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terms list
abeyance
suspended action
ablution
washing
abnegation
renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
abrogate
abolish
abstemious
sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
accoutre
equip; N. accoutrement
acquiesce
assent; agree passively; comply without protest
acrimonious
stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior
acrophobia
fear of heights
actuate
motivate; activate; cause to act
addle
make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)
adjuration
solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
adjutant
staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
adventitious
accidental; casual; happening by chance
advert
refer
agog
highly excited; intensely curious
alacrity
cheerful promptness without reluctance
alimentary
supplying nourishment
ambulatory
able to walk
analgesia
condition of being unable to feel pain
anathema
solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize
animadversion
critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval
animus
hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition
anneal
reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)
anodyne
drug that relieves pain or trouble; ÁøÅëÁ¦; opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement
antecede
precede
antecedents
preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
antediluvian
antiquated; extremely ancient
antiseptic
substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.
aperture
opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light
aphasia
loss of speech due to injury or illness
aphorism
pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic
apiary
a place where bees are kept
aplomb
poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence
apocryphal
(of a story) widely believed but untrue
apologist
one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia
apoplexy
stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain
apostate
one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
apothegm(apophthegm)
pithy, compact saying
apotheosis
elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something
appellation
name; title
append
attach
apprise
inform
approbation
approval
appurtenances
subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing
aquiline
curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose
argot
slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people
aria
operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
arrears
being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done
artless
without guile; open and honest
askance
with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at
assiduous
diligent
assuage
make less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
regent
a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
atavism
resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic
august
impressive; majestic
aureole
sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light
austere
forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity
avarice
greediness for wealth
aver
state confidently; declare as true
avocation
secondary or minor occupation
avuncular
of or like an uncle
awry
distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.
bacchanalian
drunken
bacchanal
noisy party with a lot of drinking
badinage
teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
balk
stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate
bandy
discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with
barefaced
shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
unregenerate
making no attempt to change one's bad practices
baroque
highly ornate
bate
let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate
bawdy
indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd
beatific
giving or showing bliss; blissful
beatitude
blessedness; state of great happiness
bedizen
dress with vulgar finery
belie
contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.
bellicose
warlike
benison
blessing
besmirch
soil; defile; make dirty
betoken
signify; indicate; be a sign of
bilious
suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated
bivouac
temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.
blanch
bleach; whiten; make white or pale
blandishment
flattery
blithe(blithesome)
gay; joyous
blowhard
talkative boaster; braggart
bohemian
unconventional (in an artistic way)
bombast
grandiloquent, pompous speech
bouillon
clear beef (or meat) soup
bowdlerize
expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler
braggadocio
boasting
brindled
tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
tawny
brownish yellow
broach
introduce as a subject; moot; open up
brocade
rich, figured(patterned) fabric
brook
tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream
brusque
blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice
bugaboo
bugbear; object of baseless terror
bulwark
strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
bungle
mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior
burlesque
give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly
buxom
full-bosomed; plump; jolly
cabal
small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
cache
hiding place; V.
cajole
persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle
callow
youthful; immature; inexperienced
calumny
malicious misrepresentation; slander
canard
unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
cant
insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people
cantankerous
ill-humored; irritable
cantata
story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)
canter
slow gallop; V. CF. trot
canto
division of a long poem
capacious
spacious
capitulate
surrender; give up all resistance
caprice
whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause
capricious
unpredictable; fickle
captious
faultfinding; too critical
carillon
a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
carousal
drunken revel; V. carouse
carping
petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble
castigation
punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
catharsis
purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
cathartic
purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.
cauterize
burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection
cavil
quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily
hereafter
life after death
censorious
severely critical
censure
blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval
chaff
worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff
chaffing
bantering; joking
chagrin
annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)
charlatan
quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)
chary
cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold
chase
ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch
chauvinist
blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin
chicanery
trickery; deception
chide
scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)
choleric
hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera
cipher
nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
circumlocution
indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly)
circumscribe
limit; confine; draw a line around
circumspect
prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought
circumvent
outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
clarion
shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times
clemency
disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement
bromide
platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement
cloister
monastery or convent
cloying
distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
coda
concluding section of a musical or literary composition
codicil
supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
coeval
living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age
cogent
convincing
coiffure
hairstyle
collation
a light meal; collating
colloquial
pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression
colloquy
informal discussion; conversation
comely
attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
comestible
something fit to be eaten
comeuppance
deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke
comity
courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations
commiserate
feel or express pity or sympathy for
commodious
spacious and comfortable
compendium
brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious
complicity
participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)
comport
bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment
compunction
remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt
concatenate
link as in a chain
conceit
vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)
conciliatory
reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)
concomitant
that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
condign
adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
condole
express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow
condone
overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
conflagration
great fire
connivance
pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire
connubial
pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
patrimony
property inherited from a father
consonance
harmony; agreement
consonant
harmonious; in agreement; N.
