GRE barrons 4800bar

copy deck

s comeback

retort; quick clever reply; return to former status

n magisterial

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

scrupulous

conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker

n juggernaut

irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path

rend

split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow

n touchy

oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation

resumption

taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats.

somatic

pertaining to the body; bodily; physical

transcribe

copy; write a copy of; N. transcription

defer

give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous

s paste

smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: cause to adhere by applying paste

chaste

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

n spangle

small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation

n alimony

payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce

s outcast

one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.

n chimerical

fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature

vigilant

watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance

n pterodactyl

extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger

reputable

respectable; having a good reputation

apposite

appropriate; fitting

solicit

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

n insularity

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

practicable

feasible

n peroration

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

mandatory

obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate

n slag

glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter

distill

refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew

dolorous

sorrowful; N. dolor

s sober

serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober

propulsive

driving forward; N. propulsion

s gush

(of liquid) pour out in large quantities from a hole; make an excessive display of feeling (without true feeling); Ex. Blood gushed from the wound.

n giddy

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

n revelry

boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration

conviction

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

genre

particular variety of art or literature

s swell

long wave of water that moves continuously without breaking; V.

n exasperate

vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)

autocratic

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

impetus

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

recession

withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity

chronic

long established as a disease

n hover

hang about; (of birds or aircraft) stay in the air in one place; (of people) wait nearby; stay around one place; waver; be in an uncertain state

s vivid

(of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description

indigence

poverty

n philistine

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

n wax

increase gradually (as the moon); grow

n dictum

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

anticlimax

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

n unprepossessing

unattractive

n acidulous

slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic

n beguile

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

n rebuttal

refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: refute; disprove

indigenous

native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World

ingrate

ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)

s deport

send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment

n talon

claw of bird

commiserate

feel or express pity or sympathy for

underlying

lying below; fundamental

n irony

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

foresight

ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future

wary

very cautious; watchful

n revulsion

sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture

decimate

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

n orthography

correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics

n noisome

foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome

s menace

threat; V: threaten

finite

limited

n carrion

rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture

n blas\'e

bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored

depravity

extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave

n animus

hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition

n reciprocate

do 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

proxy

authorized agent; authority to act for another

discretion

prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary

n flamboyant

ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; showy; CF. flame

espionage

spying

s hut

crude dwelling; shack

n unctuous

oily; bland; insincerely suave

unfrock

defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority

n squabble

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

s limp

walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak

dawdle

loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing

theoretical

based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical

s trim

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

n manifold

many in number or kind; numerous; varied

n cower

shrink quivering as from fear; cringe

n plait

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

n usurp

seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use

n miasma

swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence

n throng

crowd (of people or things); V.

n qualms

uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen.

n copious

plentiful

s swagger

walk or behave with an over-confident manner

n fester

rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut or wound) generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered in my mind for days.

n bemoan

lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of

contusion

bruise

n inviolable

secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability

tenacious

holding fast (as to a belief); persistent

impasse

predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress

elucidate

explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid

impel

drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action

n isthmus

narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land

n officious

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

s chapel

small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)

lofty

very high

ramification

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

insightful

discerning; perceptive

s pilfer

steal things of small value; filch; snitch

n dotage

senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage

surmount

overcome

deposition

testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning

n skinflint

miser; stingy person

n bolster

support; reinforce

embargo

ban on commerce or other activity

s plaster

paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls; V.

n carping

petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble

glacial

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

n respite

time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve

faculty

mental or bodily powers; teaching staff

haughtiness

pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty

n seine

seine net; net for catching fish

bourgeois

middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions

n savant

scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know

aberrant

abnormal or deviant

s bacchanal

noisy party with a lot of drinking

duration

length of time something lasts

n amalgam

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

preeminent

outstanding; superior

oligarchy

government by a privileged few

s dissonance

discord

n laggard

slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler

s ooze

(of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or thick liquid as at the bottom of a river

n Machiavellian

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

n gadfly

animal-biting fly; irritating person

n kleptomaniac

person who has a compulsive desire to steal

n quip

taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.

s emasculate

weaken; castrate

n surfeit

satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food

n viscid

adhesive; gluey

saga

Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative

acute

(of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain

predicament

difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma

n temporal

of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly

s pastry

paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)

n insinuate

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

n subversive

tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ?

n raspy

making a harsh noise; grating; harsh

s constituency

voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)

perforate

pierce; put a hole through

ambivalence

the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions

n canny

shrewd in money matters; thrifty

n unearthly

not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly

patriarch

father and ruler of a family or tribe

resolution

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

n grisly

ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies

s rapture

great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous

s indecision

irresolution; inability to make up one's mind

unrequited

not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love

n capacity

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

n bludgeon

club; heavy-headed weapon; V.

languor

lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression

magniloquent

boastful; pompous

reproach

blame (not angrily but sadly); express disapproval or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful

precipitous

steep; overhasty; precipitate

n thrall

slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall

n morose

ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy

n disavowal

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

s prank

mischievous trick

touchstone

stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard

n archipelago

group of closely located islands

n expansive

(of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size

n tryst

meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet

n hermitage

home of a hermit

s pose

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

sinister

evil; ominous

n primp

groom oneself with care; adorn oneself

aver

state confidently; declare as true

anachronism

an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic

n betoken

signify; indicate; be a sign of

detraction

slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor

august

impressive; majestic

s masquerade

wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise

n puny

tiny; weak; insignificant

rebuke

scold harshly; criticize severely

s tatter

torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes

ordinance

decree; authoritative order

n rue

regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful

n tonsure

shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.

verge

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

n fluke

unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky

retract

withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile

conduit

aqueduct; passageway for fluids

effusion

pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing

n mortician

undertaker; CF. death

n intrude

put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one's own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in

ramify

branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions

s doom

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

n deign

condescend; stoop

rally

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

exorcise

drive out evil spirits

manifesto

public declaration of principles; statement of policy

n tribunal

court of justice

prodigious

enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory

momentum

quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force

s commune

small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature

n studied

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

n carcinogenic

causing cancer; N. carcinogen

invert

turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of

n abeyance

suspended action

vampire

ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living

s margin

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

n invoke

call and bring into use (a right or law); call on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one's advisor/God

couple

join; unite; OP. uncouple

n prosaic

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

figurative

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

contend

struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly

s enact

make (a bill) into law

replete

fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors

oblique

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

n glut

overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to excess; N: oversupply

s clap

strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound; come together suddenly with a sharp sound; put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in jail; N: clapping; loud or explosive sound; CF. applause

n gouge

tear out; cut out (as if with a gouge); Ex. gouge his eyes out; N: chisel for cutting out hollow areas in wood

s swear

vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words

n rebus

representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. ``R U 18'' is a rebus for ``Are you 18''.

n foment

stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant)

n bastion

stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism

s finish

surface texture; completeness of execution

n eddy

swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.

n inveigh

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

n askance

with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at

n arid

(of land) dry; barren; unproductive

s fuss:

trouble or worry over trifles; make nervous; pay too much attention to; N: needless concern or worry (about a trivial thing); anxious nervous condition; display of attention; Ex. make a fuss over the baby

uninhibited

unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings

n gratis

free; without charge; ADJ.

n staid

serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony

s rhapsody

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

s functional

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

s mingle

mix together in close association

politic

prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised

subordinate

occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class

n quell

suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion'' in newspaper; CF. kill

n traumatic

(of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage

s litter

waste material thrown away (as bits of paper scattered untidily); V: cover untidily with scattered litter

n evasive

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

n dupe

someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive

icon(ikon)

religious image; idol; image or representation

n aperture

opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light

s reminiscent

suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence

s resound

(of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter

s vertebrate

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

s helm

steering wheel of a ship; position of control

empirical

based on experience

notable

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

impiety

irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety

n fleece

wool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob by a trick; swindle; plunder

intelligentsia

intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily)

n shun

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

optometrist

one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects

slander

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

detrimental

harmful; damaging; N. detriment

n granary

storehouse for grain

n stipple

paint or draw with dots or short strokes

s spoof

parody

n conclave

private secret meeting

n blandishment

flattery

s stammer

speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions

affable

easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly

n chalice

goblet; consecrated cup

n piebald

of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald

n braggadocio

boasting

s swarm

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

incompatible

inharmonious; N. incompatibility

n indemnify

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

n manifestation

outward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced musical bent

n limber

flexible; supple; pliable; V.

s gloss

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

quay

dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)

boisterous

violent; rough; noisy

s doze

sleep lightly; nap

coalesce

combine; fuse; N. coalescence

verbalize

put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb

s corpus

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

precedent

something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented

s misconduct

immoral behavior; bad management; V.

n maverick

rebel; nonconformist (in a group)

n verdigris

green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather

defiance

refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant

amorphous

formless; lacking shape or definition

n travail

strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth

n opus

work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera

n doddering

shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder

n cajole

persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle

n modulate

tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Ex. modulate from E to G

n spat

squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel

deplore

regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition

n lackadaisical

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

n inclement

stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement

interim

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

n trinket

knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry

n tenuous

thin; slim; rare

exigency

urgent situation; ADJ. exigent

s germ

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

amiable

agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly

monastic

related to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly concerns

n riddle

pierce 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 (separating earth from stone)

incite

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

n forbearance

patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison

s finished

properly made and complete; Ex. finished product/performance

verbiage

pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness

n muddle

confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion

contaminate

pollute

n contrived

unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.

n tantalize

tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure

n bleak

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

fancied

imagined; unreal

n skittish

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

primordial

existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary

n kismet

fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.

n luster

shine; gloss (of a polished surface)

n prevail

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

provident

providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident

purport

intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general

s thrash

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

euthanasia

mercy killing

n stalwart

physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower

n shunt

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

n testator

maker of a will; CF. testatrix

s intermediary

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

n foist

insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist

n waft

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

avert

prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight.

n descry

catch sight of (something distant)

proscribe

prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw

s urgent

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

n shard

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

n unguent

ointment

fanaticism

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

raze

destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground

illusive

deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive

imprudent

lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious

n fanfare

call by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spectacular public display

egregious

notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking

n reek

emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench

vagabond

wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp

tranquillity

calmness; peace

n skimp

provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly

n rapt

engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener

n scoff

laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats

senility

old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia

s executor

person designated to execute the terms of a will; ¿¹¼ú ÀÛÇ°ÀÇ Á¦ÀÛÀÚ

n devolve

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

s pen

fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose

premonition

forewarning; presentiment; foreboding

repercussion

rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion

obtuse

blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding

s prize

pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)

n caste

one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige

s lag

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

provocative

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

s ambush

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

elated

filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation

n kindred

related; belonging to the same group; similar in nature or character; Ex. kindred languages; N: relative; kin; kinship

s detain

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

s phalanx

formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)

n habituate

accustom or familiarize; addict

s peer

one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress

n profligate

wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy

s expeditious

done with speed; quick; N. expedition

transcendent

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

anoint

consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)

n infernal

pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction

matriarch

woman who rules a family or larger social group

concurrent

happening at the same time; in agreement

n impeach

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

recuperate

recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses

n apostate

one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy

n mordant

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

endue

provide with some quality; endow

n pallid

pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion

anchor

secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage

adroit

skillful (in using mind or hand)

retrieve

recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation

n distrait

absentminded; distracted

animated

lively; spirited

s bid

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

transparent

permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie

cache

hiding place; V.

multiplicity

state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element

n jaundiced

yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful) from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye

s convulsion

violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive

humane

marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian

s gross

total; fragrant; clearly wrong; (of people's behavior) coarse; corpulent; Ex. gross insolence/behavior; V: earn as a total amount; N: 12 dozens

reprieve

postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of

n aplomb

poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence

n preempt

prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive

s prong

pointed projecting part

n doggerel

poor verse

s fetish(fetich)

object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism

n loom

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

exonerate

acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt

pungent

stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency

n rift

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

n avid

greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity

s gerontology

study of the sociological phenomena associated with old age

corrosive

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

n prude

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

complementary

serving to complete something

s tinge

give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy

n knead

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

n lexicographer

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

n patrician

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

n finesse

delicate skill; V: handle with finesse

n nugatory

worthless; futile

n seemly

(of behavior) proper; appropriate

s recital

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

n refrain

abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus

n vacillate

waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation

n burlesque

give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly

s lottery

contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots

s layman

man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional

n minutiae

petty or trivial details; CF. minutia

n propitiate

appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory

n indubitable

unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable

catapult

slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult

s shed

small roofed structure for storage and shelter; V: pour forth; lose by natural process; repel without allowing penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed tears/light/water/skin/leaves

n heterodox

(of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional

n husband

use sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband one's energy; CF. house holder

n clapper

striker (tongue) of a bell

s morgue

mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation

fidelity

loyalty; accuracy

n d\'enouement

final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained

n peon

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

irrelevant

not applicable; unrelated

languish

lose animation or strength

n chagrin

annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)

n geniality

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

reprisal

retaliation

rudimentary

elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language

pliable

flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable

n succulent

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

s psychosomatic

of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease)

irreparable

not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair

n halting

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

n rubric

title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol

devise

think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest

encroachment

gradual 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

monotony

sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone

generic

characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus

n polarize

split into opposite extremes or camps

aberration

deviation from the normal; mental disorder

n sonorous

resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound

n tessellated

mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern

reprove

censure; rebuke; N. reproof

n palliate

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

n crabbed

sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting

n diadem

crown

n nurture

nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing

intractable

unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child

ecstasy

rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy

n quiescent

dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence

n doctrinaire

unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties

indignation

anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant

impassive

without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face

s seduce

lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive

metamorphosis

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

tempo

speed of music

degenerate

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

defile

pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains

s scrappy

quarrelsome

concoct

prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction

n expunge

cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); erase

n vitiate

spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally

irreproachable

beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct

n nip

snip 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

n dislodge

remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge

disinterested

unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective

s mannerism

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

n begrudge

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

malcontent

person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented

obstetrician

physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife

s primal

first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence

n apex

tip; summit; climax; highest point

s tart

sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply

n toga

Roman outer robe

cynical

skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness

n mock

ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision

n prevaricate

lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)

n comport

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

alliteration

repetition of beginning sound in poetry

centaur

mythical figure, half man and half horse

genealogy

record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry

n ford

place where a river can be crossed on foot; V.

s trickster

person who cheats people

n wheedle

deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her

adulterate

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

n supernumerary

person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number

n demoniac(demoniacal)

fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil

tacit

understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement

n alcove

nook; recess

perennial

something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring

dorsal

relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin

n disengage

uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage

harbinger

forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come)

n laceration

torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin as with broken glass); wound

n prattle

talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate

pithy

concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty

n choleric

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

impassable

not able to be traveled or crossed

precipice

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

collate

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

n sherbet

flavored dessert ice

n existential

pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism

n cursive

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

n chicanery

trickery; deception

s soothsayer

one who foretells the future

n vogue

popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.

compunction

remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt

n nicety

precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties

indentation

notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth

n cavil

quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily

academic

related to a school; not practical or directly useful

unruly

disobedient; lawless; difficult to control

n feral

(of an animal) not domestic; wild

n parlance

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

n behoove(behove)

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

refute

disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation

imperceptible

unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable

n clime

climate

n arroyo

gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater

n empathy

ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy

guileless

without deceit

n d\'ecollet\'e

(of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)

n merger

combination (of two business corporations); act of merging

palpable

tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder

epicure

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

gusty

windy

congruence

correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity

skirmish

minor fight; minor battle in war; V.

carillon

a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played

imponderable

weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound

s finery

beautiful clothes for a special occasion

s shear

remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears; pair of scissors

n bugaboo

bugbear; object of baseless terror

s mute

silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of

indicative

suggestive; implying; serving to indicate

entrepreneur

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

n dossier

file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back

n smattering

slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German

conscript

draftee; person forced into military service; V.

n jaunt

trip; short journey

emissary

agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger

s grouch

bad-tempered complaint; person who keeps complaining; V: complain; grumble

conjure

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

n resurge

rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again

protrude

stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth

adversity

great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event

offhand

casual; done without prior thought or preparation

s brisk

quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor

advocate

speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for

n recalcitrant

disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child

s scheme

systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance scheme; Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color scheme; Ex. a story with no scheme; V: contrive a scheme

glib

fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick

n lackluster

lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull

irreconcilable

impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved

s soar

rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared into the sky.

