Barrons GRE Wordlist 4,759 words

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precinct

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

natty

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

pedigree

ancestry; lineage

affected

artificial; pretended

undulating

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

ravel

fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist

evoke

call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation

sanctimonious

displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety

demise

death

percussion

striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion

lavish

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

domineer

rule over tyrannically

nectar

drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees

soliloquy

talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation)

bargain

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

aspire

seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership

fodder

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

slur

pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble

heyday

time of greatest success or power; prime

dereliction

neglect of duty; abandonment

plane

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

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

terminus

last stop of railroad; end

stellar

pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance

prop

support placed under or against something; V.

philatelist

stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting

degradation

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

legislature

legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make laws

magnanimity

generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous

ravenous

extremely hungry; voracious

infallible

unerring; never making mistakes

metallurgical

pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores

irascible

irritable; easily angered

authoritative

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

recant

disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement

erode

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

discrete

separate; unconnected

deport

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

factitious

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

garner

gather; store up; amass

recession

withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity

hubris

arrogance; excessive self-conceit

inveigh

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

savory

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

opaque

dark; not transparent; N. opacity

maim

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

infirmity

weakness

careen

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

condescend

(derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior

decoy

lure or bait; V.

skim

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

nominal

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

astute

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

existential

pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism

avocation

secondary or minor occupation

shade

slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey

indomitable

unconquerable; unyielding

testator

maker of a will; CF. testatrix

repulse

reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $\neq$ cause repulsion

defile

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

invert

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

devious

roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route

doctrine

teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal

cessation

stoppage

convivial

pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial

tirade

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

gravity

seriousness; ADJ. grave

tribune

official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people

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.

judicious

sound on judgment; wise

maxim

proverb; truth pithily stated

overthrow

topple; N.

grim

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

foist

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

granary

storehouse for grain

application

diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself

embark

commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey

taut

tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack

obloquy

slander; disgrace; infamy

anodyne

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

skeptic

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

poise

good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position

levity

lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner

decimate

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

prognosticate

predict (according to present indications)

iniquitous

wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity

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''.

enunciate

announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him.

apogee

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

asunder

into parts; apart; V. sunder

magnate

person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate

nauseate

cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea

speck

small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye

grisly

ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies

miasma

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

institutionalize

make into an institution; put or confine in an institution

vernacular

living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular

swill

drink greedily

lugubrious

mournful; sorrowful

reprehensible

deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame

anoint

consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)

musty

stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist

limbo

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

spangle

small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation

sundry

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

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

lout

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

maraud

move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army

colossus

gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance

compensatory

making up for; repaying

bastion

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

transgression

violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong

clandestine

secret

pliant

flexible; easily influenced

resolution

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

quizzical

curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance

license

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

faze

disconcert; dismay; embarrass

conclave

private secret meeting

stun

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

impenitent

not repentant

quack

charlatan; impostor

allegiance

loyalty

venal

capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal

arbitrate

act as judge (at the request of both sides)

antediluvian

antiquated; extremely ancient

artful

exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice

slur

slander; insult to one's character or reputation; V.

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

consanguineous(consanguine)

having a common ancestor

wastrel

waster; profligate

slander

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

renounce

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

defame

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

palpitate

throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.

barefaced

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

candor

frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid

paucity

scarcity; dearth

amplify

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

multiplicity

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

misconstrue

interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge

disband

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

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

gamely

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

gambit

opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage

imprecation

curse; swearword

homogeneous

of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout

podium

pedestal; raised platform

prune

cut away; trim

putrescent

becoming putrid; putrefying

exacerbate

worsen; aggravate; embitter

truculence

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

hazardous

dangerous

catapult

slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult

sate

satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy

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

consort

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

accelerate

move faster

viscid

adhesive; gluey

adjunct

something attached to but holding an inferior position

eddy

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

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

pestilential(pestilent)