consort
associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
continence
self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent
contravene
contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention
contrite
penitent; repentant; N. contrition
controvert
oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
contumacious
stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
convivial
pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial
copious
plentiful
coquette
flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.
cordon
extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; (¾î±ú¿¡¼ °Üµå¶û ¹ØÀ¸·Î °ÉÄ¡´Â) Àå½Ä ¸®º»; V.
cornice
projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars); ó¸¶ Àå½Ä
corpulent
very fat; N. corpulence
corpus
collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse
corpuscle
red or white cell in the blood
coterie
group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests
countenance
approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance
countermand
cancel; revoke (an order)
coup
highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d'\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills
cow
terrorize; intimidate
coy
shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer¸¦ ¹Þ¾ÒÀ» ¶§
cozen
cheat; hoodwink; swindle
craven
cowardly
credulity
belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\'e; ADJ. credulous
overture
musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
crone
hag; ugly old woman
crux
essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance
culpable
deserving blame; blameworthy
culvert
artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road
cupidity
greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
cursory
casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
cynosure
object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor
dais
raised platform for speakers or other important people
dally
trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time
daub
smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
daunt
intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
debauch
corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)
decadence
decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent
decant
pour off gently (wine or liquid)
declivity
downward slope
decollete
(of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)
defrock
strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
deign
condescend; stoop
demagogue
person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
demur
object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday
demure
(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure
denigrate
blacken; defame
denouement
final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained
descry
catch sight of (something distant)
despondent
without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection
devolve
deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to
diadem
crown
dialectical
relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
didactic
(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism
diffidence
shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident
dilatory
delaying; tending to delay
dint
means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
dirge
funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)
disabuse
correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief
disaffected
disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty
disapprobation
disapproval; condemnation
disburse
pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse
discomfit
frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
disconsolate
hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
discursive
(of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)
disenfranchise
disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise
disingenuous
not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous
disinter
dig up; unearth; OP. inter
disport
amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
disputatious
argumentative; fond of argument
disquisition
formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report
dissemble
disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend
distend
expand; swell out
distrait
absentminded; distracted
divest
strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)
dowse
use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals
doctrinaire
unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties
doddering
shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder
doff
take off; OP. don
doggerel
poor verse
dolorous
sorrowful; N. dolor
dormer
window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room
dossier
file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back
dotage
senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage
dote
be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
draconian
extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician
droll
queer and amusing
dross
waste matter; worthless impurities
dulcet
sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious
ebullient
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
ecclesiastic
ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
padre
chaplain (in the armed forces)
rapture
great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous
edify
instruct; correct morally
edifice
building (of imposing size)
efface
rub out; remove the surface of
effervescence
inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce
effete
having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted
effluvium
noxious(harmful) smell
effulgent
shining brightly; brilliant
effusion
pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing
elegy
poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac
elysian
relating to paradise; blissful
Elysium
place or condition of bliss
emend
correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
emollient
soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
emolument
salary; payment for an office; compensation
encomiastic
praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy
encumber
burden; N. encumbrance
endue
provide with some quality; endow
enfranchise
admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
engender
cause; produce; give rise to
enjoin
command; order; forbid
enmity
ill will; hatred; hostility
ennui
boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy
ensconce
settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
entreat
plead; ask earnestly
epaulet(epaulette)
ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)
epicure
connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus
Epicurean
believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N.
epigram
witty thought or saying, usually short
epistemologist
philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology
epithet
word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)
equable
tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform
equanimity
calmness of temperament; composure
equipoise
balance; balancing force; equilibrium
equivocal
(of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal
equivocate
use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation
erudite
(of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition
flighty
(esp. of a woman's behavior) capricious; often changing, esp. from one lover to another; impulsive
eschew
avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks
espouse
adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal
airy
of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal
ethos
underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos
etymology
study of word parts; study of the origins of words
evanescent
fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce
evince
show clearly
excoriate
scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
exculpate
clear from blame or guilt
execrable
very bad; detestable
execrate
curse; express abhorrence for; detest
exegesis
explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages
exhort
urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation
exigency
urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
exiguous
small in amount; minute
exonerate
acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt
expatiate
talk at length; speak or write in detail
expedient
suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient
expiate
make amends for (a sin)
explicate
explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable
expostulation
protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate
expound
explain
expropriate
take possession of (often for public use and without payment)
expunge
cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); erase
expurgate
clean; remove offensive parts of a book
extemporaneous
not planned; impromptu; extempore
extenuate
weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)
extradition
surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite
exult
rejoice
facile
easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex. facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; something that facilitates an action; amenity; Ex. with great facility
factotum
handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything
fatalism
belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death
fatuous
smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness
febrile
feverish
feint
trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.