indissoluble

permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate

n virtuoso

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

n neophyte

recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant

n erratic

odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable

dishearten

discourage

n junta

group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force)

adorn

decorate

n satyr

half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man

n prolixity

tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse

impotent

weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power

n vouchsafe

grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment

n symbiosis

interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life

s flashy

showy; gaudy; giving a momentary brilliance

consign

send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee

n sear

burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither

s overwhelm

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

concur

agree; coincide; happen at the same time

n thespian

pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress

n homeostasis

tendency of a system or organism to maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm

therapeutic

curative; N. therapy

amble

walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly

festive

joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival

invincible

unconquerable

s pinnace

small boat

s chant

tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant

subtlety

perceptiveness; 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

incentive

spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity

s bargain

agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power

arbitrary

unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler

s feebleminded

deficient in intelligence; very stupid

n placebo

harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill

n vindicate

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

imperial

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

s edifice

building (of imposing size)

cessation

stoppage

trepidation

fear; nervous apprehension

compile

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

implacable

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

notoriety

disrepute; ill fame

asteroid

small planet

s flirt

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

rubble

fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)

evocative

tending to call up (emotions, memories)

n spasmodic

fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion

perigee

point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee

s peddle

travel about selling (wares); CF. foot

outspoken

candid; blunt

n esoteric

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

n ragamuffin

dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes

s rotund

(of a person) fat and round

scale

climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of musical tones

n gestate

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

s recess

pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive

vehement

forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence

n clientele

body of customers

n impugn

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

n trappings

outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)

austere

forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity

s elastic

able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material

n disgorge

surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge

n gentry

people of standing(rank or position); people of good family or high social position; class of people just below nobility

s discriminate

distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference

n incantation

singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant

s trample

step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet

deflect

turn aside; turn away from a straight course

n monumental

massive; impressively large; built as a monument

n ungainly

(of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument

n musky

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

s squeamish

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

s recreant

disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person

n foil

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

s unregenerate

making no attempt to change one's bad practices

hybrid

mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize

s sly

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

s backslide

revert (to bad habits); N. reverter

s tramp

walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking

aria

operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio

s quicksilver

mercury

imminent

impending; near at hand

n subterfuge

stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge

n faze

disconcert; dismay; embarrass

s lust

intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.

repeal

revoke; annul

indulgent

humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence

n fray

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

n tirade

long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation

atone

make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for

s shift

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

retrospective

looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect

s dribble

flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.

s bromide

platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement

n manumit

emancipate; free from slavery or bondage

n reprobate

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

cardiologist

doctor specializing in ailments of the heart

s peevish

bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry

s legato

(of music) played smoothly

n errant

wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant

egoism

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

conscientious

scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker

n wane

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

n foster

rear; bring up (for a certain period only); encourage; promote the development of (feelings or ideas); Ex. help foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care although not related by blood; Ex. foster parents

n hardy

(of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) able to stand inclement(stormy) weather

s militia

army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers

n knell

tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.

avocation

secondary or minor occupation

n plebeian

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

n hirsute

hairy; having a lot of hair

equanimity

calmness of temperament; composure

proviso

stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision

cipher

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

severity

harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense

n rectitude

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

n molten

melted; Ex. molten lava

n laity

laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy

bantering

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

influx

flowing into

supercilious

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

n foliage

masses of leaves; CF. defoliate

n pulmonary

pertaining to the lungs

unwieldy

awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable

civil

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

n hermetic

sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight

hostility

unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile

ideology

system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture

n braggart

boaster; bragger

remorse

deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach

n tensile

capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber

n stupor

state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness

n secrete

conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism; CF. secretive

n unison

unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison.

s season

enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning

magnitude

greatness (in size or extent); extent

s plane

carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat

remediable

reparable

incense

enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor

consistency

absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous

s constitution

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

n tutelary

protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities

hackneyed

commonplace; trite

s sleigh

large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice

singular

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

n ruse

trick to deceive; stratagem

n epaulet(epaulette)

ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)

s jetsam

things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship)

emanate

issue forth; come out

acknowledge

recognize; admit

ardor

heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent

n supererogatory

superfluous; more than needed or demanded

s grumble

complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N.

s monograph

scholarly article

abject

(of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology

n ballast

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

n martinet

strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet

insolence

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

s resort

turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.

compatible

harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together

n propinquity

nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship

n badinage

teasing conversation; banter; joking talk

rationalize

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

comestible

something fit to be eaten

metropolis

large city

disjointed

disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin

n astigmatism

eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism

n insensible

unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible

fickle

changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless

n rent

tear made by rending; rip; split

n knotty

intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot

n hackles

hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make someone's hackles rise

n wake

trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war

n betray

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

meditation

reflection; thought; V. meditate

stealth

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

sublimate

refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state

n euphoria

feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric

s parish

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

s chip

lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp

s conglomerate

corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V.

titanic

gigantic; N. titan

n mollify

soothe an angry person

natation

swimming

n regimen

prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer

equinox

period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial

n odoriferous

giving off an odor

converge

approach; tend to meet; come together

s bulk

size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size

n duplicity

double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous

n buffet

strike 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

n factious

inclined to form factions; causing dissension

n arrhythmic

lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia

conjugal

pertaining to marriage

s figure

written symbols; number; amount represented in numbers; outline or silhouette of a thing or human body; person (well-known); impression; diagram; pattern; group in a dance; Ex. figure of speech; V. calculate with numbers; adorn with figures; appear; consider; Ex. My name did not figure in the list.

n behemoth

huge creature; something of monstrous size or power

s monochrome

painting in only one color; ADJ.

n waylay

ambush; lie in wait for and attack

n lurid

wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder

receptive

quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal

n trident

three-pronged spear

n gruff

rough-mannered; (of a voice) rough; hoarse

metaphysical

pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality

n seminary

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

n potable

suitable for drinking; drinkable

incessant

uninterrupted; unceasing

n debonair

(of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition

innovation

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

kernel

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

amorous

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

consummate

complete; V.

trigger

set off; start

n sheaf

bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together

n draconian

extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician

polyglot

speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.

debase

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

n gesticulation

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

acoustics

science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in

reprehensible

deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame

sect

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

n apropos

with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.

s lionize

treat (a person) as a celebrity

s idle

not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V.

redundant

superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious

autonomous

self-governing; N. autonomy

n puerile

childish; immature; CF. puer: boy

n application

diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself

vagrant

homeless wanderer

decorum

propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct

n unobtrusive

inconspicuous; not blatant

utopia

ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian

s arboreal

of or living in trees

n communal

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

n introspective

looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination

ovoid

egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate

s consanguineous(consanguine)

having a common ancestor

apprise

inform

n nefarious

very wicked

ostensible

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

chronicle

report; record (in chronological order)

n putative

supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child

s gnarl

protruding knot on a tree; V.

n vicissitude

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

n assert

state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence

n urchin

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

absolve

pardon (an offense)

benediction

blessing

n genteel

well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty

n disaffected

disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty

n necromancy

black 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

conducive

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

n bluff

pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured

pious

devout; religious; N. piety

incidental

not essential; minor; N: something incidental

podium

pedestal; raised platform

n juxtapose

place side by side; CF. next

enumerate

list; mention one by one

jubilation

rejoicing; great joy

n hue_and_cry

outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule

n slew

large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left

evanescent

fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce

adept

expert at; very skilled

gerontocracy

government ruled by old people

vigor

active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous

s recite

repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite his complaints; N. recitation

allure

entice; attract; tempt

validate

make valid; confirm; ratify

s inquisitive

eager for knowledge; unduly curious

n nondescript

undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd

panacea

cure-all; remedy for all diseases

s skim

read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid

n febrile

feverish

cacophonous

discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds

n gall

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

preamble

introductory statement

n vise

vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device

s contrive

invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention

n unseemly

unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste

s dowry

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

s malapropos

inappropriate; ADV.

tome

large volume; book

n limbo

region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo

n modish

fashionable; conforming to the current fashion

n disheveled

untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel

impair

injure; hurt; damage

n riveting

holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing

reprobation

severe disapproval; CF. approbation

n vendetta

blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams

vestige

trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion

n acerbity

bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)

s enliven

make lively or spirited; animate

n filch

steal (things of small value)

migrant

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

s crossbreed

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

attrition

rubbing 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

s glitter

shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex. glittering diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractiveness; glamor; Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves

efface

rub out; remove the surface of

s wage

begin and continue (a war)

placate

pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease

mobile

movable; not fixed; N. mobility

n cardinal

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

n clique

small exclusive group of people

s persevere

continue steadily in spite of difficulties

memorialize

commemorate

adjuration

solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly

revert

relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion

n repine

fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work

n venerate

revere; treat with great respect

transient

staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient

n provenance

place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come

dilapidated

falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation

n distinction

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

n unkempt

disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb

graphic

pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described

n quintessence

purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence

aspirant

seeker after position or status

s encircle

surround

paraphrase

restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words

n stygian

unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead

n meek

submissive; patient and long-suffering

s tickle

touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please

n vitriolic

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

secular

worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal

n tautological

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

s mortar

vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle

propensity

natural inclination

s license

official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V.

s handsome

large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome reward

n vintner

wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine

equity

fairness; justice; OP. inequity

n stultify

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

n dismantle

take apart; disassemble

procrastinate

postpone; delay or put off

context

writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs

prefatory

introductory; of a preface

n presumptuous

going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties

docile

obedient; easily managed; submissive

n peruse

read through with care; N. perusal

n dais

raised platform for speakers or other important people

allegiance

loyalty

eerie

weird; causing fear because strange

n poignancy

quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick

contumacious

stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)

reaper

one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop

n tantamount

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

n quaff

drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); ²Ü²©²Ü²© ¸¶½Ã´Ù; CF. sip

ravage

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

n vacuous

empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity

temperament

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

saline

salty

n silt

sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)

n fluted

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

n corrugated

wrinkled; ridged

n bland

soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence

absolute

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

n wanderlust

strong longing to travel

virtue

goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity

n titular

of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company

n foray

raid; sudden raid or military advance; V.

soluble

able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved

n gibberish

nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; babbling

query

inquiry; question; V.

s tan

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

s draw

choosing of a lot or card

s confide

tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about

orator

public speaker

indite

write; compose

n breach

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

n propitious

favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign

n execrable

very bad; detestable

s pinch

squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger

n cauterize

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

antecede

precede

s stink

stench; V: emit a strong foul odor

s embody

give a bodily form to; incorporate; include

beneficiary

person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will

n dehydrate

remove water from; dry out

fallible

liable to err

s buffoon

stupid person; clown

pauper

very poor person

n squalor

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

specious

seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)

s genus

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

exalt

raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation

n overwrought

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

repel

drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion

s treasure

keep as precious; cherish

anomaly

irregularity

n uxorious

excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife

suppress

put 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

sibling

brother or sister

n gusto

eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm

n decry

express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films

n dubious

questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety

antiseptic

substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.

n militate

work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier

catharsis

purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art

accommodate

oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging

s retard

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

n sardonic

scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile

s flighty

(esp. of a woman's behavior) capricious; often changing, esp. from one lover to another; impulsive

exult

rejoice

reparable

capable of being repaired

n parley

conference (between opponents); CF. speak

n minion

servile dependent; obsequious follower

incarcerate

imprison

n auroral

pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis

condign

adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved

s artery

blood-vessel; CF. vein

remiss

negligent; careless about a duty

archaeology

study of artifacts and relics of early mankind

n tortuous

winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road

n harrowing

agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth

n flinch

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

s hideous

repulsive to the sight; ugly; repugnant; Ex. hideous face/scream

n gorge

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

servile

slavish; cringing; N. servility

n hortatory

encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort

acquittal

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

carnal

fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body

n guffaw

boisterous laughter; V.

s gradation

series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression

inflated

exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)

s chore

daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task

n titter

nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.

n pore

study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.

n exude

flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation

n snivel

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

distend

expand; swell out

fortitude

bravery; courage; strength of mind

n catalyst

agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis

remission

temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins.

n paltry

insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash

n luminous

shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs

astute

wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage

n evenhanded

impartial; fair

n sate

satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy

s legislature

legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make laws

n mischance

ill luck

n salient

prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features

rummage

ransack; thoroughly search

s outgoing

sociable; eager to mix socially with others

polity

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

n vent

release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.

n gaudy

flashy; showy

acclaim

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

valid

logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport

n waif

homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays

concession

an 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

s wring

twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)

n disembark

debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark

renown

fame; ADJ. renowned

n granulate

form into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or particle

s gangrene

decay of body tissue caused by insufficient blood supply (usually following injury); ADJ. gangrenous

s weird

eerie; strange; unnatural

s stun

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

s exquisite

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

n canard

unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report

liaison

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

n gaffe

social blunder

n scavenge

hunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion

malediction

curse

s mat

not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece of material used as a floor covering; V.

n accoutre

equip; N. accoutrement

n quixotic

idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote

n fiasco

total failure; CF. bottle

s jumble

mix in a confused way

hindrance

block; obstacle; V. hinder

unfeigned

genuine; real

s rumble

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

insuperable

insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties

n nihilist

one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement

s forum

public square of an ancient Roman city; public place for open discussion; court of law

s bound

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

n mores

conventions; moral standards; moral customs

n regiment

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

n die

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

analogous

comparable; similar

capacious

spacious

n dispirited

lacking in spirit

n glutinous

sticky; viscous; gluey

diminution

lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish

n dank

damp; unpleasantly wet

bicker

quarrel

n pusillanimous

cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted

n heckler

person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech)

s chancellor

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

n forensic

suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic science/medicine

accord

agreement

transition

going from one state of action to another

n espouse

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

n brandish

wave around (a weapon); flourish

n sever

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

n bacchanalian

drunken

s choir

group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir

n deleterious

harmful

n hurtle

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

s sonic

of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic

n stanza

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

s snub

ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion but she snubbed me; N.

gyroscope

apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc.

charisma

divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism

surveillance

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

s sectarian

of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person

amnesty

pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)

s undertaker

funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials

n penumbra

partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow

s sleek

smooth and shining (as from good health); V.

n stilted

bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal

traverse

go through or across

n stint

set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings

n humility

humbleness of spirit

n bountiful

generous; graciously generous; showing bounty

accost

approach and speak first to a person

inverse

opposite

n hew

cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N.

depredation

plundering; destruction

n frond

fern leaf; palm or banana leaf

pomposity

self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important

deft

neat; skillful

n stymie

thwart; present an obstacle; stump

n shirk

avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger

embellish

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

n sepulcher

tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral

n beatific

giving or showing bliss; blissful

n aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry)

nest of a large bird of prey

s abode

dwelling place; home

pivotal

of a pivot; central; critical; crucial

n reverberate

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

n fetter

shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot

s crochet

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

n grouse

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

n flay

strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly

spectral

ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom

s slaughter

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

n curmudgeon

churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person

n barefaced

shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie

s hail

frozen rain drop; V: salute or greet; precipitate hail

devotee

enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach

n torso

trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk

s submerge

place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work

n taper

very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end

n collation

a light meal; collating

s toss

throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something

n dulcet

sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious

s credential

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

dexterous

skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity

rehabilitate

restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of

conveyance

vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance

embrace

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

s voluptuous

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

gratuitous

given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment

decipher

decode; CF. indecipherable

s blunt

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

n mnemonic

pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid

n mesmerize

hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer

mediocre

ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad

s mar

spoil the appearance of

obdurate

stubborn; refusing to change one's belief

euphony

sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious

n headlong

hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV.

n hibernal

wintry; wintery; of or like winter

n manipulate

operate with one's hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative

categorical

without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute

n bereft

deprived of (something valuable); lacking

fathom

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

regeneration

spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually

n ken

range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken

anonymity

state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous

pragmatic

practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill

n sinewy

(of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone

demolition

destruction; V. demolish

opportune

timely; well-chosen

n ambrosia

food of the gods

pseudonym

pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous

s run-down

(of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted

n factotum

handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything

s trance

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

longevity

long life; long duration

gargoyle

waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building

n belabor

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

incline

slope; slant; Ex. steep incline

n disclaim

disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer

n mendacious

lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity

engross

occupy fully; absorb

n immure

imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall

affluence

abundance; wealth

n atypical

not normal; not typical

perfunctory

done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss

gratuity

tip

n foil

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

s rustle

make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together

quaint

odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque

s impart

grant a share of; make known; Ex. news to impart

n surly

bad-tempered; rude; cross

embed(imbed)

enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass

n lumber

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

n rapacious

voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds

n odium

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

s vision

eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural

n matrix

point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization

n lineaments

features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line

n gazette

official periodical publication; newspaper

n lagoon

shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs

s oath

solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. ``For Christ's sake''

repository

storehouse

n protocol

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

n osseous

made of bone; bony

n guy

cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide

s bout

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

n pinion

restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing

n frantic

wild; distraught as from fear or worry; Ex. frantic with fear

frivolous

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

s dignitary

person of high rank or position

bequeath

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

forgo(forego)

give up; do without

s nova

star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness

supplant

take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace

n spurious

false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments

hazy

slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind

n hoodwink

deceive; delude

n instigate

start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel

depose

dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify

recurrent

occurring again and again

n dowdy

untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman

ancestry

family descent; ADJ. ancestral

benevolent

generous; charitable; having a wish to do good

pacifist

one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes

n meretricious

flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute

s herald

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

n periphery

outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town

propriety

fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary

n obtrude

push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive

s hem

surround tightly so that movement is impossible; Ex. hem in; N.