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

trinket

knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry

memorial

something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to honor the memory of a person or event; ADJ: commemorative

precocious

advanced in development; N. precocity

qualified

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

peccadillo

slight offense or fault; CF. sin

trifle

something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt

tremor

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

sear

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

gangrene

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

prophetic

of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet

puerile

childish; immature; CF. puer: boy

perspicacious

(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute

premonition

forewarning; presentiment; foreboding

harangue

long, passionate, and vehement speech; V.

paradox

something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct

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

swelter

(of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat

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

analgesic

causing insensitivity to pain; N.

pacifist

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

relinquish

give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm

turgid

swollen; distended (as from liquid)

propellant(propellent)

substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)

inevitable

unavoidable

fauna

animals of a period or region; CF. flora

foible

small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble

indoctrinate

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

consonance

harmony; agreement

endearment

fond word or act; expression of affection

commemorative

remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp

fervent

ardent; zealous; hot

stoop

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

manifestation

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

piscatorial

pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces

encircle

surround

debut

d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society

rave

overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic

undermine

weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath

delta

flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river

dappled

spotted

emetic

substance causing vomiting; ADJ.

prattle

talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate

lush

(of a plant or grass) growing very well

brawny

muscular; having well-developed muscles

quarry

dig into (to get stone); N: mine

transport

strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture

mishap

unfortunate accident

substantial

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

venerate

revere; treat with great respect

haggard

wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners

miscellany

mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items

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

figment

invention; something invented; imaginary thing; Ex. figment of your imagination

artisan

a manually skilled worker

discombobulated

discomposed; confused

papyrus

ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant

evenhanded

impartial; fair

centigrade

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

frolicsome

prankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky

singular

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

speechless

unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger

truncate

cut the top off; shorten

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

altruistic

unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism

novice

beginner

libertine

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

guile

deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile

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.

meretricious

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

prerogative

privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before

languid

lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless

gratis

free; without charge; ADJ.

emaciated

thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)

culmination

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

augury

omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)

quorum

minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting

synchronous

similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize

frisk

move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful

desecrate

profane; violate the sanctity of

troth

pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth

descry

catch sight of (something distant)

judiciary

judicial branch of government

expostulation

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

jocose

given to(having a tendency of) joking

brave

face courageously; Ex. brave the storm

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

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

seduce

lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive

rococo

ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century

mitigate

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

ribald

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

mordant

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

enumerate

list; mention one by one

detached

emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment

invidious

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

patriarch

father and ruler of a family or tribe

overweening

arrogant; presumptuous

pluck

courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave

innovation

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

scotch

stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF.

uxorious

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

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

irreverence

lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent

mete

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

inter

bury; N. interment

implode

burst inward; CF. vaccum tube

depravity

extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave

brittle

hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation

ravine

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

levitate

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

germinate

cause to sprout; sprout

fracas

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

iota

very small quantity

synthetic

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

merit

deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise

brink

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

demean

disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave

conveyance

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

penchant

strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars

negligible

so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded

anesthetic

substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia

utopia

ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian

millennium

thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity

abbreviate

shorten

forgo(forego)

give up; do without

choreography

art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances

uninhibited

having no inhibitions; free in behavior and feelings

practical

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

plaudit

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

retaliate

repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate

clime

climate

comport

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

headfirst

moving with the head leading; headlong

extraneous

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

cemetery

place for burying the dead

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

veer

change in direction; swerve

purported

alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists

distrait

absentminded; distracted

plebeian

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

stigma

token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful

appurtenances

subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing

fathomless

too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable

thwart

block or hinder; baffle; frustrate

ambush

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

sensual

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

desperate

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

totem

animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole

matriarch

woman who rules a family or larger social group

jargon

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

forbearance

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

fawning

courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness

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

interrogate

question closely; cross-examine; cross-question

mystic

of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism

fester

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

seminal

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

pterodactyl

extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger

valid

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

sanction

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

delusion

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

alimony

payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce

dabble

work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid

suavity

urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous

destitute

extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience

phoenix

symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes

irretrievable

impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve

lurk

stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived

interim

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

surpass

exceed

accede

agree

tumid

(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous

straggle

stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. straggling branch

constituency

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

rapport

close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony

recourse

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

bountiful

generous; graciously generous; showing bounty

conclusive

decisive; ending all debate

negligence

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

balk

stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate

loiter

hang about/around; stand idly about; linger

stratified

divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify

serrated

having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf

loll

lounge about

diaphanous

sheer; transparent

gouge

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

vagabond

wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp

Machiavellian

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

auroral

pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis

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.