ferment
agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)
fester
rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut or wound) generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered in my mind for days.
fete
honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast
fetter
shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot
fiat
command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done
filch
steal (things of small value)
filigree
delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork
thresh
beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw
flay
strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly
flippant
lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about death; N. flippancy
flit
fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower
floe
flat mass of floating ice
flout
reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the rules
curb
chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain
fluted
having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar); V. flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: long rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column
foible
small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble
foil
contrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinctive characteristics of another
foist
insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist
foment
stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant)
foppish
vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance
forbearance
patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison
prefigure
be a sign of; foreshadow
forswear
renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure
forte
strong point or special talent in a person's character
fractious
unruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex. fractious horse
franchise
right or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory
fraught
filled (with something unpleasant); full; Ex. fraught with danger and difficulties; CF. freight
frieze
ornamental horizontal band on a wall
fritter
waste (time or money on unimportant things)
fructify
bear fruit; produce fruit
fulminate
thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation
fulsome
disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire
furor
frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury
fusillade
simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)
gadfly
animal-biting fly; irritating person
gainsay
deny
gall
bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; ´ãÁó(bile); CF. gall bladder
gall
annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation
pinnace
small boat
galvanize
stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity
galvanic
of the production of electricity by the action of an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani
garrulous
loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity
gastronomy
art and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome
gauche
clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth
genteel
well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty
germane
pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate
germinal
pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea
gerrymander
change voting district lines in order to favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + (sala)mander
gesticulation
motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures (while speaking)
gibe
mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks
glean
gather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; gather bit by bit (facts or information) often with difficulty
glib
fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick
gossamer
sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb
gourmand
epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink
graduate
arrange into categories or grades; divide into marked intervals (for use in measurement); Ex. graduated ruler
grandiloquent
(of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic
high-flown
highly pretentious or inflated
grouse
complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike game bird
guile
deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile
guileless
without deceit
gull
trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe
gustatory
affecting or relating to the sense of taste
gusto
eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm
hackles
hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make someone's hackles rise
haggard
wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners
halcyon
calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days
hale
healthy
hapless
unfortunate; luckless
harangue
long, passionate, and vehement speech; V.
harping
tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously
harrowing
agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth
harry
harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid
haughtiness
pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty
hermetic
concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult
hinterlands
back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland
hirsute
hairy; having a lot of hair
histrionic
theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior
hoary
white with age
hortatory
encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort
hue_and_cry
outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule
hummock
small hill; hillock
husbandry
frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman
idiom
expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic
idyll(idyl)
short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers
ignoble
unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed
ignominy
deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominous defeat
illicit
illegal
illimitable
infinite; limitless
imbroglio
complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil
immure
imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall
impasse
predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress
credential
evidence concerning one's authority; written proof of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court.
impecunious
without money
impel
drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action
impolitic
not wise; not expedient; not politic
importunate
urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent
importune
beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way)
imposture
assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor
imprecation
curse; swearword
improvident
thriftless; not providing for the future
impugn
dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight
impuissance
powerlessness; feebleness
impunity
freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish
impute
attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation
incendiary
arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb
incense
enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor
inclement
stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement
incommodious
not spacious; inconvenient
incontinent
lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious
incontrovertible
indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable
incorrigible
uncorrectable
incredulous
withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief
incubus
burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus
inculcate
teach (ideas or principles); instill
indelible
not able to be erased
indemnify
make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured
indigence
poverty
indigent
poor; destitute
indignation
anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant
indite
write; compose
indubitable
unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable
ineffable
unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy
ineluctable
irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable
inexorable
relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises
infamous
notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation
ingenuous
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid
ingenue
young innocent girl
inimical
(of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy
inimitable
matchless; not able to be imitated
inscrutable
difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious
insensible
unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible
insouciant
without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent
insularity
narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula
insuperable
insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties
interdict
prohibit; forbid; N.