delete

erase; strike out

expurgate

clean; remove offensive parts of a book

pecuniary

pertaining to money

n truculence

aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce

exploit

make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation

n spoonerism

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

n libertine

debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\'e; CF. free

s stampede

sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede before the price rises

auxiliary

offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant

exempt

not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V.

n bard

poet

obloquy

slander; disgrace; infamy

s mange

skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair

s headfirst

moving with the head leading; headlong

n flair

talent

n pontifical

pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop

cupidity

greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid

s expos\'e

public revelation of something discreditable

n epigram

witty thought or saying, usually short

traduce

expose to slander

s uproar

noisy confusion

incognito

with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ.

s slink

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

subdue

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

galleon

large three-masted sailing ship

platitude

trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous

n cornucopia

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

n uproarious

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

vex

annoy; distress

n jostle

shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds

formality

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

immobility

state of being immovable

infiltrate

pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator

anneal

reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)

malicious

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

s swamp

wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with liquid

imperative

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

n captious

faultfinding; too critical

n vegetate

live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan

n mete

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

peerless

having no equal; incomparable

n coquette

flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.

n berserk

mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited

s primary

first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first

n tangential

only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent

n flail

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

scenario

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

conception

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

n latitude

freedom from narrow limitations

n unilateral

one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration

n codicil

supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will

s foul

very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means; N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit a foul

abstain

refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote; ±â±ÇÇÏ´Ù

n anvil

iron block used in hammering out metals

denounce

condemn; criticize; N. denunciation

demise

death

congenital

existing at birth

regime

method of system or government

s bar

railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister

paramour

illicit lover

n skiff

small light sailboat or rowboat

n cleft

N: split

extemporaneous

not planned; impromptu; extempore

impalpable

imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible

implicate

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

aseptic

preventing infection; having a cleansing effect

n bedizen

dress with vulgar finery

s warrant

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

n umbrage

resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness

gnome

dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards

n perquisite(perk)

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

n hubris

arrogance; excessive self-conceit

s ruminant

animal that ruminates; ADJ.

amend

correct; change ; generally for the better

n apologist

one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia

curtail

shorten; reduce

n insouciant

without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent

prey

target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.

n unwonted

unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.

pachyderm

thick-skinned animal

n drone

idle person who lives on other people's work; male bee

n extol

praise very highly; glorify

n plasticity

ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay

s defalcate

embezzle

n fleck

spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot

effrontery

rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek

parity

equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate

s gobble

eat very quickly

Occident

the West

s humor

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

n gavel

hammerlike tool; mallet(wooden hammer) used by a presiding officer or an auctioneer; V.

impertinent

insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence

s feud

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

s rasp

(of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something rough; Ex. The cat's tongue rasped my hand.

n sheathe

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

sycophant

servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic

s jurisdiction

right and power to apply the law; authority

n grimace

facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V.

n dappled

spotted

simile

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

s engaged

employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict

log

record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V.

consequential

self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent

accessible

easy to approach; obtainable

proximity

nearness; ADJ. proximate

s plebiscite

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

n ultimatum

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

n pell-mell

in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell

s rickety

(of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D

inclined

tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend

n wangle

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

n chary

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

cloying

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

n fallow

(of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated

unique

without an equal; single in kind

n inchoate

(of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not explicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; Ex. inchoate mass

n aloft

upward; high up in the air

n obituary

death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ.

inimitable

matchless; not able to be imitated

infinitesimal

very small

inconsistency

state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible

consonance

harmony; agreement

gullible

easily deceived

prodigy

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

n modicum

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

seismic

pertaining to earthquakes

s terminal

part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer

n dirge

funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)

n viand

food; CF. live

pediatrician

physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics

avuncular

of or like an uncle

n sunder

separate; part; CF. asunder

tremor

trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)

s nausea

feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness

s smug

self-satisfied; complacent

disenfranchise

disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise

n torque

twisting force; force producing rotation

comprise

include; consist of

s upright

(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral

s compassion

sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate

accelerate

move faster

n engage

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

guise

outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise

convert

one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief

n cherubic

angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order

residue

remainder; balance

infringe

violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)

n furor

frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury

n menagerie

collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo

n plenary

(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power

n betroth

become engaged to marry

revoke

cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable

n sap

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

irresolute

uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution

n tract

propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract

n penance

self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent

n bauble

trinket; cheap jewel; trifle

n apothegm(apophthegm)

pithy, compact saying

s interjection

exclamation; Ex. ``Ouch''

coin

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

delusion

false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that

exploit

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

n raucous

(of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts

decelerate

slow down

n ventral

abdominal

n gist

essence; main point; substance

n amalgamate

(of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body

s postmortem

autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem

n heyday

time of greatest success or power; prime

frustrate

thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose

n chortle

chuckle with delight; N.

n liability

drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible (for paying)

n bulwark

strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends

renounce

abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's religion; N. renunciation

pastoral

rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor

rendezvous

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

generality

vague statement; general statement which is not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most; Ex. generality of people

abridge

condense or shorten

s glare

shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and angrily; N.

n prowess

extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle

obsidian

black volcanic rock

n suture

stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound

deface

mar; disfigure

repress

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

n bombastic

pompous; using inflated language

s polarity

state of having two opposite qualities

anarchy

absence of governing body; state of disorder

n dumbfound(dumfound)

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

n slight

insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance

pendant(pendent)

hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)

n unbridled

violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed

n beleaguer

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

termination

end; V. terminate

random

without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random

s slap

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

n disinter

dig up; unearth; OP. inter

s ward

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

n compromise

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

anthropomorphic

having human form or characteristics

paragon

model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue

s sturdy

strong and firm (in the body)

inept

unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate

n grill

question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking surface of parallel metal bars

s craft

skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning

theocracy

government run by religious leaders

s rake

angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular

n suffragist

advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); CF. suffrage

n fret

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

perfidious

treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery

n girth

distance around something; circumference

s wiggle

wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions

n amass

collect (gradually, in a very large amount)

s mischief

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

s mason

one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork

n limpid

crystal clear

antipathy

aversion; dislike or opposition

address

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

n morbid

given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease

n inscrutable

difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious

complement

complete; consummate; make perfect; N.

respiration

breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory

injurious

harmful; causing injury

n docket

program 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

voluble

fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility

s frisk

move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful

embezzlement

taking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one's care)

s wag

shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit

n insensate

without feeling; lacking sense; foolish

n addle

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

expatriate

exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country

n murky

dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom

microcosm

small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society

s vigilante

one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers

baffle

frustrate; perplex

n sybarite

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

philanderer

faithless lover; flirt

diffidence

shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident

s florescence

condition or period of flowering

s rabble

mob; noisy crowd

n crone

hag; ugly old woman

s capsize

(of a boat) turn over

indigent

poor; destitute

s mutter

utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low tones

n prurient

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

n jovial

good-natured; merry; cheerful

assumption

something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume

n facetious

joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous

substantial

of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy

n tribulation

suffering; ordeal; distress; trial

esteem

respect; value; judge; N.

s fiend

evil spirit; devil

n smirk

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

effectual

able to produce a desired effect; valid

n irate

angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath

n glean

gather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; gather bit by bit (facts or information) often with difficulty

s gracious

kind in a generous way (to someone less important)

lucrative

profitable; producing wealth

invective

abuse

n progeny

children; offspring; descendants

s impersonal

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

frail

weak; N. frailty

s violate

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

n emetic

substance causing vomiting; ADJ.

aesthetic

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

aversion

firm dislike

n frenetic(phrenetic)

frenzied; frantic

n imbecility

weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool

methodical

systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure

n patina

green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting

n physiognomy

face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features

solvent

able to pay all depths; N. solvency

n nadir

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

s pulpit

raised platform used in preaching (in a church)

s incident

event; event that causes a crisis

s porridge

soft food made by boiling oatmeal

solitude

state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof

s putrescent

becoming putrid; putrefying

s blue

gloomy; depressed

s linger

loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell lingered for days.

avow

declare openly; N. avowal

s token

outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude

n marsupial

one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat

n personable

attractive (in personality or appearance)

unintimating

unfrightening

n agenda

items of business at a meeting

infer

deduce; conclude; N. inference

n lancet

small surgical tool for making incisions

compendium

brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious

s invalid

one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health

n serpentine

winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake

n hale

healthy

n comity

courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations

n levitate

rise and float in the air (especially by magical means); CF. light

n elysian

relating to paradise; blissful

s weary

tired after long work; V.

n disburse

pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse

n plaudit

praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud

s unceremonious

not done politely without due formalities

misdemeanor

minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing

n iconoclastic

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

sobriety

moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness

audacious

daring; bold; N. audacity

n exchequer

treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer

s Epicurean

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

metaphor

implied comparison; CF. simile

n tertiary

third in order or rank

recipient

receiver

s spare

give; use; refrain from harming; save from experiencing; exempt; Ex. spare me 5 minutes; Ex. Take this money and spare my life; Ex. The emperor was spared the onus; ADJ: kept in reserve; free for other use; unoccupied; Ex. spare time

n refurbish

renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish

n genuflect

bend the knee as in worship

s halfhearted

exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm

n ludicrous

laughable; ridiculous; trifling

n incorporeal

without a material body; insubstantial

innocuous

harmless

induce

persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement

incipient

beginning; in an early stage

agitate

stir up; disturb

discriminating

able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination

n certitude

certainty

n indenture

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

inaugurate

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

volition

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

minute

extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting

n soporific

sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy

deducible

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

obelisk

tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid

n surrogate

substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.

n lope

gallop slowly

n nutrient

nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment

s score

number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal score; Ex. Don't worry on that score; V: mark with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold

n ogle

look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men ogling young girls

s casual

happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark

dissection

analysis; cutting apart in order to examine

s lounge

stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way

embroider

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

monotheism

belief in one God

n disport

amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert

indolent

lazy

unassailable

not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question

proliferate

grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation

trajectory

path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet

incubus

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

n regatta

boat or yacht race

s loft

room or space under the roof; attic

n septic

of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)

s castrate

remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)

exemplify

show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.

glutton

someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much

s fit

sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion caused by epilepsy

s dispense

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

n sentient

capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience

s chorus

phrase repeated throughout a song or poem

atheistic

denying the existence of God; N. atheism

avenge

take vengence 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.

expedient

suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient

n reverie

daydream; abstracted musing

oscillate

vibrate pendulumlike; waver

enervate

weaken; take away energy from

n orifice

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

tundra

rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America

s pucker

gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold

contest

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

s marginal

of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex. marginal effect/writing ability

s forerunner

predecessor; one that comes before and indicates the approach of another

n bristling

rising like bristles; showing irritation

s kneel

go down on one's knee(s)

s dummy

imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy

n infidel

unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)

abdicate

renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)

s wrinkle

small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.

s primate

group of mammals including humans

sustenance

sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food

s crinkle

wrinkle

adverse

going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile

surpass

exceed

n doff

take off; OP. don

n strew

spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals

vendor

seller

mutablility

ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant

valor

bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave

perjury

false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath

n rivulet

small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river

s chaplain

clergyman attached to a chapel

abase

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

cordial

warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome

n bilious

suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated

rustic

pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person

prototype

original work used as a model by others

n flotsam

drifting wreckage

n scuffle

struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ?

n snicker

half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.

extrovert

person interested mostly in external objects and actions

n shackle

chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.

abbreviate

shorten

impecunious

without money

n spendthrift

someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth

alienate

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

ominous

threatening; of an evil omen

skeptic

sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism

attentive

alert 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

authenticate

prove genuine

sleight

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

pertinent

suitable; to the point; relevant

plausible

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

n revile

attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)

n ignoble

unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed

cogent

convincing

n medley

mixture

n expostulation

protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate

indifferent

unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad

s sentimental

swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments

n trilogy

group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)

n motif

theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure

prognosis

forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic

embryonic

undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development

n firebrand

piece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person who stirs up trouble

agility

nimbleness; ability to move quickly

s endear

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

n lode

metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)

contention

assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition

thwart

block or hinder; baffle; frustrate

n phlegmatic

calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract

n inordinate

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

incredulity

tendency to disbelief

deranged

insane

s decree

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

n brusque

blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice

n brunt

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

conformity

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

n unassuming

modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner

tremulous

trembling; wavering

s overture

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

dispel

scatter; drive away; cause to vanish

subliminal

below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement

n balm

something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees

n vaunted

boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag

n laconic

brief and to the point; using few words; terse

actuarial

calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics

n fecundity

fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young

exacerbate

worsen; aggravate; embitter

leonine

like a lion

n shyster

lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner

s polar

of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites

n paean

song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory

n abscission

cutting off; separation

n irascible

irritable; easily angered

auspicious

favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices

s provision

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

s bombast

grandiloquent, pompous speech

condole

express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow

tactile

pertaining to the organs or sense of touch

recourse

resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to

n solicitous

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

n clout

great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist

n verisimilitude

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

sarcasm

cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic

artisan

a manually skilled worker

centripetal

tending toward the center

n transport

strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture

n piquant

pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help

n buffoonery

clowning

ramble

wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress

n spartan

without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life

n burnish

make shiny by rubbing; polish

derogatory

expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage

devout

pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope

append

attach

n uncouth

boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish

n dinghy

small boat (often ship's boat)

amplify

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

n physiological

pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology

n fastidious

difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky

effeminate

having womanly traits

promontory

headland

n ordain

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

construe

explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue

n toady

servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn

n pulsate

throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly

s rational

(of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical

s elevation

elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the house

colloquial

pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression

n immolate

offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)

n document

provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.

s spin

rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, wool, etc.); N.

licentious

amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained

n lavish

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

n culinary

relating to cooking or kitchen

n culvert

artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road

n fusillade

simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)

ineffectual

not effective; not having a desired effect; weak

viper

poisonous snake

facsimile

copy

n visceral

felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate

n importune

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

n cynosure

object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor

s imperil

put in danger

implicit

understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust

n talisman

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

pitfall

hidden danger; concealed trap

s seasonal

of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment

s feline

of a member of the cat family; N.

epilogue

short speech at conclusion of dramatic work

n plagiarize

steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap

evoke

call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation

waive

give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim

n astral

relating to the stars

n cordon

extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; (¾î±ú¿¡¼ °Üµå¶û ¹ØÀ¸·Î °ÉÄ¡´Â) Àå½Ä ¸®º»; V.

pervasive

spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate

disdain

treat with scorn or contempt

n fell

cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down (with a missile)

intuition

immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition

n acrimonious

stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior

n minatory

menacing; threatening

n quiver

tremble; shake; N.

hazardous

dangerous

n venial

(of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial

n sully

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

carnivorous

meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore

n bolt

door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a door); gobble down

conclusive

decisive; ending all debate

n itinerary

plan of a trip; record of a trip

n hinterlands

back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland

premise

assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based

n fracas

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

colossal

huge

n droll

queer and amusing

n obnoxious

offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell

fusion

union; coalition; V. fuse

s rou\'e

lecherous man

depreciate

lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value

censor

(in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.

