abaselower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make lose self-respect abashembarrass abatesubside or moderate abbreviateshorten abdicaterenounce; give up aberrantabnormal or deviant aberrationdeviation from the normal; mental disorder abetassist usually in doing something wrong; encourage abeyancesuspended action abhordetest; hate abjectwretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology abjurerenounce upon oath ablutionwashing abnegationrenunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation abolishcancel; put an end to abominabledetestable; extremely unpleasant abominateloathe; hate aboriginalbeing the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine abortiveunsuccessful; fruitless abrasiverubbing away; tending to grind down abridgecondense or shorten abrogateabolish abscissioncutting off; separation absconddepart secretly and hide absolutecomplete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism absolvepardon abstainrefrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote; abstemioussparing in eating and drinking; temperate abstinencerestraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote abstracttheoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational abstruseobscure; profound; difficult to understand abusivecoarsely insulting; physically harmful abutborder upon; adjoin abysmalbottomless abyssenormous chasm; vast bottomless pit academicrelated to a school; not practical or directly useful accedeagree acceleratemove faster accessibleeasy to approach; obtainable accessoryadditional object; useful but not essential thing acclaimapplaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drug has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise acclimateadjust to climate or environment; adapt acclivitysharp up slope of a hill; OP. declivity accoladeaward of merit; strong praise and approval accommodateoblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging accomplicepartner in crime accordagreement accostapproach and speak first to a person accoutreequip; N. accoutrement accretiongrowth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete accruecome to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual acerbitybitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid aceticvinegary acidulousslightly sour ; sharp; caustic acknowledgerecognize; admit acmepeak; pinnacle; highest point acousticsscience of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in acquiesceassent; agree passively; comply without protest acquittaldeliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct in a specified manner acridbitter ; sharp; bitterly pungent acrimoniousstinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior acrophobiafear of heights actuarialcalculating; pertaining to insurance statistics actuarysomeone who advises insurance companies actuatemotivate; activate; cause to act acuitysharpness acumenmental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen acutesharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain adagewise saying; proverb adamanthard; inflexible adaptmake or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel. addendumaddition; appendix to book; something that is added addictioncompulsive habitual need addlemake or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten addressdirect a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one's efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech adeptexpert at; very skilled adherestick fast; be a devoted follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyalty adherentsupporter; follower adjacentadjoining; neighboring; close by adjunctsomething attached to but holding an inferior position adjurationsolemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly adjutantstaff officer assisting the commander; assistant admonishwarn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove adorndecorate adroitskillful adulationflattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved adulteratemake impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted substances adventarrival adventitiousaccidental; casual; happening by chance adversaryopponent; enemy adversegoing against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile adversitygreat hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event advertrefer advocacysupport; active pleading on behalf of someone or something advocatespeak in favor of; support ; urge; plead for aegisshield; protection; defense aerienest of a large bird of prey aestheticartistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful ; CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics affableeasily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly affectedartificial; pretended affidavitwritten statement made under oath affiliationjoining; associating with affinityfeeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages affirmationpositive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination afflictionstate of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on affluenceabundance; wealth affrontinsult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally agapeopen mouthed agendaitems of business at a meeting agglomerationcollection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. agglomerate: jumbled mass; heap aggrandizemake greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement aggregatesum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars aghastfilled with great surprise or fear; horrified agilitynimbleness; ability to move quickly agitatestir up; disturb agnosticone who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality agoghighly excited; intensely curious agrarianpertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform alacritycheerful promptness without reluctance alchemymedieval chemistry alcovenook; recess aliasan assumed name esp. by a criminal ; ADV. alias alienatemake unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of alimentarysupplying nourishment alimonypayments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce allaycalm; pacify allegestate without proof allegianceloyalty allegorystory, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable alleviaterelieve alliterationrepetition of beginning sound in poetry allocateassign; set apart for a particular purpose alloymixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other metals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness alluderefer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference allureentice; attract; tempt alluvialpertaining to soil deposits left by running water aloftupward; high up in the air aloofapart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV. altercationnoisy quarrel altruisticunselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism amalgamcombination of different things; mixture of metals used for filling holes in teeth amalgamatecombine; unite in one body amasscollect amazonfemale warrior ambidextrouscapable of using either hand with equal ease ambienceenvironment; atmosphere; Ex. restaurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature ambiguousunclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation ambivalencethe state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions amblewalking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly ambrosiafood of the gods ambulatoryable to walk ameliorateimprove amenableobedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests amendcorrect; change ; generally for the better amenitiesconvenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies amiableagreeable; lovable; warmly friendly amicablepeaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement amisswrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV. amityfriendship; peaceful relationship as between nations amnesialoss of memory amnestypardon amokin a state of rage; Ex. run amok amoralnonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong amorousmoved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances amorphousformless; lacking shape or definition amphibianable to live both on land and in water; N. amphitheateroval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena ampleenough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space amplifyincrease in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph amputatecut off part of body; prune amuletcharm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck anachronisman error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic analgesiccausing insensitivity to pain; N. analogouscomparable; similar analogysimilarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things anarchistperson who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority anarchyabsence of governing body; state of disorder anathemasolemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize ancestryfamily descent; ADJ. ancestral anchorsecure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage ancillaryserving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N. anecdoteshort story of an amusing or interesting event anemiacondition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic anestheticsubstance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia anguishacute pain; extreme suffering angularsharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded ; bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner animadversioncritical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval animatedlively; spirited animosityactive enmity animushostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition annalsrecords arranged in yearly parts; history annealreduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling annexattach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate into a larger existing political unit ; N: building added to a large one annihilatedestroy annotatecomment; make explanatory notes annuityyearly allowance annulmake void anodynedrug that relieves pain or trouble; opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement anointconsecrate; put oil on anomalousabnormal; irregular anomalyirregularity anonymitystate of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous antagonismhostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in opposition to the protagonist antecedeprecede antecedentspreceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background antediluvianantiquated; extremely ancient anthemsong of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem anthologybook of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus anthropoidmanlike; resembling a human being; N. anthropologiststudent of the history and science of humankind anthropomorphichaving human form or characteristics anticlimaxletdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting antidoteremedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles antipathyaversion; dislike or opposition antiquatedobsolete; old-fashioned; outdated antisepticsubstance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ. antithesiscontrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical anviliron block used in hammering out metals apathylack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic apeimitate or mimic apertureopening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light apextip; summit; climax; highest point aphasialoss of speech due to injury or illness aphorismpithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic apiarya place where bees are kept aplombpoise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence apocalypticprophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse apocryphalwidely believed but untrue apogeehighest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee apoliticalhaving an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs apologistone who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia apoplexystroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain apostateone who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy apothecarydruggist; pharmacist apothegmpithy, compact saying apotheosiselevation to godhood; an ideal example of something appalldismay; shock deeply apparitionghost; phantom appeasepacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement appellationname; title appendattach applicationdiligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself appositeappropriate; fitting appraiseestimate value of; N. appraisal appreciatebe thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference apprehendarrest ; dread; perceive; N. apprehension apprehensivefearful; discerning appriseinform approbationapproval appropriateacquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate appurtenancessubordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing aproposwith reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos the present situation; ADJ. ADV. aptitudefitness; talent aquilinecurved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose arablefit for growing crops; Ex. arable land arbiterperson with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position to make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware arbitraryunreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler arbitrateact as judge arboretumplace where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited arcadea covered passageway usually lined with shops arcaneesoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener arch-chief; first; Ex. archbishop archaeologystudy of artifacts and relics of early mankind archaicantiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N. archetypeprototype; primitive pattern archipelagogroup of closely located islands archivespublic records; place where public records are kept ardorheat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent arduoushard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work argotslang; speech spoken by only a small group of people ariaoperatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio ariddry; barren; unproductive aristocracyhereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat armadafleet of warships aromaticfragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell arraigncharge in court; indict arraymarshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array arrearsbeing in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done arrhythmiclacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia arrogancepride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important arroyogully; narrow channel formed by rainwater arsenalstorage place for military equipment articulateeffective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints artifactsobject made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced artificedeception; trickery artisana manually skilled worker artlesswithout guile; open and honest ascendancycontrolling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant ascertainfind out for certain; make certain asceticpracticing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism ascriberefer; attribute; assign asepticpreventing infection; having a cleansing effect ashenash-colored; deadly pale asininestupid; Ex. asinine remarks askancewith a sideways or indirect look ; Ex. look askance at askewcrookedly; slanted; at an angle asperitysharpness; roughness; severity ; Ex. asperities of a Russian winter aspersionslanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on aspirantseeker after position or status aspireseek to attain ; long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership assailassault assayanalyze ; evaluate assentagree; accept; N. assessment assertstate strongly or positively; demand recognition of ; make a claim to ; Ex. assert one's independence assiduousdiligent assimilateabsorb; take into the body and digest it; understand completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous assuagemake less severe; ease or lessen ; satisfy ; soothe assumptionsomething taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume assurancefirm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in front of his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure; make certain to happen; make feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured; confident in one's own ability; showing certainty asteroidsmall planet astigmatismeye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism astralrelating to the stars astringentbinding; causing contraction ; harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism astronomicalenormously large or extensive astutewise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage asunderinto parts; apart; V. sunder asylumplace of refuge or shelter; protection asymmetricnot identical on both sides of a dividing central line atavismresemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic atheisticdenying the existence of God; N. atheism atonemake amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for atrocitybrutal deed; ADJ. atrocious atrophywasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle attentivealert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady; N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration attenuatemake thin; weaken attesttestify; bear witness attributeessential quality; V: ascribe; explain attritionrubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition atypicalnot normal; not typical audaciousdaring; bold; N. audacity auditexamination of accounts of a business; official examination; V. augmentincrease; add to auguryomen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of augustimpressive; majestic aureolesun"s corona; halo; bright circle of light auroralpertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis auspiciousfavoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices austereforbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk"s austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity authenticateprove genuine authoritariansubordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another"s will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father authoritativehaving the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive autocratichaving absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy automatonmechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself autonomousself-governing; N. autonomy autopsyexamination of a dead body; postmortem; V. auxiliaryoffering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant avalanchegreat mass of falling snow and ice avaricegreediness for wealth avengetake vengeance for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy. averstate confidently; declare as true aversereluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work aversionfirm dislike avertprevent; avoid; turn away ; Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight. aviaryenclosure for birds; large cage avidgreedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity avocationsecondary or minor occupation avowdeclare openly; N. avowal avuncularof or like an uncle awesolemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome awlpointed tool used for piercing awrydistorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry. axiomself-evident truth requiring no proof azuresky blue babblechatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N. bacchanaliandrunken badgerpester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal badinageteasing conversation; banter; joking talk bafflefrustrate; perplex baitharass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals balefulevil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look balkstop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate ballastheavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast balmsomething that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees balmysoft and mild ; fragrant banalhackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; cliched bandydiscuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with banepoison; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous banteringjoking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter barbsharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark bardpoet barefacedshameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie baroquehighly ornate barragebarrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism barristercounselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar barterertrader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money baskluxuriate; take pleasure in warmth bastionstronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism batelet down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate baubletrinket; cheap jewel; trifle bawdyindecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd beatificgiving or showing bliss; blissful beatitudeblessedness; state of great happiness bedizendress with vulgar finery bedragglewet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled beelinedirect quick route befuddleconfuse thoroughly begetfather; become the father of; produce; give rise to begrudgeenvy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn"t begrudge him his success. beguiledeceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile behemothhuge creature; something of monstrous size or power beholdenobligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude behoovebe suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do. belaborharp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically belateddelayed beleaguerbesiege or attack ; harass; beset beliecontradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure. belittledisparage; depreciate bellicosewarlike belligerentquarrelsome bemoanlament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of bemusedconfused; lost in thought; preoccupied benedictionblessing benefactorgift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose beneficentkindly; doing good beneficialhelpful; useful; advantageous beneficiaryperson entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will benefitadvantage; anything that brings help, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits benevolentgenerous; charitable; having a wish to do good benignkindly; favorable; not malignant ; Ex. benign tumor benisonblessing bentdetermined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination bequeathleave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest beratescold strongly bereaveddeprived of bereavementstate of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft bereftdeprived of ; lacking berserkmad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited beseechbeg; plead with besetharass or trouble from all directions; hem in besiegesurround with armed forces; harass ; annoy continually besmirchsoil; defile; make dirty bestialbeastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel bestowconfer betokensignify; indicate; be a sign of betraybe unfaithful; reveal ; Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety. betrothbecome engaged to marry bevylarge group; Ex. a bevy of starlets bicameraltwo-chambered as a legislative body bickerquarrel biennialevery two years bifurcateddivided into two branches; forked bigotrystubborn intolerance bilioussuffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated bilkswindle; cheat billowingswelling out in waves; surging bivouactemporary encampment; camp without tents; V. bizarrefantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional blanchbleach; whiten; make white or pale blandsoothing or mild ; agreeable; causing no trouble or offense blandishmentflattery blareloud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light blasebored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored blasphemyirreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blaspheme; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege blatantextremely obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy bleakcold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing blightedsuffering from a disease; destroyed blithegay; joyous bloatedswollen or puffed as with water or air blowhardtalkative boaster; braggart bludgeonclub; heavy-headed weapon; V. bluffpretense ; deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured blundererror; stupid mistake blurtutter impulsively from nervousness or excitement blusterblow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale bodeforeshadow; portend boguscounterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview bohemianunconventional boisterousviolent; rough; noisy bolstersupport; reinforce boltdoor bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten ; gobble down bombardmentattack ; V. bombard bombasticpompous; using inflated language boonblessing; benefit; something very helpful boorishrude; insensitive bouillonclear beef soup bountifulgenerous; graciously generous; showing bounty bourgeoismiddle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions bovinecowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm bowdlerizeexpurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler brackishsomewhat saline braggadocioboasting braggartboaster; bragger brandishwave around ; flourish bravadoswagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery brawnhuman muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness brazeninsolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence breachbreaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V. breadthwidth; extent brevityconciseness; shortness of duration brindledtawny or grayish with streaks or spots bristlingrising like bristles; showing irritation brittlehard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation broachintroduce as a subject; moot; open up brocaderich, figured fabric brochurepamphlet broochornamental clasp; pin brooktolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream browbeatbully; intimidate browsegraze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually bruntmain impact or shock ; Ex. brunt of the argument brusqueblunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice buccaneerpirate bucolicrustic; pastoral buffetstrike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that"s been set buffooneryclowning bugaboobugbear; object of baseless terror bulliongold and silver in the form of bars bulwarkstrong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends bunglemismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior buoyantable to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market bureaucracyoverregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic burgeongrow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon burlesquegive an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly burnishmake shiny by rubbing; polish buttresssupport; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress buxomfull-bosomed; plump; jolly cabalsmall group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests cachehiding place; V. cacophonousdiscordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds cadavercorpse; dead human body cadaverouslike a corpse; pale cadencerhythmic rise and fall ; beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm cajolepersuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle calamitydisaster; misery calculateddeliberately planned; likely caldronlarge kettle caliberability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber calligraphybeautiful writing; excellent penmanship calloushardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind callowyouthful; immature; inexperienced calorificheat-producing; N. calorie calumnymalicious misrepresentation; slander camaraderiegood-fellowship; CF. comrade cameoshell or jewel carved in relief; star"s special appearance in a minor role in a film canardunfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report candorfrankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid caninerelated to dogs; doglike cankerany ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer cannyshrewd in money matters; thrifty cantinsincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people cantankerousill-humored; irritable cantatastory set to music to be sung by a chorus canterslow gallop; V. CF. trot cantodivision of a long poem canvassdetermine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N. capaciousspacious capacitymental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president capillaryhaving a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity capitulatesurrender; give up all resistance capricewhim; sudden change of mind without any real cause capriciousunpredictable; fickle captiontitle; chapter heading; text under illustration captiousfaultfinding; too critical carafeglass water bottle; decanter carapaceshell covering the back caratunit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold carcinogeniccausing cancer; N. carcinogen cardinalchief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather than order cardiologistdoctor specializing in ailments of the heart careenlurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger caricaturedistortion; burlesque carillona set of bells capable of being played carnagedestruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals carnalfleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body carnivorousmeat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore carousaldrunken revel; V. carouse carpingpetty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble carrionrotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture cartographermap-maker cascadesmall waterfall casteone of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige castigationpunishment; severe criticism or disapproval casualtyserious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle cataclysmdeluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change catalystagent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis catapultslingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult cataractgreat waterfall; eye abnormality catastrophecalamity ; disaster catcallshout of disapproval or displeasure ; boo; V. catechismbook for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize categoricalwithout exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute catharsispurging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art catharticpurgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ. catholicuniversal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes caucusprivate meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston caulkmake watertight causalimplying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality causticburning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless cauterizeburn with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection cavalcadeprocession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry cavaliercasual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight cavilquibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily cedeyield to ; surrender formally; N. cession celerityspeed; rapidity celestialheavenly celibateabstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy censoroverseer of morals ; person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V. censoriousseverely critical censureblame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval centaurmythical figure, half man and half horse centigradedenoting a widely used temperature scale centrifugalradiating; departing from the center centrifugemachine that separates substances by whirling them centripetaltending toward the center centurionRoman army officer cerebralpertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum cerebrationthought; working of the brain ceremoniousmarked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy certitudecertainty cessationstoppage cessionyielding to another; ceding chafewarm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N. chaffworthless products of an endeavor; husk separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff chaffingbantering; joking chagrinannoyance and disappointment; vexation chalicegoblet; consecrated cup chameleonlizard that changes color in different situations championsupport militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly chaoticin utter disorder charismadivine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism charlatanquack; pretender to knowledge charycautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold chaseornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch chasmabyss; very deep crack chassisframework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached chastemorally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple ; not highly decorated; austere chastendiscipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate chastisepunish as by beating; criticize severely chauvinistblindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin checkstop motion; curb or restrain checkeredmarked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortune; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares cherubicangelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order chicanerytrickery; deception chidescold; rebuke chimericalfantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature chiselswindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting chivalrouscourteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry cholerichot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera choreographyart of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances chortlechuckle with delight; N. chroniclong established as a disease chroniclereport; record churlishboorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo ciliatedhaving minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash ciphernonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V. circletsmall ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. circuitousroundabout circumlocutionindirect or roundabout expression circumscribelimit; confine; draw a line around circumspectprudent; cautious; acting after careful thought circumventoutwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around cisternreservoir or water tank citadelfortress citequote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record civilhaving to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic clairvoyanthaving foresight; fortune teller; N. clairvoyance clamberclimb by crawling with difficulties; scramble clamorloud continuous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous clandestinesecret clangorloud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging clapperstriker of a bell clarionshrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times claustrophobiafear of being locked in claviclecollarbone cleavesplit or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven cleftsplit clemencydisposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement clichephrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. cliched clientelebody of customers climacticrelating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic climeclimate cliquesmall exclusive group of people cloistermonastery or convent cloutgreat influence ; hard blow with fist cloyingdistasteful ; excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess coagulatecongeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant coalescecombine; fuse; N. coalescence coalitionpartnership; league; union of separate political parties codaconcluding section of a musical or literary composition coddletreat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs codicilsupplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will codifyarrange as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs coercionuse of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce coevalliving at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age cogtooth projecting from a wheel cogentconvincing cogitatethink over; ponder cognatehaving a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N. cognitivehaving to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing cognizanceknowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware cohabitlive together coherestick together cohesiontendency to keep together cohortsgroup of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander coiffurehairstyle coinmake coins; invent or fabricate ; N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented coincidencethe chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental colanderutensil with perforated bottom used for straining collaboratework together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy collagework of art put together from fragments collateexamine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order collateralsecurity given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters collationa light meal; collating colloquialpertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression colloquyinformal discussion; conversation collusionconspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude colossalhuge colossusgigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance comatosein a coma; extremely sleepy combustibleeasily burned; N. CF. combustion comelyattractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance comestiblesomething fit to be eaten comeuppancedeserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke comitycourtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations commandeertake for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes commemorativeremembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp commensurateequal in extent; of the same size commiseratefeel or express pity or sympathy for commodiousspacious and comfortable communalheld in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune compactagreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement compatibleharmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together compellingoverpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel compendiumbrief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious compensatorymaking up for; repaying compilationlisting of information in tabular or book form; compiling compileassemble; gather; accumulate; make from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary complacencyself-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent complaisanttrying to please; obliging; willing to please others complementcomplete; consummate; make perfect; N. complementaryserving to complete something complianceconformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply compliantreadily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; conforming to requirements complicityparticipation; involvement componentelement; ingredient comportbear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment composuremental calmness compoundcombine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings; Ex. factory compound; CF. complex comprehensivebroad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive compressforce into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc. compriseinclude; consist of compromiseadjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one's principle; N. compunctionremorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt computereckon; calculate concatenatelink as in a chain concavehollow; curved inwards; OP. convex concedeadmit; acknowledge as being true ; yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal conceitvanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor concentrichaving a common center conceptionbeginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception concertedmutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together concessionan act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire conciliatoryreconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings concisebrief and compact conclaveprivate secret meeting conclusivedecisive; ending all debate concoctprepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction concomitantthat which accompanies; Ex. Deafness is a frequent concomitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else concordharmony; accord concuragree; coincide; happen at the same time concurrenthappening at the same time; in agreement condescendbestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior condignadequate; severe and well deserved condimentsseasonings; spices condoleexpress condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow condoneoverlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse conducivehelpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards conduitaqueduct; passageway for fluids confidanttrusted friend confineshut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement confiscateseize; take possession of by official order ; commandeer conflagrationgreat fire confluenceflowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together conformityharmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance confoundconfuse; puzzle congealfreeze; coagulate congenialpleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather congenitalexisting at birth conglomerationmass of material sticking together congruencecorrespondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity congruentin agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous coniferpine tree ; cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen conjecturesurmise; guess; V. conjugalpertaining to marriage conjurecause to appear by magic; summon by magical power; practice magic ; evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat. connivancepretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance ; cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire connoisseurperson competent to act as a judge of art, etc. ; a lover of an art connotationsuggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote connubialpertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state consanguinitykinship; relationship by birth conscientiousscrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker conscriptdraftee; person forced into military service; V. consecratededicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor consensusgeneral agreement; opinion reached by a group consequentialself-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent conservatoryschool of the fine arts ; glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy consignsend to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart ; N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee consistencyabsence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous consolelessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation consolidationunification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen consonanceharmony; agreement consortassociate with; keep company; N: husband or wife conspiracytreacherous plot; secret plan against the law constituentsupporter; voter; member of a constituency; component constraintrestraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison construeexplain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue consummatecomplete; V. contagioninfection ; ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air contaminatepollute contemptscorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible contendstruggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly contentionassertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition contentiousquarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments contestdispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N. contextwritings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs contiguousadjacent to; touching upon continenceself-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent contingentdependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency contortionstwistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist contrabandillegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ. contravenecontradict; oppose; violate ; N. contravention contritepenitent; repentant; N. contrition contrivedunnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived. controvertoppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy contumaciousstubborn and disobedient; resisting authority contusionbruise conundrumriddle; difficult problem convenecome together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council conventionsocial or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement conventionalordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons convergeapproach; tend to meet; come together conversantfamiliar with; having knowledge of converseopposite; ADJ. convertone who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; adopt a particular religion or belief convexcurving outward conveyancevehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance convictionjudgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief convivialpleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial convokecall together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation convolutedcoiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain copiousplentiful coquetteflirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V. cordialwarmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome cordonextended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; V. corniceprojecting molding on building cornucopiahorn overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty corollarynatural consequence corporealbodily ; of a bodily form; material; tangible corpulentvery fat; N. corpulence correlationmutual relationship corroborateconfirm; support; strengthen corrodedestroy or wear away gradually by chemical action corrosiveeating away by chemicals or disease; fierce corrugatedwrinkled; ridged cosmicpertaining to the universe; vast coteriegroup that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests countenanceapprove; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance countermandcancel; revoke counterpartthing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system couphighly successful action or sudden attack; coup d"etat; CF. coup de grace: deathblow or shot which kills couplejoin; unite; OP. uncouple couriermessenger covenantbinding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise covertsecret; hidden; implied; OP. overt covetousavaricious; desirous of ; V. covet: desire eagerly cowterrorize; intimidate cowershrink quivering as from fear; cringe coyshy ; showing a lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer cozencheat; hoodwink; swindle crabbedsour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting crassvery unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior cravencowardly credencebelief credocreed credulitybelief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivete; ADJ. credulous creedsystem of religious or ethical belief crescendoincrease in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent crestfallendejected; dispirited crevicecrack; fissure cringeshrink back as if in fear; cower criteriastandards used in judging; CF. criterion cronehag; ugly old woman crotchetyeccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion cruxessential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance cryptsecret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room crypticmysterious; hidden; secret cubiclesmall chamber used for sleeping or work cuisinestyle of cooking; Ex. French cuisine culinaryrelating to cooking or kitchen cullpick out from others ; reject; select; collect ; N. culminationhighest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war culpabledeserving blame; blameworthy culvertartificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road cumbersomeheavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform cumulativegrowing by addition; accumulative cupiditygreed ; CF. cupid; CF. Cupid curatorsuperintendent; manager curmudgeonchurlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person cursiveflowing; running; having the successive letters joined cursorycasual; hastily done with little attention to detail curtailshorten; reduce cynicalskeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness cynosureobject of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor dabblework at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid daisraised platform for speakers or other important people dallytrifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time dankdamp; unpleasantly wet dapperneat and trim ; neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry dappledspotted daubsmear ; cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint dauntintimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten dauntlessbold; fearless dawdleloiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing deadlockstandstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate deadpanwooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face dearthscarcity debaclesudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster debasedegrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement debauchcorrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior debilitateweaken ; enfeeble debonairfriendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition debrisrubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed debunkexpose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule debutanteyoung woman making formal entrance into society decadencedecay; fall to a lower level ; ADJ. decadent decantpour off gently decapitatebehead decelerateslow down deciduousfalling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth decimatekill ; destroy or kill a large part of decipherdecode; CF. indecipherable declivitydownward slope decolletehaving a low-cut neckline; CF. decolletage: low neckline decompositiondecay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts decorumpropriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct decoylure or bait; V. decrepitudestate of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age decryexpress strong disapproval of; condemn openly ; disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films deduciblederived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning defacemar; disfigure defameharm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory defaultfailure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V. defeatistresigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism defectiondesertion defergive in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous deferencecourteous regard for another"s wish; courteous yielding to another"s wish or opinion ; ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery defiancerefusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant defilepollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains definitivemost reliable; authoritative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court deflectturn aside; turn away from a straight course defoliatedestroy leaves; deprive of leaves ; N. defoliant defrayprovide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay defrockstrip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock deftneat; skillful defunctdead; no longer in use or existence degeneratebecome worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person degradationhumiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce in worth; demote ; reduce in rank dehydrateremove water from; dry out deifyturn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity deigncondescend; stoop deleteerase; strike out deleteriousharmful deliberateconsider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow delineateportray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation deliriummental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious deltaflat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river deludedeceive delugeflood; rush; V. delusionfalse belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that delusivedeceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises delvedig; search deeply; investigate demagogueperson who appeals to people"s prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery demeandisgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave demeanorbehavior; bearing dementedinsane demisedeath demographicrelated to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population demolitiondestruction; V. demolish demoniacfiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil demoticof or pertaining to the people demurobject ; raise an objection ; hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday demuregrave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure denigrateblacken; defame denizeninhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor denotationmeaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation denouementfinal outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained denouncecondemn; criticize; N. denunciation depictportray depletereduce; exhaust deploreregret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition deployspread out in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute systematically or strategically deposedethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify depositiontestimony under oath; deposing; dethroning depravityextreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave deprecateexpress disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory depreciatelessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value depredationplundering; destruction derangedinsane derelictnegligent; neglectful of duty; deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person derideridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect derisionridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory derivativeunoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N. dermatologistone who studies the skin and its diseases derogatoryexpressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage descrycatch sight of desecrateprofane; violate the sanctity of desiccatedry up desolatemake desolate; forsake; abandon and desert desolatedeserted; unpopulated; lonely; forlorn; joyless desperadoreckless, desperate outlaw despiselook on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible despoilplunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village despondentwithout hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection despottyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism destituteextremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience desultoryaimless; haphazard; digressing at random detachedemotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment determinatehaving a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final determinationresolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision deterrentsomething that discourages or deters detonationexplosion detractionslandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor detrimentalharmful; damaging; N. detriment deviateturn away from ; move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism deviousroundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route devisethink up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest devoidempty; lacking devolvedeputize; pass or be passed to others ; Ex. devolve on/upon/to devoteeenthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach devoutpious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope dexterousskillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity diabolicaldiabolic; devilish; fiendish diademcrown dialecticalrelating 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 diaphanoussheer; transparent diatribebitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse dichotomydivision into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts dictumauthoritative and weighty statement ; saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark didacticintended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism diemetal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice diffidenceshyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident diffusewordy; verbose; rambling; spread out ; V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse digressionwandering away from the subject; V. digress dilapidatedfalling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation dilateexpand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on dilatorydelaying; tending to delay dilemmasituation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives dilettanteaimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge ; amateur; dabbler; CF. delight diligencesteadiness of effort; persistent hard work dilutemake less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president diminutionlessening; reduction in size; V. diminish dincontinued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition dinghysmall boat dingydirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain dintmeans; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work dioramalife-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background direwarning of disaster; disastrous; very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food dirgefuneral song; slow mournful piece of music disabusecorrect a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief disaffecteddisloyal; lacking loyalty; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty disapprobationdisapproval; condemnation disarraystate of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray disavowaldenial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim disbanddissolve; disperse; break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded. disbursepay out ; N. disbursement; CF. purse discernibledistinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement discerningmentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive disclaimdisown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer disclosereveal; N. disclosure discombobulateddiscomposed; confused discomfitfrustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb disconcertconfuse; upset; embarrass; perturb disconsolatehopelessly sad discordconflict; lack of harmony; dissonance discordantnot harmonious; conflicting discountdisregard; regard as unimportant; deduct from a cost discourseserious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion ; conversation; V. discreditdefame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful discrepancylack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions discreteseparate; unconnected discretionprudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary discriminatingable to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination discursivedigressing; rambling disdaintreat with scorn or contempt disembarkdebark; go ashore ; unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark disenfranchisedisfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise disengageuncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage disfiguremar the appearance of; spoil disgorgesurrender something ; eject; vomit; OP. gorge disgruntlemake discontented disheartendiscourage disheveleduntidy ; V. dishevel disinclinationunwillingness disingenuousnot naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous disinterdig up; unearth; OP. inter disinterestedunprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective disjointeddisconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin disjunctionact or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive dislodgeremove ; force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge dismantletake apart; disassemble dismembercut into small parts; cut apart limb from limb dismisseliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal disparagebelittle disparatebasically different; impossible to compare; unrelated disparitydifference; condition of inequality; OP. parity dispassionatecalm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings dispatchspeediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill dispelscatter; drive away; cause to vanish dispersescatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd dispiritedlacking in spirit disportamuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert disputatiousargumentative; fond of argument disquietudeuneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious disquisitionformal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report dissectionanalysis; cutting apart in order to examine dissembledisguise; hide the real nature of; pretend disseminatedistribute; spread; scatter dissentdisagree dissertationformal essay; treatise dissidentdissenting ; rebellious; N. dissimulatepretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble dissipatesquander; waste foolishly; scatter dissolutiondisintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life dissuadepersuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion distantreserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly distendexpand; swell out distillrefine ; concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew distinctionhonor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction distorttwist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion distraitabsentminded; distracted distraughtupset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry diurnaldaily; occurring during the daytime divaoperatic singer; prima donna divergevary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating diversediffering in some characteristics ; various; N. diversity: diversionact of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse diveststrip ; deprive ; dispossess; N. divestiture divineperceive intuitively ; foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination divulgereveal docileobedient; easily managed; submissive docketprogram as for trial; book where such entries are made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket doctrinaireunable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties doctrineteachings in general; particular principle taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal documentprovide written evidence ; record with documents; N. dodderingshaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder dofftake off; OP. don doggeddetermined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert"s dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean doggerelpoor verse dogmaticopinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal doldrumsblues; listlessness; slack period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums doloroussorrowful; N. dolor doltslow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull domicilehome; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain. domineerrule over tyrannically donput on; OP. doff dormantsleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent dormerwindow projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room dorsalrelating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin dossierfile of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back dotagesenility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage dotebe excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline doursullen; gloomy; stubborn douseplunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet thoroughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse dowdyuntidy ; slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman downcastdisheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward drabdull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life draconianextremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician dregssediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue drivelnonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense drollqueer and amusing dronetalk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N. droneidle person who lives on other people"s work; male bee drosswaste matter; worthless impurities drudgeryhard unpleasant work; menial work dubiousquestionable; causing doubt; filled with doubt; N. dubiety ductilemalleable; pliable; easily pulled into shape; flexible; easily influenced or controlled dulcetsweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious dumbfoundastonish ; ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck dupesomeone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive duplicitydouble-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous durationlength of time something lasts duressforcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress dutifulrespectful; obedient dwindleshrink; reduce gradually dynamicenergetic; vigorously active dyspepticsuffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food earthyunrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal ebbrecede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide ebullientshowing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling eccentricirregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric eccentricityoddity; idiosyncrasy ecclesiasticecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman eclecticselective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism eclipsedarken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse ecologistperson concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology economyefficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources ecstasyrapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy eddyswirling current of water, air, etc.; V. edictdecree ; official command edifyinstruct; correct morally eerieweird; causing fear because strange effacerub out; remove the surface of effectualable to produce a desired effect; valid effeminatehaving womanly traits effervescenceinner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce effetehaving lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted efficacypower to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual effigydummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President effluviumnoxious smell effronteryrudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek effusionpouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing egoismexcessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical egotisticalegotistic; excessively self-centered; self-important; conceited egregiousnotorious; conspicuously bad or shocking egressexit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress ejaculationexclamation; abrupt ejection ; V. ejaculate elaborationaddition of details; intricacy elatedfilled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation elegypoem or song expressing lamentation ; ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac elicitdraw out fact or information elixircure-all; panacea; something invigorating ellipsisomission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission ; PL. ellipses ellipticalelliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out eloquenceexpressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influenced elucidateexplain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid elusiveevasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me. elysianrelating to paradise; blissful emaciatedthin and wasted emanateissue forth; come out emancipateset free; liberate embargoban on commerce or other activity embarkcommence; go on board a boat; begin a journey embedenclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass embellishadorn; ornament; enhance as a story embezzlementtaking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing embossproduce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design embracehug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet embroiderdecorate with needlework; ornament with fancy or fictitious details; embellish embroilthrow into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio embryonicundeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development emendcorrect ; N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement emeticsubstance causing vomiting; ADJ. eminentrising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position emissaryagent ; messenger emollientsoothing or softening remedy ; ADJ. emolumentsalary; payment for an office; compensation empathyability to identify with another"s feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another"s feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy empiricalbased on experience emulateimitate; rival; try to equal or excel enamoredin love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love encipherencode; convert a message into code; put into cipher enclaveterritory enclosed within an alien land encomiasticpraising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy encompasssurround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers. encroachmentgradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another"s possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon encumberburden; N. encumbrance endearmentfond word or act; expression of affection endemicprevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic endorseapprove; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal endueprovide with some quality; endow enduringlasting; surviving; V. endure: bear for a long time; remain alive ; last; survive energizeinvigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active enervateweaken; take away energy from enfranchiseadmit to the rights of citizenship ; CF. franchise engageattract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle engagingcharming; attractive engendercause; produce; give rise to engrossoccupy fully; absorb enhanceincrease; make greater ; improve enigmapuzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling enjoincommand; order; forbid enmityill will; hatred; hostility ennuiboredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy enormityhugeness ; excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous enraptureplease intensely; fill with rapture and delight ensconcesettle comfortably; place comfortably ensuefollow entailmake necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B enterprisingfull of initiative; showing enterprise enthrallcapture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of ; hold spellbound enticelure; persuade to do ; attract; tempt entityreal being entomologystudy of insects entranceput under a spell; carry away with emotion; put into a trance; fill with delight entreatplead; ask earnestly entreeentrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle entrepreneurbusinessperson ; contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial enumeratelist; mention one by one enunciateannounce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him. environenclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area eonlong period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras epauletornament worn on the shoulder ephemeralshort-lived; fleeting epiclong heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art ; ADJ: resembling an epic; grand epicureconnoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus epigramwitty thought or saying, usually short epilogueshort speech at conclusion of dramatic work episodicloosely connected; made up of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident in the course of an experience epistemologistphilosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology epitaphinscription in memory of a dead person epithetword or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person epitomeperfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody epochperiod of time equabletranquil; of even calm temper; steady; uniform equanimitycalmness of temperament; composure equestrianrider on horseback; ADJ. equilibriumbalance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity equineresembling a horse; Ex. equine face equinoxperiod of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial equipoisebalance; balancing force; equilibrium equitablefair; impartial; OP. inequitable equityfairness; justice; OP. inequity equivocalambiguous; intentionally misleading; questionable; OP. unequivocal equivocateuse equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation erodeeat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks. eroticpertaining to passionate love or sexual love errantwandering ; straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant erraticodd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable erroneousmistaken; wrong; incorrect eruditelearned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition escapadeprank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules eschewavoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks esoterichard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica espionagespying espouseadopt; support ; marry; N. espousal esteemrespect; value; judge; N. estrangedseparated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate ; N. estrangement ethereallike a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. ether: upper air ethnicrelating to races ethnologystudy of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology ethosunderlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos etymologystudy of word parts; study of the origins of words eugenicpertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race eulogisticpraising; full of eulogy eulogyexpression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize euphemismmild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic euphonysweet sound; ADJ. euphonious euphoriafeeling of exaggerated or unfounded well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being ; ADJ. euphoriaric euthanasiamercy killing evanescentfleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce evasivenot frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid or escape from by deceit evenhandedimpartial; fair evinceshow clearly evocativetending to call up evokecall forth ; Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation ewefemale sheep exacerbateworsen; aggravate; embitter exactingextremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety exaltraise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation exasperatevex; annoy or make angry exceptionableobjectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable excerptselected passage taken from a longer work; V. exchequertreasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer excisecut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision exclaimcry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory excoriatescold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off exculpateclear from blame or guilt execrablevery bad; detestable execratecurse; express abhorrence for; detest executeput into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution exegesisexplanation, especially of biblical passages exemplaryserving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model exemplifyshow by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting. exemptnot subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V. exertioneffort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert oneself: make a great effort exhilaratinginvigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car exhorturge ; Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation exhumedig out of the ground; remove from a grave exigencyurgent situation; ADJ. exigent exiguoussmall in amount; minute existentialpertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism exodusdeparture exonerateacquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt exorbitantexcessive; exceeding reasonable bounds exorcisedrive out evil spirits exoticnot native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress expansiveoutgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size expatiatetalk at length; speak or write in detail expatriateexile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country expedientsuitable ; practical; politic; N: something expedient expeditehasten; make go faster expenditurepayment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy expertisespecialized knowledge ; expert skill expiatemake amends for expletivemeaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word explicateexplain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable explicittotally clear; definite; outspoken exploitmake use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation exploitbrave and successful act; deed or action, particularly a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean expositoryexplanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition expostulationprotest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate exposurerisk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption expoundexplain expropriatetake possession of expungecancel; remove a word or name ; erase expurgateclean; remove offensive parts of a book extantstill in existence extemporaneousnot planned; impromptu; extempore extenuateweaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of extirpateroot up; uproot; destroy completely extolpraise very highly; glorify extortwring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant extraditionsurrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite extraneousnot essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject extrapolationprojection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer from known information extricatefree from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle extrinsicexternal; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic extrovertperson interested mostly in external objects and actions extrudeforce or push out; thrust out; shape by forcing through a die exuberanceoverflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly exudeflow out slowly; discharge ; give forth; N. exudation exultrejoice fabricatebuild; lie; make up in order to deceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society facadefront or face ; superficial or false appearance facetsmall plane surface ; a side facetiousjoking ; unserious; humorous facileeasily 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 facilitatehelp bring about; make less difficult facsimilecopy factionparty; clique ; dissension factiousinclined to form factions; causing dissension factitiousartificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears factotumhandyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything facultymental or bodily powers; teaching staff fallaciousfalse; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument fallibleliable to err fallowplowed but not sowed ; uncultivated falterhesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N. fanaticismexcessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic fanciedimagined; unreal fancierbreeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal fancifulwhimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme fanfarecall by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spectacular public display farcebroad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly things happening; ADJ. farcical fastidiousdifficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky fatalismbelief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death fathomcomprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water fatuoussmugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness faunaanimals of a period or region; CF. flora fawningcourting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness fazedisconcert; dismay; embarrass feasiblepractical; able to be carried out; practicable febrilefeverish fecundityfertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young feignpretend feinttrick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V. felicitousapt; suitably expressed; well chosen felicityhappiness; appropriateness ; quality of being felicitous fellcruel; deadly fellcut or knock down ; bring down felonperson convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime feralnot domestic; wild fermentagitation; commotion; unrest ; V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause ferretdrive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive out ; expel; uncover or discover by searching; Ex. ferret out the secret; N. small fierce animal which catches rats and rabbits by going into their holes ferventardent; zealous; hot fervidardent; zealous; hot fervorglowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat festerrankle; produce irritation or resentment; generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered in my mind for days. festivejoyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival fetehonor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. festival or feast; CF. feast fetidmalodorous; foul fettershackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot fiascototal failure; CF. bottle fiatcommand; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done ficklechangeable ; faithless fictitiousimaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional fidelityloyalty; accuracy figmentinvention; something invented; imaginary thing; Ex. figment of your imagination figurativenot literal but metaphorical; using a figure of speech figurinesmall ornamental statuette filchsteal filialpertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect filibusterblock legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter filigreedelicate ornamental lacelike metalwork filingparticle removed by a file finaleconclusion; concluding part finessedelicate skill; V: handle with finesse finickytoo particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about her food finitelimited firebrandpiece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person who stirs up trouble fissurecrevice; crack fitfulspasmodic; intermittent; irregular flaccidflabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid muscles flagdroop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging flagrantconspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous flailbeat with or as if with a flail; move wildly; thresh grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about; N: threshing tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a long handle flairtalent flamboyantornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; showy; CF. flame flauntdisplay ostentatiously; Ex. ``Honey, if you"ve got it, flaunt it !"" flaystrip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly fleckspot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot fledglinginexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person fleecewool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob by a trick; swindle; plunder flicklight stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light quick blow; strike with a light quick blow ; Ex. flick the switch flinchhesitate; shrink back ; Ex. She did not flinch in the face of danger. flippantlacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about death; N. flippancy flitfly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower floeflat mass of floating ice floraplants of a region or era floridruddy; reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose flotsamdrifting wreckage flounderstruggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter ; proceed in confusion flourishgrow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation floutreject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the rules fluctuatewaver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly fluencysmoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent flukeunlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky flusterconfuse; make nervous and confused; N. flutedhaving vertical parallel grooves ; V. flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: long rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column fluxflowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux foddercoarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for livestock; CF. food foiblesmall weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble foilcontrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinctive characteristics of another foildefeat; frustrate; prevent from being successful; thwart; CF. fail foistinsert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist foliagemasses of leaves; CF. defoliate fomentstir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of foolhardyrash; reckless; foolishly daring foppishvain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance forayraid; sudden raid or military advance; V. forbearancepatience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from ; be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison fordplace where a river can be crossed on foot; V. forebearsancestors forebodingpremonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: be a warning of forensicsuitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic science/medicine foreshadowgive an indication beforehand; be a sign of ; portend; prefigure foresightability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future forestallprevent by taking action in advance forgogive up; do without forlornsad and lonely; wretched; desolate formalityceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence to rules; something done just for form"s sake; Ex. mere formality formidablemenacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question forsakedesert; abandon; renounce forswearrenounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure fortestrong point or special talent in a person"s character forthrightstraightforward; direct; frank fortitudebravery; courage; strength of mind fortuitousaccidental; by chance; N. fortuity fosterrear; bring up ; encourage; promote the development of ; Ex. help foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care although not related by blood; Ex. foster parents founderperson who establishes founderfail completely; sink; CF. flounder fracasbrawl in which a number of people take part; melee fractiousunruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex. fractious horse frailweak; N. frailty franchiseright or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory franticwild; distraught as from fear or worry; Ex. frantic with fear fraudulentcheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; N. fraud: deception; swindle fraughtfilled ; full; Ex. fraught with danger and difficulties; CF. freight fraybrawl; fight; V: wear away or unravel by rubbing; have loose threads developing; cause to become worn out ; CF. rub freneticfrenzied; frantic frenziedmadly excited; N. frenzy: violent wild excitement frescopainting on wet plaster fretbe annoyed or vexed; Ex. fret over your poor grades; N: irritation of mind; ADJ. fretful frictionclash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against friezeornamental horizontal band on a wall frigidintensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone fritterwaste frivolouslacking in seriousness; flippant; self-indulgently carefree; unworthy of serious attention; relatively unimportant; trivial frolicsomeprankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky frondfern leaf; palm or banana leaf fructifybear fruit; produce fruit frugalitythrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing economy; costing little; inexpensive fruitionbearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come to/be brought to fruition frustratethwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose fugitivefleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; roving; running away or fleeing as from the law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large fulcrumsupport on which a lever rests or pivots fulminatethunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation fulsomedisgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire fumblemove the fingers and hands awkwardly ; mishandle or drop a ball that is in play; bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N. functionaryofficial fundamentalbasic; primary; essential funerealsad; solemn; suitable for a funeral furorfrenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury furtivestealthy; quiet and secret ; sneaky; Ex. furtive glance fusilladesimultaneous firing or outburst fusionunion; coalition; V. fuse futileuseless; hopeless; ineffectual gadflyanimal-biting fly; irritating person gaffesocial blunder gainsaydeny gaitmanner of walking or running; speed galaxylarge isolated system of stars, such as the Milky Way; collection of brilliant