especially the front part of the chesthugged the child to his bosomb: a woman's breasts regarded especially as a single featurea woman with an ample bosomalso : BREASTa woman's bosoms2a: the chest conceived of as the seat of the emotions and intimate feelingsa story you will take to your bosomb: the security and intimacy of or like that of being hugged to someone's bosomthe bosom of her family3: the part of a garment that covers the chest or the breastsbosom verbbosomed; bosoming; bosomsDefinition of bosom (Entry 2 of 3)transitive verb 1: to enclose in or as if in an embracea Gothic, moss-grown structure, half bosomed in trees— T. L. Peacock2: to enclose or carry in the bosom (see BOSOM entry 1)she bosomed her letter— E. P. O'Donnellbosom adjectiveDefinition of bosom (Entry 3 of 3): CLOSE, INTIMATEbosom friends

bourgeois

Definition of bourgeois (Entry 1 of 4)1: of, relating to, or characteristic of the social middle class2: marked by a concern for material interests and respectability and a tendency toward mediocrity3: dominated by commercial and industrial interests : CAPITALISTICbourgeois nounbour·​geois | \ ˈbu̇rzh-ˌwä also ˈbu̇zh- or ˈbüzh- or bu̇rzh-ˈwä \plural bourgeois\ ˈbu̇rzh-​ˌwä(z) also ˈbu̇zh-​ or ˈbüzh-​ or bu̇rzh-​ˈwä(z) \Definition of bourgeois (Entry 2 of 4)1a: a middle-class personb: BURGHER2: a person with social behavior and political views held to be influenced by private-property interest : CAPITALIST3plural : BOURGEOISIERecent Examples on the Web: AdjectiveMore in his Apology in 1533 placed the national English literacy rate at about 40 percent; Latin, the Church's universal tongue, was understood by a similar proportion of the bourgeois merchant class at the time.— John Hirschauer, National Review, "An Icon for Saint Greta Thunberg," 14 Nov. 2019Hansberry had a relatively bourgeois, liberal, middle-class upbringing, in Chicago, but it was ringed by violence.

bovine

Definition of bovine (Entry 1 of 2)1: of, relating to, or resembling bovines and especially the ox or cowa bovine disease2: having qualities (such as placidity or dullness) characteristic of oxen or cowshad a stupid, bovine expression on his facebovine nounDefinition of bovine (Entry 2 of 2)biology : any of a subfamily (Bovinae) of bovids including oxen, bison, buffalo, and their close relatives

bowler

Definition of bowler (Entry 1 of 2): a person who bowlsspecifically : the player who delivers the ball to the batsman in cricketbowler noun (2)bow·​ler | \ ˈbō-lər \Definition of bowler (Entry 2 of 2): DERBY sense 4

brandish

Definition of brandish (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to shake or wave (something, such as a weapon) menacinglybrandished a knife at them2: to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive mannerbrandishing her intellectbrandish nounDefinition of brandish (Entry 2 of 2): an act or instance of waving something menacingly or exhibiting something ostentatiously or aggressively : an act or instance of brandishing

brash

Definition of brash (Entry 1 of 2)1: BRITTLEbrash wood2a: heedless of the consequences : AUDACIOUSa brash adventurerb: done in haste without regard for consequences : RASHbrash acts3a: full of fresh raw vitalitya brash frontier townb: uninhibitedly energetic or demonstrative (see DEMONSTRATIVE entry 1 sense 3) : BUMPTIOUSa brash comedian4a: lacking restraint and discernment : TACTLESSbrash remarksb: aggressively self-assertive : IMPUDENTbrash to the point of arrogance5: piercingly sharp : HARSHa brash squeal of brakes6: marked by vivid contrast : BOLDbrash colorsbrash nounDefinition of brash (Entry 2 of 2): a mass of fragments (as of ice) She asks such brash questions. a brash request to get something for free

bray

Definition of bray (Entry 1 of 3)intransitive verb : to utter the characteristic loud harsh cry of a donkeya braying donkeyalso : to utter a sound like a donkey'sbray with laughtertransitive verb : to utter or play loudly or harshly"I'm the best!" he brayed.bray verb (2)brayed; braying; braysDefinition of bray (Entry 2 of 3)transitive verb 1: to crush or grind finebray seeds in a mortar2: to spread thinbray printing ink

brazen

Definition of brazen (Entry 1 of 2)1: made of brassdrinking from brazen cups2a: sounding harsh and loud like struck brassthe horrible brazen voice of the fire bell— Elmer Davisb: of the color of polished brass3: marked by shameless or disrespectful boldnessa brazen disregard for the rulesbrazen verbbrazened; brazening\ ˈbrāz-​niŋ , ˈbrā-​zᵊn-​iŋ \Definition of brazen (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to face with defiance or impudence —usually used in the phrase brazen it out

brazier

Definition of brazier (Entry 1 of 2): one who works in brassbrazier noun (2)Definition of brazier (Entry 2 of 2)1: a pan for holding burning coals2: a utensil in which food is exposed to heat through a wire grill

breach

Definition of breach (Entry 1 of 2)1: infraction or violation of a law, obligation, tie, or standarda breach of trustsued them for breach of contract2a: a broken, ruptured, or torn condition or areaa breach of the skinthe leak was a major security breachb: a gap (as in a wall) made by batteringfixing a breach in the fenceonce more unto the breach, dear friends, ... or close the wall up with our English dead— Shakespeare3a: a break in accustomed friendly relationscaused a breach between the two countriesb: a temporary gap in continuity : HIATUSa breach of routine4: a leap especially of a whale out of waterbreach verbbreached; breaching; breachesDefinition of breach (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to make a gap in by battering : to make a breach (see BREACH entry 1 sense 2b) inbreached the castle wall2: BREAK, VIOLATEbreach an agreementintransitive verb : to leap out of watera whale breaching

breaker

Definition of breaker (Entry 1 of 2)1a: one that breaksb: a machine or plant for breaking rocks or coalcchiefly British : one who breaks up ships or cars for salvaged: a device for opening a circuitspecifically : CIRCUIT BREAKER2: a wave breaking into foam (as against the shore)breaker noun (2)brea·​ker | \ ˈbrā-kər \Definition of breaker (Entry 2 of 2): a small water cask

brethren

Definition of brethren (Entry 1 of 2)plural of BROTHER —used chiefly in formal or solemn address or in referring to the members of a profession, society, or religious denominationour church brethrenBrethren plural nounDefinition of Brethren (Entry 2 of 2)religion : members of various sects originating chiefly in 18th century German Pietismespecially : DUNKERS

chromatic

Definition of chromatic (Entry 1 of 2)1a: of, relating to, or giving all the tones of the chromatic scaleb: characterized by frequent use of accidentals2a: of or relating to color or color phenomena or sensationsb: highly colored3: of or relating to chromachromatic nounDefinition of chromatic (Entry 2 of 2): ACCIDENTAL sense 2

bridle

Definition of bridle (Entry 1 of 2)1: the headgear with which a horse is governed and which carries a bit (see BIT entry 1 sense 2a) and reins2: a length of line or cable attached to two parts of something (such as a ship) to spread the force of a pullespecially : rigging on a kite for attaching line3: CURB, RESTRAINTset a bridle on his powerbridle verbbridled; bridling\ ˈbrīd-​liŋ , ˈbrī-​dᵊl-​iŋ \Definition of bridle (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to put a harness with which a horse is governed on the head of : to put a bridle (see BRIDLE entry 1 sense 1) onbridle a horse2: to restrain, check, or control with or as if with a bridlebridle your tonguewas forced to bridle her angerintransitive verb : to show hostility or resentment (as to an affront to one's pride or dignity) especially by drawing back the head and chinmilitary commanders who had bridled against ... interference— Time