succumb

yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness

provincial

pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated

benefactor

gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose

n determinate

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

regicide

murder of a king or queen

n predilection

preference; partiality

n garner

gather; store up; amass

n stockade

wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier

foreshadow

give an indication beforehand; be a sign of (what is coming); portend; prefigure

n demotic

of or pertaining to the people

s drudge

do drudgery; N: person who drudges

corrode

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

n raiment

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

n tithe

tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe

n legerdemain

sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand

n parched

extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)

irreverence

lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent

repartee

quick clever reply

n confidant(confidante)

trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)

chivalrous

courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry

disparity

difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity

n poseur

person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose

n covenant

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

precipitate

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

entice

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

n inert

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

n impeccable

faultless

n burgeon

grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon

atrocity

brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious

n filibuster

block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter

redolent

odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery

n anthem

song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem

collusion

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

s fuddle

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

pugilist

boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing

n belated

delayed

n rider

amendment or clause added to a legislative bill

n chisel

swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting

prone

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

unwarranted

unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved

dissertation

formal essay; treatise

aghast

filled with great surprise or fear; horrified

circlet

small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)

n enamored

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

reiterate

repeat

affinity

feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages

encipher

encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher

s vicar

parish priest; representative

grandiloquent

(of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic

supplicate

petition humbly; pray to grant a favor

n upbraid

reprimand; severely scold

n cameo

shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film

s exact

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

tender

offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound

reciprocal

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

n stentorian

(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad

n mentor

counselor; teacher

s stump

base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle

quietude

tranquillity; calmness

n volatile

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

n quarry

person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey

antediluvian

antiquated; extremely ancient

n disband

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

sanction

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

perpetual

everlasting

amnesia

loss of memory

n unction

the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction

n emulate

imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)

unequivocal

plain; clear; obvious

thematic

of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea

perspicacious

(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute

orientation

act of finding oneself in society; orienting

s lush

(of a plant or grass) growing very well

n brazen

insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence

s makeshift

temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter

s forge

counterfeit; reproduce fraudulently; form by heating in a forge and hammering into shape; move with a sudden increase of speed or power; Ex. forged ahead in the last two years; N: furnace where metals are heated

negligence

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

n luminary

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

erroneous

mistaken; wrong; incorrect

n taciturn

habitually silent; talking little

paranoia

psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac

tribute

tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to

n bask

luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth

n scotch

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

deploy

spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically

plight

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

n onerous

burdensome

s sprout

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

frugality

thrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing economy; costing little; inexpensive

s airy

of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal

authoritarian

subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father

s culprit

one guilty of a crime

n gory

bloody; N. gore: blood (from a wound)

n ovation

enthusiastic applause

n acme

peak; pinnacle; highest point

psychosis

mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic

n unscathed

unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed

n killjoy

grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others

n gnarled

twisted

n cadence

rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm

resignation

patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent

s blues

state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)

s rivet

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

s remit

transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment

s fringe

decorative edge of hanging threads; edge

saturate

soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity

n peripheral

of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest

n outstrip

outrun; surpass; outdo

n cull

pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.

n swerve

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

tractable

docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability

trivia

trifles; unimportant matters

oculist

physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes

n disgruntle

make discontented

pertinacious

holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent

n wanton

unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause

n distant

reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly

n pert

(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat

n bloated

(unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air

n buttress

support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress

s hull

husk; dry outer covering of a seed; frame or body of a ship

s waver

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

drudgery

hard unpleasant work; menial work

catastrophe

calamity ; disaster

s distract

take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted

s shove

push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and shoving to get on the bus; N.

n interloper

intruder; one who interferes

n crevice

crack; fissure

n inimical

(of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy

n gourmand

epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink

s elaborate

work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ.

n glaring

(of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly bright; shining intensely and blindingly

n ferment

agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)

illuminate

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

reimburse

repay; pay back

n wean

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

caprice

whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause

s resurrect

revive

n suavity

urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous

acquiesce

assent; agree passively; comply without protest

n askew

crookedly; slanted; at an angle

n gossamer

sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb

n extenuate

weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)

requisite

necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary

indices

signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index

s institution

instituting; (building for the) organization; established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage

uniformity

sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over

s permissive

allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society

defection

desertion

martyr

one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism

n chase

ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch

circumlocution

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

n poultice

soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body

n maritime

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

paroxysm

fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst

recrimination

countercharges; V. recriminate

n rampant

growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed

n chaffing

bantering; joking

n promote

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

n exuberance

overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly

sporadic

occurring irregularly; intermittent

maxim

proverb; truth pithily stated

n mercurial

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

loathe

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

n dolt

slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull

turbulence

state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed

daunt

intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten

bovine

cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm

vertex

summit; highest point; PL. vertices

n welter

wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.

swindler

cheater

n nostrum

questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy)

n analgesic

causing insensitivity to pain; N.

s intolerant

not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one's own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate

fallacious

false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument

n sallow

(of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice

n victuals

food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food

harry

harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid

n flick

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

infallible

unerring; never making mistakes

confine

shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement

n wallow

roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury

incriminate

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

lament

grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation

s stoop

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

n garrulous

loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity

nostalgia

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

n magnate

person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate

ambiguous

unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation

efficacy

power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual

n vernacular

living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular

distort

twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion

n gait

manner of walking or running; speed

n sextant

navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)

n argot

slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people

n spate

sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents

n dote

be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline

n prate

talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly

stereotype

one 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

n glimmer

shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope

n nebulous

vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal

s derivation

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

mediate

settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire

n venom

poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous

s bank

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

n anathema

solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize

s sow

plant or scatter seed

n corporeal

bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible

s eventual

happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory

n reprise

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

n raconteur

story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill

s hazard

venture; put in danger; risk; Ex. hazard a guess; N: possible source of danger

n coterie

group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests

n canto

division of a long poem

anthropoid

manlike; resembling a human being; N.

vociferous

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

s impassioned

(of speech) filled with passion; fervent

s nonsense

speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail

compliance

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

n trough

long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves

aristocracy

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

n turbid

(of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick

compelling

overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel

s vouch

give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher

ellipsis

omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses

entail

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

seasoned

experienced

n skulduggery(skullduggery)

dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election

s sprightly

lively

n didactic

(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism

transmute

transform; change; convert to something different

n painstaking

taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through

n bravado

swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery

n disconcert

confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb

forlorn

sad and lonely; wretched; desolate

n interrogate

question closely; cross-examine; cross-question

n coagulate

congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant

n steep

soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous

s ingenue

ing\'enue; young innocent girl

synchronous

similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize

n equivocate

use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation

s callus

area of thick hard skin

incur

bring upon oneself

enfranchise

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

n insipid

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

n malleable

(of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable

n veneer

thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V.

n disarray

state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray

s hindsight

understanding the nature of an event after it has actually happened

collateral

security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters

n cuisine

style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine

libidinous

lustful

combustible

easily burned; N. CF. combustion

spontaneity

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

n livid

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

s list

tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)

n caliber

ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber

s enlist

(cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, or support)

lucid

easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity

s homely

not good-looking; unattractive

sanguinary

bloody; with much bloodshed

n dabble

work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid

n potpourri

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

n ruddy

reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking

n hindmost

furthest behind; farthest to the rear

s deserts

what someone deserves

n appellation

name; title

resonant

(of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance

cumbersome

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

galaxy

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

dilemma

situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives

n facade(fa\c{c}ade)

front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance

n caldron(cauldron)

large kettle

s parchment

writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat

expertise

specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill

s outlaw

fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.

s lunatic

insane; Ex. lunatic asylum

sacrilegious

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

n simian

monkeylike; N: ape or monkey

psychopathic

pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder

n repast

meal; feast; banquet

papyrus

ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant

pragmatist

practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things

n atavism

resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic

s damn

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

n suborn

persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation

s enterprise

willingness to take new ventures; initiative; business organization; plan (that is difficult or daring); Ex. their latest enterprise to sail round the world in a small boat

s monogram

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

vulnerable

susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability

commandeer

take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes

appease

pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement

s cue

word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to

s nurse

suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; Ex. nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against someone

centrifuge

machine that separates substances by whirling them

s vibrant

full of vigor or energy; vibrating

dissent

disagree

arcade

a covered passageway usually lined with shops

d\'eb\^acle

sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster

n entrance

put under a spell(condition caused by magical power); carry away(fill with strong feeling) with emotion; put into a trance; fill with delight

s murmur

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

s romp

play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.

temper

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

consanguinity

kinship; relationship by birth

facilitate

help bring about; make less difficult

n peccadillo

slight offense or fault; CF. sin

satire

form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly

s snip

short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors

amenable

obedient; 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

n ligneous

like wood

n calorific

heat-producing; N. calorie

n slacken

slow up; loosen; make or become slack

n fawning

courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness

n mountebank

charlatan; boastful pretender

amoral

nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong

n munificent

very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience

n rancor

long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous

timorous

fearful; timid; demonstrating fear

exemplary

serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model

jeopardize

endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger

n felicity

happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous

demagogue

person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery

n foppish

vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance

s miniature

small model; small painting; ADJ: small

n germinal

pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea

industrious

diligent; hard-working; N. industry

universal

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

n lap

take 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

convention

social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement

stipulate

state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance

desiccate

dry up

n ostentatious

showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display

s jest

playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully

s wrongheaded

stubbornly wrong

s topple

become unsteady and fall down

n elegy

poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac

s regent

a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent

n lilliputian

extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels

n dross

waste matter; worthless impurities

n apprehensive

fearful; discerning

s veto

vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto

n obfuscate

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

n pugnacity

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

countenance

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

retain

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

n ruminate

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

improvident

thriftless; not providing for the future

n palatial

of or suitable for a palace; magnificent

connotation

suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote

s fruitful

producing results; profitable; prolific; producing in abundance

lewd

lustful

confiscate

seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer

indignity

treatment 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.

n runic

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

expiate

make amends for (a sin)

n apiary

a place where bees are kept

n madrigal

pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments

replica

copy

n nirvana

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

s bridle

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

armada

fleet of warships

s crest

top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird

insatiable

not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite

tenet

doctrine; dogma

s dissension

disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group

n vignette

small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene

constituent

supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component

judicious

sound on judgment; wise

immune

resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity

hamper

obstruct; prevent the free movement of; N: ½Ä·áÇ°À̳ª ÀǺ¹ µîÀ» ´ã´Â ¹Ù±¸´Ï

s transpose

reverse the order or position of

inveterate

deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old

s corpuscle

red or white cell in the blood

obstreperous

boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable

n relic

surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X.

n agglomeration

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

n ramp

slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)

s resourceful

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

diverge

vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating

n amputate

cut off part of body; prune (a limb)

n frenzied

madly excited; N. frenzy: violent wild excitement

dissuade

persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion

n detached

emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment

n bouillon

clear beef (or meat) soup

n mellifluous

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

salvage

rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved

n lithe

flexible; supple; CF. limber

aphasia

loss of speech due to injury or illness

innate

inborn

n turncoat

traitor

s scorch

sear; N.

n harping

tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously

s vulture

carrion-eating birds

n swathe

swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages

tenure

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

n ruffian

violent scoundrel; bully

s prance

move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)

n amok(amuck)

in a state of rage; Ex. run amok

artifacts

object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced

muted

silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise

n ineluctable

irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable

disapprobation

disapproval; condemnation

n bestial

beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel

n querulous

given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining

multilingual

having many languages; fluent in several languages

amphibian

able to live both on land and in water; N.

affirmation

positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination

n ceremonious

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

n petrify

turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze

viscous

(of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency

s breed

produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant

s far-fetched

too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story

n sequester

isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life

n queasy

experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy

obscure

dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning

n maul

handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer

throes

violent anguish

n pensive

dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over

implode

burst inward; CF. vaccum tube

aviary

enclosure for birds; large cage

bode

foreshadow; portend

molecule

the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance

timidity

lack of self-confidence or courage

preponderance

superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant

secession

withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership

n heinous

atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime

n crestfallen

dejected; dispirited

n salacious

lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk

purgatory

place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins

n gambol

romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N.

n chasten

discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate

denizen

(animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor

n advert

refer

anemia

condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic

s hostage

person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy so that the other side will do what the enemy demands

superficial

of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge

abstemious

sparing in eating and drinking; temperate

n pallet

small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet

partial

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

n jocular

said or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking

outrage

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

s ram

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

abortive

unsuccessful; fruitless

n sham

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

trenchant

cutting; incisive; keen

venturesome

(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky

s nutrition

process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition

ascertain

find out for certain; make certain

practical

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

velocity

speed

s tablet

small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall

requiem

mass for the dead; dirge

ephemeral

short-lived; fleeting

s base

contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron

n bifurcated

divided into two branches; forked

conservatory(conservatoire)

school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy

edict

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

n apoplexy

stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain

n lank

long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln

relevant

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

n flippant

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

prerogative

privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before

ratify

approve formally; confirm; verify

n veritable

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

compilation

listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling

conversant

familiar with; having knowledge of

n stricture

severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction

import

significance; importance; meaning

s touching

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

s speechless

unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger

n pernicious

very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia

dilatory

delaying; tending to delay

spatial

relating to space

s prepossessing

attractive; CF. preoccupying ?

impenitent

not repentant

cringe

shrink back as if in fear; cower

n gamely

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

s prime

period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; prepare

n beatitude

blessedness; state of great happiness

n plenitude

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

n clarion

shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times

n eschew

avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks

annuity

yearly allowance

belittle

disparage; depreciate

discerning

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

libel

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

legacy

gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor

vortex

whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged

s fashion

give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay

n don

put on; OP. doff

n downcast

disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward

syllogism

logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument

s reduce

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

malignant

tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor

n inerrancy

infallibility

angular

sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner

n acetic

vinegary

biennial

every two years

n turmoil

extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil

maternal

motherly; N. maternity: motherhood

annotate

comment; make explanatory notes

homespun

domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy

n deadpan

wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face

check

stop motion; curb or restrain

appraise

estimate value of; N. appraisal

n covetous

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

articulate

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

decadence

decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent

robust

strong; vigorous

n continence

self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent

haphazard

random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town

emancipate

set free; liberate

s spoilsport

one who spoils the pleasure of others

languid

lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless

s rolling

(of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution of power to local governments

reconcile

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

n turpitude

depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude

castigation

punishment; severe criticism or disapproval

n kudos

honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement

n schism

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

n aloof

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

causal

implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality

endemic

prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic

n delve

dig; search deeply; investigate

inhibit

restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition

insurrection

rebellion; uprising

s smart

intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N: smarting pain

n halcyon

calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days

satiate

satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated

hallucination

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

s matrimony

state of being married

n archaic

antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.

realm

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

n conundrum

riddle; difficult problem

deviate

turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism

disparage

belittle

cerebration

thought; working of the brain

herbivorous

grain-eating; CF. herbivore

unfetter

liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter

n jocose

given to(having a tendency of) joking

casualty

serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle

n rebuff

reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N.

n malapropism

comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop

disfigure

mar the appearance of; spoil

n mogul

powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian

s thresh

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

appreciate

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

n macabre

gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death

emend

correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement

n scourge

lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict

s gleam

brief flash of light; glow; V.

integrate

make whole; combine; make into one unit

n plethora

excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses

s trifle

something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt

n inexorable

relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises

opiate

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

s braid

plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)

n brindled

tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)

obliterate

destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village

n rancid

having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank

s commemorate

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

inequity

unfairness; ADJ. inequitable

n veer

change in direction; swerve

insolvent

bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency

n garnish

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

n posthumous

after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death); coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel

n domineer

rule over tyrannically

n demur

object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday

n hoax

trick which makes someone take action; practical joke; Ex. hoax mail; V.

loquacious

talkative; N. loquacity

s maleficient

doing evil; N. maleficience

n aureole

sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light

evince

show clearly

rebate

return of part of a payment; discount; V.

s concordat

formal agreement

s mongrel

plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ.

contempt

scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible

n strident

loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency

porous

full of pores; like a sieve

s ventilate

admit fresh air into to replace stale air

n nonplus

put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more

orient

get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate

n pigment

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

clich\'e

phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\'ed

acuity

sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)

n haven

place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven

n punitive

punishing; Ex. punitive measures

simulate

feign; imitate

advent

arrival

kindle

start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse

exculpate

clear from blame or guilt

integrity

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

s char

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

centrifugal

radiating; departing from the center

n scruple

hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience

compute

reckon; calculate

s proverb

adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially

queue

line (of waiting people or vehicles)

n broach

introduce as a subject; moot; open up

n hummock

small hill; hillock

impious

irreverent

s billow

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

n faction

party; clique (within a large group); dissension

n quiver

case for arrows

exodus

departure (of a large number of people)

nonentity

person of no importance; nonexistence

s inhibited

(of a person) unable to express what one really feels

precept

practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept

converse

opposite; ADJ.

reconnaissance

survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information)

n forthright

straightforward; direct; frank

lechery

gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man

n salutary

tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health

n muster

gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N.

extant

(of something written or painted) still in existence

s personify

represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification

n cession

yielding to another; ceding

n hyperbole

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

s elope

run away secretly with the intention of getting married

beneficent

kindly; doing good

n equipoise

balance; balancing force; equilibrium

orthodox

traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine

n brocade

rich, figured(patterned) fabric

n savor

enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality

n meddlesome

interfering; V. meddle: interfere

n substantive

substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues

n arduous

hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work

compound

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

panoramic

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

n unfledged

immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling

flora

plants of a region or era

rationale

fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action

thrive

prosper; flourish

s mash

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

s outlook

point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook

s judiciary

judicial branch of government

meticulous

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

n bait

harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals

s heed

pay attention to; N: close attention

pretext

excuse

n rail

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

undermine

weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath

s surge

powerful movement of or like a wave; V.

translucent

partly transparent

n tether

tie (an animal) 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

n egress

exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress

admonish

warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove

n tureen

deep dish for serving soup

s conspire

take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.