personalities galewindstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst ; Ex. gale of laughter gallannoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing ; exasperation gallbitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; CF. gall bladder galleonlarge three-masted sailing ship galvanizestimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity gambitopening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage gambolromp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N. gamelyin a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight gamely against a superior boxer; ADJ. game gamutentire range gapeopen widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape garbledmixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or distort to such an extent as to make misleading or unintelligible gargantuanhuge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of Gargantua and Pantagruel gargoylewaterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building garishoverbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy garnergather; store up; amass garnishdecorate; add a garnish to; decorate with small items such as lemon slices; N. garrulousloquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity gastronomyart and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome gaucheclumsy ; coarse and uncouth gaudyflashy; showy gauntlean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren gavelhammerlike tool; mallet used by a presiding officer or an auctioneer; V. gawkstare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe gazetteofficial periodical publication; newspaper genealogyrecord of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry generalityvague statement; general statement which is not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most; Ex. generality of people generatecause; produce; create genericcharacteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus genesisbeginning; origin genialitycheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. genial: cheerful and good-tempered genreparticular variety of art or literature genteelwell-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty gentilitythose of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel gentrypeople of standing; people of good family or high social position; class of people just below nobility genuflectbend the knee as in worship germanepertinent; bearing upon the case at hand; appropriate germinalpertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea germinatecause to sprout; sprout gerontocracygovernment ruled by old people gerrymanderchange voting district lines in order to favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + mander gestateevolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period of development from conception until birth gesticulationmotion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures ghastlyhorrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast gibberishnonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; babbling gibemock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks giddylight-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height gingerlyvery carefully; ADJ. girthdistance around something; circumference gistessence; main point; substance glaciallike a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. glacial epoch; CF. iceberg glaringhighly conspicuous; harshly bright; shining intensely and blindingly glazecover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating ; Ex. unglazed pottery gleangather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; gather bit by bit often with difficulty glibfluent ; facile; slick glimmershine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope gloatexpress evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated over the stolen jewels. glossarybrief explanation of words used in the text glossysmooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex. gloss of good manners gloss_overexplain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults glowerscowl; glare; look or stare angrily glutoverstock; fill beyond capacity ; fill to excess; N: oversupply glutinoussticky; viscous; gluey gluttonsomeone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much gnarledtwisted gnomedwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards goadurge on; drive with a goad; cause to do something by continued annoyance; Ex. They goaded him into doing it by saying he was a coward; N: sharp-pointed stick for driving cattle; stimulus; CF. annoy continually gorgenarrow canyon; steep rocky cleft; ravine gorgestuff oneself ; glut; CF. gorgeous: dazzlingly beautiful gorybloody; N. gore: blood gossamersheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb gougetear out; cut out ; Ex. gouge his eyes out; N: chisel for cutting out hollow areas in wood gougeovercharge ; extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury gourmandepicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink gourmetconnoisseur of food and drink; epicure graduatedarranged by degrees granarystorehouse for grain grandeurimpressiveness; stateliness; majesty grandiloquentusing high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic grandioseaffectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas granulateform into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or particle graphicpertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described grapplewrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar gratemake a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; shred by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated cheese N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fireplace gratifyplease; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire gratisfree; without charge; ADJ. gratuitousgiven freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment gratuitytip gravityseriousness; ADJ. grave gregarioussociable; tending to form a group grievancecause of complaint; complaint grillquestion severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking surface of parallel metal bars grimacefacial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V. grislyghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies grotesquefantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural grottosmall cavern grousecomplain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike game bird grovelcrawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; behave in a servile manner grudgingunwilling; reluctant; stingy gruelthin liquid porridge gruelingexhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race gruesomegrisly; horrible gruffrough-mannered; rough; hoarse guffawboisterous laughter; V. guiledeceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile guilelesswithout deceit guiseoutward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise gulltrick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe gullibleeasily deceived gustatoryaffecting or relating to the sense of taste gustoeager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm gustywindy guycable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide gyroscopeapparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc. habituateaccustom or familiarize; addict hackleshairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make someone's hackles rise hackneyedcommonplace; trite haggardwasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners haggleargue about prices halcyoncalm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days halehealthy hallowedblessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; V. hallow: set apart as holy hallucinationdelusion; false idea; false perception of objects with a compelling sense of their reality; objects so perceived; V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory haltinghesitant; faltering; not fluent; Ex. halting steps/voice; V. halt: proceed or act with uncertainty; falter; hesitate; waver; stop hamperobstruct; prevent the free movement of; N: hapchance; luck haphazardrandom; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town haplessunfortunate; luckless haranguelong, passionate, and vehement speech; V. harassannoy by repeated attacks harbingerforerunner harborgive protection ; provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind ; Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge hardysturdy; robust; able to stand inclement weather harpingtiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on tediously harrowingagonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break up and level with a harrow; inflict great distress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth harryharass, annoy, torment ; raid hatchdeck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: emerge from an egg; produce from an egg haughtinesspride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty havenplace of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven hazardousdangerous hazyslightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind headlonghasty; rash; headfirst; ADV. headstrongwillful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have one's own way; CF. no "excessive" hecklerperson who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes hedonistone who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one's life purely for pleasure heedlessnot noticing; disregarding hegemonydominance especially of one nation over others heinousatrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime herbivorousgrain-eating; CF. herbivore heresyopinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic hermeticconcerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult hermeticsealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight hermitagehome of a hermit herpetologistone who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians heterodoxagainst accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional heterogeneousdissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar elements or plants hewcut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N. heydaytime of greatest success or power; prime hiatusgap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break hibernalwintry; wintery; of or like winter hibernatesleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation hierarchyarrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority hieroglyphicpicture writing; ADJ. hilarityboisterous mirth; ADJ. hilarious: full of laughter hindmostfurthest behind; farthest to the rear hindranceblock; obstacle; V. hinder hinterlandsback country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland hirelingone who serves for hire ; one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician hirsutehairy; having a lot of hair histrionictheatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior hoardstockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use hoarywhite with age hoaxtrick which makes someone take action; practical joke; Ex. hoax mail; V. holocaustdestruction by fire; CF. burnt whole; CF. Holocaust holsterleather pistol case homagehonor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to homeostasistendency of a system or organism to maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm homespundomestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy homilysermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic homogeneousof the same kind; uniform in composition throughout honesharpen ; N: whetstone for sharpening a tool hoodwinkdeceive; delude hordecrowd; swarm hortatoryencouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort horticulturalpertaining to cultivation of gardens; N. horticulture: science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants; CF. agriculture: science or art of farming or growing crops hostilityunfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile hovelshack; small wretched house hoverhang about; stay in the air in one place; wait nearby; stay around one place; waver; be in an uncertain state hubbubconfused uproar; loud noise; din hubrisarrogance; excessive self-conceit huecolor; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue hue_and_cryoutcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule humanemarked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian humanitarianone devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism humdrumdull; monotonous humiddamp; N. humidity humilityhumbleness of spirit hummocksmall hill; hillock humussubstance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil hurtlecrash; rush; move with great speed; Ex. hurtling runaway train husbanduse sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband one's energy; CF. house holder husbandryfrugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman hybridmongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize hydrophobiafear of water; rabies hyperboleexaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola hypercriticalexcessively exacting; too critical hypochondriacperson unduly worried about his health; worrier without cause about illness; ADJ. CF. hypochondria: neurosis that one is or is becoming ill; CF. abdomen hypocriticalpretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. hypocrisy: profession of beliefs one does not possess; CF. hypocrite hypotheticalbased on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis ichthyologystudy of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish iconreligious image; idol; image or representation iconoclasticattacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images ideologysystem of ideas characteristic of a group or culture idiomexpression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style ; Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic idiosyncrasyindividual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic idolatryworship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous idylliccharmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene igneousproduced by fire; of fire; volcanic; formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite ignitekindle; light; catch fire or set fire to ignobleunworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed ignominydeep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominious defeat illicitillegal illimitableinfinite; limitless illuminatebrighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks illusionmisleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion illusivedeceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive illusoryillusive; deceptive; not real imbalancelack of balance or symmetry; disproportion imbecilityweakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool imbibedrink in imbrogliocomplicated situation ; painful or complex misunderstanding ; entanglement; confused mass ; V. embroil imbuesaturate; fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings immaculatespotless; flawless; absolutely clean imminentimpending; near at hand immobilitystate of being immovable immolateoffer or kill as a sacrifice immuneresistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity immureimprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall immutableunchangeable impairinjure; hurt; damage impalepierce ; Ex. impaled by the spear impalpableimperceptible; intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible impartialnot biased; fair; N. impartiality impassablenot able to be traveled or crossed impassepredicament from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress impassivewithout feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face impeachcharge with crime in office; raise doubts about; indict; Ex. impeach a witness"s credibility impeccablefaultless impecuniouswithout money impedehide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block impedimenthindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment impeldrive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action impendingnearing; approaching; about to happen impenetrablenot able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery impenitentnot repentant imperativeabsolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done imperceptibleunnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable imperiallike an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism imperiousdomineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor impermeableimpervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate impertinentinsolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence imperturbableunshakably calm; placid imperviousimpenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected ; Ex. impervious to water/criticism impetuousviolent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision impetusmoving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse impietyirreverence; lack of respect for God or piety impingeinfringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives. impiousirreverent implacableincapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy implausibleunlikely ; unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi implementput into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument implicateincriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved ; Ex. implicate someone in the crime implicationsomething hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating implicitunderstood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust implodeburst inward; CF. vacuum tube implorebeg implysuggest a meaning not expressed; signify impoliticnot wise; not expedient; not politic imponderableweightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound importsignificance; importance; meaning importunateurging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent importunebeg persistently; make repeated requests impostureassuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor impotentweak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power imprecationcurse; swearword impregnableinvulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take impromptuwithout previous preparation; off the cuff; on the spur of the moment improprietyimproperness; unsuitableness improvidentthriftless; not providing for the future improvisecompose on the spur of the moment imprudentlacking caution; not prudent; injudicious impudenceimpertinence; insolence impugndispute or contradict ; attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight impuissancepowerlessness; feebleness impunityfreedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish imputeattribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation inadvertentlyunintentionally; by oversight; carelessly inalienablenot to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights inanesilly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity inanimatelifeless; not animate inarticulatespeechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly inauguratebegin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural incandescentstrikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle incantationsinging or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; words used in magic; CF. enchant incapacitatedisable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity incarcerateimprison incarnateendowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody incarnationact of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation incendiaryarsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb incenseenrage; infuriate; make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor incentivespur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity inceptionstart; beginning incessantuninterrupted; unceasing inchoaterecently begun; not explicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; Ex. inchoate mass incidencerate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality incidentalnot essential; minor; N: something incidental incipientbeginning; in an early stage incisivecutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into incitearouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion inclementstormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement inclineslope; slant; Ex. steep incline inclinedtending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend inclusivetending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge incognitowith identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ. incoherentunintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent incommodiousnot spacious; inconvenient incompatibleinharmonious; N. incompatibility incongruitylack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate inconsequentialinsignificant; unimportant inconsistencystate of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible incontinentlacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious incontrovertibleindisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable incorporateintroduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ. incorporealwithout a material body; insubstantial incorrigibleuncorrectable incredulitytendency to disbelief incredulouswithholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief incrementincrease incriminateaccuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence incrustationhard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust incubatehatch; warm with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in one's body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease incubusburden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus inculcateteach ; instill incumbentobligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office incurbring upon oneself incursiontemporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey indefatigabletireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired indeliblenot able to be erased indemnifymake secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured indentationnotch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth indenturebind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified time indeterminateuncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite indicativesuggestive; implying; serving to indicate indicessigns; indications; Ex. indices of a student"s potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index indictcharge; N. indictment indifferentunmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad indigencepoverty indigenousnative; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World indigentpoor; destitute indignationanger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant indignitytreatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them. indiscriminatechoosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions indisputabletoo certain to be disputed; beyond doubt indissolublepermanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate inditewrite; compose indolentlazy indomitableunconquerable; unyielding indubitableunable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable inducepersuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement inductivepertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general indulgenthumoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence industriousdiligent; hard-working; N. industry inebriatedhabitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety ineffableunutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy ineffectualnot effective; not having a desired effect; weak ineluctableirresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable ineptunsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: inappropriate inequityunfairness; ADJ. inequitable inerrancyinfallibility inertinactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state inevitableunavoidable inexorablerelentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises infallibleunerring; never making mistakes infamousnotoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation infantilechildish; infantlike inferdeduce; conclude; N. inference infernalpertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction infidelunbeliever infiltratepass into or through; penetrate or enter sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator infinitesimalvery small infirmityweakness inflatedexaggerated; pompous; enlarged influxflowing into infractionviolation ; breach infringeviolate ; encroach ingeniousmarked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity ingenuousnaive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid ingraineddeeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice ingrateungrateful person ingratiatebecome popular with; bring in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss inherentfirmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic inhibitrestrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition inimicalunfriendly; hostile; harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy inimitablematchless; not able to be imitated iniquitouswicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity initiatebegin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated injuriousharmful; causing injury inklinghint; slight indication innateinborn innocuousharmless innovationchange; something newly introduced; introduction of something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce ; be creative; ADJ. innovative innuendoindirect or subtle hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo inopportuneuntimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen inordinatebeyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive; Ex. inordinate demands inquisitorquestioner ; investigator; person making an inquisition insalubriousunwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place insatiablenot easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite inscrutabledifficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious insensatewithout feeling; lacking sense; foolish insensibleunconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible insidioustreacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot insightfuldiscerning; perceptive insinuatehint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss"s favor; CF. ingratiate insipidlacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character insolenceimpudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude insolventbankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency insomniawakefulness; inability to sleep insouciantwithout concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent instigatestart; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel insubordinationdisobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate insubstantiallacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial insularitynarrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula insuperableinsurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties insurgentrebellious; N. insurmountableoverwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable insurrectionrebellion; uprising intangiblenot able to be perceived by touch; vague integralcomplete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part integratemake whole; combine; make into one unit integrityhonesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness intellecthigher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability intelligentsiaintellectuals; members of the educated elite interbury; N. interment interdictprohibit; forbid; N. interimmeantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper interloperintruder; one who interferes interminableendless intermittentperiodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals internecinemutually destructive interpolateinsert between interregnumperiod between two successive reigns or governments interrogatequestion closely; cross-examine; cross-question intervenecome between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention intimatehint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close relationship; familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate knowledge/thoughts in the diary; N: close friend or confidant; CF. intimacy intimidatefrighten; N. intimidation intractableunruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child intransigencerefusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising intrepidfearless intrinsicessential; inherent; built-in introspectivelooking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination introvertone who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted intrudeput or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one's own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in intuitionimmediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition inundateflood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work inuredaccustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; CF. unfeeling invalidateweaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify invectiveabuse inveighdenounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink inveigledeceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle; Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly inverseopposite invertturn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of inveteratedeep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old invidiousdesigned to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison invincibleunconquerable inviolablesecure from corruption, attack, or violation; unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability invocationprayer for help ; calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking invokecall and bring into use ; call on/upon for help; ask for; beg for; conjure ; Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one's advisor/God invulnerableincapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure iotavery small quantity irascibleirritable; easily angered irateangry; CF. ire: anger; wrath iridescentexhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence irksomeannoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy ironicexpressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner ironyhidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning irreconcilableimpossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved irrefutableindisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable irrelevantnot applicable; unrelated irremediableincurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy irreparablenot able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair irrepressibleunable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back irreproachablebeyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct irresoluteuncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution irretrievableimpossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve irreverencelack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent irrevocableunalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke isotopevarying from of an element isthmusnarrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land itinerantwandering; traveling from place to place ; Ex. itinerant preacher itineraryplan of a trip; record of a trip jabberchatter rapidly or unintelligibly jadedtired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite jargonlanguage used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk jaundicedyellowed; prejudiced from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye jaunttrip; short journey jauntycheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat jeopardizeendanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger jettisonthrow overboard jibeagree; be in harmony with; gibe jingoistextremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism jocosegiven to joking jocularsaid or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking jocundmerry jollitygaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay jostleshove; bump; push against rather roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds jovialgood-natured; merry; cheerful jubilationrejoicing; great joy judicioussound on judgment; wise juggernautirresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path juncturecrisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining junkettrip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense juntagroup of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power jurisprudencescience of law juxtaposeplace side by side; CF. next kaleidoscopetube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical effects; series of changing events; Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful kenrange of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken kernelcentral or vital part; core; whole seed killjoygrouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others kindlestart a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse kindredrelated; belonging to the same group; similar in nature or character; Ex. kindred languages; N: relative; kin; kinship kineticproducing motion; of motion kismetfate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate. kleptomaniacperson who has a compulsive desire to steal knaveuntrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery kneadmix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass ; Ex. knead dough knelltolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V. knitcontract into wrinkles; grow together; join together closely; make by interwining yarn or thread; Ex. knit the brow; Ex. The bones should knit together in a few weeks. knolllittle round hill; hillock knottyintricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot kudoshonor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement labilelikely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability laboriousdemanding much work or care; tedious labyrinthmaze lacerationtorn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear ; wound lachrymoseproducing tears; tearful lackadaisicallacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid lacklusterlacking luster; dull laconicbrief and to the point; using few words; terse laggardslow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler lagoonshallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs laitylaypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy lamentgrieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation lampoonridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution lancetsmall surgical tool for making incisions languidlacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless languishlose animation or strength languorlack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression lanklong and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln laptake in food or drink with one's tongue; splash gently; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person larcenytheft; Ex. petit larceny larderpantry; place where food is kept largessgenerous gift lasciviouslustful lassitudelanguor; weariness; listlessness latentpresent but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential lateralof or coming from the side latitudefreedom from narrow limitations laudpraise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise lavishliberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; V. give in abundance laxcareless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. lax service leavenadd leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise ; element that lightens or enlivens lecherygross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man lecternreading desk or stand for a public speaker leerysuspicious; wary; cautious leewayroom to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for the deadline legacygift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor legendexplanatory list of symbols on a map legerdemainsleight of hand; CF. light of hand leniencymildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment leoninelike a lion lethaldeadly lethargicdrowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggishness and inactivity leveeearthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise levitaterise and float in the air ; CF. light levitylack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner levyimpose ; collect ; impose or collect ; Ex. levy a tax on tobacco lewdlustful lexicographercompiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of compiling a dictionary lexicondictionary liabilitydrawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible liaisoncontact that keeps parties in communication; communication between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection libeldefamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a person"s character; V. ADJ. libelous libertinedebauched person; dissolute or licentious person; roue; CF. free libidinouslustful libidopsychic and emotional energy or urges behind human activity; sexual desire librettotext of an opera or oratorio; CF. book licentiousamoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained lienlegal claim or right on a property ligneouslike wood lilliputianextremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver"s Travels limberflexible; supple; pliable; V. limboregion near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison ; Ex. Purgatory and Limbo limndraw; outline; describe; CF. line ? limpidcrystal clear lineagedescent; ancestry lineamentsfeatures especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line linguisticpertaining to language listlesslacking in spirit or energy; languid litanysupplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words litheflexible; supple; CF. limber litigationlawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V. litigate litotesunderstatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad"" lividlead-colored; black and blue ; ashen; enraged; extremely angry loathreluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go. loathedetest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; Ex. loathsome smell lodemetal-bearing vein loftyvery high logrecord of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V. loiterhang about/around; stand idly about; linger lolllounge about longevitylong life; long duration loomappear or take shape ; Ex. The shadow of the gallows loomed threateningly. N: apparatus for making thread into cloth lopegallop slowly loquacioustalkative; N. loquacity loutclumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides ? lowmoo; make the sound of a cow lucideasily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity lucrativeprofitable; producing wealth lucremoney; profit; Ex. filthy lucre ludicrouslaughable; ridiculous; trifling lugubriousmournful; sorrowful lullmoment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of security; CF. lullaby lumbermove heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through the woods; N: timber lumenunit of light energy luminarycelebrity ; dignitary; object that gives light luminousshining ; issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs lunarpertaining to the moon luridwild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder lurkstealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived lusciouspleasing to taste or smell; delicious lustershine; gloss lustrousshining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair luxuriantabundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate macabregruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death maceceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike medieval weapon maceratesoften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper machiavelliancrafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power machinationsevil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve an evil end; V. machinate maculatedspotted; stained; CF. immaculate madrigalpastoral song; song for several singers without instruments maelstromviolent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. stream magisterialauthoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex. magisterial manner magnanimitygenerosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous magnateperson of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person ; Ex. oil magnate magniloquentboastful; pompous magnitudegreatness ; extent maimmutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed for life maladroitclumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling maladyillness malaiseuneasiness; vague feeling of ill health malapropismcomic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop malcontentperson dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented maledictioncurse malefactorevildoer; criminal malevolentwishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence malfeasancewrongdoing; misconduct malicioushateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. malice: desire to harm others; spite malignspeak evil of; bad-mouth; defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence malignanttending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor malingererone who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work malleablecapable of being shaped by pounding; pliable; impressionable; easily controlled; tractable malodorousfoul-smelling mammalvertebrate animal whose female suckles its young mammothgigantic; enormous manaclerestrain; handcuff; N. mandateorder; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory mandatoryobligatory; compulsory; of a mandate maneuverstrategic military or naval movement ; carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end mangyshabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance maniacalraging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm manifestevident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly manifestationoutward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced musical bent manifestopublic declaration of principles; statement of policy manifoldmany in number or kind; numerous; varied manipulateoperate with one's hands; control or play upon artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative manneredaffected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech manumitemancipate; free from slavery or bondage maritalpertaining to marriage maritimebordering on the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces markednoticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man marreddamaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure marshalput in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military officer; official marsupialone of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch; CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat martialwarlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law martinetstrict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet martyrone who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism masochistperson who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism masticatechew materialismpreoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive regard for worldly concerns maternalmotherly; N. maternity: motherhood matriarchwoman who rules a family or larger social group matriculateenroll ; CF. matrix matrixpoint of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization maudlineffusively sentimental maulhandle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer mausoleummonumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos mauvepale purple maverickrebel; nonconformist mawkishmushy and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental maximproverb; truth pithily stated mayheminjury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. maim meagerscanty; inadequate mealymouthedindirect in speech ; hypocritical; evasive meanderwind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly meddlesomeinterfering; V. meddle: interfere mediatesettle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire mediocreordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad meditationreflection; thought; V. meditate mediumelement that is a creature"s natural environment; nutrient setting in which microorganisms are cultivated; appropriate occupation or means of expression; channel of communication; compromise; middle position between extremes; intervening substance through which something else is transmitted medleymixture meeksubmissive; patient and long-suffering megalomaniamania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance melancholygloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia meleefight mellifluoussweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune mementotoken; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit memorializecommemorate menageriecollection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo mendaciouslying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity mendicantbeggar; ADJ: living as a beggar menialsuitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work mentorcounselor; teacher mercantileconcerning trade or merchants mercenarymotivated solely by money or gain; N. mercurialcapricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood meretriciousflashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. meretricious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute mergercombination ; act of merging mesmerizehypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer metallurgicalpertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores metamorphosischange of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis metaphorimplied comparison; CF. simile metaphysicalpertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality metemeasure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment meteoriclike a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex. meteoric rise to fame; N. meteor methodicalsystematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure meticulousexcessively careful ; painstaking; scrupulous metropolislarge city mettlecourage ; spirit; ADJ. mettlesome miasmaswamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence microcosmsmall representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society migrantchanging its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; N: one that migrates migratorywandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle in another; move periodically from one region to another milieusocial environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor. militantcombative; bellicose; N. militatework against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier millenniumthousand-year period ; hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity mimicryimitation minatorymenacing; threatening mincingaffectedly dainty; V. mince: cut 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 minionservile dependent; obsequious follower minusculeextremely small minuteextremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting minutiaepetty or trivial details; CF. minutia mirageunreal reflection; optical illusion mireentangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire mirthmerriment; laughter misadventuremischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure misanthropeone who hates mankind; misanthropist misapprehensionerror; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend miscellanymixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items mischanceill luck misconstrueinterpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge miscreantwretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe misdemeanorminor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing miserlystingy; mean misgivingsdoubts mishapunfortunate accident misnomerwrong or improper name; incorrect designation misogamyhatred of marriage misogynisthater of woman; CF. misogyny missileobject to be thrown or projected missiveletter; written statement; CF. sent mitevery small object or insect-like creature; small coin mitigateappease; moderate; make or become less in force or intensity mnemonicpertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid mobilemovable; not fixed; N. mobility mockridicule; deride; imitate often in derision modeprevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple mode of life modicumlimited quantity; small amount; Ex. He does not have a modicum of sense; CF. moderate modishfashionable; conforming to the current fashion modulatetone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Ex. modulate from E to G mogulpowerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian moleculethe smallest particle of a substance that has all the properties of that substance mollifysoothe an angry person mollycoddlepamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively moltperiodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers moltenmelted; Ex. molten lava momentousvery important; N. moment; CF. momentary momentumquantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force monarchygovernment under a single ruler monasticrelated to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly concerns monetarypertaining to money monochromatichaving only one color monolithicsolidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone monotheismbelief in one God monotonysameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone monumentalmassive; impressively large; built as a monument moodinessfits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: moratoriumlegal delay of payment or action; Ex. declare moratorium on the building of new houses morbidgiven to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease mordantbiting; sarcastic; stinging; incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit moresconventions; moral standards; moral customs moribunddying; at the point of death; CF. death moroseill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy morticianundertaker; CF. death mortifyhumiliate by embarrassing excessively; shame; punish the flesh; discipline by self-denial; Ex. mortified by her blunder; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. cause to die mosaicpicture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ. motesmall speck motiftheme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure motilityability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously motleymulti-colored ; mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests mottledblotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors mountebankcharlatan; boastful pretender muddleconfuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion muggywarm and damp mulctdefraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the boy of his legacy multifariousvaried; greatly diversified; Ex. multifarious activities multiformhaving many forms multilingualhaving many languages; fluent in several languages multiplicitystate of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element mundaneworldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world munificentvery generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificence muralwall painting murkydark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom museponder at length; N: source of inspiration muskyhaving the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer mustergather; assemble ; Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N. mustystale ; spoiled by age; CF. moist mutabilityability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant mutedsilent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise mutilatemaim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part mutinousunruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer myopicnearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia myriadvery large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand nadirlowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith naivetequality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive: ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous narcissistconceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus narrativerelated to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell ; CF. narration nascentincipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music natationswimming nattyneatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser nauseatecause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea nauticalpertaining to ships or navigation navigablewide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; able to be steered nebulousvague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal necromancyblack magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer; CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis nefariousvery wicked negatecancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation negligenceneglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care negligibleso small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded nemesissomeone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis neologismnew or newly coined word or phrase neophyterecent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant nepotismfavoritism ; CF. nephew netherlower; Ex. nether garments/regions nettleirritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome nexusconnection nibbeak; pen point nicetyprecision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties niggardlymeanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person nigglespend too much time on minor points ; find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling nihilistone 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 nipsnip off; stop something"s growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill nirvanain Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude nocturnaldone or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne noisomefoul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome nomadicwandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place nomenclatureterminology; system of names or naming things nominalin name only; of a name; trifling; very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint nonchalanceindifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts noncommittalneutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided nondescriptundistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd nonentityperson of no importance; nonexistence nonplusput at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more nostalgiahomesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic nostrumquestionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our notableconspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted notorietydisrepute; ill fame noveltysomething new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original novicebeginner noxiousharmful; CF. obnoxious nuanceshade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction nubilemarriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial nugatoryworthless; futile nullifymake invalid; make null; invalidate numismatistperson who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals nuptialrelated to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony nurturenourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing nutrientnourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment oafstupid awkward person; CF. elf obduratestubborn; refusing to change one's belief obeisancebow obelisktall column tapering and ending in a pyramid obeseexcessively fat; N. obesity obfuscateconfuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand obituarydeath notice ; ADJ. objectivenot influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim obligatorybinding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate obliqueindirect; slanting ; Ex. oblique reference obliteratedestroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village oblivionobscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness obliviousinattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful obloquyslander; disgrace; infamy obnoxiousoffensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell obscuredark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning obsequiousslavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic obsequyfuneral ceremony obsessiverelated to thinking about something constantly; of an obsession; preoccupying; N. obsession: compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea; compulsive idea; V. obsess: preoccupy the mind of excessively obsidianblack volcanic rock obsoleteoutmoded; no longer used obstetricianphysician specializing in delivery of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife obstinatestubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy obstreperousboisterous; noisy and uncontrollable obtrudepush forward or intrude; impose on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive obtuseblunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding obviatemake unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need Occidentthe West occludeshut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery. occultmysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare oculistphysician who specializes in treatment of the eyes odiousarousing strong dislike; hateful; vile odiumdetestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute odoriferousgiving off an odor odoroushaving an odor odysseylong, eventful, adventurous journey offensiveattacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense offhandcasual; done without prior thought or preparation officiousmeddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy oglelook at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men ogling young girls olfactoryconcerning the sense of smell oligarchygovernment by a privileged few ominousthreatening; of an evil omen omnipotentall-powerful; having unlimited power omnipresentuniversally present; ubiquitous omniscientall-knowing omnivorouseating both plant and animal food; devouring everything onerousburdensome onomatopoeiawords formed in imitation of natural sounds onslaughtvicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy onusburden; responsibility opalescentiridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence opaquedark; not transparent; N. opacity opiatemedicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium opportunetimely; well-chosen opportunistindividual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism opprobriuminfamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification; scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous opticianmaker and seller of eyeglasses optimistperson who looks on the bright side; N. optimism optimummost favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition optionalnot compulsory; left to one's choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options optometristone who fits glasses to remedy visual defects opulenceextreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant opuswork ; Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera oracularof