brigade

Definition of brigade (Entry 1 of 2)1a: a large body of troopsb: a tactical and administrative unit composed of a headquarters, one or more units of infantry or armor, and supporting units2: a group of people organized for special activitybrigade verbbrigaded; brigadingDefinition of brigade (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to form or unite into a brigade

bristle

Definition of bristle (Entry 1 of 2): a short stiff coarse hair or filamenthog bristlesshort bristle paint brushesbristle verbbristled; bristling\ ˈbris-​liŋ , ˈbri-​sə-​ \Definition of bristle (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to furnish with short stiff coarse hairs or filaments : to furnish with bristles2: to make aggressive or angry : to make bristly : RUFFLEintransitive verb 1a: to rise and stand stiffly erectquills bristlingb: to raise the bristles (as in anger)a snarling, bristling dog2: to take on an aggressively defensive attitude (as in response to a slight or criticism)he bristled at the accusations of corruption3a: to be full of or covered with especially something suggestive of bristlesroofs bristled with chimneysb: to be full of something specifiedbook bristles with detail and irony— W. J. Broad

brittle

Definition of brittle (Entry 1 of 2)1a: easily broken, cracked, or snappedbrittle claybrittle glassb: easily disrupted, overthrown, or damaged : FRAILa brittle friendship2a: PERISHABLE, MORTALb: TRANSITORY, EVANESCENT3: easily hurt or offended : SENSITIVEa brittle personality4: SHARPthe brittle staccato of snare drums5: lacking warmth, depth, or generosity of spirit : COLDa brittle selfish person6medical : affected with or being a form of type 1 diabetes characterized by large and unpredictable fluctuations in blood glucose levelbrittle nounDefinition of brittle (Entry 2 of 2): a candy made with caramelized sugar and nuts spread in thin sheetspeanut brittle

broach

Definition of broach (Entry 1 of 3)1: BROOCHwore a lovely broach on her lapel2: any of various pointed or tapered tools, implements, or parts: such asa: a spit for roasting meatb: a tool for tapping casksc: a cutting tool for removing material from metal or plastic to shape an outside surface or a holebroach verb (1)broached; broaching; broachesDefinition of broach (Entry 2 of 3)transitive verb 1a: to pierce (something, such as a cask) in order to draw the contentsalso : to open for the first timeb: to open up or break into (a mine, stores, etc.)2: to shape or enlarge (a hole) with a broach (see BROACH entry 1 sense 2c)3a: to make known for the first timeb: to open up (a subject) for discussiona good time to broach the subjectintransitive verb : to break the surface from belowthe whale broachedbroach verb (2)broached; broaching; broachesDefinition of broach (Entry 3 of 3)intransitive verb nautical : to veer or yaw dangerously so as to lie broadside to the waves —often used with toOur ship broached to.

broadcast

Definition of broadcast (Entry 1 of 4)transitive verb 1: to scatter or sow (seed or something similar) over a broad areabroadcasting seedbroadcasting fertilizer on a lawn2: to make widely knownA man who—make no mistake—cares deeply, but doesn't feel the need to broadcast it.— Allison Glock3: to send out or transmit (something, such as a program) by means of radio or television or by streaming over the Internetan event being broadcast live on televisionPoker was first broadcast on television in 1993, but it wasn't until 2002 that the game became watchable.— Josh Tyrangiel... part of a campaign to get people to go online to a fashion show that was broadcast live over the Internet.— David Noackintransitive verb 1: to transmit a broadcastAmong the group's claims to fame is that it was the first band to broadcast live over the Internet.— John Markoff2: to speak or perform on a broadcast programbroadcast nounplural broadcastsDefinition of broadcast (Entry 2 of 4)1: a program that is broadcast on radio or television or over the Internetlistening to a radio broadcasta live nationwide broadcast2: the act of transmitting sound or images by radio or televisionthe broadcast of court proceedingsLess than two years ago, the broadcast of digital television—from transmitter tower to home antenna—was considered to be science fiction.— George Mannes3: a casting or scattering in all directions (as of seed from the hand in sowing)... those of us who oppose the wanton broadcast of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers on lawn and garden ...— Maxine Kuminbroadcast adjectiveDefinition of broadcast (Entry 3 of 4)1: cast or scattered in all directions2: made public by means of radio or television3: of or relating to radio or television broadcastingbroadcast adverbDefinition of broadcast (Entry 4 of 4): to or over a broad area

brogue

Definition of brogue (Entry 1 of 2)1: a stout coarse shoe worn formerly in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands2: a heavy shoe often with a hobnailed sole : BROGAN3: a stout oxford shoe with perforations and usually a wing tipbrogue noun (2)Definition of brogue (Entry 2 of 2): a dialect or regional pronunciationespecially : an Irish accent

browse

Definition of browse (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1aof an animal : to eat (tender shoots, twigs, leaves of trees and shrubs, etc.) : to consume as browse (see BROWSE entry 2 sense 1)browsing thistlesb: GRAZE2: to look over casually : SKIMbrowsing the want ads3computers : to access (a network) by means of a browserintransitive verb 1aof an animal : to feed on or as if on tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs : to feed on or as if on browseb: GRAZEcows browsing in the pasture2a: to skim through a book reading passages that catch the eyeb: to look over or through an aggregate of things casually especially in search of something of interestbrowsing through the store's magazine sectionbrowse nounDefinition of browse (Entry 2 of 2)1: tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs used by animals for food2: an act or instance of browsinga quick browse through the want ads

bruit

Definition of bruit (Entry 1 of 2)1\ ˈbrüt \ archaica: NOISE, DINb: REPORT, RUMOR2\ ˈbrü-​ē \ [French, literally, noise] : any of several generally abnormal sounds heard on auscultationbruit verb\ ˈbrüt \bruited; bruiting; bruitsDefinition of bruit (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : REPORT, RUMOR —usually used with aboutword of his imminent dismissal was bruited about

buffet

Definition of buffet (Entry 1 of 4)1: a blow especially with the hand2: something that strikes with telling forcebuffet verbbuf·​fet | \ ˈbə-fət \buffeted; buffeting; buffetsDefinition of buffet (Entry 2 of 4)transitive verb 1: to strike sharply especially with the hand : CUFF2: to strike repeatedly : BATTERthe waves buffeted the shore3: to drive, force, move, or attack by or as if by repeated blowsschools being buffeted by budget cutsintransitive verb : to make one's way especially under difficult conditionsbuffet noun (2)buf·​fet | \ (ˌ)bə-ˈfā , bü-ˈfā, British especially ˈbü-ˌfā \plural buffetsDefinition of buffet (Entry 3 of 4)1furniture : SIDEBOARD sense 12a: a counter for refreshmentswent back to the buffet for a second helpingbchiefly British : a restaurant operated as a public convenience (as in a railway station)c: a meal set out on a buffet or table for ready access and informal servicea restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet3: an assortment of options or offerings : VARIETYOnce you're up there among the clouds, you'll have a buffet of skiing options.— Brad Wetzlerbuffet adjectivebuf·​fet | \ (ˌ)bə-ˈfā , bü-ˈfā, British especially ˈbü-ˌfā \Definition of buffet (Entry 4 of 4): served informally especially as a buffet (see BUFFET entry 3 sense 2c)a buffet mealbuffet luncheons

bulwark

Definition of bulwark (Entry 1 of 2)1a: a solid wall-like structure raised for defense : RAMPARTb: BREAKWATER, SEAWALLbuilding a bulwark in the harbor2: a strong support or protectiondemocratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyrannya bulwark of freedom3nautical : the side of a ship above the upper deck —usually used in pluralbulwark verbbulwarked; bulwarking; bulwarksDefinition of bulwark (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to fortify or safeguard with a bulwarkability to bulwark a moral choice— Margaret Mead

burgess

Definition of burgess (Entry 1 of 4)1a: a citizen of a British boroughb: a representative of a borough, corporate town, or university in the British Parliament2: a representative in the popular branch of the legislature of colonial Maryland or VirginiaThe Assembly made decisions the same way—governor, advisors and burgesses casting one vote each (the governor did wield a veto).