s blush

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

s healthful

conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air

s vulgar

of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout

n quibble

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

malefactor

evildoer; criminal

s tardy

slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival

n figment

invention; something invented; imaginary thing; Ex. figment of your imagination

n inured

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

s indulge

yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special pleasure; Ex. indulge one's every whim/a child/in a big cigarette; N. indulgence

dilute

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

s plumber

one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)

n artless

without guile; open and honest

benison

blessing

derelict

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

assiduous

diligent

n putrid

decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity

n misgivings

doubts

n incrustation

hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust

s speck

small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye

s commonwealth

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

deference

courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery

n sidereal

relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day

n cubicle

small chamber used for sleeping or work

n steadfast

steadily loyal; unswerving; steady

n bevy

large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets

truncate

cut the top off; shorten

n jaded

tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite

n extraneous

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

s bristle

short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly

permeable

that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge

s lance

pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon

s sheer

pure; thin and transparent; very steep

n bluster

blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale

dissipate

squander; waste foolishly; scatter

n impolitic

not wise; not expedient; not politic

n gargantuan

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

discomfit

frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb

n olfactory

concerning the sense of smell

abstruse

obscure; profound; difficult to understand

n hireling

one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician

n gustatory

affecting or relating to the sense of taste

subsistence

existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level)

s pending

not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return

n bowdlerize

expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler

n solace

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

s jug

pitcher; container for holding liquids

n untoward

unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter

n grueling

exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race

n lustrous

shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair

dogmatic

opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal

supposition

assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose

n spruce

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

n protuberance

protrusion; swelling; bulge

mammal

vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young

n phylum

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

n cistern

reservoir or water tank

n cohabit

live together

diva

operatic singer; prima donna

tangible

able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof

pacify

soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to

s championship

position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion

inalienable

not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights

n countermand

cancel; revoke (an order)

vital

full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize

impartial

not biased; fair; N. impartiality

n tipple

drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink

comely

attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance

ecologist

person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology

n archetype

prototype; primitive pattern

n abut

border upon; adjoin

n coiffure

hairstyle

accede

agree

s tint

slight degree of color; V: give a tint to

s mass

Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony of the Eucharist

n choreography

art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances

n mausoleum

monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos

n tumid

(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous

embroil

throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio

barrister

counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar

pillory

punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.

irrevocable

unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke

n finicky

too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about her food

saccharine

cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin

n canker

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

n spatula

broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing

monarchy

government under a single ruler

manifest

evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly

seclusion

isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate

serenity

calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene

n throttle

strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?

s fussy

fastidious; finicky; easily upset

ancillary

serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.

s overturn

turn over; capsize; topple

opulence

extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant

n ramshackle

(of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart

buoyant

able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market

s prop

support placed under or against something; V.

n unsullied

untarnished; CF. sully

clamor

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

homogeneous

of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout

sensual

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

n allegory

story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable

n dingy

(of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain

n monolithic

solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone

n rotunda

circular building or hall covered with a dome

n piscatorial

pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces

n entree(entr\'ee)

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

n roil

make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb

alluvial

pertaining to soil deposits left by running water

intrinsic

essential; inherent; built-in

s groom

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

n mutilate

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

s trunk

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

ebb

(of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide

n striated

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

rampart

defensive mound of earth

cite

quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record

n shambles

(place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles.

s dishonor

disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable

averse

reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work

n episodic

(of a story or play) loosely connected; made up of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident in the course of an experience

n horticultural

pertaining 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

n blowhard

talkative boaster; braggart

inquisitor

questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition

n figurine

small ornamental statuette(very small statue)

homage

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

n serrated

having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf

portend

foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning

inherent

firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic

obsequious

slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic

attest

testify; bear witness

s clasp

hold firmly within arms

inanimate

lifeless; not animate

n megalomania

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

infantile

childish; infantlike

s notch

V-shaped cut in a surface; V.

franchise

right or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory

indeterminate

uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite

negligible

so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded

indelible

not able to be erased

s disbar

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

n mishap

unfortunate accident

eclipse

darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse

corollary

natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)

subservient

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

n truism

self-evident truth

criteria

standards used in judging; CF. criterion

s ego

one's opinion of oneself; self-esteem

n nib

beak(bill); pen point

n threadbare

worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses

vivisection

act of dissecting living animals

n camaraderie

good-fellowship; CF. comrade

s drip

fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops

n blithe(blithesome)

gay; joyous

n interregnum

period between two successive reigns or governments

s prefigure

be a sign of; foreshadow

phobia

morbid fear

labyrinth

maze

s growl

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

s torpedo

underwater explosive apparatus; V.

s cunning

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

n nonchalance

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

destitute

extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience

n lugubrious

mournful; sorrowful

eloquence

expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced

n pander

cater to (the low desires of others)

s fleet

fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral

n ravenous

extremely hungry; voracious

friction

clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against

potential

expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth

n horde

crowd; swarm

s variegate

change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)

n pellucid

transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand

s leave-taking

farewell or departure

ambience

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

imbalance

lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion

n impervious

impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism

n confound

confuse; puzzle

n fledgling(fledgeling)

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

replenish

fill up again

irksome

annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy

piety

devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious

s reckon

count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose

incidence

rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality

n acrid

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

asymmetric

not identical on both sides of a dividing central line

n tantrum

fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.

satellite

small body revolving around a larger one

s grunt

utter a deep guttural sound (as a pig does); N.

cumulative

growing by addition; accumulative

verbose

wordy; N. verbosity

s meter

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

n histrionic

theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior

isotope

varying from of an element

n jocund

merry

sentinel

sentry; lookout

ubiquitous

being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity

n urbane

suave; refined in manner; elegant

s interstice

narrow space between things

avalanche

great mass of falling snow and ice

n hap

chance; luck

disquietude

uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious

deliberate

consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow

impermeable

impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate

n fructify

bear fruit; produce fruit

n prehensile

capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails

n palpitate

throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.

n timbre

quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)

blunder

error; stupid mistake

fraudulent

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

n ennui

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

s intrigue

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

miserly

stingy; mean

n glossy

smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex. gloss of good manners

aggregate

sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars

resentment

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

n mural

wall painting

s nebula

diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy

n impute

attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation

n vituperative

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

impetuous

violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision

n slapdash

hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)

n daub

smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint

despoil

plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village

n extradition

surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite

n leaven

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

s putrefy

make or become putrid; N. putrefaction

congruent

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

n luxuriant

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

n vilify

slander; speak evil of; N. vilification

n comeuppance

deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke

remonstrate

protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest

n provender

dry food for livestock; fodder

imbibe

drink in

s confidence

self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling you this in confidence; Ex. exchange confidences about their boyfriends; ADJ. confident

intermittent

periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals

n dyspeptic

suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food

recondite

abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret

s circuit

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

caption

title; chapter heading; text under illustration

negate

cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation

fumble

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

conglomeration

mass of material sticking together

obese

excessively fat; N. obesity

n jurisprudence

science of law

s jab

poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows

n diorama

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

annals

records arranged in yearly parts; history

allocate

assign; set apart for a particular purpose

acrophobia

fear of heights

replicate

reproduce; duplicate

n rig

fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election

cognizance

knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware

n bemused

confused; lost in thought; preoccupied

n enterprising

full of initiative; showing enterprise

perspicuous

(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments

s emblazon

ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment

n farce

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

n gerrymander

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

lascivious

lustful

repulsion

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

monochromatic

having only one color

jingoist

extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism

n mite

very small object or insect-like creature; small coin

n kaleidoscope

tube 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

audit

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

misogynist

hater of woman; CF. misogyny

counterpart

thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system

n pedant

scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities

n anthology

book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus

s dowse

use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals

n opprobrium

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

n sluggard

lazy person

appall

dismay; shock deeply

n fritter

waste (time or money on unimportant things)

expedite

hasten; make go faster

incongruity

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

n sanctimonious

displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety

inconsequential

insignificant; unimportant

concord

harmony; accord

n vassal

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

s repose

resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single man

s flutter

(of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings) lightly, rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or erratically; fly by waving quickly; flitter; N.

n roster

list (of names)

bizarre

fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional

punctilious

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

s slick

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

s rightful

legally correct; Ex. rightful owner

nocturnal

done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne

calamity

disaster; misery

n fluster

confuse; make nervous and confused; N.

s haunt

(of a spirit) visit (a place); come to mind continually; visit (a place) regularly; frequent; Ex. haunted house; Ex. haunted by his last words; N: place much frequented

n array

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

n felicitous

(of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen

linguistic

pertaining to language

n vagary

capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander

accretion

growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete

n bombardment

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

retinue

following; attendants

asperity

sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter

concise

brief and compact

n ethos

underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos

s compulsory

obligatory; that must be done

n welt

raised mark from a beating or whipping

unravel

disentangle; solve

s vying

contending; CF. vie

guile

deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile

intransigence

refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising

perimeter

outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference

n brawn

human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness

feign

pretend

misogamy

hatred of marriage

n eon(aeon)

long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras

bent

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

crypt

secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)

complaisant

trying to please; obliging; willing to please others

presentiment

premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear

comprehensive

broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive

s pervert

corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural

equilibrium

balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity

n untenable

(of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained

n spurn

reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help.

s outfit

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

n proscenium

part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage

devoid

empty; lacking

autopsy

examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.

n inebriated

habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety

s discompose

disturb the composure of; confuse

n gall

annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation

n nuance

shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction

n mandate

order; 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

feasible

practical; able to be carried out; practicable

champion

support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)

s graduate

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

n beholden

obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude

n piecemeal

one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal

servitude

slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment

n levy

impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco

unassuaged

unsatisfied; not soothed

forte

strong point or special talent in a person's character

s referendum

direct vote by all the people

eugenic

pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race

n paleontology

study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents

n herpetologist

one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians

n crass

very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior

trifling

trivial; unimportant

ingenious

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

circuitous

roundabout

latent

present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential

n charlatan

quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)

paramount

foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal

s requisition

formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V.

beneficial

helpful; useful; advantageous

sparse

not thick; thinly scattered; scanty

s nuptial

of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials; wedding ceremony

n elixir

cure-all; panacea; something invigorating

terrestrial

on or relating to the earth

s bearing

deportment; connection

propellant(propellent)

substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)

pathological

pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease

s tarnish

make or become dull or discolored; N.

s droop

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

n litotes

understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty good)''

s lopsided

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

s strangle

kill by choking or suffocating; suppress

sedition

conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious

dermatologist

one who studies the skin and its diseases

masochist

person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism

n vivacious

lively or animated; sprightly

composure

mental calmness

n seep

pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage

n metallurgical

pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores

n fictitious

imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional

n marred

damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure

s penetrate

enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand

n fatalism

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

s stumble

trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.

paradox

something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct

n pied

piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored

n sibylline

prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)

n troth

pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth

extrinsic

external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic

incorporate

introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ.

momentous

very important; N. moment; CF. momentary

alias

an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias

n careen

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

s correlate

either of the correlated things; V.

s lace

cord used to draw and tie together two opposite edges (as of a shoe); delicate fabric made of fine threads; V: draw together by tying a lace

s tenant

one that pays rent to use property owned by another

miscellany

mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items

n vapid

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

frigid

intensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone

n browbeat

bully; intimidate

n pedantic

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

antidote

remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles

allude

refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference

imposture

assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor

conceit

vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)

intellect

higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability

doctrine

teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal

n voyeur

Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others

deify

turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity

n flaccid

flabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid muscles

n drone

talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.

n gorge

stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. gorgeous: dazzlingly beautiful

n ingratiate

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

s warp

twist out of shape; N.

n awl

pointed tool used for piercing

alleviate

relieve (pain)

n pith

core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance

s brood

sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time

sophistry

seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism

n rousing

lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up

demeanor

behavior; bearing

s alms

money or goods given to the poor

fabricate

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

virus

disease communicator

s executive

person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing

n restitution

returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury

s pushy

disagreeably aggressive

s metrical

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

psyche

soul; mind

s hive

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

s fathomless

too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable

n malaise

uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any particular pain or appearance of disease)

n dilettante

aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight

brochure

pamphlet

n rakish

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

recumbent

reclining; lying down completely or in part

predecessor

former occupant of a post

terse

concise; abrupt; pithy

n fell

cruel; (of a disease) deadly

sluggish

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

rigor

severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter

actuary

someone who advises insurance companies

parsimony

stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious

s furrow

long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle in the skin; V.

n preen

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

n candor

frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid

s choice

delicate; of very fine quality

n juncture

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

gratify

please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire

debilitate

weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble

n pry

inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying

n dogged

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

s flicker

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

n galvanize

stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity

n blighted

suffering from a disease; destroyed

clairvoyant

having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance

s healthy

possessing good health; healthful

s avantgarde

group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard

n adage

wise saying; proverb

consecrate

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

allay

calm; pacify

subside

sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate

n insidious

treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot

s scowl

frown angrily; N: angry frown

n regale

entertain

noxious

harmful; CF. obnoxious

n niggle

spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling

beget

father; become the father of; produce; give rise to

s wholesome

conducive to mental or physical health; healthful

centigrade

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

manacle

restrain; handcuff; N.

grandiose

affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas

sultry

(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous

n lurk

stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived

s inamorata

woman whom a man loves

n facile

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

n declivity

downward slope

apocalyptic

prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse

pinnacle

peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame

n excerpt

selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V.

disjunction

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

n celibate

abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy

centurion

Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)

gregarious

sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group

aspire

seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership

n thermal

pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air

n odious

arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile

anesthetic

substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia

germane

pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate

n stickler

perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right

prohibitive

so 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

n bandy

discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with

flagrant

conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous

n ghastly

horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast

insubstantial

lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial

diverse

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

n rife

(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current

s smudge

dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.

elliptical

elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out

rapport

close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony

s consternation

great shock; dismay

outlandish

bizzare; peculiar; unconventional

n appurtenances

subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing

impropriety

improperness; unsuitableness

egotistical

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

contortions

twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist

n multifarious

varied; greatly diversified; Ex. multifarious activities

divest

strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)

ablution

washing

n actuate

motivate; activate; cause to act

divulge

reveal

s oatmeal

crushed oats used for making porridge

n ductile

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

prophylactic

used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease

s stout

rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter

s hypnosis

induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize

n solecism

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

s rank

offensive in odor or flavor

n frolicsome

prankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky

arraign

charge in court; indict

n prim

proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper

malingerer

one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work

s palm

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

n bivouac

temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.

n chide

scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)

n epithet

word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)

n bawdy

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

n seamy

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

n whelp

young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family

remnant

remainder

simplistic

oversimplified

refraction

bending of a ray of light

s sledge

large sled drawn by work animals

console

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

s zest

outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life

legend

explanatory list of symbols on a map

s whine

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

infraction

violation (of a rule or regulation); breach

n imperious

domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor

chaotic

in utter disorder

n sluice

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

n lumen

unit of light energy (one candle's worth)

n sphinx-like

enigmatic; mysterious

encomiastic

praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy

s pharisee

Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person

s nutritious

providing nourishment

n impale

pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear

n effervescence

inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce

n distraught

upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry

automaton

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

noncommittal

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

elicit

draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)

n maelstrom

violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. stream

procurement

obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another

n reticent

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

execute

put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution

n tempestuous

stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm

s ration

fixed portion; V: distribute as rations

n domicile

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

n gape

open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape

s pretend

feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense

superimpose

place over something else

definitive

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

s inebriate

make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person

impunity

freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish

n forswear

renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure

symmetry

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

abusive

coarsely insulting; physically harmful

n inveigle

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

n emboss

produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design

petty

trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded

n rave

overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic

prominent

protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent

n muse

ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of a poet)

n fervent

ardent; zealous; hot

n rant

speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil.

congeal

freeze; coagulate

s afterlife

life after death; later part of one's life

ornate

excessively or elaborately decorated

assent

agree; accept; N. assessment

s incinerate

burn to ashes

n supposititious

assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical

n apocryphal

(of a story) widely believed but untrue

martial

warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law

hierarchy

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

n knoll

little round hill; hillock

mercenary

motivated solely by money or gain; N.

assimilate

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

s stately

formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic

n crotchety

(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion

s poise

good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position

cathartic

purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.

n weather

pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces

n idiom

expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic

n moribund

dying; at the point of death; CF. death

s tend

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

n apolitical

having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs

arcane

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

s latch

fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch; V: close with a latch

s natal

connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal

s marrow

soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells

n baroque

highly ornate

succor

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

s tread

walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step

s ransack

search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.

n mace

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

n fresco

painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)

s trickle

flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.

n clavicle

collarbone

mammoth

gigantic; enormous

n haggard

wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners

n patois

local or provincial dialect

repellent

driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N.

awe

solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome

submissive

willing to obey orders; yielding; timid

n torrent

rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.

encompass

surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.

n shaving

very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade)

n grate

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

marital

pertaining to marriage

conciliatory

reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)

s rooster

cock; adult male chicken

n chaff

worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff

n chafe

warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.