an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle oratorpublic speaker oratoriodramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata ordaindecree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination ordealsevere trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial; affliction ordinancedecree; authoritative order ordinationceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest orgywild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping orientget one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate orientationact of finding oneself in society; orienting orificemouthlike opening; small opening ; CF. mouth ornateexcessively or elaborately decorated ornithologistscientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds orthodoxtraditional; conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine orthographycorrect spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics oscillatevibrate pendulumlike; waver osseousmade of bone; bony ossifychange or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas ostensibleapparent; appearing as such; professed; pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition ostentatiousshowy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display ostracizebanish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism oustexpel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting outlandishbizarre; peculiar; unconventional outmodedno longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned outrageact of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive outskirtsfringes; outer borders ; Ex. outskirts of Boston outspokencandid; blunt outstripoutrun; surpass; outdo outwitoutsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly ovationenthusiastic applause overbearingbossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate overblowninflated; exaggerated overtopen to view; public; not secret; CF. covert overweeningarrogant; presumptuous overwroughtnervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done ovoidegg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate pachydermthick-skinned animal pacifistone opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes pacifysoothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to paeansong of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory painstakingtaking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through palatableagreeable; pleasing to the taste palateroof of the mouth; sense of the taste palatialof or suitable for a palace; magnificent paleontologystudy of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents paletteboard on which painter mixes pigments palimpsestparchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased pallbecome boring; grow tiresome palletsmall poor bed; Ex. straw pallet palliateease pain ; make less severe or offensive pallidpale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion palpabletangible; easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder palpitatethrob; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate. paltryinsignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash pancriticize harshly panaceacure-all; remedy for all diseases panacheflair; manner of doing things without any difficulty ; flamboyance; bunch of feathers ; Ex. with great panache; CF. pandemicwidespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people pandemoniumwild tumult; wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost pandercater to panegyricformal praise; encomium; Ex. I don"t deserve such panegyrics. panoramicdenoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area pantomimeacting without dialogue; V. papyrusancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant parableshort simple story teaching a moral paradigmmodel; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word paradoxsomething apparently contradictory in nature ; statement that looks false but is actually correct paragonmodel of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue parallelismstate of being parallel; similarity; analogy parameterlimit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget paramountforemost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal paramourillicit lover paranoiapsychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac paraphernaliaequipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman"s property exclusive of her dowry paraphraserestate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words parasiteanimal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside parchedextremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry pariahsocial outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah parityequality; close resemblance; CF. disparate parlancelanguage; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance parleyconference ; CF. speak parochialnarrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes parodyhumorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V. paroxysmfit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst parquetfloor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece parryward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N. CF. parsimonystinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious partialincomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something partialitystate of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference partisanone-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party ; N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla partitiondivide into parts passeold-fashioned; past the prime passivenot active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance pasticheimitation of another"s style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists pastoralrural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor patentobvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N. patheticcausing sadness, compassion, pity; touching pathologicalpertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease pathostender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel patinagreen crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting patoislocal or provincial dialect patriarchfather and ruler of a family or tribe patriciannoble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian patronizesupport; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott paucityscarcity; dearth paupervery poor person peccadilloslight offense or fault; CF. sin pecuniarypertaining to money pedagogueteacher; CF. child leader pedagogyteaching; art of education pedantscholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities pedanticbookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry pedestrianordinary; dull; unimaginative; going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N. pediatricianphysician specializing in children"s diseases; N. pediatrics peerlesshaving no equal; incomparable pejorativesuggesting 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-mellin confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell pellucidtransparent; limpid; clear in meaning; easy to understand penanceself-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent penchantstrong inclination; strong liking ; Ex. penchant for fast cars pendanthanging down from something; pending; N: ornament penduloushanging; suspended penitentrepentant; N. pensivedreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over penumbrapartial shadow ; CF. almost shadow penuryextreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy peonlandless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage perceptiveinsightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception percussionstriking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion perditiondamnation; complete ruin; hell peregrinationjourney; V. peregrinate peremptorydemanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock perennialsomething long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring perfidioustreacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery perforatepierce; put a hole through perfunctorydone routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss perigeepoint of moon"s orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee perimeterouter boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference peripateticwalking about from place to place ; moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy peripheralof a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest peripheryoutside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town perjuryfalse testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath permeablethat can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge perniciousvery harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia perorationconclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length perpetratecommit an offense; do perpetualeverlasting perpetuatemake perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity perquisiteany gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car personableattractive perspicacioushaving insight; penetrating; astute perspicuityclearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity perspicuousplainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments pertimpertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat pertinaciousholding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent pertinentsuitable; to the point; relevant perturbdisturb greatly peruseread through with care; N. perusal pervasivespread throughout; V. pervade: spread throughout; charge; permeate perversepurposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity perversioncorruption; turning from right to wrong pessimismbelief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic pestilentialcausing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease pestletool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar petrifyturn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze pettytrivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded petulanttouchy; peevish; ill-tempered pharisaicalpertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical phenomenaobservable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength philandererfaithless lover; flirt philanthropistlover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy philateliststamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting philistinenarrow-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 philologystudy of language or words phlegmaticcalm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract phobiamorbid fear phoenixsymbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes phylummajor classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division physiognomyface ; art of judging human character from facial features physiologicalpertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology piebaldof different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors ; Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald piecemealone part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal piedpiebald; variegated; multicolored pietydevoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious pigmentcoloring matter pillageplunder pillorypunish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N. pinelong for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline pinionrestrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird"s wing pinnaclepeak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame piousdevout; religious; N. piety piquantpleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help piqueirritation; resentment from wounded pride ; V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity piscatorialpertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces pitfallhidden danger; concealed trap pithcore or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance pithyconcise and meaningful; substantial; meaty pittancesmall amount ; small allowance or wage pivotalof a pivot; central; critical; crucial placatepacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease placeboharmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill placidpeaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake plagiarizesteal another"s ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap plaintiveexpressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song plaitbraid; intertwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail plasticityability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay platitudetrite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous platonicpurely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire plauditpraise; enthusiastic approval; round of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud plausibleconceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious plebeiancommon; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician plenarycomplete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power plenitudeabundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty plethoraexcess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses pliableflexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable pliantflexible; easily influenced plightdifficult condition; condition or state ; predicament pluckcourage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave plumagefeathers of a bird; plumbexactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth ; Ex. plumb the depth of plummetfall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted. plutocracysociety ruled by the wealthy podiatristdoctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics podiumpedestal; raised platform poignancyquality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick polarizesplit into opposite extremes or camps polemicattack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy polemicalaggressive in verbal attack; disputatious politicprudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised politypolitical organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity polygamistone who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry polyglotspeaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N. pomposityself-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt; ADJ. pompous: self-important ponderoushaving great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing pontificalpertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop porestudy industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N. porousfull of pores; like a sieve portendforetell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning portlystout; corpulent poseurperson who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose posteritydescendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior posthumousafter death ; coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel postulateself-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of postureassume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude potablesuitable for drinking; drinkable potentpowerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential potentatemonarch; sovereign potentialexpressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth potiondose ; liquid dose potpourriheterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot poulticesoothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body practicablefeasible practicalbased on experience; of or acquired through practice ; useful; Ex. practical man pragmaticpractical ; concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill pragmatistpractical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things pratetalk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly prattletalk idly; babble; N. CF. prate preambleintroductory statement precariousunsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living precedentsomething preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented precedentpreceding preceptpractical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother"s precept precipicecliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice precipitantsomething that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; OP. solvent precipitatehurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden precipitoussteep; overhasty; precipitate precisabstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text preciseexact precludemake impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate precociousadvanced in development; N. precocity precursorforerunner; predecessor predatorpredatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation predecessorformer occupant of a post predeterminedetermine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly predicamentdifficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma predilectionpreference; partiality predisposegive an inclination toward ; make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition preeminentoutstanding; superior preemptprevent in advance; head off; forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive preenmake oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; smooth or clean with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune prefatoryintroductory; of a preface prehensilecapable of grasping or holding ; Ex. prehensile tails prelatechurch dignitary; priest of high position in the church preludeintroduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner premeditateplan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder premiseassumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based premonitionforewarning; presentiment; foreboding premonitoryserving to warn preponderancesuperiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant preposterousabsurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous prerogativeprivilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before presageforetell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen prescienceability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient presentimentpremonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear prestigerespect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige presumptuousgoing beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties pretentiousostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art preternaturalbeyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces pretextexcuse prevailbe widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something prevalentwidespread; generally accepted prevaricatelie; hide the truth preytarget of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice. primproper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper primogenitureseniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child primordialexisting at the beginning ; rudimentary primpgroom oneself with care; adorn oneself pristineunspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition privationlack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive privysecret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private probeexplore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe probityuprightness; honesty; incorruptibility problematiccausing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic. proclivityinclination; natural tendency procrastinatepostpone; delay or put off procurementobtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain for another prodpoke ; stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding prodigalwasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality prodigiousenormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory prodigyhighly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder profaneviolate; desecrate ; treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things profligatewasteful ; dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy profounddeep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity profusiongreat amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant progenitorancestor progenychildren; offspring; descendants prognosisforecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic prognosticatepredict prohibitiveso high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax projectilemissile; fired or thrown object proletarianmember of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class proliferategrow rapidly ; spread; multiply; N. proliferation prolificproducing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer prolixitytedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse prologueintroduction prolonglengthen; extend; draw out prominentprotruding; conspicuous; notable; eminent promiscuousmixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity promontoryheadland promoteadvance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote a new product promptcause; urge; provoke; provide a cue ; ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue promulgateannounce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication proneinclined to; likely to ; prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone propagateincrease in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas propellantsubstance which propels or drives forward propensitynatural inclination propheticof a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet prophylacticused to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease propinquitynearness ; proximity; kinship propitiateappease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory propitiousfavorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign proponentsupporter; backer; opposite of opponent propoundput forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory proprietyfitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary propulsivedriving forward; N. propulsion prosaiclacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact; factual; CF. prose prosceniumpart of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage proscribeprohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw proselytizeconvert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion prosodyart of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse prosperitygood fortune and financial success; physical well-being prostratestretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength proteanable to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will protegeperson receiving protection and support from a patron protocoldiplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport. prototypeoriginal work used as a model by others protractprolong; lengthen in time; draw out protrudestick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth protuberanceprotrusion; swelling; bulge provenanceplace of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come provenderdry food for livestock; fodder providentproviding for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident provincialpertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated provisionaltentative; temporary provisostipulation; condition in an agreement; provision provocativearousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause ; N. provocation prowessextraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle proximitynearness; ADJ. proximate proxyauthorized agent; authority to act for another prudeexcessively modest or proper person ; N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety prudentcautious; careful; prudential prunecut away; trim prurienthaving or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire pryinquire impertinently ; use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying pseudonympen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous psychesoul; mind psychiatristdoctor who treats mental diseases psychopathicpertaining to mental derangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder psychosismental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic pterodactylextinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger puerilechildish; immature; CF. puer: boy pugilistboxer; CF. pugilism: boxing pugnacitycombativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: belligerent; combative in nature puissantpowerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power pulchritudebeauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous pulmonarypertaining to the lungs pulsatethrob; beat regularly; vibrate regularly pulverizecrush or grind into very small particles pummelpommel; beat or pound with fists punctiliousminutely attentive to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail punditauthority on a subject; expert; learned person pungentstinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; caustic; N. pungency punitivepunishing; Ex. punitive measures punytiny; weak; insignificant purchasesecure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing purgatoryplace of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins purgeremove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or purify ; N. purportintention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general purportedalleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists pursepucker; contract into wrinkles; N: wallet purveyorfurnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply ; furnish; CF. provide pusillanimouscowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted putativesupposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child putriddecayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity pyromaniacperson with an insane desire to set things on fire quackcharlatan; impostor quadrupedfour-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped quaffdrink with zest; drink with relish; CF. sip quagmirebog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself quailcower; shrink back in fear; lose heart quaintodd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque qualifiedlimited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify qualmsuneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen. quandarydilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go. quarantineisolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine quarryperson or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey quarrydig into ; N: mine; quashcrush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court quaydock; wharf; pier; landing place queasyexperiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy quellsuppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion"" in newspaper; CF. kill quenchassuage or satisfy ; slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress querulousgiven to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining queryinquiry; question; V. queueline quibbleminor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil quiescentdormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence quietudetranquility; calmness quintessencepurest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence quiptaunt; clever sarcastic remark; V. quirksudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate quislingtraitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling quivercase for arrows quivertremble; shake; N. quixoticidealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote quizzicalcurious; suggesting puzzlement ; questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance quorumminimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting quotidiandaily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine rabidof or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia raconteurstory-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill ragamuffindirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes railcomplain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing against injustices raimentclothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear. rakishjaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle. rallycome or bring together; call up or summon ; revive or recuperate ; N: act of rallying; mass gathering ramblewander aimlessly ; digress ramificationbranching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; one of the results following from an action or decision; Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision ramifybranch out; divide into branches or subdivisions rampslope; inclined plane or roadway rampantgrowing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed rampartdefensive mound of earth ramshacklepoorly constructed; rickety; falling apart rancidhaving the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank rancorlong-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous randomwithout definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random rankleirritate; fester; annoy rantspeak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil. rapaciousvoracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds rapportclose relationship; emotional closeness; harmony raptengrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener rarefiedmade less dense ; V. rarefy: make less dense; N. rarefaction raspymaking a harsh noise; grating; harsh ratifyapprove formally; confirm; verify ratiocinationreasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically rationalefundamental reason or principle ; fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action rationalizemake rational; devise false reasons for ; offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action in place of a true, less admirable ones; N. rationalization raucousharsh and