burlesque

Definition of burlesque (Entry 1 of 2)1literature : a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitationa burlesque of Victorian society2: mockery usually by caricaturea writer whose burlesque often bordered on cruelty3: theatrical entertainment of a broadly humorous often earthy character consisting of short turns (see TURN entry 2 sense 4d), comic skits, and sometimes striptease actsperformers who got their start in burlesqueburlesque verbburlesqued; burlesquingDefinition of burlesque (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to imitate in a humorous or derisive manner : MOCKa work burlesquing Sherlock Holmesintransitive verb : to employ burlesquea temptation to burlesque

burnish

Definition of burnish (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1a: to make shiny or lustrous especially by rubbingburnish leatherburnishing his swordb: POLISH sense 3attempting to burnish her image2: to rub (a material) with a tool for compacting or smoothing or for turning an edgepottery with a smooth burnished surfaceburnish nounDefinition of burnish (Entry 2 of 2): LUSTER, GLOSS

bustle

Definition of bustle (Entry 1 of 3)intransitive verb 1: to move briskly and often ostentatiouslybustled around the kitchen2: to be busily astir : TEEMThe house was bustling with activity.bustle noun (1)Definition of bustle (Entry 2 of 3): noisy, energetic, and often obtrusive activitythe hustle and bustle of the big citybustle noun (2)Definition of bustle (Entry 3 of 3)clothing : a pad or framework expanding and supporting the fullness and drapery of the back of a woman's skirt or dressthe bustle of a nineteenth century wedding gownalso : the drapery so supported

butte

Definition of butte (Entry 1 of 2): an isolated hill or mountain with steep or precipitous sides usually having a smaller summit area than a mesaButte geographical name\ ˈbyüt \Definition of Butte (Entry 2 of 2)city in southwestern Montana on a plateau in the Rockies population 32,996Examples of butte in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: NounDigging into a towering stack of pancakes at Casa Sedona Inn is the perfect way to load up on carbs before traversing the red-rock buttes on foot.

buttress

Definition of buttress (Entry 1 of 2)1architecture : a projecting structure of masonry or wood for supporting or giving stability to a wall or building2: something that resembles a buttress: such asa: a projecting part of a mountain or hillbbiology : a horny protuberance on a horse's hoof at the heel— see HOOF ILLUSTRATIONcbotany : the broadened base of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it3: something that supports or strengthensa buttress of the cause of peacebuttress verbbuttressed; buttressing; buttressesDefinition of buttress (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb architecture : to give support or stability to (a wall or building) with a projecting structure of masonry or wood : to furnish or shore up with a buttress (see BUTTRESS entry 1 sense 1)also : SUPPORT, STRENGTHENarguments buttressed by solid facts

byline

Definition of byline (Entry 1 of 2)1: a secondary line : SIDELINE2: a line at the beginning of a news story, magazine article, or book giving the writer's namebyline verbbylined; bylining; bylinesDefinition of byline (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to write (an article) under a bylineHis last byline on the News-Press website is dated April 30.— Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, "Santa Barbara News-Press owner compares COVID restrictions to Nazi Germany; editor exits," 3 May 2020Her byline can be found in The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Recorder, The Ball State Daily News, Black Press USA, Indiana Minority Business Magazine, Hope For Women Magazine and Ball Bearings Magazine.

cabal

Definition of cabal (Entry 1 of 2)1: the contrived schemes of a group of persons secretly united in a plot (as to overturn a government)also : a group engaged in such schemes2: CLUB, GROUPa cabal of artistscabal verbcaballed; caballingDefinition of cabal (Entry 2 of 2)intransitive verb : to unite in or form a cabal a cabal plotting to overthrow the government a conspiracy theory about the existence of an international cabal devoted to world domination

cabinet

Definition of cabinet (Entry 1 of 2)1a: a case or cupboard usually having doors and shelvesa kitchen cabineta medicine cabinetb: a collection of specimens especially of biological or numismatic interesta butterfly display cabinetc: CONSOLE sense 4ad: a chamber having temperature and humidity controls and used especially for incubating biological samples2aarchaic : a small room providing seclusionb: a small exhibition room in a museum3aarchaic(1): the private room serving as council chamber of the chief councillors or ministers of a sovereign(2): the consultations and actions of these councillorsb(1)often capitalized : a body of advisers of a head of statethe president's cabinet(2): a similar advisory council of a governor of a state or a mayorcBritish : a meeting of a cabinet4New England : MILKSHAKEcabinet adjectiveDefinition of cabinet (Entry 2 of 2)1: of or relating to a governmental cabinet (see CABINET entry 1 sense 3b)held a cabinet meeting2: suitable by reason of size for a small room or by reason of attractiveness or perfection for preservation and display in a cabinetporcelain cabinet plates3a: used or adapted for cabinetmakingb: done or used by a cabinetmaker

callous

Definition of callous (Entry 1 of 2)1a: being hardened and thickenedb: having callusescallous hands2a: feeling no emotionb: feeling or showing no sympathy for others : HARD-HEARTEDa callous indifference to sufferingcallous verbcal·​lous | \ ˈka-ləs \calloused; callousing; callousesDefinition of callous (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to make calloushands calloused by hard manual labor

calvary

Definition of calvary (Entry 1 of 2)1: an open-air representation of the crucifixion of Jesus2: an experience of usually intense mental sufferingCalvary geographical nameCal·​va·​ry | \ ˈkal-v(ə-)rē \variants: or Hebrew Golgotha \ ˈgäl-​gə-​thə , gäl-​ˈgä-​thə \Definition of Calvary (Entry 2 of 2)place outside ancient Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified

campaign

Definition of campaign (Entry 1 of 2)1: a connected series of military operations forming a distinct phase of a warthe bombing campaign2: a connected series of operations designed to bring about a particular resultelection campaignan advertising campaigncampaign verbcampaigned; campaigning; campaignsDefinition of campaign (Entry 2 of 2)intransitive verb : to go on, engage in, or conduct a campaigncampaigned for the presidencytransitive verb : to enter (something, such as a horse or boat) in competitionwas at that time campaigning a big steeplechase stable— A. H. Higginson

canine

Definition of canine (Entry 1 of 2)1[Middle English, from Latin (dens) caninus canine tooth] : a conical pointed toothespecially : one situated between the lateral incisor and the first premolar— see TOOTH ILLUSTRATION2: DOG sense 1abroadly : CANIDcanine adjectiveDefinition of canine (Entry 2 of 2)1: of or resembling that of a dogcanine loyalty2: of or relating to dogs or to the family (Canidae) including the canidscanine diseases

canny

Definition of canny (Entry 1 of 2)1: CLEVER, SHREWDa canny lawyeralso : PRUDENTcanny investments2chiefly Scotlanda: CAREFUL, STEADYalso : RESTRAINEDb: QUIET, SNUGthen canny, in some cozy place, they close the day— Robert Burnscanny adverbDefinition of canny (Entry 2 of 2)Scotland: in a canny manner : CAREFULLY

canon

Definition of canon (Entry 1 of 3)1a: a regulation or dogma decreed by a church councilb: a provision of canon law2[Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin, from Latin, model] : the most solemn and unvarying part of the Mass including the consecration of the bread and wine3[Middle English, from Late Latin, from Latin, standard]a: an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scriptureb: the authentic works of a writerthe Chaucer canonc: a sanctioned or accepted group or body of related worksthe canon of great literature4a: an accepted principle or ruleb: a criterion or standard of judgmentthe canons of good tastec: a body of principles, rules, standards, or normsaccording to newspaper canon ... a big story calls for a lot of copy— A. J. Liebling5[Late Greek kanōn, from Greek, model] : a contrapuntal musical composition in which each successively entering voice presents the initial theme usually transformed in a strictly consistent waycanon noun (2)Definition of canon (Entry 2 of 3)1: a clergyman belonging to the chapter or the staff of a cathedral or collegiate church2: CANON REGULAR