internecine
mutually destructive
inveigh
denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink
inveigle
deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly
inviolable
secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability
irascible
irritable; easily angered
itinerant
wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher
jaunty
cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat
jingoist
extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism
jocose
given to(having a tendency of) joking
jocund
merry
jollity
gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay
junket
trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense
junta
group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force)
jurisprudence
science of law
ken
range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken
kernel
central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)
knell
tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.
labile
likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability
lachrymose
producing tears; tearful
laggard
slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler
lancet
small surgical tool for making incisions
languish
lose animation or strength
languor
lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression
largess
generous gift (given to people who do not have enough)
lascivious
lustful
lassitude
languor; weariness; listlessness
latitude
freedom from narrow limitations
lechery
gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man
legerdemain
sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand
leonine
like a lion
libidinous
lustful
libretto
text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book
licentious
amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained
lilliputian
extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels
limn
draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?
limpid
crystal clear
lineaments
features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line
lithe
flexible; supple; CF. limber
litotes
understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty good)''
livid
lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry
loath
reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go.
lope
gallop slowly
low
moo; make the sound of a cow
lucre
money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre
lugubrious
mournful; sorrowful
lumen
unit of light energy (one candle's worth)
luminary
celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object that gives light (as a celestial body)
lurid
wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder
macabre
gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death
macerate
soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper
Machiavellian
crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power
maculated
spotted; stained; CF. immaculate
madrigal
pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments
magnanimity
generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous
magniloquent
boastful; pompous
malapropism
comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop
malediction
curse
maleficient
doing evil; N. maleficience
malingerer
one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work
manacle
restrain; handcuff; N.
mange
skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair
manifold
many in number or kind; numerous; varied
manumit
emancipate; free from slavery or bondage
martinet
strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet
masochist
person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism
maudlin
effusively sentimental
mawkish
mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental
mealymouthed
indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive
mendacious
lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity
mercurial
capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood
meretricious
flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute
mete
measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment
mettle
courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome
miasma
swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence
milieu
social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor.
militate
work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier
minatory
menacing; threatening
mincing
affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp. meat) into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated primness; walk in an unnatural way, taking little short steps; Ex. The actor minced across the stage; CF. mincemeat; CF. mincer
misanthrope
one who hates mankind; misanthropist
misogamy
hatred of marriage
misogynist
hater of woman; CF. misogyny
missive
letter; written statement; CF. sent
modish
fashionable; conforming to the current fashion
mollycoddle
pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively
mordant
biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit
mores
conventions; moral standards; moral customs
moribund
dying; at the point of death; CF. death
morose
ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy
mountebank
charlatan; boastful pretender
mulct
defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the boy of his legacy
munificent
very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience
narcissist
conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus
nascent
incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music
natation
swimming
natty
neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser
neologism
new or newly coined word or phrase
nepotism
favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew
nether
lower; Ex. nether garments/regions
nettle
irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome
nexus
connection
nib
beak(bill); pen point
nicety
precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties
niggardly
meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. *****rd: stingy person
niggle
spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling
nihilist
one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement
nonplus
put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more
nostrum
questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy)
nubile
marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial
nugatory
worthless; futile
numismatist
person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals
obdurate
stubborn; refusing to change one's belief
obeisance
bow (to show respect and obedience)
obloquy
slander; disgrace; infamy
obsequious
slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic
obsequy
funeral ceremony
scion
detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant
obstetrician
physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife
obstreperous
boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable
obtrude
push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive
obviate
make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need
Occident
the West
officious
meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy
onerous
burdensome
onus
burden; responsibility
opprobrium
infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous
opus
work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera
oratorio
dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata
ordination
ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest
orthography
correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics
osseous
made of bone; bony
ostensible
apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition
blackball
vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote
overweening
arrogant; presumptuous
pachyderm
thick-skinned animal
paean
song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
palimpsest
parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
pall
become boring; grow tiresome
palliate
ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
palpable
tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
palpitate
throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
panacea
cure-all; remedy for all diseases
panache
flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. ÀÜ ¾Æ·¡·Î õÀ» »©³»´Â ¼Ø¾¾
panegyric
formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.
paragon
model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
paramour
illicit lover
inamorata
woman whom a man loves
pariah
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
parity
equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
parlance
language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
paroxysm
fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst
parquet
floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
parvenu
upstart; newly rich person
pastiche
imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
pathos
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
patina
green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
patois
local or provincial dialect
peccadillo
slight offense or fault; CF. sin
pedagogy
teaching; art of education
pejorative
(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression, because it patronized them.