n gibe

mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks

s freebooter

pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich

n moratorium

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

n filing

particle removed by a file

s padre

chaplain (in the armed forces)

n canine

related to dogs; doglike

s blotch

spot; blot; CF. blot+botch

rusticate

banish to the country; dwell in the country

attenuate

make thin; weaken

n expatiate

talk at length; speak or write in detail

n slovenly

untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless

n jabber

chatter rapidly or unintelligibly

s confidential

spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary

fissure

crevice; crack

mitigate

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

cantankerous

ill-humored; irritable

condiments

seasonings; spices

n flux

flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux

n scurrilous

abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark

n motley

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

perversion

corruption; turning from right to wrong

s slavish

of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the original

contentious

quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments

n solder

repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts

s tenancy

possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy

n cataract

great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)

n mulct

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

n rile

irritate; vex; muddy

compress

force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.

marked

noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man

n imprecation

curse; swearword

overt

open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert

n ashen

ash-colored; deadly pale

sublime

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

n hypochondriac

person unduly worried about his health; worrier without cause about illness; ADJ. CF. hypochondria: neurosis that one is or is becoming ill; CF. abdomen

n unconscionable

unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand

n dire

warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food

probe

explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe

jargon

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

interdict

prohibit; forbid; N.

abscond

depart secretly and hide

n drab

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

anomalous

abnormal; irregular

n prelate

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

axiom

self-evident truth requiring no proof

n equine

resembling a horse; Ex. equine face

dynamic

energetic; vigorously active

rescind

repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)

lethargic

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

n fodder

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

n founder

fail completely; sink; CF. flounder

ironic

expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner

s decorous

proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)

n pariah

social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah

n azure

sky blue

n boon

blessing; benefit; something very helpful

n veracious

(of a person) truthful

n berate

scold strongly

s precinct

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

n quail

cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart

n temporize

gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself

n dint

means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work

s mangle

tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex. badly mangled bodies

s shack

crude cabin

carnage

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

s self-righteous

sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic

repugnance

disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive

precursor

forerunner; predecessor

compensatory

making up for; repaying

s clip

cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener

s magistrate

official with power to administer the law

adapt

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

emollient

soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.

magnanimity

generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous

leniency

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

n machinations

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

n mincing

affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp. meat) into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated primness; walk in an unnatural way, taking little short steps; Ex. The actor minced across the stage; CF. mincemeat; CF. mincer

s curb

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

n foolhardy

rash; reckless; foolishly daring

s hurl

throw forcefully; shout out violently

insubordination

disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate

n lachrymose

producing tears; tearful

s plump

pleasantly fat; nicely rounded

culpable

deserving blame; blameworthy

n benefit

advantage; anything that brings helpl, 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

s clown

act stupidly; play the fool; N.

ascribe

refer; attribute; assign

implausible

unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi

obsequy

funeral ceremony

narrative

related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration

n stint

supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint

n phenomena

observable 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

ravel

fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist

n vanguard

forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard

n exhort

urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation

s throb

(of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart

imperturbable

unshakably calm; placid

incredulous

withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief

deluge

flood; rush; V.

n doldrums

blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy); slack(inactive) period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums

n stoke

stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully

s self-indulgence

excessive indulgence of one's own desire

n sinecure

well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif

s chuckle

laugh quietly

n haggle

argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain)

nomadic

wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place

decoy

lure or bait; V.

n memento

token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit

impenetrable

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

interminable

endless

s swear-word

word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody''

s debut

d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society

s vain

full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity

n babble

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

impending

nearing; approaching; about to happen

beseech

beg; plead with

n fulcrum

support on which a lever rests or pivots

n commemorative

remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp

condone

overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse

citadel

fortress

tyranny

oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress

n retrench

cut down; cut down expenses; economize

cosmic

pertaining to the universe; vast

n pristine

unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition

n warren

tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live

n privation

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

n rankle

irritate; fester; annoy

spawn

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

besiege

surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually

n panache

flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. ÀÜ ¾Æ·¡·Î õÀ» »©³»´Â ¼Ø¾¾

n pluck

courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave

n shimmer

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

n glaze

cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex. unglazed pottery

founder

person who establishes (an organization or business)

n abate

subside or moderate

n ichthyology

study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish

pandemic

widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people

relent

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

s camp

group sharing a common cause or opinion

s cremate

incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium

prevalent

widespread; generally accepted

s flip

send (something) spinning, often into the air, by striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over

benign

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

preclude

make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate

s dyslexia

word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read

s botch

mismanage; blow

integral

complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part

n gawk

stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe

dispassionate

calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings

optional

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

n besmirch

soil; defile; make dirty

felon

person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime

n coup

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

s wretch

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

n mercantile

concerning trade or merchants

s commonplace

ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark

oblivion

obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness

n fetid(foetid)

malodorous; foul

abysmal

bottomless

n illimitable

infinite; limitless

n brittle

hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation

climactic

relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic

incoherent

unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent

s threat

sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.

n balk

stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate

n coddle

treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs

obsolete

outmoded; no longer used

n dissemble

disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend

conflagration

great fire

agrarian

pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform

s suffocate

die or kill from lack of air; suppress

bicameral

two-chambered as a legislative body

n abash

embarrass

contagion

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

breadth

width; extent

n cohorts

group of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander (in the ancient Rome)

subsequent

following in time or order; later

n sagacious

wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity

incisive

(appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into

rejuvenate

make young again

s intoxicate

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

equable

tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform

n tutelage

guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction

incorrigible

uncorrectable

discourse

serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.

n perverse

purposely 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

s residual

remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue

statutory

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

n lout

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

n scad

a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes

assurance

firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in fron of his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure; make (something) certain to heappen; make (someone) feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured; confident in one's own ability; showing certainty

n headstrong

willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have one's own way; CF. no 'excessive'

refulgent

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

s entourage

group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround

n nuptial

related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony

s knack

special talent; art

s hereafter

life after death

s blight

plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy

monetary

pertaining to money

conjecture

surmise; guess; V.

profusion

great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant

maladroit

clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling

n miscreant

wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe

censure

blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval

s repulse

reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $\neq$ cause repulsion

commodious

spacious and comfortable

n oust

expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting

n blanch

bleach; whiten; make white or pale

n totter

shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall

n slough

(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed

introvert

one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted

n dapper

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

n fulsome

disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire

n apothecary

druggist; pharmacist

n penchant

strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars

s cadet

student at a military school

mosaic

picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.

eclectic

selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism

indiscriminate

choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions

passive

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

n redoubtable

formidable; causing fear

n purse

pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet

n suffuse

spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.

s infest

inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters

s habitat

natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation

n protean

able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will

s analgesia

condition of being unable to feel pain

n crux

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

decapitate

behead

penitent

repentant; N.

n fervor

glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat

n sinuous

twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest

n malfeasance

wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official)

n gouge

overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury

n misadventure

mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure

s well-bred

of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined

psychiatrist

doctor who treats mental diseases

n mutinous

unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer

s bully

one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.

n imbue

saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings

cursory

casual; hastily done with little attention to detail

s drastic

strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures

precipitant

something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; ħÀüÁ¦; OP. solvent

s dynamo

generator for producing electricity; energetic person

n catholic

(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes

n douse

plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse

n ineffable

unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy

n recast

reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again

n rotundity

roundness; sonorousness of speech

pandemonium

wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost

n pundit

authority on a subject; expert; learned person

n redress

remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for

n plummet

fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.

n aegis

shield; protection; defense

n ample

enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space

subsidiary

serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N.

s horoscope

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

n tarantula

venomous spider

penury

extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy

n verdant

green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows

n grapple

wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar

heedless

not noticing; disregarding

s significant

expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant

s shuffle

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

s earthly

of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason

n shoddy

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

calumny

malicious misrepresentation; slander

recant

disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement

n blatant

extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy

anthropologist

student of the history and science of humankind

misanthrope

one who hates mankind; misanthropist

missile

object to be thrown or projected

n pulchritude

beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous

n subpoena

writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena

s graphite

black form of carbon used in lead pencils

n semblance

outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.

insurmountable

overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable

s smother

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

effete

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

n nascent

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

n caucus

private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston

n tepid

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

indefatigable

tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired

s righteous

morally upright; just

implement

put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument

ameliorate

improve

diversion

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

s valediction

saying farewell; expression of leave-taking

cogitate

think over; ponder

s vile

despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander

s resign

give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively

n brackish

somewhat saline

s compulsion

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

n bereavement

state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft

stem_from

arise from; originate from

parody

humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.

n mundane

worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world

n venerable

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

s bust

piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster

recidivism

habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist

ebullient

showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling

gravity

seriousness; ADJ. grave

s scraps

leftover food

reprimand

reprove severely; rebuke; N.

invulnerable

incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure

s drama

prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation

emolument

salary; payment for an office; compensation

warranted

justified; authorized

materialism

preoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather than spiritual matters)

unaccountable

unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious

approbation

approval

s maraud

move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army

n oaf

stupid awkward person; CF. elf

arsenal

storage place for military equipment

precocious

advanced in development; N. precocity

soliloquy

talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation)

demented

insane

n flout

reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the rules

s memorial

something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to honor the memory of a person or event; ADJ: commemorative

s pedigree

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

obstinate

stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy

sanguine

optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red

s lookout

act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide view; person who keeps watch

s bliss

complete happiness; ADJ. blissful

acclimate

adjust to climate or environment; adapt

n sententious

pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic

extirpate

root up; uproot; destroy completely

reputed

supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem

n boorish

rude; insensitive

n philatelist

stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting

n cog

tooth projecting from a wheel

s clipper

sailing vessel built for great speed

s reverend

deserving reverence; N: priest

n demographic

related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population

n cavalier

casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight

s reinstate

restore to a previous condition or position

affected

artificial; pretended

verbatim

word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly

n molt(moult)

periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)

n epistemologist

philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology

anarchist

person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority

incursion

temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey

n fanciful

whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme

n primogeniture

seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)

n refectory

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

covert

secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt

n macerate

soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper

s shoot

new growth from a plant

n onus

burden; responsibility

s dazzle

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

n grotto

small cavern

prolific

producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer

s suspense

state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty

s psychic

of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers

n colander

utensil with perforated bottom used for straining

pulverize

crush or grind into very small particles

solvent

substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance

n sensitization

process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive

n swill

drink greedily

altercation

noisy quarrel

prudent

cautious; careful; prudential

bane

posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous

intangible

not able to be perceived by touch; vague

n contingent

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

mode

prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple mode of life

s draft

first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript

equitable

fair; impartial; OP. inequitable

n ciliated

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

n hubbub

confused uproar; loud noise; din

n postulate

self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)

exposure

risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption

grotesque

fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement)

amicable

peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement

n jollity

gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay

millennium

thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity

substantiate

support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify

regal

royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner

expenditure

payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy

n ethnology

study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology

n parable

short simple story teaching a moral

n ratiocination

reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically

n scurry

move hastily; hurry; move briskly

gale

windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughters, tears); Ex. gale of laughter

n canvass

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

derision

ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory

patent

obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.

n dally

trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time

n quorum

minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting

suppliant

entreating; beseeching; N.

s filth

dirty matter; ADJ. filthy

n sundry

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

incubate

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

augment

increase; add to

render

give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully

n buxom

full-bosomed; plump; jolly

infirmity

weakness

s miscellaneous

made up of a variety of parts

s engulf

surround and swallow up

n foible

small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble

meager

scanty; inadequate

dauntless

bold; fearless

n quirk

sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate

n exegesis

explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages

s pedestal

support or base as for a pillar or statue

s patrimony

property inherited from a father

obviate

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

s Shangri-la

imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon

n libretto

text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book

n scuttle

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

n stem

stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk

n novelty

something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original

collaborate

work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy

n archives

public records; place where public records are kept

n mannered

affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech

n clangor

loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging

n credo

creed

s puzzle

baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by reasoning; Ex. puzzle out the answer; N.

s vigil

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

epitome

perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody

n fete(f\^ete)

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

n smolder

smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger

n cantata

story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)

connivance

pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire

n dutiful(duteous)

(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)

hibernate

sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation

estranged

separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement

s defect

shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)

calculated

deliberately planned; likely

dispatch

speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill

n blare

loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light

n subaltern

subordinate

n prosody

art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse

s grudge

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

n dwindle

shrink; reduce gradually

s jaundice

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

n saturnine

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

n strut

pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner

s seasonable

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

s parvenu

upstart; newly rich person

s gallows

framework from which a noose is suspended (used for execution by hanging)

effigy

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

despondent

without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection

n skulk

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

sloth

slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent

n flaunt

display ostentatiously; Ex. ``Honey, if you've got it, flaunt it !''

connubial

pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state

n bedraggle

wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled

n predispose

give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition

n acclivity

sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity

n fraught

filled (with something unpleasant); full; Ex. fraught with danger and difficulties; CF. freight

n vent

small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair.

explicit

totally clear; definite; outspoken

diaphanous

sheer; transparent

melee

fight

desecrate

profane; violate the sanctity of

n ulterior

intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive

n lassitude

languor; weariness; listlessness

claustrophobia

fear of being locked in

s nourish

provide with food necessary for life and growth

n debauch

corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)

ruthless

pitiless; merciless; cruel

n itinerant

wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher

n jaunty

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

s willowy

flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow

synoptic

providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis

n addendum

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

cohere

stick together

abnegation

renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation

n feint

trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.

n overweening

arrogant; presumptuous

exclaim

cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory

n hue

color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue

potent

powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential

deride

ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect

s compulsive

resulting from compulsion

n collage

work of art put together from fragments

n diatribe

bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse

adulation

flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved

s smear

spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing

perspicuity

clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity

s penology

study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation

n enrapture

please intensely; fill with rapture and delight

extricate

free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle

s bastard

illegitimate child

n expletive

meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word

ventriloquist

someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy

s brand

trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.

pique

irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity

outmoded

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

pedagogue

teacher; CF. child leader

n gamut

entire range

n idolatry

worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous

intervene

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

n belie

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

irretrievable

impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve

bestow

confer

s hide

skin of an animal

cascade

small waterfall

s hothead

person who does things too quickly without thinking; ADJ. hotheaded

s suitor

man who is courting a woman

s tact

skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence

s squash

crush; quash; suppress

n anodyne

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

preposterous

absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous

stratum

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

s graze

(of an animal) feed on growing grass; cause (an animal) to feed on grass; scrape (esp. the skin) or touch lightly in passing; brush; Ex. We can't graze the cattle till summer; N: surface wound

n mayhem

injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. maim

n visionary

produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas

apathy

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

sensuous

giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin

irrepressible

unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back

s glow

shine brightly without a flame (as of eyes or metals); show redness and heat (in the face) after hard work or because of strong feelings; N: light produced by a heated body; brilliance of a color

n partisan

one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla

n visage

face; appearance

tyro

beginner; novice

n nepotism

favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew

s dart

move or throw suddenly and quickly

n dregs

sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue

optician

maker and seller of eyeglasses

indisputable

too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt

n hoard

stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use

n knit

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

inopportune

untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen

rigid

hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule

arrears

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

adherent

supporter; follower

abolish

cancel; put an end to

gauche

clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth

aggrandize

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

n ribald

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

n susceptible

impressionable; 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

n contraband

illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.

disclose

reveal; N. disclosure

n largess

generous gift (given to people who do not have enough)

predetermine

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

attribute

essential quality; V: ascribe; explain

n tawdry

cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry

n supine

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

n mottled

blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors

s lubricate

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

vantage

position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint

n myriad

very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand

n staccato

played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause

decrepitude

state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age

s rare

(of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains

s gentle

kindly; soft; mild; of good family

s parallel

similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unparalleled

n pestilential(pestilent)

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

affliction

state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on

n jettison

throw overboard (from a ship or plane)

n pastiche

imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists

n cow

terrorize; intimidate

n numismatist

person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals

abjure

renounce upon oath

n vixen

female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew

resolve

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

prodigal

wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality

n potentate

monarch; sovereign

predator

predatory 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

s glamor

compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous

n homily

sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic

n falter

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

repudiate

disown; disavow; deny

convivial

pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial

s nourishment

something that nourishes; food

s uninhibited

having no inhibitions; free in behavior and feelings

s awful

terrible; very bad

s sterile

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

arbitrate

act as judge (at the request of both sides)

n masticate

chew

n equivocal

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

subsidy

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

abrogate

abolish

s sound

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

n prompt

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

s cross

bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry

complicity

participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)

cognate

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

s pulse

rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate

subjugate

conquer; bring under control

perpetuate

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

circumvent

outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around

s groove

long narrow channel made in a surface to guide the movement of something; Ex. groove of the record

n cant

insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people

s indecisive

marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. indecisive battle

abrasive

rubbing away; tending to grind down

n tendentious

promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction

enjoin

command; order; forbid

inadvertently

unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly

purge

remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or purify (esp. of sin, guilt, or defilement); N.