cant

Definition of cant (Entry 1 of 7)1: the expression or repetition of conventional or trite opinions or sentimentsespecially : the insincere use of pious wordsthe cant of hypocrites2: a set or stock phrase3a: the private language of the underworldthe cant of thievesb: JARGON sense 1cobsolete : the phraseology peculiar to a religious class or sect4: affected singsong or whining speecha beggar's cantcant verb (1)canted; canting; cantsDefinition of cant (Entry 2 of 7)intransitive verb 1: to talk hypocriticallycanted about brotherly love2: to speak in cant or jargonThe thieves were canting among themselves.3: to talk or beg in a whining or singsong mannerbade me cant and whine in another place— Samuel Johnsoncant verb (2)canted; canting; cantsDefinition of cant (Entry 3 of 7)intransitive verb 1: to pitch to one side : LEANThe deck of the ship was canting.2: SLOPEThe roof canted gently.transitive verb 1: to set at an angle : TILTcant a cask2: to give a cant or oblique edge to : BEVELcant off a corner3chiefly British : to throw with a lurchcant noun (2)Definition of cant (Entry 4 of 7)1a: an oblique or slanting surfacethe cant of a riverbankb: INCLINATION, SLOPEthe cant of a gun barrel2: an external angle (as of a building)3: a log with one or more squared sides4obsolete : CORNER, NICHEcant adjective (1)Definition of cant (Entry 5 of 7)1: having canted corners or sidesa cant molding2: INCLINED sense 2a cant buttresscant adjective (2)\ ˈkant \Definition of cant (Entry 6 of 7)dialectal, England: LIVELY, LUSTYCant abbreviationDefinition of Cant (Entry 7 of 7)1Canticle of Canticles2Cantonese

canter

Definition of canter (Entry 1 of 3): one who uses cant: such asa: BEGGAR, VAGABONDb: a user of professional or religious cantcanter verbcan·​ter | \ ˈkan-tər \cantered; cantering; cantersDefinition of canter (Entry 2 of 3)intransitive verb 1: to move at or as if at a canter : LOPE2: to ride a horse at a cantertransitive verb : to cause to go at a cantercanter noun (2)can·​ter | \ ˈkan-tər \Definition of canter (Entry 3 of 3)1: a 3-beat gait resembling but smoother and slower than the gallop2: a ride at a canter

cantonment

Definition of cantonment1: usually temporary quarters for troops2: a permanent military station in IndiaExamples of cantonment in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebAreas like cantonment, Clement town and Raipur are not shown as Dehradun population even though the city bears their population pressure.

canvas

Definition of canvas (Entry 1 of 2)1: a firm closely woven cloth usually of linen, hemp, or cotton used for clothing and formerly much used for tents and sails2a: a piece of cloth backed or framed as a surface for a paintingan artist's canvasalso : the painting on such a surfaceb: something likened to a painter's canvas... just up the driveway is an extraordinary piece of garden design. [Ruth] Bancroft is the artist and her canvas is a three-acre patch of land in the midst of suburbia.— Harriet ChiangIn addition to the cover-up work, [Miryam] Lumpini will turn the dimpled canvas of a young man's back into a magnificent phoenix.— AllureThe birds were moving art on a canvas of sky and water and endless prairie.— Shannon Tompkinsc: the background, setting, or scope of a historical or fictional account or narrativethe crowded canvas of history3: a piece of canvas used for a particular purposea hammock made of canvas4: TENTalso : a group of tents5: a set of sails : SAILsailing under full canvas6: a stiff material (as of coarse cloth or plastic) that has regular meshes for working with a needle (as in needlepoint)7: the canvas-covered floor of a boxing or wrestling ringcanvas verbcanvased or canvassed; canvasing or canvassingDefinition of canvas (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to cover, line, or furnish with canvas

capillary

Definition of capillary (Entry 1 of 2)1a: resembling a hair especially in slender elongated formcapillary leavesb: having a very small borea capillary tube2: involving, held by, or resulting from surface tensioncapillary water in the soil3: of or relating to capillaries or capillaritycapillary nounplural capillariesDefinition of capillary (Entry 2 of 2)1: a minute thin-walled vessel of the bodyespecially : any of the smallest blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules and forming networks throughout the body2: a tube (as of glass) having a very small boreExamples of capillary in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: AdjectiveBy capillary action, water can also collect into lenses and chunks in the soil.

cardiac

Definition of cardiac (Entry 1 of 2)1a: of, relating to, situated near, or acting on the heartb: of or relating to the cardia of the stomach2: of, relating to, or affected with heart diseasecardiac patientscardiac nounDefinition of cardiac (Entry 2 of 2): a person with heart diseaseExamples of cardiac in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: AdjectiveFounded in 1853, St. Joe's specialty services range from cardiac care to addiction treatment and a mental health crisis unit.

cardinal

Definition of cardinal (Entry 1 of 2)1: a high ecclesiastical official of the Roman Catholic Church who ranks next below the pope and is appointed by him to assist him as a member of the college of cardinals (see COLLEGE sense 4)2: CARDINAL NUMBER —usually used in plural3a[from its color, resembling that of the cardinal's robes] : a crested finch (Cardinalis cardinalis of the family Cardinalidae) of the eastern U.S. and adjacent Canada, the southwestern U.S., and Mexico to Belize which has a black face and heavy red bill in both sexes and is nearly completely red in the maleb: any of several red-headed passerine birds (genus Paroaria of the family Thraupidae) of South America and the West Indies that are grayish to blackish above with white underpartscardinal adjectiveDefinition of cardinal (Entry 2 of 2)1: of basic importancea cardinal principle2: very serious or gravea cardinal sin

careen

Definition of careen (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to put (a ship or boat) on a beach especially in order to clean, caulk, or repair the hull2: to cause to heel overHigh waves careened the boat.intransitive verb 1a: to clean, caulk, or repair the hull of a boatb: to undergo this process2: to heel over3: to sway from side to side : LURCHa careening carriage being pulled wildly ... by a team of runaway horses— J. P. Getty4: CAREERThe car careened down the hill.careen nounDefinition of careen (Entry 2 of 2)archaic: the act or process of careening : the state of being careened

caricature

Definition of caricature (Entry 1 of 2)1: exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristicsdrew a caricature of the president2: a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricatureHis performance in the film was a caricature of a hard-boiled detective.3: a distortion so gross as to seem like caricatureThe kangaroo court was a caricature of justice.caricature verbcaricatured; caricaturingDefinition of caricature (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to make or draw a caricature of : represent in caricaturethe portrait caricatured its subjectThe comedian caricatured the governor as a pompous know-it-all.