pell-mell
in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
pellucid
transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
pendant(pendent)
hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)
penury
extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
peremptory
demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
perfidious
treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
perforate
pierce; put a hole through
perfunctory
done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss
perigee
point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee
peroration
conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
perquisite
any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car
perspicacious
(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute
perspicuity
clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
perspicuous
(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
pertinacious
holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
peruse
read through with care; N. perusal
petulant
touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
philanderer
faithless lover; flirt
philistine
narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete
philology
study of language or words
phlegmatic
calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
pied
piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
pillory
punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.
pinion
restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing
piquant
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
pique
irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
piscatorial
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
pith
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
pithy
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
plaintive
expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
platitude
trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous
plaudit
praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
plebiscite
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
plenary
(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
plenitude
abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty
plumb
exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of
plutocracy
society ruled by the wealthy
politic
prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
polity
(particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity
ponderous
having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
pontifical
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
portend
foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
poseur
person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose
potentate
monarch; sovereign
poultice
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
precedent
preceding (in time, rank, etc.)
precept
practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept
precis
abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text
precocious
advanced in development; N. precocity
preempt
prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive
prefatory
introductory; of a preface
prelate
church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
premonitory
serving to warn
preponderance
superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant
presage
foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
presentiment
premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear
pretext
excuse
prevaricate
lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
primogeniture
seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
privation
lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive
probity
uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility
defalcate
embezzle
prodigal
wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality
prodigious
enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory
profligate
wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy
profusion
great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant
proletarian
member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages)
prolixity
tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
promulgate
announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
prophylactic
used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease
propinquity
nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
propitiate
appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
propitious
favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign
propound
put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory
propriety
fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary
prosaic
lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose
proscenium
part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
proscribe
prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
proselytize
(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
prosody
art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
prostrate
stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength
protean
able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will
provenance
place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come
provender
dry food for livestock; fodder
proviso
stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
prurient
having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
prize
pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)
puerile
childish; immature; CF. puer: boy
puissant
powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power
punctilious
minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail
purchase
secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing
purport
intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general
putative
supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child
quaff
drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); ²Ü²©²Ü²© ¸¶½Ã´Ù; CF. sip
quail
cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart
quay
dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)
quell
suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion'' in newspaper; CF. kill
querulous
given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining
quintessence
purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence
quip
taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.
quisling
traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
quorum
minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
raconteur
story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill
rakish
jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.
rake
angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular
rake
immoral or dissolute person
ramification
branching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; one of the results following from an action or decision; Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision
ramify
branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions
rankle
irritate; fester; annoy
rapacious
voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds
ratiocination
reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically
raucous
(of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts
reactionary
strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical
rebuff
reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N.
rebus
representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. ``R U 18'' is a rebus for ``Are you 18''.
recalcitrant
disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child
recant
disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement
recidivism
habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist
recondite
abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret
recourse
resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to
recreant
disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person
recrimination
countercharges; V. recriminate
rectitude
moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment
recumbent
reclining; lying down completely or in part
redolent
odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery
redress
remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for
redundant
superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious
refectory
dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school)
refractory
unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse
refulgent
effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. refulgent moon
penology
study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
rejoinder
reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply
remit
transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment
remunerative
(of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble
repartee
quick clever reply
repast
meal; feast; banquet
repine
fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work
replete
fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors
reprise
musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the finale; Ex. constant reprises
reprobate
morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ?
repugnance
disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive
requiem
mass for the dead; dirge
resound
(of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter
restive
impatiently restless (induced by external coercion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not a general synonym for `restless'
reticent
inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence
retiring
shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality
retrench
cut down; cut down expenses; economize
reverie
daydream; abstracted musing
revile
attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)
rider
amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
roil
make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb
roseate
rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views
rostrum
raised platform for speech-making; pulpit
rote
repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote
rubric
title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol
rusticate
banish to the country; dwell in the country
saccharine
cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin
salient
prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features
saline
salty
sallow
(of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice
sanctimonious
displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety
sanguinary
bloody; with much bloodshed
sanguine
optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red
sartorial
pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor
sate
satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy
saturnine
morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance.
satyr
half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man
saunter
stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.