skirmish

minor fight; minor battle in war; V.

impeach

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

unction

the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction

indentation

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

unearthly

not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly

purveyor

furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide

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

garnish

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

jab

poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows

tepid

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

genus

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

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

apiary

a place where bees are kept

precipitous

steep; overhasty; precipitate

postulate

self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)

codicil

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

facade(fa\c{c}ade)

front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance

languor

lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression

swindler

cheater

macabre

gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death

intangible

not able to be perceived by touch; vague

makeshift

temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter

outmoded

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

maladroit

clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling

venerable

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

alms

money or goods given to the poor

metaphysical

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

sardonic

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

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.

ford

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

mandatory

obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate

virtue

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

murmur

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

fiat

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

docile

obedient; easily managed; submissive

prognosis

forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic

bigotry

stubborn intolerance

ravage

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

turbid

(of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick

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

masticate

chew

simile

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

enact

make (a bill) into law

memorialize

commemorate

disinter

dig up; unearth; OP. inter

eventual

happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory

ulterior

intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive

vent

small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair.

conjugal

pertaining to marriage

cohabit

live together

cadaverous

like a corpse; pale

accessory

additional object; useful but not essential thing

vicissitude

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

career

rush wildly; go at full speed

perfidious

treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery

venom

poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous

abysmal

bottomless

tenacity

firmness; persistence

succulent

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

brazen

insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence

rigor

severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter

prank

mischievous trick

fervor

glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat

bovine

cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm

blue

gloomy; depressed

resplendent

brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious

exorbitant

(of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds

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

foolhardy

rash; reckless; foolishly daring

onerous

burdensome

sinuous

twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest

crinkle

wrinkle

solicitous

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

tureen

deep dish for serving soup

redress

remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for

consecrate

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

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.

enjoin

command; order; forbid

slag

glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter

prolific

producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer

pedagogy

teaching; art of education

falsify

make (something written) false by changing

raconteur

story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill

paragon

model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue

panacea

cure-all; remedy for all diseases

usage

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

girth

distance around something; circumference

libretto

text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book

chase

ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch

vituperative

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

commandeer

take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes

distant

reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly

libido

psychic and emotional energy or urges behind human activity; sexual desire

scuffle

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

limpid

crystal clear

ductile

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

nemesis

someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis

commemorate

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

peer

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

trickster

person who cheats people

fervid

ardent; zealous; hot

dote

be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline

abeyance

suspended action

climactic

relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic

pauper

very poor person

expatriate

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

halcyon

calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days

unruly

disobedient; lawless; difficult to control

contention

assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition

haggle

argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain)

churlish

boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo

rescind

repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)

sly

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

secular

worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal

statute

law enacted by the legislature

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.

catcall

shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.

despondent

without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection

stalwart

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

somatic

pertaining to the body; bodily; physical

toga

Roman outer robe

derelict

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

impregnate

make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate

protract

prolong; lengthen in time; draw out

supersede

replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession

scenario

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

jurisprudence

science of law

magniloquent

boastful; pompous

corpulent

very fat; N. corpulence

frenetic(phrenetic)

frenzied; frantic

carousal

drunken revel; V. carouse

gawk

stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe

founder

fail completely; sink; CF. flounder

interdict

prohibit; forbid; N.

complementary

serving to complete something

plebiscite

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

nauseous

causing nausea; feeling nausea

confidential

spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary

impetus

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

predetermine

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

curmudgeon

churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person

potpourri

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

metrical

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

irreconcilable

impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved

simplistic

oversimplified

indeterminate

uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite

incursion

temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey

hoax

trick which makes someone take action; practical joke; Ex. hoax mail; V.