carouse

Definition of carouse (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb 1: to drink liquor freely or excessively2: to take part in a carouse : engage in dissolute behaviortransitive verb obsolete : to drink up : QUAFFcarouse nounca·​rouse | \ kə-ˈrau̇z \Definition of carouse (Entry 2 of 2)1: a drunken revel2archaic : a large draft of liquor : TOAST

carp

Definition of carp (Entry 1 of 5)intransitive verb : to find fault or complain querulouslycarp noun (1)Definition of carp (Entry 2 of 5): COMPLAINTcarp noun (2)plural carp or carpsDefinition of carp (Entry 3 of 5)1: a large variable Asian soft-finned freshwater cyprinid fish (Cyprinus carpio) of sluggish waters that is often raised for food and has been widely introduced into U.S. watersalso : any of various related cyprinid fishes (such as the grass carp)2: a fish (such as the European sea bream) resembling a carpcarp- combining formvariants: or carpo-Definition of carp- (Entry 4 of 5): fruitcarpogonium-carp noun combining formDefinition of -carp (Entry 5 of 5): part of a fruitmesocarp: fruitschizocarp

catalogue

Definition of catalog (Entry 1 of 2)1: LIST, REGISTERa catalog of the band's songs2a: a complete enumeration of items arranged systematically with descriptive detailsa catalog of the company's productsb: a pamphlet or book that contains such a lista mail-order cataloga university catalogc: material in such a listcatalog verbvariants: or cataloguecataloged or catalogued; cataloging or cataloguingDefinition of catalog (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to make a catalog ofcatalog a collection of books2a: to enter in a catalogb: to classify (something, such as books or information) descriptivelyScientific monographs are cataloged into a database that will be available to researchers.intransitive verb 1: to make or work on a catalog2: to become listed in a catalog at a specified pricethis stamp catalogs at $2

catholic

Definition of catholic (Entry 1 of 2)1aoften capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the church universalboften capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from itccapitalized : ROMAN CATHOLICHer son goes to a Catholic school.2: COMPREHENSIVE, UNIVERSALespecially : broad in sympathies, tastes, or interestsa catholic taste in musicCatholic nounCath·​o·​lic | \ ˈkath-lik , ˈka-thə- \Definition of Catholic (Entry 2 of 2)1: a person who belongs to the universal Christian church2: a member of a Catholic churchespecially : ROMAN CATHOLIC

celibate

Definition of celibate (Entry 1 of 2): of, relating to, or characterized by celibacy:a: not engaging in or characterized by sexual intercourseleading a celibate lifeBecause he regarded sex outside marriage as sinful, he remained celibate all his life.— Faith McNultyHe pursued her avidly, writing her as many as three letters a day and even offering a celibate marriage to appease her fear of sex.— Ruth FranklinI'd been celibate for so long, what was another year without sex?— Sue Graftonb: abstaining from marriage and sex especially because of a religious vowFather Hawkins, for one, believes the priesthood would benefit from a broader mix of married and celibate priests.— Daniel McGinnI have met a few celibate monks in whom celibacy is truly a gift, a charism from which all—married or not—can learn ...— John GarveyThe Shakers, a celibate religious community, stress pacifism, equality and the communal ownership of material goods.— Lyn Riddlecelibate nounplural celibatesDefinition of celibate (Entry 2 of 2): a person who lives in celibacy : a celibate person:a: an unmarried personespecially : one who abstains from marriage because of a religious vowpriestly celibatesb: a person who abstains from sexual intercourse... described himself as "a reluctant celibate" who had not been with a woman for four years ...— Janice KennedyExamples of celibate in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: NounBut this ostensibly confirmed celibate oozes a gentle, undeniable sensuality.— Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: 'Heisenberg' Features an Explosive Pairing of Actors," 13 Oct. 2016

censor

Definition of censor (Entry 1 of 2)1: a person who supervises conduct and morals: such asa: an official who examines materials (such as publications or films) for objectionable matterGovernment censors deleted all references to the protest.b: an official (as in time of war) who reads communications (such as letters) and deletes material considered sensitive or harmful2: one of two magistrates of early Rome acting as census takers, assessors, and inspectors of morals and conductCato the Censor accused Africanus and his senior officers of running an army riddled with moral laxity— Colleen McCullough3: a hypothetical psychic agency that represses unacceptable notions before they reach consciousnesscensor verbcensored; censoring\ ˈsen(t)-​sə-​riŋ , ˈsen(t)s-​riŋ \Definition of censor (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to examine in order to suppress (see SUPPRESS sense 2) or delete anything considered objectionablecensor the newsalso : to suppress or delete as objectionablecensor out indecent passages

censure

Definition of censure (Entry 1 of 2)1: a judgment involving condemnationunorthodox practices awaiting the censure of the city council2: the act of blaming or condemning sternlyThe country faces international censure for its alleged involvement in the assassination.3: an official reprimandThe lawyer's misconduct resulted in a letter of censure from the judge.4archaic : OPINION, JUDGMENTcensure verbcensured; censuring\ ˈsen(t)-​sh(ə-​)riŋ \Definition of censure (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1a: to find fault with and criticize as blameworthyShe would tell him it was ... no sign of a good pastor to be eternally censuring his flock.— Charlotte Brontëb: to formally reprimand (someone) : to express official censure of (someone)While a vote to censure the president has no legal ramifications, it is a significant and rare symbolic vote of disapproval.— Emma Loop2obsolete : ESTIMATE, JUDGE

cereal

Definition of cereal (Entry 1 of 2): relating to grain or to the plants that produce italso : made of graincereal nounDefinition of cereal (Entry 2 of 2)1: a plant (such as a grass) yielding starchy grain suitable for foodalso : its grain2: a prepared foodstuff of grain (such as oatmeal or cornflakes)

ceremonial

Definition of ceremonial (Entry 1 of 2)1: marked by, involved in, or belonging to ceremony : stressing careful attention to form and detailceremonial rites2: having no real power or influencehis new position is largely ceremonialceremonial nounDefinition of ceremonial (Entry 2 of 2): a ceremonial act, action, or system

chafe

Definition of chafe (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: IRRITATE, VEXThe noise of the children playing chafed her.2: to warm by rubbing especially with the hands3a: to rub so as to wear away : ABRADEthe strap chafed his skinThe boat chafed its sides against the dock.b: to make sore by or as if by rubbingThe tight collar chafed his neck.intransitive verb 1: to feel irritation, discontent, or impatience : FRETchafes at the rules2: to rub and thereby cause wear or irritationThe baby's skin chafes if the strap is too tight.chafe nounDefinition of chafe (Entry 2 of 2)1: a state of vexation : RAGEthe cardinal in a state of chafe sent for him— William Camden2: injury or wear caused by frictionGloves provide protection against chafe.also : FRICTION, RUBBINGWhen the strap is too tight, it chafes the baby's skin. If my boots aren't laced up tight they chafe.

chaff

Definition of chaff (Entry 1 of 3)1: the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain2: something comparatively worthlessa few kernels of wisdom amid much discursive chaff— Steven Raichlen3: the scales borne on the receptacle among the florets in the heads of many composite plants4: material (such as strips of foil or clusters of fine wires) ejected into the air for reflecting radar waves (as for confusing an enemy's radar detection)planes equipped with chaff dispenserschaff noun (2)Definition of chaff (Entry 2 of 3): light jesting talk : BANTERchaff verbchaffed; chaffing; chaffsDefinition of chaff (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb : to tease good-naturedlyintransitive verb : JEST, BANTER

chagrin

Definition of chagrin (Entry 1 of 2): disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failurechagrin verbchagrined\ shə-​ˈgrind , British usually ˈsha-​grind \; chagrining\ shə-​ˈgri-​niŋ , British usually ˈsha-​gri-​niŋ \Definition of chagrin (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb : to vex or unsettle by disappointing or humiliatinghe was chagrined to learn that his help was not needed

characteristic

Definition of characteristic (Entry 1 of 2)1: a distinguishing trait, quality, or propertythe characteristics of this breed of dog2: the integral part of a common logarithm3: the smallest positive integer n which for an operation in a ring or field yields 0 when any element is used n times with the operationcharacteristic adjectiveDefinition of characteristic (Entry 2 of 2): revealing, distinguishing, or typical of an individual charactera poetic style characteristic of the epic

chiffon

Definition of chiffon (Entry 1 of 2)1: an ornamental addition (such as a knot of ribbons) to a woman's dress2: a sheer fabric especially of silkchiffon adjectiveDefinition of chiffon (Entry 2 of 2)1: resembling chiffon in sheerness or softness2: having a light delicate texture achieved usually by adding whipped egg whites or whipped gelatinlemon chiffon pieExamples of chiffon in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: NounDessert will be lemon chiffon torte and Black Forest torte.