scad
a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes
scintillate
sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation
scotch
stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. È°µ¿À» ÁÙÀÌ´Â ÀǹÌ
scruple
hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience
scurrilous
abusive; obscene; indecent
scuttle
sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull
seamy
sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life
sedition
conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious
sedulous
diligent; assiduous; paying attention
sententious
pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic
septic
of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)
sepulcher
tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral
sere
sear; parched; dry
serendipity
gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip
sheaf
bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together
shunt
move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N.
shyster
lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner
sibylline
prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)
sidereal
relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day
simper
smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly
sinecure
well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif
skinflint
miser; stingy person
skulduggery(skullduggery)
dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election
slacken
slow up; loosen; make or become slack
slack
moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one's work; N. V.
slapdash
hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)
slipshod
slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work
slough
(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed
sledge
large sled drawn by work animals
sluice
artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)
sodden
thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink
sojourn
temporary stay; V: stay for a time
solecism
nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette
solicitous
anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude
somnambulist
sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism
somnolent
half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence
sonorous
resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound
sophist
teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument
sophistry
seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism
soporific
sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy
spangle
small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
spate
sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents
specious
seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)
spendthrift
someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth
sphinx-like
enigmatic; mysterious
spoonerism
accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; Ex. ``Let me sew you to your sheet'' for ``Let me show you to your seat''; CF. William Spooner
spurious
false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments
spurn
reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help.
staccato
played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause
legato
(of music) played smoothly
staid
serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony
stanch
stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound
stem
stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk
stentorian
(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad
stickler
perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right
stilted
bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal
stint
set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings
stodgy
dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book
stolid
dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected
stricture
severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction
strident
loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency
stultify
make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression
stygian
unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead
stymie
thwart; present an obstacle; stump
subaltern
subordinate
sublimate
refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state
suborn
persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation
subsume
include (as a member of a group); encompass
succor
assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N.
suffuse
spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
sultry
(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous
sumptuous
grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast
sunder
separate; part; CF. asunder
sundry
miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items
superannuated
retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete
supercilious
haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium
supererogatory
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
supernumerary
person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number
surreptitious
done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden
swarthy
(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky;
swathe
wrap around; bandage
sybarite
lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
syllogism
logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument
sylvan
pertaining to the woods or the country
tantamount
equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount
tautological
needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true
teetotalism
practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total
temerity
boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work
tendentious
promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction
tender
offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound
tepid
lukewarm; slightly warm; ¹ÌÁö±ÙÇÑ; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter
tessellated
mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
testator
maker of a will; CF. testatrix
thrall
slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall
throttle
strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?
tiller
handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)
tipple
drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink
titillate
tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it
titter
nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
titular
of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
tonsure
shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
torrid
(of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs
tortuous
winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road
tract
propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract
tractable
docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability
traduce
expose to slander
travail
strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
troth
pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth
truculence
aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce
tryst
meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
tumid
(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous
tumult
commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly
tureen
deep dish for serving soup
turpitude
depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude
tutelary
protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities
ubiquitous
being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity
ulterior
intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive
umbrage
resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness
unassuaged
unsatisfied; not soothed
unction
the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction
unctuous
oily; bland; insincerely suave
unequivocal
plain; clear; obvious
unexceptionable
entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism
unfaltering
steadfast; firm; not changing
debar
bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services
unguent
ointment
unprepossessing
unattractive
untenable
(of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained
untoward
unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter
unwonted
unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.
urbane
suave; refined in manner; elegant
Shangri-la
imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon
uxorious
excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife
vagary
capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander
vainglorious
boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity
valedictory
pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)
vanguard
forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard
vapid
lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
vaunted
boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag
venal
capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
ventral
abdominal
veracious
(of a person) truthful
veracity
truthfulness; adherence to the truth
verbiage
pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness
verdigris
green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather
verve
enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor
viand
food; CF. live
vicar
parish priest; representative
vicissitude
change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
victuals
food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
visceral
felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
viscid
adhesive; gluey
vitiate
spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
vitreous
of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
vitriolic
causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass
vituperative
abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
vivacious
lively or animated; sprightly
vivisection
act of dissecting living animals
vociferous
clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
volition
act of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.
voluble
fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility
vouchsafe
grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
vulpine
like a fox; crafty
waffle
speak equivocally about an issue; N.
waggish
humorous; mischievous; tricky
waif
homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays
wangle
achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.
wastrel
waster; profligate
welter
confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data
wheedle
deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her
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