incontinent

lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious

s crust

hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)

n ignominy

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

congenial

pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather

exotic

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

n inarticulate

speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly

n decomposition

decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts

enhance

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

n equestrian

rider on horseback; ADJ.

s refuse

anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash

virtual

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

incommodious

not spacious; inconvenient

s blemish

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

s galley

low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves)

s transcendental

going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism

n pan

criticize harshly

paradigm

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

precedent

preceding (in time, rank, etc.)

torpor

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

n mettle

courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome

n disquisition

formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report

n ensconce

settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)

n pestle

tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar

n invidious

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

n bate

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

aspersion

slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on

n uncanny

strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack

cerebral

pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum

placid

peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake

supersede

replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession

n augury

omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)

authoritative

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

chauvinist

blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin

retort

quick sharp reply; V.

n musty

stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist

n motility

ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously

vagrant

wandering from place to place; roving; stray; moving in a random fashion; Ex. vagrant thoughts; N. vagrancy

n dour

sullen; gloomy; stubborn

genesis

beginning; origin

enthrall

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

n gambit

opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage

n warble

(of a bird) sing; babble; N.

s memoir

memoirs; autobiography; biography

malevolent

wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence

s galvanic

of the production of electricity by the action of an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani

n circumspect

prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought

prelude

introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner

n deciduous

falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth

s debar

bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services

n bigotry

stubborn intolerance

denotation

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

purported

alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists

nullify

make invalid; make null; invalidate

hieroglyphic

picture writing; ADJ.

surmise

guess; N.

n caulk(calk)

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

n variegated

(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored

n gruesome

grisly; horrible

annul

make void

s hygiene

science and practice of the promotion and preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic condition

n sacrosanct

invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable

warranty

guarantee; assurance by seller

n gingerly

very carefully; ADJ.

s induct

place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts

n rhapsodize

speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery

n quarantine

isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine

partition

divide into parts

hypocritical

pretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. hypocrisy: profession of beliefs one does not possess; CF. hypocrite

vie

contend; compete

s leash

restraining rope fastened to the collar of an animal (to control it); Ex. a dog on a leash

concede

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

s abide

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

seminal

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

n arboretum

place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited

caricature

distortion; burlesque

solstice

point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator

n forsake

desert; abandon; renounce

n luscious

pleasing to taste or smell; delicious

irremediable

incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy

treatise

article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly

palette

board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)

s forfeit

something surrendered as punishment for a crime or breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. forfeiture

impediment

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

futile

useless; hopeless; ineffectual

n refractory

unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse

n teetotalism

practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total

compact

agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement

melancholy

gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia

novice

beginner

n browse

graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually

n renegade

deserter; traitor; ADJ.

n fatuous

smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness

n pathos

tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel

delusive

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

n rostrum

raised platform for speech-making; pulpit

inception

start; beginning

omnipotent

all-powerful; having unlimited power

n pedestrian

ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.

heresy

opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic

remunerative

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

disputatious

argumentative; fond of argument

cadaver

corpse; dead human body

s mime

pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime

s desperate

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

s qualify

reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated

expound

explain

n sophomoric

immature; half-baked; like a sophomore

prostrate

stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength

s ploy

strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy

s dys-

abnormal; impaired

n impuissance

powerlessness; feebleness

n vicarious

experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ

s merit

deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise

euphemism

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

impromptu

without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment

n contravene

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

omnipresent

universally present; ubiquitous

dialectical

relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments

n ewe

female sheep

inductive

pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general

n scabbard

case for a sword blade; sheath

n maculated

spotted; stained; CF. immaculate

n seethe

be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.

complacency

self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent

n mire

entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire

voracious

ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader

n minuscule(miniscule)

extremely small

consensus

general agreement; opinion reached by a group

static

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

s compost

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

n travesty

copy 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

illusion

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

avarice

greediness for wealth

n vitreous

of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify

n sedate

composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative

stratified

divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify

s embitter

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

cryptic

mysterious; hidden; secret

affiliation

joining; associating with

n larder

pantry; place where food is kept

n slur

slander; insult to one's character or reputation; V.

n cataclysm

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

s volley

simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.

desultory

aimless; haphazard; digressing at random

s shudder

shake uncontrollably; tremble; V.

sanctuary

place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.

n glower

scowl; glare; look or stare angrily

s oversee

watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision

calligraphy

beautiful writing; excellent penmanship

s falsify

make (something written) false by changing

n requite

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

s supplicant

one who supplicates; ADJ.

n quadruped

four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped

pedagogy

teaching; art of education

nemesis

someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis

platonic

purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire

n censorious

severely critical

n waggish

humorous; mischievous; tricky

desolate

(of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless

d\'ebris

rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed

philanthropist

lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy

s lot

object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land

n gainsay

deny

advocacy

support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something

n quandary

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

rectify

set right; correct; CF. rect-: right

n capitulate

surrender; give up all resistance

n quarry

dig into (to get stone); N: mine; ä¼®Àå

s bigot

one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)

disparate

basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated

n scintillate

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

s mystic

of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism

insurgent

rebellious; N.

n mortify

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

derivative

unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N.

incontrovertible

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

n ejaculation

exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate

coincidence

the 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

alloy

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

s raffle

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

controvert

oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy

ascendancy

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

n relegate

put 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

narcissist

conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus

n rote

repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote

s pronounced

distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp

n palimpsest

parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased

ecclesiastic

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

peregrination

journey; V. peregrinate

n unsightly

ugly; unpleasant to look at

s stamp

step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; N. stamping; implement used to stamp; impression stamped; mark; Ex. Her remarks bear the stamp of truth.

n precarious

unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living

progenitor

ancestor

quack

charlatan; impostor

immaculate

spotless; flawless; absolutely clean

sophisticated

worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate

n missive

letter; written statement; CF. sent

ordeal

severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction

opaque

dark; not transparent; N. opacity

s totem

animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole

assuage

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

n hermetic

concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult

idiosyncrasy

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

nominal

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

s siren

apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature

asylum

place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)

n perdition

damnation; complete ruin; hell

s bog

soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud

n puissant

powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power

s tribune

official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people

s dominant

exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive

irrefutable

indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable

immutable

unchangeable

n gentility

those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel

n stipend

pay for services

s brawny

muscular; having well-developed muscles

n swelter

(of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat

resplendent

brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious

n gastronomy

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

n excoriate

scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off

n roseate

rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views

presage

foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen

elusive

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

s effectuate

effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation

stringent

(of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions

condescend

(derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior

premeditate

plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder

protract

prolong; lengthen in time; draw out

n sodden

thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink

n mollycoddle

pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively

s acne

skin disease (on the face)

n enunciate

announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him.

n agog

highly excited; intensely curious

n ornithologist

scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds

s flowery

full of flowers; full of ornate expressions

n hegemony

dominance especially of one nation over others

n artifice

deception; trickery

s fancy

imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); capricious liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decorative; elaborate

indict

charge; N. indictment

delude

deceive

s bookish

fond of books and reading

n ponderous

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

n incandescent

strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle

n quisling

traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling

n smelt

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

s dysentery

inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract

relinquish

give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm

n lien

legal claim or right on a property

listless

lacking in spirit or energy; languid

n parochial

narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes

acumen

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

n endearment

fond word or act; expression of affection

s pretension

pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.

dormant

sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent

fruition

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

s sneak

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

n palate

roof of the mouth; sense of the taste

discernible

distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement

deterrent

something that discourages or deters

propound

put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory

s high-flown

highly pretentious or inflated

perceptive

insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception

n ethnic

relating to races

indomitable

unconquerable; unyielding

n concerted

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

s beware

be cautious (of)

flourish

grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation (esp. in handwriting)

s tawny

brownish yellow

n brooch

ornamental clasp; pin

prophetic

of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet

apogee

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

resuscitate

revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child

n befuddle

confuse thoroughly

patronize

support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott

s curfew

regulation requiring all people to leave the streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour of a curfew

recluse

hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive

n unearth

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

n exceptionable

objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable

n stodgy

dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book

s bruise

injure without breaking the skin; N.

n stifle

suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate

s scion

detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant

proclivity

inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)

formidable

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

adamant

hard; inflexible

paucity

scarcity; dearth

n serendipity

gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip

s queer

strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal

s except

exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality

temperate

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

anecdote

short story of an amusing or interesting event

s ferocious

fierce; violent; N. ferocity

eulogistic

praising; full of eulogy

n veracity

truthfulness; adherence to the truth

optimum

most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition

s scrimmage

disorderly fight between two or more people

s remittance

remitting of money; amount of money remitted

n adjutant

staff officer assisting the commander; assistant

offensive

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

s effulgent

shining brightly; brilliant

stagnant

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

n torrid

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

adventitious

accidental; casual; happening by chance

n pall

become boring; grow tiresome

s compartment

one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided

n chastise

punish as by beating; criticize severely

alchemy

medieval chemistry

n relish

enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest

schematic

of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline

incumbent

obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office

apparition

ghost; phantom

n panegyric

formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.

s Bacchanalia

the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus

resilient

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

s grim

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

satirical

using satire; mocking

n sedulous

diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity

reverent

respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect

n ape

imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)

demean

disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave

potion

dose (of liquids); liquid dose

ignite

kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to

n fervid

ardent; zealous; hot

lineage

descent; ancestry

s collected

composed; calm; self-possessed

abyss

enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit

n oblivious

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

n bucolic

rustic; pastoral

prestige

respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige

n wan

having a pale or sickly color; pallid

n callous

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

valedictory

pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)

s rake

immoral or dissolute person

emaciated

thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)

exiguous

small in amount; minute

profane

violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things

antithesis

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

concatenate

link as in a chain

eccentric

irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric

n swarthy

(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ?

escapade

prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules

synthetic

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

n peremptory

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

n brook

tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream

n rejoinder

reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply

projectile

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

s prosperous

successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off

grandeur

impressiveness; stateliness; majesty

n igneous

produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite

migratory

wandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle in another; move periodically from one region to another

n usury

lending money at illegal high rates of interest

n mawkish

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

s fake

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

diurnal

daily; occurring during the daytime

unsavory

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

ingenuous

naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid

accomplice

partner in crime

n subsume

include (as a member of a group); encompass

n inkling

hint; slight indication

n sumptuous

grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast

bogus

counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview

obsessive

related 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

n gloat

express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated over the stolen jewels.

n ordination

ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest

n retrograde

go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.

exhume

dig out of the ground; remove from a grave

nautical

pertaining to ships or navigation

s havoc

widespread damage; disorder; chaos

arch-

chief; first; Ex. archbishop

lunar

pertaining to the moon

n hydrophobia

fear of water; rabies

s rag

scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance

n abet

assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage

n cozen

cheat; hoodwink; swindle

multiform

having many forms

n quench

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

n savory

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

unerringly

infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes

stamina

power of endurance; strength; staying power

compliant

readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements

s nectar

drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees

discrete

separate; unconnected

diligence

steadiness of effort; persistent hard work

infamous

notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation

naivet\'e(naivety)

quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous

illusory

illusive; deceptive; not real

n peripatetic

walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy

s historic

important in history; Ex. historic battle

annex

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

n menial

suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)

fluency

smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent

supple

flexible; limber; pliant

creed

system of religious or ethical belief

n maudlin

effusively sentimental

misapprehension

error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend

n stupefy

stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze

n loll

lounge about

concave

hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex

s brawl

noisy quarrel

stratagem

deceptive scheme; clever trick

fundamental

basic; primary; essential

n forebears(forbears)

ancestors

n stock

standard; 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

n somnolent

half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence

inevitable

unavoidable

n shrew

scolding woman; very small mouselike animal

n nubile

marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial

n innuendo

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

n turgid

swollen; distended (as from liquid)

n comatose

in a coma; extremely sleepy

abominate

loathe; hate

endorse

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

n muggy

(of weather) warm and damp

n checkered(chequered)

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

omnivorous

eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything

n lexicon

dictionary

n carapace

shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)

n strut

supporting bar; CF. airplane wingÀ̳ª building µîÀ» support

n plumage

feathers of a bird;

s coax

persuade by flattery

s exhale

breathe out; OP. inhale

rococo

ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century

commensurate

equal in extent; of the same size

levity

lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner

n myopic

nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia

coercion

use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce

n litigation

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

objective

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

n discombobulated

discomposed; confused

s gild

cover with a thin layer of gold

s overthrow

topple; N.

n spry

(esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble

s apparent

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

n dissolution

disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life

s relapse

return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N.

n cede

yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession

n impinge

infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.

clandestine

secret

transgression

violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong

ambidextrous

capable of using either hand with equal ease

excise

cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision

s straggle

stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. straggling branch

n preternatural

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

n restive

impatiently restless (induced by external coercion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not a general synonym for `restless'

expository

explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition

n low

moo; make the sound of a cow

engender

cause; produce; give rise to

n tightwad

miser; excessively frugal person

glossary

brief explanation of words used in the text

circumscribe

limit; confine; draw a line around

s dull

(of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.

facet

small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side

n squat

short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.

grievance

cause of complaint; complaint

n demure

(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure

n filial

pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect

n labile

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

cohesion

tendency to keep together

enclave

territory enclosed within an alien land

s indoctrinate

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

n elaboration

addition of details; intricacy

caustic

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

n catechism

book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize

s bulge

protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude

enormity

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

n cartographer

map-maker

n arable

fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land

n slipshod

slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work

n sadistic

inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty

n asinine

stupid; Ex. asinine remarks

disconsolate

hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)

s battalion

army unit made up of four or more companies

n lectern

reading desk or stand for a public speaker

n topography

physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place

n rhetoric

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

n catcall

shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.

meteoric

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

n discursive

(of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)

n transpire

(of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores

environ

enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)

embark

commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey

arbiter

person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware

n taint

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

n verve

enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor

tenacity

firmness; persistence

n sleazy

shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric

synthesis

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

dissident

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

n mirth

merriment; laughter

generate

cause; produce; create

incendiary

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

n vainglorious

boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity

n retentive

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

temerity

boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work

dismember

cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb

n bilk

swindle; cheat

outwit

outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly

n asunder

into parts; apart; V. sunder

n fractious

unruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex. fractious horse

summation

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

n pummel

pommel; beat or pound with fists

n bohemian

unconventional (in an artistic way)

n canter

slow gallop; V. CF. trot

coalition

partnership; league; union of separate political parties

polygamist

one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry

colloquy

informal discussion; conversation

affront

insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally

cognitive

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

s daze

stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.

rendition

rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc

subjective

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

n bereaved

deprived of (someone beloved through death)

s brave

face courageously; Ex. brave the storm

animadversion

critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval

s tension

stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people

celerity

speed; rapidity

s attire

clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel

n onomatopoeia

words formed in imitation of natural sounds

agnostic

one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality

exhilarating

invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car

s toll

sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge

iniquitous

wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity

n unexceptionable

entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism

contiguous

adjacent to; touching upon

astringent

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

n gourmet

connoisseur of food and drink; epicure

n pine

long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline

n parameter

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

n assay

analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)

n epitaph

inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone)

amenities

convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies

cleave

split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven

astronomical

enormously large or extensive

graduated

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

n quizzical

curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance

n tout

promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise

n polemic

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

n tarry

linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle

reminiscence

recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past

n sojourn

temporary stay; V: stay for a time

prune

cut away; trim

n tentative

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

vaporize

turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)

ambulatory

able to walk

retaliate

repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate

n plaintive

expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song

n nexus

connection

n occlude

shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery.

humanitarian

one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism

n navigable

(of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to be steered

enmity

ill will; hatred; hostility

n neologism

new or newly coined word or phrase

n carousal

drunken revel; V. carouse

n ravine

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

bureaucracy

overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic

s pudding

hot sweet dish

anguish

acute pain; extreme suffering

s career

rush wildly; go at full speed

s sullen

silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy

n importunate

urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent

s urge

drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action

s historical

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

grudging

unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly)

aptitude

fitness; talent

n fulminate

thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation

n promiscuous

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

n vindictive

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

s pang

sudden sharp feeling of pain

s solicitor

lawyer in the lower court of law

n buccaneer

pirate

s feature

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

verity

quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities

capricious

unpredictable; fickle

s apiarist

person who keeps bees

digression

wandering away from the subject; V. digress

corroborate

confirm; support; strengthen

s Elysium

place or condition of bliss

n debunk

expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule

foreboding

premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant)

n gloss_over

explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults

laud

praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise

premonitory

serving to warn

n venison

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

n trek

travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey

s underhand(underhanded)

done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)

s boost

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

concomitant

that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else

n litany

supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words

erotic

pertaining to passionate love or sexual love

trite

hackneyed; commonplace

appropriate

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

epoch

period of time

delirium

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

overbearing

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

s liquidate

settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish

s voodoo

religion practiced chiefly in Haiti

enigma

puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling

entomology

study of insects

accolade

award of merit; strong praise and approval

n lampoon

ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution

n cornice

projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars); ó¸¶ Àå½Ä

oratorio

dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata

n churlish

boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo

n imbroglio

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

n duress

forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress

scanty

meager; insufficient

exertion

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

n edify

instruct; correct morally

n billowing

swelling out in waves; surging

allege

state without proof

defunct

dead; no longer in use or existence

disinclination

unwillingness

n philology

study of language or words

s screech

unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V.