clamor

Definition of clamor (Entry 1 of 3)1a: noisy shoutinga clamor of children at playb: a loud continuous noisethe clamor of the waterfall2: insistent public expression (as of support or protest)the current clamor about what is wrong with our schoolsclamor verb (1)clamored; clamoring\ ˈklam-​riŋ , ˈkla-​mər-​iŋ \Definition of clamor (Entry 2 of 3)intransitive verb 1: to make a din (see DIN entry 1 sense 1)The children clamored around them, singing songs and laughing.2: to become loudly insistentclamored for his impeachmentclamoring for full independencetransitive verb 1: to utter or proclaim insistently and noisilycart peddlers clamored their wares— Walter Farley2: to influence by means of clamorclamor verb (2)clamored; clamoring; clamorsDefinition of clamor (Entry 3 of 3)transitive verb obsolete: SILENCE

clarion

Definition of clarion (Entry 1 of 2)1: a medieval trumpet with clear shrill tones2: the sound of or as if of a clarionclarion adjectiveDefinition of clarion (Entry 2 of 2): brilliantly clearher clarion top notesalso : loud and cleara clarion call to actionExamples of clarion in a SentenceRecent Examples on the Web: NounBringing lawmakers back has been a clarion call for Republicans eager to reopen the economy and send the message that if healthcare workers and grocery clerks can do their jobs, so can their members of Congress.

cleave

Definition of cleave (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb : to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringlyThey kept themselves strictly separate, each cleaving to their own language, rituals, and food.— GourmetNotice was served on the Democratic party that it must cleave to the Jackson line if it wanted the labor vote.— Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.The film's script has the same lack of pretension, cleaving to the teen movie formula with its high school cliques, clowns and bullies ...— Sandra Hallcleave verb (2)cleaved\ ˈklēvd \ also cleft\ ˈkleft \ or clove\ ˈklōv \; cleaved also cleft or cloven\ ˈklō-​vən \; cleavingDefinition of cleave (Entry 2 of 2)transitive verb 1: to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : SPLITThe blow cleaved the victim's skull.2: to separate into distinct parts and especially into groups having divergent viewsThe political party was cleaved by internal bickering.3: to subject to chemical cleavagea protein cleaved by an enzymeintransitive verb 1: to split especially along the grainThe ax easily cleaved through the log.2: to penetrate or pass through something by or as if by cuttingThe ship's bow cleaved through the water.Synonyms

coagulate

Definition of coagulate (Entry 1 of 2)transitive verb 1: to cause to become viscous or thickened into a coherent mass : CURDLE, CLOT2: to gather together or form into a mass or groupintransitive verb : to become coagulatedcoagulate adjectiveco·​ag·​u·​late | \ kō-ˈa-gyə-lət , -ˌlāt \Definition of coagulate (Entry 2 of 2)archaic: being clotted or congealed

cognate

Definition of cognate (Entry 1 of 2)1: of the same or similar nature : generically alikethe cognate fields of film and theater2: related by blooda family cognate with anotheralso : related on the mother's side3a: related by descent from the same ancestral languageSpanish and French are cognate languages.bof a word or morpheme : related by derivation, borrowing, or descentEnglish "eat" and German "essen" are cognate.cof a substantive : related to a verb usually by derivation and serving as its object to reinforce the meaning (such as song in "she sang a song")cognate nounDefinition of cognate (Entry 2 of 2): one that is cognate with another"Eat" and "essen" are cognates.

collapse

Definition of collapse (Entry 1 of 2)intransitive verb 1: to fall or shrink together abruptly and completely : fall into a jumbled or flattened mass through the force of external pressurea blood vessel that collapsed2: to break down completely : DISINTEGRATE... his case had collapsed in a mass of legal wreckage ...— Erle Stanley Gardner3: to cave or fall in or give wayThe bridge collapsed.4: to suddenly lose force, significance, effectiveness, or worthfears that the currency may collapse5: to break down in vital energy, stamina, or self-control through exhaustion or diseaseShe came home from work and collapsed on the sofa.especially : to fall helpless or unconsciousHe collapsed on stage during the performance.6: to fold down into a more compact shapea chair that collapsesa collapsing golf club that can fit into a travel bagtransitive verb 1: to cause to collapsebuildings collapsed by an earthquakeHe knelt for a long time, first watching the bay below, then collapsing the spyglass and settling his hands on his legs in a thoughtful pose.— Heather Dunboine2: CONDENSEcollapse several stories into onecollapse nounDefinition of collapse (Entry 2 of 2)1a: a breakdown in vital energy, strength, or staminasuffered a mental collapseb: a state of extreme prostration and physical depression (as from circulatory failure or great loss of body fluids)c: an airless state of all or part of a lung originating spontaneously or induced surgically2: the act or action of collapsingthe cutting of many tent ropes, the collapse of the canvas— Rudyard Kipling3: a sudden failure : BREAKDOWN, RUINthe collapse of the government4: a sudden loss of force, value, or effectthe collapse of respect for ancient law and custom— L. S. B. Leakey

collateral

Definition of collateral (Entry 1 of 2)1: property (such as securities) pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender2: a collateral relativeA collateral inherited the estate.3: a branch of a bodily part (such as a vein)4: informational materials (such as brochures and fact sheets) used in selling a product or service to a prospective customer or buyerAttendees can expect to make approximately 50 new business contacts and should ... have an ample supply of business cards, marketing collateral and anything else to help potential leads remember them.— Nancy Hollingshead and Laurie Winslowcollateral adjectiveDefinition of collateral (Entry 2 of 2)1a: accompanying as secondary or subordinate : CONCOMITANTdigress into collateral mattersb: INDIRECTno direct objection, but a few collateral onesc: serving to support or reinforce : ANCILLARYcollateral evidence was presented at the trial2: belonging to the same ancestral stock but not in a direct line of descent— compare LINEAL sense 3aBrothers, cousins, uncles, and nephews are collateral kinsmen.3: parallel, coordinate, or corresponding in position, order, time, or significancecollateral states like Athens and Sparta4a: of, relating to, or being collateral used as security (as for payment of a debt or performance of a contract)b: secured by collaterala collateral loan secured by stocks and bonds deposited with the lenderOther Words from collateral

collective

Definition of collective (Entry 1 of 2)1: denoting a number of persons or things considered as one group or wholeflock is a collective word2a: formed by collecting : AGGREGATEDbof a fruit : MULTIPLE3a: of, relating to, or being a group of individualsb: involving all members of a group as distinct from its individualsa collective action4: marked by similarity among or with the members of a groupthe collective interests of the town5: collectivized or characterized by collectivismcollective farmingcollective communities6: shared or assumed by all members of the groupcollective responsibilitythe collective opinion of the staffcollective guiltcollective nounDefinition of collective (Entry 2 of 2)1: a collective body : GROUPa social collective2: a cooperative unit or organizationspecifically : COLLECTIVE FARM3: a helicopter control system governing lift

comestible

EDIBLEAs far as comestible trends, Barcelona has long been a lab for innovation both within Spain and abroad.That same approach will hold you in good stead when tipping the folks who are delivering groceries to your door through services such as Yummy.com, Amazon Fresh or Instacart, some of whom are also plucking your comestibles off the shelves.

blithesome

GAY, MERRYa blithesome girl who never seems to be sad or angry a blithesome and silly joke among old friends

ambiance

a feeling or mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing : ATMOSPHEREThe restaurant's soft music and candlelight gave it a romantic ambience.