unpleasant; disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts ravagedevastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms raveoverwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic ravelfall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist ravenousextremely hungry; voracious ravinenarrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon razedestroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground reactionarystrongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical realmkingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the realms of possibility reaperone who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather ; harvest a crop rebatereturn of part of a payment; discount; V. rebuffreject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N. rebukescold harshly; criticize severely rebusrepresentation 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"". rebuttalrefutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: refute; disprove recalcitrantdisobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child recantdisclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement recapitulatesummarize recastreconstruct ; fashion again receptivequick or willing to receive ; Ex. receptive to the proposal recessionwithdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity recidivismhabitual return to crime ; N. recidivist recipientreceiver reciprocalmutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement reciprocatedo or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move backwards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights reclusehermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive reconcilemake friendly again ; make consistent ; correct inconsistencies; Ex. reconcile one's political principles with one's religious beliefs reconditeabstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret reconnaissancesurvey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of recountnarrate or tell ; count over again recourseresorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to recriminationcountercharges; V. recriminate rectifyset right; correct; CF. rect-: right rectitudemoral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment recumbentreclining; lying down completely or in part recuperaterecover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses recurrentoccurring again and again redolentodorous; fragrant; suggestive ; Ex. redolent of onions/mystery redoubtableformidable; causing fear redressremedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify ; make amends for redundantsuperfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious reekemit ; give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench refectorydining hall; room where meals are served refractionbending of a ray of light refractoryunmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse refrainabstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus refulgenteffulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. refulgent moon refurbishrenovate; make clean, bright, or fresh again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish refutedisprove; prove to be false; N. refutation regalroyal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner regaleentertain regattaboat or yacht race regenerationspiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually regicidemurder of a king or queen regimemethod of system or government regimenprescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer regimentmilitary unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society rehabilitaterestore to proper condition ; restore the former rank of reimburserepay; pay back reiteraterepeat rejoinderreply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply rejuvenatemake young again relegateput into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children"s room; Ex. relegated to the second division relentbecome less severe; give in; ADJ. relentless: unyielding; continuously severe relevanthaving importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy relicsurviving remnant ; memento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X. relinquishgive up something ; yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm relishenjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest remediablereparable reminiscencerecollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past remissnegligent; careless about a duty remissiontemporary moderation ; remitting of a debt or punishment; cancellation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins. remnantremainder remonstrateprotest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest remorsedeep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach remunerativecompensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay for work or trouble rendsplit; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow rendergive; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully rendezvousmeeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V. renditionrendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc renegadedeserter; traitor; ADJ. renegebreak a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege on the contract/paying off the debt renounceabandon; give up ; disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's religion; N. renunciation renovaterestore to good condition; renew renownfame; ADJ. renowned renttear made by rending; rip; split reparablecapable of being repaired reparationcompensation ; amends; Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair reparteequick clever reply repastmeal; feast; banquet repealrevoke; annul repeldrive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion repellentdriving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N. repercussionrebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion repertoirelist of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present; CF. repertory repinefret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work replenishfill up again repletefully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors replicacopy replicatereproduce; duplicate repositorystorehouse reprehensibledeserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame represshold back ; restrain; crush; oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion reprievepostponement or cancellation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of reprimandreprove severely; rebuke; N. reprisalretaliation reprisemusical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the finale; Ex. constant reprises reproachblame ; express disapproval or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful reprobatemorally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ? reprobationsevere disapproval; CF. approbation reprovecensure; rebuke; N. reproof repudiatedisown; disavow; deny repugnancedisgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive repulsiondistaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. repulsive: causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel reputablerespectable; having a good reputation reputedsupposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem requiemmass for the dead; dirge requisitenecessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary requitemake return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal rescindrepeal; annul; cancel resentmentindignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. resent: feel anger about reserveself-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative residueremainder; balance resignationpatiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent resilientelastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly resolutiondetermination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute: firm or determined in purpose resolvedetermination; resolution; firmness of purpose resolvedecide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision; N. resolution resonantechoing; resounding; deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance respirationbreathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory respitetime for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve resplendentbrilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious responsivenessstate of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment restitutionreturning something to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury restiveimpatiently restless ; restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not a general synonym for `restless" restraintmoderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction resumptiontaking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats. resurgerise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: experiencing revival; surging again resuscitaterevive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child retainkeep; maintain possession of; employ ; N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor retaliaterepay in kind ; V. retaliate retentiveholding; able to retain things ; having a good memory reticentinclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence retinuefollowing; attendants retiringshy and reserved ; modest; Ex. her retiring personality retortquick sharp reply; V. retractwithdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile retrenchcut down; cut down expenses; economize retributiondeserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF. pay back retrieverecover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation retroactivetaking effect before its enactment or imposition; having effect on the past as well as the future retrogradego backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ. retrospectivelooking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect revelryboisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration reverberateecho repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated across the valley. reverentrespectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect reveriedaydream; abstracted musing revertrelapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion revileattack with abusive language; vilify revokecancel; retract; CF. irrevocable revulsionsudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture rhapsodizespeak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery rhetoricart of effective communication; art of using language effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric; ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is expected as ``Who knows it ?"" ribaldmarked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke riddlepierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout; Ex. The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex. The whole report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve rideramendment or clause added to a legislative bill rifewidespread; abundant; current riftnarrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation rigfix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election rigidhard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule rigorseverity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter rileirritate; vex; muddy rivetingholding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing rivuletsmall stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river robuststrong; vigorous rococoornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century roilmake liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb roseaterosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views rosterlist rostrumraised platform for speech-making; pulpit roterepetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote rotundacircular building or hall covered with a dome rotundityroundness; sonorousness of speech rousinglively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up routput to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat rubblefragments rubrictitle or heading ; directions for religious ceremony; protocol ruddyreddish; reddish and healthy-looking rudimentaryelementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language rueregret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful ruffianviolent scoundrel; bully ruminatechew over and over ; mull over rummageransack; thoroughly search runicmysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N. rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples ; magic charm rusetrick to deceive; stratagem rusticpertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person rusticatebanish to the country; dwell in the country ruthlesspitiless; merciless; cruel saboteurone who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property saccharinecloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin sacrilegiousdesecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred sacrosanctinvioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable sadisticinclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty sagaScandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative sagaciouswise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity sageperson celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise salaciouslascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk salientprominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features salinesalty sallowyellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice salubrioushealthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health salutarytending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health salvagerescue from loss; N: saving; property saved sanctimoniousdisplaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety sanctionapprove; ratify; N: permission; penalty intended to enforce compliance sanctuaryplace of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church. sanguinarybloody; with much bloodshed sanguineoptimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red sapdiminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of ; Ex. The element kryptonite sapped his strength. sarcasmcutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic sardonicscornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile sartorialpertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor satesatisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy satellitesmall body revolving around a larger one satiatesatisfy fully ; sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated satireform of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly satiricalusing satire; mocking saturatesoak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity saturninemorose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance. satyrhalf-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus , portrayed as wanton and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man saunterstroll slowly; N. savantscholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know savorenjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality savorypleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable; Ex. savory reputation scabbardcase for a sword blade; sheath scada great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes scaffoldtemporary platform for workers ; bracing framework; platform for execution scaleclimb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of musical tones scantymeager; insufficient scapegoatsomeone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy; CF. escape+goat scavengehunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion scenarioplot outline; screenplay; opera libretto; outline of possible future events schematicof a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline schismdivision into factions ; split scintillatrace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark scintillatesparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation scofflaugh ; mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats scotchstamp out; thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. scourgelash; whip ; source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict scruplehesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience scrupulousconscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker scrutinizeexamine closely and critically; N. scrutiny scufflestruggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ? scurrilousabusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark scurrymove hastily; hurry; move briskly scurvycontemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C scuttlesink by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship"s deck or hull seamysordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life searburn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause to wither seasonedexperienced secessionwithdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership seclusionisolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate secreteconceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism; CF. secretive sectseparate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group secularworldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal sedatecomposed ; grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative sedentaryrequiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population seditionconduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious sedulousdiligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity seedyrun-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel seemlyproper; appropriate seeppass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage seethebe violently disturbed; boil; move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent. seineseine net; net for catching fish seismicpertaining to earthquakes semblanceoutward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city. seminalrelated to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development; influencing future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new field seminaryschool for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women senilityold age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia sensitizationprocess of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive sensualdevoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips sensuousgiving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin sententiouspithy; terse; concise; aphoristic sentientcapable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience sentinelsentry; lookout septicof or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body sepulchertomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral sequesterisolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life seresear; parched; dry serendipitygift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip serenitycalmness; placidity; ADJ. serene serpentinewinding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake serratedhaving a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf servileslavish; cringing; N. servility servitudeslavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment severseparate; cut off from a whole; break up ; N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra pay given an employee upon leaving a position severityharshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense sextantnavigation tool used to determine a ship"s latitude and longitude shacklechain; fetter; confine with shackles; N. shampretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; impostor; pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham. shamblescomplete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles. shardfragment generally of broken pottery shavingvery thin piece, usually of wood sheafbundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together sheatheplace into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade sherbetflavored dessert ice shimmershine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N. shirkavoid ; malinger shoddymade of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick shrewscolding woman; very small mouselike animal shrewdclever; astute shunkeep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has been shunned by her neighbors. shuntmove from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N. shysterlawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner siblingbrother or sister sibyllineprophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet siderealrelating to stars; Ex. sidereal day siltsediment deposited by running water simianmonkeylike; N: ape or monkey similecomparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as simpersmirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly simplisticoversimplified simulatefeign; imitate sinecurewell-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif sinewytough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone singularbeing only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior sinisterevil; ominous sinuoustwisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest skepticsceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism skiffsmall light sailboat or rowboat skimpprovide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly skinflintmiser; stingy person skirmishminor fight; minor battle in war; V. skittishinconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit skulduggerydishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election skulkmove furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city. slackenslow up; loosen; make or become slack slagglassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter slakesatisfy ; quench; sate slanderdefamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; V. ADJ. slanderous slapdashhasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy sleazyshabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric sleeperone that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable sleightdexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks slewlarge quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left slightinsult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance slipshodslovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work slitherslip or slide slothslow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent sloughshed or cast off ; N: outer layer that is shed slovenlyuntidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless sluggardlazy person sluggishlazy; slow; inactive; lethargic; CF. slug: nail with no shell sluiceartificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water slurpronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble slurslander; insult to one's character or reputation; V. smatteringslight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German smeltmelt for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition smirkconceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile ; V. smoldersmoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger snickerhalf-stifled laugh; V. snivelcomplain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don"t come back sniveling to me. sobrietymoderation ; seriousness soddenthoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink sojourntemporary stay; V: stay for a time solacecomfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble solderrepair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy used in the molten state to join metallic parts solecismnonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette solemnityseriousness; gravity solicitentreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer solicitousanxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude soliloquytalking to oneself ; CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person solitudestate of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone ; remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof solsticepoint or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator solubleable to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved solventable to pay all debts; N. solvency solventsubstance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance somaticpertaining to the body; bodily; physical somberdark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow somnambulistsleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism somnolenthalf asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence sonorousresonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound sophistteacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument sophisticatedworldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate sophistryseemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism sophomoricimmature; half-baked; like a sophomore soporificsleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy sordidfilthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story spanglesmall shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation sparsenot thick; thinly scattered; scanty spartanwithout attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life spasmodicfitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion spatsquabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel spatesudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents spatialrelating to space spatulabroad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing spawnlay eggs ; produce offspring ; N: eggs of aquatic animals speciousseemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading spectralghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom spectrumcolored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism; broad and continuous range; Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts spendthriftsomeone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth sphinx-likeenigmatic; mysterious splicejoin together end to end to make one continuous length; fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of tape; N. spontaneitylack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint; ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated; unpremeditated; happening without being planned spoonerismaccidental 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 sporadicoccurring irregularly; intermittent sportiveplayful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike spruceneat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for your job interview; V. spryvigorously active; nimble spuriousfalse; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments spurnreject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help. squabbleminor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children squalorcondition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story squanderwaste; spend foolishly squatshort and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N. staccatoplayed in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause stagnantnot flowing ; motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial output staidserious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony stalematedeadlock; situation in which further action is blocked stalwartphysically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower staminapower of endurance; strength; staying power stanchstop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound stanzadivision of a poem statichaving no motion; unchanging; lacking development; N. stasis: stable state statutelaw enacted by the legislature statutorycreated by statute or legislative action; regulated by statute; Ex. statutory age limit steadfaststeadily loyal; unswerving; steady stealthaction of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy steepsoak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous stellarpertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance stemstop or check ; Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk stem_fromarise from; originate from stentorianextremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad stereotypeone regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to stereotype people; Ex. stereotyped answer sticklerperfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right stiflesuppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate stigmatoken of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful stiltedbombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal stintsupply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint stintset limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings stipendpay for services stipplepaint or draw with dots or short strokes stipulatestate as a necessary condition ; make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance stockstandard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique stockadewooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier stodgydull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book stoicstoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism stokestir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully stoliddull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected stratagemdeceptive scheme; clever trick stratifieddivided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify stratumlayer of earth"s surface; layer of society; PL. strata strewspread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals striatedmarked with parallel bands; striped; grooved; Ex. striated rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line stricturesevere and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction stridentloud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency stringentbinding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions strutsupporting bar; CF. airplane wing building support strutpompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner studiedcarefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark stultifymake 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 stupefystun; make numb ; amaze stuporstate of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness stygianunpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead stymiethwart; present an obstacle; stump suavityurbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous subalternsubordinate subdueless intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue one's anger subjectiveinfluenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal; Ex. subjective sensation of the ghostly presence subjugateconquer; bring under control sublimaterefine; purify; replace with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state sublimecausing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter subliminalbelow the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement submissivewilling to obey orders; yielding; timid subordinateoccupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class subornpersuade to act unlawfully ; N. subornation subpoenawrit summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena subsequentfollowing in time or order; later subservientbehaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate; N. subservience subsidesink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom ; descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate subsidiaryserving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N. subsidydirect financial aid by government, etc.; V. subsidize: assist with a subsidy subsistenceexistence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life substantialof substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy substantiatesupport with evidence; establish with evidence; verify substantivesubstantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues subsumeinclude ; encompass subterfugestratagem; pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge subtletyperceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. subtle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle mind/differences in meaning subversivetending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely ; destroy completely; CF. undermine ? succorassist ; aid; comfort; N. succulentjuicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus succumbyield ; give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness suffragistadvocate of the extension of voting rights ; CF. suffrage suffusespread through or over ; charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks. sullydefile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one's hands in menial labor sultryhot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous summationact of finding the total; summing-up; summary sumptuousgrand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast sunderseparate; part; CF. asunder sundrymiscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items superannuatedretired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete supercilioushaughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium supererogatorysuperfluous; more than needed or demanded superficialof the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge superfluousexcessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity superimposeplace over something else supernumeraryperson or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number supersedereplace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession supinelying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision supplanttake the place of unfairly; usurp; replace suppleflexible; limber; pliant suppliantentreating; beseeching; N. supplicatepetition humbly; pray to grant a favor suppositionassumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose supposititiousassumed; counterfeit; hypothetical suppressput an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from being published or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; Ex. suppress the magazine/truth surfeitsatiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food surlybad-tempered; rude; cross surmiseguess; N. surmountovercome surpassexceed surreptitiousdone secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden surrogatesubstitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ. surveillanceclose observation of a person ; watching; guarding susceptibleimpressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. susceptibility sustainsuffer ; experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish ; Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners sustenancesustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food suturestitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound swarthydark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ? swatheswath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages sweltersuffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat swervedeviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course; Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car swerved to the right. swilldrink greedily swindlercheater sybaritelover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy sycophantservile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic syllogismlogical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument sylvanpertaining to the woods or the country symbiosisinterdependent relationship often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life symmetryarrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity; ADJ. symmetrical synchronoussimilarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize synopticproviding a general overview; summary; N. synopsis synthesiscombining parts or separate things into a whole; the whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthesize syntheticnot natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis; Ex. synthetic fiber; N. tacitunderstood ; not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement taciturnhabitually silent; talking little tactilepertaining to the organs or sense of touch taintcontaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch talismancharm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer talonclaw of bird tangentialonly slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent tangibleable to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof tannerperson who turns animal hides into leather tantalizetease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure tantamountequivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount tantrumfit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums. tapervery thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end tarantulavenomous spider tarrylinger; delay in starting or going; dawdle tauttight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack tautologicalneedlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye""; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true tawdrycheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry taxonomistspecialist in classifying ; CF. taxonomy: science of classification tediumboredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious teetotalismpractice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total temerityboldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day"s work tempermoderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen as by alternate heating and cooling temperamentcharacteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress temperatemoderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance society tempestuousstormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm tempospeed of music temporalof time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly temporizegain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself tenaciousholding fast ; persistent tenacityfirmness; persistence tendentiouspromoting 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 tenderoffer 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 tenetdoctrine; dogma tensilecapable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber tentativenot fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply tenuousthin; slim; rare tenureholding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held tepidlukewarm; slightly warm; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter terminationend; V. terminate terminologyterms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature terminuslast stop of railroad; end terrestrialon or relating to the earth terseconcise; abrupt; pithy tertiarythird in order or rank tessellatedmosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern testatormaker of a will; CF. testatrix testyirritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness tethertie with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one's endurance; Ex. the end of one's tether thematicof a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea theocracygovernment run by religious leaders theoreticalbased on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical therapeuticcurative; N. therapy thermalpertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air thespianpertaining to drama; N: actor or actress thrallslave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall threadbareworn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses thriftycareful about money; economical; N. thrift thriveprosper; flourish throesviolent anguish throngcrowd ; V. throttlestrangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ? thwartblock or hinder; baffle; frustrate tightwadmiser; excessively frugal person tillerhandle used to move boat"s rudder timbrequality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument timiditylack of self-confidence or courage timorousfearful; timid; demonstrating fear tippledrink frequently; N: alcoholic drink tiradelong angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation titanicgigantic; N. titan tithetax of one-tenth ; V: pay a tithe titillatetickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it titlename ; mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office ; right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate titternervous giggle; nervous laugh; V. titularof a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company toadyservile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn togaRoman outer robe tomelarge volume; book tonsureshaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V. topographyphysical features of a region ; CF. topo-: place torporlethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; dormant; hibernating torquetwisting force; force producing rotation torrentrushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents. torridhot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs torsotrunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk tortuouswinding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road tottershake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall touchstonestone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard touchyoversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation toutpromote or publicize ; praise excessively ; CF. advertise toxicpoisonous; N. toxicity tractpropaganda pamphlet ; expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract tractabledocile; easily managed; easily changed or molded; N. tractability traduceexpose to slander trajectorypath taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet tranquilitycalmness; peace transcendentexceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy transcribecopy; write a copy of; N. transcription transgressionviolation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond ; violate; do wrong transientstaying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient transitiongoing from one state of action to another transitorytransient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness translucentpartly transparent transmutetransform; change; convert to something different transparentpermitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie transpirebecome known; be revealed; happen; give off through pores transportstrong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture trappingsoutward decorations; ornaments traumaticdeeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage travailstrenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth traversego through or across travestycopy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon treatisearticle treating a subject systematically and thoroughly trektravel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey tremortrembling; slight quiver tremuloustrembling; wavering trenchantcutting; incisive; keen trepidationfear; nervous apprehension tribulationsuffering; ordeal; distress; trial tribunalcourt of justice tributetax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect ; Ex. pay tribute to tridentthree-pronged spear triflingtrivial; unimportant triggerset off; start trilogygroup of three related works trinketknickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry tritehackneyed; commonplace triviatrifles; unimportant matters trothpledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth troughlong narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point ; long narrow depression as between waves truculenceaggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce truismself-evident truth truncatecut the top off; shorten trystmeeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet tumidswollen; distended; bombastic; pompous tumultcommotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly tundrarolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America turbidhaving the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick turbulencestate of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed tureendeep dish for serving soup turgidswollen; distended turmoilextreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil turncoattraitor turpitudedepravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude tutelageguardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction tutelaryprotective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities tycoonwealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon typhoontropical hurricane or cyclone tyrannyoppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress tyrobeginner; novice ubiquitousbeing everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity ulteriorintentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive ultimatefinal; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy. ultimatumlast demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum. umbrageresentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness unaccountableinexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious unanimitycomplete agreement; ADJ. unanimous unassailablenot open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question unassuagedunsatisfied; not soothed unassumingmodest; Ex. the champion"s unassuming manner unbridledviolent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed uncannystrange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack unconscionableunscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand uncouthboorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish unctionthe act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction unctuousoily; bland; insincerely suave underlyinglying below; fundamental undermineweaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath underscoreunderline; emphasize undulatingmoving with a wavelike motion; V. undulate; CF. und: wave unearthdig up; discover by careful searching; Ex. He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal unearthlynot earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly unequivocalplain; clear; obvious unerringlyinfallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes unexceptionableentirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism unfalteringsteadfast; firm; not changing unfeignedgenuine; real unfetterliberate; free from chains; V. unfetter unfledgedimmature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling unfrockdefrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority ungainlyawkward in movement; clumsy; unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument unguentointment uniformitysameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over unilateralone-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration unimpeachablethat cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary uninhibitedunrepressed; free in behavior and feelings unintimidatingunfrightening uniquewithout an equal; single in kind unisonunity of pitch ; complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison. universalcharacterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic; Ex. universal agreement; Ex. a subject of universal interest unkemptdisheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb unmitigatednot moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster unobtrusiveinconspicuous; not blatant unprecedentedhaving no previous example; novel; unparalleled unprepossessingunattractive unraveldisentangle; solve unrequitednot requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love unrulydisobedient; lawless; difficult to control unsavorydistasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation unscathedunharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed unseemlyunbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste unsightlyugly; unpleasant to look at unsullieduntarnished; CF. sully untenableindefensible; not able to be maintained untowardunexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter unwarrantedunjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved unwieldyawkward ; cumbersome; unmanageable unwittingnot knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know unwontedunaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality. upbraidreprimand; severely scold uproariousmarked by commotion or uproar; very noisy ; hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny upshotoutcome; final result urbanesuave; refined in manner; elegant urchinmischievous child ; CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin ursinebearlike; pertaining to a bear usurpseize another"s power or rank ; supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use usurylending money at illegal high rates of interest utopiaideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian uxoriousexcessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife vacillatewaver ; fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation vacuousempty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity vagabondwanderer ; tramp vagarycapricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander vagrantwandering from place to place; roving; stray; moving in a random fashion; Ex. vagrant thoughts; N. vagrancy vagranthomeless wanderer vaingloriousboastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity valedictorypertaining to farewell; N: farewell address validlogically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport validatemake valid; confirm; ratify valorbravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave vampireghostly being that sucks the blood of the living vanguardforerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard vantageposition giving an advantage ; CF. vantagepoint vapidlacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture vaporizeturn into vapor variegatedmany-colored vassalin feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent vauntedboasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag veerchange in direction; swerve vegetatelive in a monotonous way ; CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan vehementforceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence velocityspeed venalcapable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal vendettablood feud ; CF. Nina Williams vendorseller veneerthin surface layer ; cover; surface show; fa{c}ade; V. venerabledeserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get veneraterevere; treat with great respect venialforgivable; trivial venisonmeat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb venompoison ; hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous ventrelease or discharge through a vent; express ; utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family. ventsmall opening; outlet ; Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair. ventralabdominal ventriloquistsomeone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing ; N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy venturerisk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N. venturesomebold; adventurous; daring; risky venuelocation; place ; CF. come veracioustruthful veracitytruthfulness; adherence to the truth verbalizeput into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb verbatimword for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly verbiagepompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness verbosewordy; N. verbosity verdantgreen; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows verdigrisgreen coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather vergeborder; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: very near to; V: border on verisimilarhaving the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible verisimilitudeappearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth veritablebeing truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary verityquality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities vernacularliving language ; language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular vernalpertaining to spring versatilehaving many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility vertexsummit; highest point; PL. vertices vertigosevere dizziness; giddiness verveenthusiasm ; liveliness; vigor vestigetrace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion vexannoy; distress viablecapable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme viandfood; CF. live vicariousexperienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ vicissitudechange ; change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China victualsfood; provisions; V. victual: provide with food viecontend; compete vigilantwatchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance vignettesmall drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene vigoractive strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous vilifyslander; speak evil of; N. vilification vindicateclear from blame; free from blame or accusation ; exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate one's claim; CF. vindicator vindictivedisposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak vintnerwine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine viperpoisonous snake virilemanly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength virtualin essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space virtuegoodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity virtuosohighly skilled artist ; Ex. piano virtuoso virulentextremely harmful or poisonous; hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom virusdisease communicator visageface; appearance visceralfelt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate viscidadhesive; gluey viscousthick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency visevice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device visionaryproduced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas vitalfull of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize vitiatespoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally vitreousof glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify vitrioliccausing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid ; bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass vituperativeabusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively vivaciouslively or animated; sprightly vivisectionact of dissecting living animals vixenfemale fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew vociferousclamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly voguepopular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue. volatilechangeable; of a quickly changing nature ; mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street volitionact of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition. volublefluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility voluminoushaving great volume ; bulky; large voraciousravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader vortexwhirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged vouchsafegrant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment voyeurPeeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others vulnerablesusceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability vulpinelike a fox; crafty wafflespeak equivocally about an issue; N. waftmove gently by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window waggishhumorous; mischievous; tricky waifhomeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays waivegive up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim waketrail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war wallowroll in mud; indulge in; roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury wanhaving a pale or sickly color; pallid wanderluststrong longing to travel wanedecrease in size or strength ; grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N. wangleachieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party. wantonunrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause warblesing; babble; N. warrantedjustified; authorized warrantyguarantee; assurance by seller warrentunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live waryvery cautious; watchful wastrelwaster; profligate waxincrease gradually ; grow waylayambush; lie in wait for and attack weanaccustom a baby not to nurse; accustom to take nourishment other than by suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave ; Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes weatherpass safely through ; endure the effects of weather or other forces weltraised mark from a beating or whipping welterconfusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data welterwallow ; lie soaked ; Ex. The victims weltered in their blood. wheedledeceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her whelpyoung animal ; young wolf, dog, tiger, etc. whetsharpen; stimulate; Ex. whet someone's appetite whiffpuff or gust ; short-lasting smell; hint; Ex. whiff of perfume/scandal whimsicalcapricious; fanciful; amusingly strange whinnyneigh like a horse; CF. neigh: make the sound which horses make whitsmall amount; smallest speck; Ex. not a whit of whittlepare; cut away thin bits ; fashion in this way; reduce gradually; trim whorlring of leaves around stem; ring; circular arrangement; Ex. whorls on the fingers willfulwilful; intentional; headstrong wilycrafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem wincemove back suddenly; shrink back; flinch; Ex. She winced as she touched the cold body. windfallfallen fruit; unexpected lucky event winnowsift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; separate good parts from bad; CF. wind winsomecharming ; agreeable; gracious; engaging wispythin; slight; barely discernible wistfulsadly thoughtful ; sadly pensive; vaguely longing withdrawnintroverted; retiring; remote witherdry up from loss of moisture; lose freshness; shrivel; decay withholdrefuse to give; hold back; Ex. withholding tax withstandstand up against; resist successfully witlesslacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic witticismwitty saying; wisecrack wizardrysorcery; magic wizenedshriveled; withered; Ex. wizened apple/old lady woegreat sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction; suffering; Ex. financial woes wonthabit or custom; habitual procedure; ADJ. wonted: customary worldlyengrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual; of the material world wranglequarrel noisily; obtain through arguing; herd cattle; N. wrathanger; fury wreakinflict; Ex. wreak one's vengeance on wrenchtwist; pull; strain; Ex. He wrenched the gun out of her hands. wrestobtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp writwritten command issued by a court writhetwist in coils; contort in pain wrytwisted; with a humorous twist xenophobiafear or hatred of foreigners; N. xenophobe yenstrong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel yeomanman or farmer owning small estate; middle-class farmer yieldamount produced; crop; income on investment; profit obtained from an investment; V: produce; give in; surrender yokejoin together; unite; N: crossbar used to joining two draft animals yokelrustic; country bumpkin; yoretime long past; Ex. in the days of yore zanycomic; crazy; N: clown; comical person zealeager enthusiasm ; ADJ. zealous zealotone who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal zenithpoint directly overhead in the sky; summit; acme; highest point zephyrgentle breeze; west wind