default

failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.

eulogistic

praising; full of eulogy

apposite

appropriate; fitting

slack

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

smudge

dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.

paean

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

pass_off

present falsely; represent falsely to be

belated

delayed

biennial

every two years

capacity

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

homily

sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic

plumber

one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)

inquisitive

eager for knowledge; unduly curious

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

odyssey

long, eventful, adventurous journey

pique

irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity

carat(karat)

unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold

eulogy

expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize

cache

hiding place; V.

concede

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

travail

strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth

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.

catholic

(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes

comity

courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations

rabid

of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia

takeoff

burlesque; act of leaving the ground

fallible

liable to err

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.

disinclination

unwillingness

remediable

reparable

bereavement

state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft

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

doff

take off; OP. don

glut

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

hackles

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

transcribe

copy; write a copy of; N. transcription

carefree

free from worries; having no problems

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

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

indisputable

too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt

abnegation

renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation

molt(moult)

periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)

grudge

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

begrudge

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

invulnerable

incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure

oblique

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

manifold

many in number or kind; numerous; varied

jurisdiction

right and power to apply the law; authority

truism

self-evident truth

promiscuous

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

rapt

engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener

euphony

sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious

drastic

strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures

equilibrium

balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity

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

nurse

suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; Ex. nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against someone

symmetry

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

disperse

scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd

prolong

lengthen; extend; draw out

philanderer

faithless lover; flirt

furrow

long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle in the skin; V.

seasonable

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

opportune

timely; well-chosen

rent

tear made by rending; rip; split

matriculate

enroll (in college or graduate school); CF. matrix

perceptive

insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception

ostentatious

showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display

typhoon

tropical hurricane or cyclone

propriety

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

hoard

stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use

cavil

quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily

elegy

poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac

superimpose

place over something else

illusive

deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive

provident

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

synoptic

providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis

sibylline

prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)

euthanasia

mercy killing

humanitarian

one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism

exhale

breathe out; OP. inhale

compile

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

unwarranted

unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved

rout

put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat

dissolution

disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life

palliate

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

effete

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

colloquial

pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression

irreparable

not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair

mottled

blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors

deify

turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity

exquisite

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

viable

capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme

debutante

young woman making formal entrance into society

anthropomorphic

having human form or characteristics

scanty

meager; insufficient

noose

loop formed in a rope

discriminate

distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference

longevity

long life; long duration

pretension

pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.

adversity

great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event

cajole

persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle

fake

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

tenet

doctrine; dogma

pastoral

rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor

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.

manifesto

public declaration of principles; statement of policy

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

impair

injure; hurt; damage

deride

ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect

ramble

wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress

cynosure

object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor

diverse

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

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

unfaltering

steadfast; firm; not changing

pastiche

imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists

waif

homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays

castigation

punishment; severe criticism or disapproval

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

amphitheater

oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena

understate

state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate

agility

nimbleness; ability to move quickly

anomaly

irregularity

prophylactic

used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease

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

clarion

shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times

jabber

chatter rapidly or unintelligibly

gregarious

sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group

monotony

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

glossy

smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex. gloss of good manners

acne

skin disease (on the face)

humus

substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil

pulchritude

beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous

purport

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

anthem

song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem

nocturnal

done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne

toss

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

delineate

portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation

modicum

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

adverse

going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile

solemnity

seriousness; gravity

imperative

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

ancillary

serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.

sportive

playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike

morbid

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

amicable

peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement

lust

intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.