s apiculture

bee-keeping

s standstill

condition of no movement or activity; stop

erode

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

n diffuse

wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse

n callow

youthful; immature; inexperienced

s swipe

hit with a sweeping motion; N.

inculcate

teach (ideas or principles); instill

n purchase

secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing

annihilate

destroy

animosity

active enmity

viable

capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme

title

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

n lax

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

n harangue

long, passionate, and vehement speech; V.

inter

bury; N. interment

n blasphemy

irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege

crescendo

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

squander

waste; spend foolishly

s brag

boast

pliant

flexible; easily influenced

aphorism

pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic

precise

exact

onslaught

vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy

n scapegoat

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

toxic

poisonous; N. toxicity

iota

very small quantity

n seedy

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

intrepid

fearless

n purveyor

furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide

prognosticate

predict (according to present indications)

n humdrum

dull; monotonous

n chassis

framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached

n defeatist

resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism

epic

long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand

n marshal

put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military officer; official

accrue

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

codify

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

ingrained

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

s forward

presumptuous or bold

n oracular

of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle

repertoire

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

constraint

restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison

n leery

(of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious

s motto

brief statement used to express a principle

n insalubrious

unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place

n balmy

soft and mild (of air); fragrant

n drivel

nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense

n unwitting

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

omniscient

all-knowing

plutocracy

society ruled by the wealthy

divine

perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination

n eulogy

expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize

lateral

of or coming from the side

erudite

(of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition

s cemetery

place for burying the dead

n meander

wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly

ascetic

practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism

mirage

unreal reflection; optical illusion

s cater

provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)

s crave

desire; want intensely

n prescience

ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient

prosperity

good fortune and financial success; physical well-being

addiction

compulsive habitual need

n coy

shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer¸¦ ¹Þ¾ÒÀ» ¶§

n interpolate

insert between

s brim

uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a hat); Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the brim

discord

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

perturb

disturb greatly

concentric

having a common center

adjacent

adjoining; neighboring; close by

s frolic

play and jump about happily; frisk; Ex. frolicking young lambs

correlation

mutual relationship

n dissimulate

pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble

reactionary

strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical

n frieze

ornamental horizontal band on a wall

s carefree

free from worries; having no problems

ultimate

final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.

n posterity

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

despise

look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible

s recline

lie down

s institutionalize

make into an institution; put or confine in an institution

prot\'eg\'e

person receiving protection and support from a patron

n grovel

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

s artful

exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice

n orgy

wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping

abstinence

restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote

intimidate

frighten; N. intimidation

s nauseous

causing nausea; feeling nausea

n testy

irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness

n welter

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

n quash

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

maniacal

raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm

n sere

sear; parched; dry

kinetic

producing motion; of motion

n defoliate

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

belligerent

quarrelsome

s gust

strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster

discredit

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

s fertile

producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing good crops; V. fertilize

craven

cowardly

n disingenuous

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

surreptitious

done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden

solemnity

seriousness; gravity

n milieu

social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor.

n titillate

tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it

somnambulist

sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism

optimist

person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism

n dormer

window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room

atrophy

wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)

initiate

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

hypercritical

excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities)

n rabid

of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia

n cavalcade

procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry

pillage

plunder

discordant

not harmonious; conflicting

n waffle

speak equivocally about an issue; N.

n amulet

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

n expropriate

take possession of (often for public use and without payment)

n virulent

(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom

n coeval

living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age

n debutante

young woman making formal entrance into society

discrepancy

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

pathetic

causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching

s squelch

produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); crush; squash; CF. ÁøÈëÀ» À§¿¡¼ ¹âÀ» ¶§

n simper

smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly

s dominate

control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; ³»·Á´Ùº¸´Ù

n discount

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

probity

uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility

n scintilla

trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark

n flag

droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging

s clot

half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.

n pass\'e

old-fashioned; past the prime

n fancier

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

extort

wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant

s egotism

tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance

antecedents

preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background

hatch

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

component

element; ingredient

default

failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.

phoenix

symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes

s broil

cook by direct heat; N.

loiter

hang about/around; stand idly about; linger

n venue

location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come

confluence

flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together

n stigma

token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful

n quotidian

daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine

fugitive

fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large

n devious

roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route

odorous

having an odor

encumber

burden; N. encumbrance

s taunt

deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.

nauseate

cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea

n recount

narrate or tell (a story); count over again

hypothetical

based on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis

n hallowed

blessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; V. hallow: set apart as holy

n quagmire

bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself

n pretentious

ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art

consort

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

prologue

introduction (to a poem or play)

n coda

concluding section of a musical or literary composition

implore

beg

s humble

of low rank or position; modest; having a low opinion of oneself and a high opinion of others; unassuming; not proud; V. humiliate: make humble; cause to feel ashamed or to lose the respect of others

n sartorial

pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor

s disproportion

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

vertigo

severe dizziness; giddiness

brevity

conciseness; shortness of duration

n awry

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

hedonist

one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one's life purely for pleasure

n sportive

playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike

dearth

scarcity

delineate

portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation

n mealymouthed

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

n lucre

money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre

s forthcoming

happening in the near future; ready; willing to help; Ex. No answer was forthcoming.

denigrate

blacken; defame

s boor

rude, insensitive person

s consonant

harmonious; in agreement; N.

chasm

abyss; very deep crack

superfluous

excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity

n sylvan

pertaining to the woods or the country

adversary

opponent; enemy

n retroactive

taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future

n badger

pester; 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

n retribution

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

s usage

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

s brink

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

n petulant

touchy; peevish; ill-tempered

n amiss

wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.

accessory

additional object; useful but not essential thing

n conifer

pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen

obeisance

bow (to show respect and obedience)

n humus

substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil

n rarefied

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

invalidate

weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify

engaging

charming; attractive

n junket

trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense

n dismiss

eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal

n mangy

shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance

pantomime

acting without dialogue; V.

s idyll(idyl)

short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers

versatile

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

n proselytize

(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion

n clamber

climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble

s presume

take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption

unprecedented

having no previous example; novel; unparalleled

podiatrist

doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics

ursine

bearlike; pertaining to a bear

n moodiness

fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: state of mind or emotion

n overblown

inflated; exaggerated

occult

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

stoic

stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism

s inasmuch_as

since; owing to the fact that

detonation

explosion

s bewitch

cast a spell over; captivate completely

virile

manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength

n iridescent

exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence

colossus

gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance

incarnate

endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody

convene

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

s shade

slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey

n renege

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

s matin\'ee(matinee)

dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon

n superannuated

retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete

n terminus

last stop of railroad; end

stellar

pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance

s decrepit

weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man

obligatory

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

n hilarity

boisterous mirth(merriment; laughter); ADJ. hilarious: full of laughter

insomnia

wakefulness; inability to sleep

opportunist

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

n holocaust

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

n limn

draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?

aboriginal

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

s dainty

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

fauna

animals of a period or region; CF. flora

statute

law enacted by the legislature

resolve

determination; resolution; firmness of purpose

n upshot

outcome; final result

barb

sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark

abstract

theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational

assail

assault

alimentary

supplying nourishment

disabuse

correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief

n larceny

theft; Ex. petit larceny

provisional

tentative; temporary

s sour

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

n hovel

shack; small wretched house

voluminous

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

n nettle

irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome

n hiatus

gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break

forestall

prevent by taking action in advance

n gruel

thin liquid porridge

analogy

similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things

n venal

capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal

n capillary

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

n jibe

agree; be in harmony with; gibe

s mantle

loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core

n effluvium

noxious(harmful) smell

goad

urge on; drive with a goad; cause (someone) 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

consolidation

unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen

n splice

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

diabolical

diabolic; devilish; fiendish

n promulgate

announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication

n levee

earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise

delta

flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river

desolate

make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert

n furtive

stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance

explicate

explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable

s pedigree

ancestry; lineage

n gaunt

lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren

n palatable

agreeable; pleasing to the taste

s wade

walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes movement

sustain

suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners

n opalescent

iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence

n maim

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

n invocation

prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking

n extrude

force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die

proletarian

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

s odds

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

n pharisaical

pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical

aromatic

fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell

abominable

detestable; extremely unpleasant

unfaltering

steadfast; firm; not changing

n husbandry

frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman

corpulent

very fat; N. corpulence

shrewd

clever; astute

n pittance

small amount (of money); small allowance or wage

disperse

scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd

dichotomy

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

altruistic

unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism

n natty

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

s frock

long loose garment (worn by monks)

n baleful

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

n tycoon

wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon

amity

friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations

n incapacitate

disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity

imply

suggest a meaning not expressed; signify

pyromaniac

person with an insane desire to set things on fire

s bump

hit or knock against with force; N.

chameleon

lizard that changes color in different situations

n fitful

spasmodic; intermittent; irregular

n fortuitous

accidental; by chance; N. fortuity

n determination

resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision

n carat(karat)

unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold

unanimity

complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous

disseminate

distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)

abhor

detest; hate

s suspend

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

s executioner

person administering capital punishment

n floe

flat mass of floating ice

parry

ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N. CF. ¸·´Â´Ù´Â °³³äÀÌ ¾Æ´Ô

n reparation

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

n garbled

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

n defrock

strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock

n libido

psychic and emotional energy or urges behind human activity; sexual desire

exacting

extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety

n somber

dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow

n slur

pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble

s creep

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

n beset

harass or trouble from all directions; hem in

credulity

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

tedium

boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious

entreat

plead; ask earnestly

s chaperon

older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman

malady

illness

n sage

person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise

n leeway

room to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for the deadline

adjunct

something attached to but holding an inferior position

undulating

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

sophist

teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument

n blurt

utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement

s dereliction

neglect of duty; abandonment

credence

belief

s rabies

disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal (causing madness and death)

s fermentation

chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation

s charm

quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch

reserve

self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative

n wastrel

waster; profligate

s ecliptic

path of the sun and the planets

amphitheater

oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena

decant

pour off gently (wine or liquid)

s blackball

vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote

energize

invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active

n parquet

floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece

barterer

trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money

inclusive

tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge

n tumult

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

s denomination

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

banal

hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed

n florid

ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose

s sovereignty

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

s distinct

clearly different; clearly noticed

deadlock

standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate

n ostracize

banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism

n cabal

small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests

s sidetrack

switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track

s sovereign

ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent

s prosper

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

n mauve

pale purple

n pejorative

(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression, because it patronized them.

scrutinize

examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny

n pr\'ecis

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

n fiat

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

parallelism

state of being parallel; similarity; analogy

n intimate

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

s thesis

opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments

convex

curving outward

responsiveness

state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment

n odyssey

long, eventful, adventurous journey

n niggardly

meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. *****rd: stingy person

underscore

underline; emphasize

economy

efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources

n antiquated

obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated

nomenclature

terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things

spectrum

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

s rip

tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail ripped under the force of the wind; N.

n eminent

rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position

culmination

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

propagate

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

n hoary

white with age

stalemate

deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked

n apotheosis

elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something

s rig

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

n funereal

sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral

adhere

stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality

convoluted

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

amazon

female warrior

malodorous

foul-smelling

s institute

organization for a special purpose; V: establish

n idyllic

charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene

harass

annoy by repeated attacks

n perpetrate

commit an offense; do (something wrong)

s coma

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

conventional

ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons

s understate

state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate

prolong

lengthen; extend; draw out

s studious

given to diligent study

n ossify

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

s stench

strong foul odor; reek; stink

impede

hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block

antagonism

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

bellicose

warlike

s impoverish

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

partiality

state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference

n saunter

stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.

n matriculate

enroll (in college or graduate school); CF. matrix

execrate

curse; express abhorrence for; detest

mimicry

imitation

n holster

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

n taut

tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack

n gull

trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe

paraphernalia

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

thrifty

careful about money; economical; N. thrift

restraint

moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction

n clemency

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

n functionary

official (who performs a particular function)

n verisimilar

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

n retiring

shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality

qualified

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

n salubrious

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

din

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

implication

something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating

n bullion

gold and silver in the form of bars

n hapless

unfortunate; luckless

curator

superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)

renovate

restore to good condition; renew

n filigree

delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork

s pass_off

present falsely; represent falsely to be

n ferret

drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive out (as from a hiding place); 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

n problematic

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

n tanner

person who turns animal hides into leather

transitory

transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness

n plumb

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

s sway

swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one's opinion; N.

typhoon

tropical hurricane or cyclone

recapitulate

summarize

enduring

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

s luxuriate

take pleasure in great comfort

improvise

compose on the spur of the moment

n factitious

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

malign

speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence

s deputize

work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away

s varnish

paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.

conspiracy

treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)

n ethereal

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

s suckle

give or take milk at the breast or udder

n aquiline

curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose

s snuffle

sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)

n scaffold

temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution

s contrivance

something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme

n portly

stout; corpulent

n flounder

struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion

contrite

penitent; repentant; N. contrition

s distinctive

clearly different from others of the same kind

n knave

untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery

n scurvy

contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C

n slither

slip or slide

illicit

illegal

s effective

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

n extrapolation

projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information

impudence

impertinence; insolence

fluctuate

waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly

n flit

fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower

laborious

demanding much work or care; tedious

n unmitigated

(of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster

n polemical(polemic)

aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)

venture

risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.

harbor

give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge

n prod

poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding

n sordid

filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story

despot

tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism

barrage

barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism

sedentary

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

rout

put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat

n tiller

handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)

medium

element 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

saboteur

one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly)

n defray

provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay

parasite

animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside

ensue

follow (as a result)

n hone

sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool

s hysteria

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

n stolid

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

dilate

expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)

s providence

quality of being provident; divine care; god's care; Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like providence that the doctor happened to be there; ADJ. providential: of divine providence; fortunate

n desperado

reckless, desperate outlaw

n stanch

stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound

n unimpeachable

that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary

alacrity

cheerful promptness without reluctance

n inane

silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity

apprehend

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

cadaverous

like a corpse; pale

germinate

cause to sprout; sprout

etymology

study of word parts; study of the origins of words

s slack

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

n pendulous

hanging; suspended

s scrap

small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight; Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for disposal; discard as worthless; fight; quarrel

maneuver(manoeuver)

strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end

s flush

redden; blush; flow suddenly and abundantly; wash out by a rapid brief flow of water; N: reddish tinge; blush; brief rush; rush of strong feeling; Ex. flush of pride; ADJ: having surfaces in the same plane; even; blushing

n bungle

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

degradation

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

entity

real being

militant

combative; bellicose; N.

n nether

lower; Ex. nether garments/regions

arrogance

pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in one's own importance and a lack of respect for other people)

n courier

messenger

s noose

loop formed in a rope

s nimble

quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. nimble climber/mind

s geriatrics

medical treatment and care of old age

n garish

overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy

lethal

deadly

terminology

terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature

n posture

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

exorbitant

(of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds

s favoritism

display of partiality toward a favored person

n lull

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

s maroon

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

inundate

flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work

increment

increase

n vulpine

like a fox; crafty

n misnomer

wrong or improper name; incorrect designation

taxonomist

specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification

eccentricity

oddity; idiosyncrasy

deprecate

express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory

n mote

small speck (esp. of dust)

celestial

heavenly

s court

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

n percussion

striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion

n privy

secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private

incarnation

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

depict

portray

n impregnable

invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take

connoisseur

person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art

s takeoff

burlesque; act of leaving the ground

s persist

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

affidavit

written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)

s ulcer

sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate

proponent

supporter; backer; opposite of opponent

s draught

current of air (through a room or to a fire); act of pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of liquid swallowed at a time

internecine

mutually destructive

s sonnet

14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern

s juridical

of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary

profound

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

convoke

call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation

defame

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

n vernal

pertaining to spring

n outskirts

fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston

n loath

reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go.

finale

conclusion; concluding part

n sleeper

one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable

n earthy

unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal

misconstrue

interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge

heterogeneous

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

n carafe

glass water bottle; decanter

n mendicant

beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar

n beeline

direct quick route

pessimism

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

s impregnate

make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate

n agape

openmouthed

humid

damp; N. humidity

s ecosystem

ecological community together with its environment

cloister

monastery or convent

slake

satisfy (thirst); quench; sate

deplete

reduce; exhaust