accomplice

a person who helps another commit a crime."an accomplice in the murder"

apiary

a place where bees are keptespecially : a collection of hives or colonies of bees kept for their honey

apothegm

a short, pithy, and instructive saying or formulation : APHORISM, "her mother endlessly repeated the apothegm "cleanliness is next to godliness"

camaraderie

a spirit of friendly good-fellowship"While there is a certain amount of camaraderie and shared experience that may come from those who navigated the switch from office to remote together, what about new people?

collegian

a student or recent graduate of a collegeExamples of collegian in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebThose collegians who never got a full look _ or even a slight glance _ from NFL teams because of the coronavirus pandemic could wind up sinking in the draft, or falling out of it completely.

centilitre

a unit of capacity equal to ¹/₁₀₀ liter— see METRIC SYSTEM TABLE, one 100th of a liter

cat-o-nine-tails

a whip, usually having nine knotted cords, used for flogging

amiable

a: friendly, sociable, and congenialan amiable hostamiable neighborsb: generally agreeablean amiable comedy2archaic : PLEASING, ADMIRABLE

affirmation

a: the act of affirmingnodded his head in affirmationb: something affirmed : a positive assertionHis memoir is a reflective affirmation of family love.

colleague

an associate or coworker typically in a profession or in a civil or ecclesiastical office and often of similar rank or state : a fellow worker or professional

coincide

intransitive verb 1a: to occupy the same place in space or timeThe base of the triangle coincides with one side of the square.The heroic age of bridge construction coincided with the expansion of the railroads ...— Mario Salvadorib: to occupy exactly corresponding or equivalent positions on a scale or in a series100° Celsius coincides with 212° Fahrenheit.2: to correspond in nature, character, or function" ... our sentiments coincided in every particular ... "— Jane Austen3: to be in accord or agreement : CONCURShe coincided with his views on most subjects.

betide

intransitive verb : to happen especially as if by fatetransitive verb : to happen to : BEFALL —used chiefly in the phrase woe betidewoe betide our enemies

atone

intransitive verb : to make amends : to provide or serve as reparation or compensation for something bad or unwelcome —usually + forHe wanted to atone for his sins.But I think that he has within him a capacity for love, and an unselfishness, which almost atones for his dishonesty.— Anthony Trollopetransitive verb 1: to make reparation or supply satisfaction for : EXPIATE —used in the passive voice with fora crime that must be atoned for2obsolete : RECONCILE

annotate

intransitive verb : to make or furnish critical or explanatory notes or commenttransitive verb : to make or furnish annotations (see ANNOTATION sense 1) for (something, such as a literary work or subject)annotated his translation of Dante's Divine Comedy

ambulate

intransitive verb : to move from place to place : WALKShe was hopeful that the surgery would improve her ability to ambulate.— Anita Lewis and Joyce Sasson Levy

cavil

intransitive verb : to raise trivial and frivolous objectionThe author caviled about the design of the book's cover.transitive verb : to raise trivial objections toHe caviled the conditions of the agreement.

blaspheme

intransitive verb : to speak in a way that shows irreverence for God or something sacred : to utter blasphemyblaspheming against Godrefuses to blasphemetransitive verb 1: to speak of or address with irreverencepunished for having blasphemed God2: REVILE, ABUSE... has been blasphemed more than he deserves.— Wildlife Review

chide

intransitive verb : to speak out in angry or displeased rebukeis quick to chide against the mayor for his negligencetransitive verb : to voice disapproval to : reproach in a usually mild and constructive manner : SCOLDShe chided us for arriving late.

cavort

intransitive verb1: to leap or dance about in a lively mannerOtters cavorted in the stream.2: to engage in extravagant behaviorThe governor has been criticized for cavorting with celebrities.Otters cavorted in the stream. children cavorting on the first sunny day of spring

artesian

involving, relating to, or supplied by the upward movement of water under hydrostatic pressure in rocks or unconsolidated material beneath the earth's surfaceartesian springartesian waterartesian pressure—distinguished from subartesian

bombastic

marked by or given to speech or writing that is given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means : marked by or given to bombast : POMPOUS, OVERBLOWN a bombastic speech intended to impress the voters in her congressional district

collector

one that collects: such asa: an official who collects funds or moneysb: a person who makes a collectionstamp collectorc: an object or device that collectsthe statuette was a dust collectord: SOLAR COLLECTOR

combatant

one that is engaged in or ready to engage in combat

cartographer

one that makes maps

brigand

one who lives by plunder usually as a member of a band : BANDITAcross the pastures, gangs of grandchildren ran like brigands.

borough

privilegesb: a town or urban constituency in Great Britain that sends a member to Parliamentc: an urban area in Great Britain incorporated for purposes of self-government2a: a municipal corporation proper in some states (such as New Jersey and Minnesota) corresponding to the incorporated town or village of the other statesb: one of the five constituent political divisions of New York City3: a civil division of the state of Alaska corresponding to a county in most other statesExamples of borough in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebOn Friday, May 29, the setting sun will align perfectly with the city grid of Manhattan, bathing the borough's cross-streets in a golden glow.

aggress

to commit aggression : act aggressively, "Asian face even more inscrutable, effacing even their age and gender, while also telegraphing that the Asian wearer was mute and therefore incapable of talking back if aggressed.

ascribe

to refer to a supposed cause, source, or author : to say or think that (something) is caused by, comes from, or is associated with a particular person or thingThese poems are usually ascribed to Homer.They ascribe most of their success to good timing and good luck.She ascribes no importance to having a lot of money.

berate

to scold or condemn vehemently and at lengthbeing berated by her parents when she came home late

cogitate

transitive verb : to ponder or meditate on usually intentlycogitating the possible consequences of my decisionintransitive verb : to meditate deeply or intentlycogitating on her career planscogitated on what would be the right thing to do

arbitrate

transitive verb 1: to act as arbiter upon (a disputed question) : to settle (a dispute between two people or groups) after hearing the arguments and opinions of bothShe arbitrated the dispute.2: to submit or refer for decision to an arbiteragreed to arbitrate their differences3archaic : DECIDE, DETERMINEintransitive verb : to act as arbiterThe council will arbitrate among the interest groups.

classify

transitive verb 1: to arrange in classes (see CLASS entry 1 sense 3)classifying books according to subject matter2: to consider (someone or something) as belonging to a particular groupThe movie is classified as a comedy.The vehicle is classified as a truck.

arouse

transitive verb 1: to awaken from sleepwas aroused from a deep sleep by a loud noise2: to stimulate to action or to bodily readiness for activity : EXCITEa book that has aroused debate3: to excite (someone) sexually : to cause sexual arousal in (someone)... girls whose perfume scent frightened him and aroused him.— Elizabeth Bergintransitive verb : to awake from sleep : STIR

cite

transitive verb 1: to call upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court)2: to quote by way of example, authority, or proofcites several noteworthy authors3a: to refer toespecially : to mention formally in commendation or praiseShe was cited for bravery.b: to name in a citationcited by the trustees for his work in public health4: to bring forward or call to another's attention especially as an example, proof, or precedentcited the weather as a reason for canceling the picniccited several studies that support his theory

bewilder

transitive verb 1: to cause to lose one's bearings (see BEARING sense 6c)bewildered by the city's maze of roads2: to perplex or confuse especially by a complexity, variety, or multitude of objects or considerationsHis decision bewildered her.utterly bewildered by the instructions

chastise

transitive verb 1: to censure severely : CASTIGATEThe coach chastised the players for their mistakes.2: to inflict punishment on (as by whipping)3archaic : CHASTEN sense 2The waiter was chastised for forgetting the customer's order.

amass

transitive verb 1: to collect for oneself : ACCUMULATEamass a great fortune2: to collect into a mass : GATHERmust select rather than simply amass detailsintransitive verb : to come together : ASSEMBLEDark clouds amassed over the city.

coddle

transitive verb 1: to cook (something, such as eggs) in liquid slowly and gently just below the boiling pointcoddled the eggs for the Caesar salad2: to treat with extreme or excessive care or kindness : PAMPERaccused the court of coddling criminalscolleges that coddle their athletes

agitate

transitive verb 1: to excite and often trouble the mind or feelings of : DISTURBMy presence did not appear to agitate or irritate him as before, and he accepted my services quietly ...— Charlotte Brontë2a: to discuss excitedly and earnestlyb: to stir up public discussion of... trying to agitate the old question of the embezzlement of the remains of the Confederate Treasury.— Robert Penn Warren3aobsolete : to give motion tob: to move with an irregular, rapid, or violent actionThe storm agitated the sea.intransitive verb : to attempt to arouse public feelingagitated for better schools

captivate

transitive verb 1: to influence and dominate by some special charm, art, or trait and with an irresistible appealWe were captivated by her beauty.The scenery captivated our attention.2archaic : SEIZE, CAPTURE

betroth

transitive verb 1: to promise to marry2: to give in marriageExamples of betroth in a SentenceRecent Examples on the WebAlthough Ada is betrothed to a wealthy man, Omar (Babacar Sylla), her affections remain with Souleiman, a suave but less prosperous suitor who leaves their coastal town in Senegal in hopes of finding steady work in Spain.

amend

transitive verb 1: to put rightespecially : to make emendations in (something, such as a text)amended the manuscript2a: to change or modify (something) for the better : IMPROVEamend the situationb: to alter especially in phraseologyespecially : to alter formally by modification, deletion, or additionamend a constitutionintransitive verb : to reform oneself

bestow

transitive verb 1: to put to use : APPLYbestowed his spare time on study2: to put in a particular or appropriate place : STOW... bestowed in her car ... by the chauffeur.— Frances Towers... the whole cargo was bestowed ...— R. L. Stevenson3: to provide with quarters : PUT UP... bestowed Clotilde in lodgings of her own.— Rayner Heppenstall4: to convey as a gift —usually used with on or uponThe university bestowed an honorary degree upon her.

bestride

transitive verb 1: to ride, sit, or stand astride : STRADDLE2: to tower over : DOMINATEthe bloated bureaucracy that bestrides us all— Edward Ney3archaic : to stride acrossExamples of bestride in a Sentence a giant that bestrode the river

beset

transitive verb 1: to set or stud with or as if with ornamentsa crown beset with rubies... leaves, whose edges were beset with thorns ...— J. G. Frazer2: TROUBLE, HARASSinflation besets the economy3a: to set upon : ASSAILthe explorers were beset by wolvesb: to hem in : SURROUNDa town beset with high mountains

attest

transitive verb 1a: to affirm to be true or genuinespecifically : to authenticate by signing as a witnessb: to authenticate officially2: to establish or verify the usage ofThe first use of the word "Internet" is attested in 1985.3: to be proof of : MANIFESTHer record attests her integrity.4: to put on oathintransitive verb : to show, prove, or state that something is true or real —usually used with toI can attest to the truth of his statement.attest to a belief

collate

transitive verb 1a: to compare criticallyb: to collect, compare carefully in order to verify, and often to integrate or arrange in ordercollated the data for publication2a: to assemble in proper orderespecially : to assemble in order for bindingcollate printed sheetsb: to verify the order of (printed sheets)3[Latin collatus, past participle] : to institute (a cleric) to a benefice

circumscribe

transitive verb 1a: to constrict (see CONSTRICT sense 1) the range or activity of definitely and clearlyhis role was carefully circumscribedb: to define or mark off carefullya study of plant species in a circumscribed area2a: to draw a line aroundcircumscribed the misspelled wordsb: to surround by or as if by a boundaryfields circumscribed by tall trees3: to construct or be constructed around (a geometrical figure) so as to touch as many points as possiblea circle circumscribing a square

belie

transitive verb 1a: to give a false impression ofHer gentleness belies her strength.b: to present an appearance not in agreement withHis manner and appearance belie his age.2a: to show (something) to be false or wrongThe evidence belies their claims of innocence.b: to run counter to : CONTRADICT... appeared to belie all the rosy things I had heard about it.— Katherine T. Kinkead3: DISGUISE sense 3An air of rural charm ... belies the community's industrial activity.— American Guide Series: Pennsylvania

cherish

transitive verb 1a: to hold dear : feel or show affection forcherished her friendsb: to keep or cultivate with care and affection : NURTUREcherishes his marriage2: to entertain or harbor in the mind deeply and resolutelystill cherishes that memory

cajole

transitive verb 1a: to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance : COAXhad to cajole them into goingb: to obtain from someone by gentle persuasioncajoled money from his parents2: to deceive with soothing words or false promisescajoled himself with thoughts of escape— Robertson Davies

bowdlerize

transitive verb 1literature : to expurgate (something, such as a book) by omitting or modifying parts considered vulgarbowdlerize the text2: to modify by abridging, simplifying, or distorting in style or content

antecede

transitive verb : PRECEDE " the 19th-century Pre-Raphaelites claimed to base their principles and practices on the Italian art that anteceded Raphael and other masters of the High Renaissance

besmirch

transitive verb : to cause harm or damage to the purity, luster, or beauty of (something) : SULLY, SOILbesmirching her reputationHigh ideals were besmirched by cruelty and greed ...— R. A. NewhallAlthough the accusations against Normand were unsupported, her name was besmirched.— John LahrDarwin was exasperated by Wallace's gullibility and feared that his activities would somehow besmirch the theory of evolution.— Anthony GottliebThe problem is that the vast majority of people of all nations ... cherish their national myths too much to want mere facts, or even assertions of historical doubt, to besmirch them.— Max Hastings

bifurcate

transitive verb : to cause to divide into two branches or partsbifurcate a beam of lightintransitive verb : to divide into two branches or partsThe stream bifurcates into two narrow channels.

blandish

transitive verb : to coax with flattery : CAJOLEintransitive verb : to act or speak in a flattering or coaxing mannerblandished her into doing their work for them by complimenting her shamelessly

circumnavigate

transitive verb : to go completely around especially by watercircumnavigate the earthalso : to go around instead of through : BYPASScircumnavigate a congested area

adjudicate

transitive verb : to make an official decision about who is right in (a dispute) : to settle judiciallyThe school board will adjudicate claims made against teachers.intransitive verb : to act as judgeThe court can adjudicate on this dispute.

ameliorate

transitive verb : to make better or more tolerablemedicine to ameliorate the painintransitive verb : to grow better

adapt

transitive verb : to make fit (as for a new use) often by modificationadapt the curriculum to students' needsintransitive verb : to become adaptedadapt to a new environment

cloy

transitive verb : to supply with an unwanted or distasteful excess usually of something originally pleasing... Cordelia has been cloyed by her sisters' excessive protestations of affection ...— Rebecca Westintransitive verb : to be or become insipid or distasteful usually through an excess of an originally pleasurable quality (such as sweetness)... curious how the lemon keeps its bite when the sweet flavours have begun to cloy, and the crispness has departed.— Eric Korn

adjourn

transitive verb : to suspend indefinitely or until a later stated timeadjourn a meetingCourt is adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow.intransitive verb 1: to suspend a session indefinitely or to another time or placeCongress will not adjourn until the budget has been completed.2: to move to another placeWe adjourned to the library.

bedraggle

transitive verb : to wet thoroughly I was so bedraggled by the relentless rain that I couldn't wait to get into some dry clothes.

agglomerate

transitive verb: : to gather into a ball, mass, or clusterVerb breakfast cereal consisting of agglomerated clusters of wheat, rice, and nuts stays crunchy in milkNoun the Holy Roman Empire was an ever-varying agglomerate of central European states that managed to survive for 1,000 years