evasive

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

hereafter

life after death

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

kernel

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

squander

waste; spend foolishly

morgue

mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation

appreciate

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

sordid

filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story

monolithic

solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone

collage

work of art put together from fragments

stratagem

deceptive scheme; clever trick

audacious

daring; bold; N. audacity

droop

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

equity

fairness; justice; OP. inequity

dispirited

lacking in spirit

conversant

familiar with; having knowledge of

append

attach

apiarist

person who keeps bees

rapacious

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

personify

represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification

soporific

sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy

complicity

participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)

egotism

tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance

nourish

provide with food necessary for life and growth

quarry

person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey

concerted

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

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

chicanery

trickery; deception

denizen

(animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor

deprecate

express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory

bait

harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals

sophomoric

immature; half-baked; like a sophomore

inasmuch_as

since; owing to the fact that

culpable

deserving blame; blameworthy

bout

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

chide

scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)

mash

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

recalcitrant

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

deserts

what someone deserves

rarefied

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

contagion

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

acumen

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

carafe

glass water bottle; decanter

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

seminary

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

forsake

desert; abandon; renounce

ghastly

horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast

incidence

rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality

sherbet

flavored dessert ice

expertise

specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill

concordat

formal agreement

intuition

immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition

dingy

(of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain

laconic

brief and to the point; using few words; terse

bohemian

unconventional (in an artistic way)

momentous

very important; N. moment; CF. momentary

immutable

unchangeable

inclined

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

amalgamate

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

comprise

include; consist of

scapegoat

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

redolent

odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery

hindsight

understanding the nature of an event after it has actually happened

righteous

morally upright; just

stymie

thwart; present an obstacle; stump

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.

vex

annoy; distress

bigot

one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)

redundant

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

brooch

ornamental clasp; pin

ultimatum

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

impediment

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

catechism

book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize

sullen

silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy

adroit

skillful (in using mind or hand)

dilettante

aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight

approbation

approval

rotundity

roundness; sonorousness of speech

mutter

utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low tones

inchoate

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

expletive

meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word

penury

extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy

epilogue

short speech at conclusion of dramatic work

blunt

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

voodoo

religion practiced chiefly in Haiti

lachrymose

producing tears; tearful

cant

insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people

bombastic

pompous; using inflated language

low

moo; make the sound of a cow

mason

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

acoustics

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

studious

given to diligent study

impending

nearing; approaching; about to happen

pert

(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat

reimburse

repay; pay back

tension

stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people

phobia

morbid fear

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

repast

meal; feast; banquet

seep

pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage

engulf

surround and swallow up

pendant(pendent)

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

devise

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

bestow

confer

obligatory

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

pendulous

hanging; suspended

effigy

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

wane

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

astral

relating to the stars

prestige

respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige

gargoyle

waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building

filth

dirty matter; ADJ. filthy

unwonted

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

aversion

firm dislike

reverend

deserving reverence; N: priest

moratorium

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

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

niggardly

meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. *****rd: stingy person

motility

ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously

propitiate

appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory

creep

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

penumbra

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

alchemy

medieval chemistry

plutocracy

society ruled by the wealthy

painstaking

taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through

fledgling(fledgeling)

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

chancellor

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

vassal

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

sound

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

unobtrusive

inconspicuous; not blatant

brag

boast

tinge

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

incredulous

withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief

charm

quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch

compact

agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement

profusion

great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant

askew

crookedly; slanted; at an angle

pall

become boring; grow tiresome

posterity

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

duplicity

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

enliven

make lively or spirited; animate

stricture

severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction

deducible

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

cornucopia

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

concur

agree; coincide; happen at the same time

convoluted

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

breach

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

discrepancy

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

phalanx

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

incontrovertible

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

faculty

mental or bodily powers; teaching staff

erotic

pertaining to passionate love or sexual love

regal

royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner

tentative

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

gerontocracy

government ruled by old people

aspersion

slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on

divest

strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)

ichthyology

study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish

festive

joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival

fickle

changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless

extenuate

weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)

diffidence

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

doze

sleep lightly; nap

maverick

rebel; nonconformist (in a group)

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

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

granulate

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

antecedents

preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background

trickle

flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.

feud

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

check

stop motion; curb or restrain

redoubtable

formidable; causing fear

banal

hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed

rapture

great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous

forte

strong point or special talent in a person's character

gadfly

animal-biting fly; irritating person

traduce

expose to slander

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.

amnesia

loss of memory

hue

color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue

unfrock

defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority

hinterlands

back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland

sojourn

temporary stay; V: stay for a time

proscribe

prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw

calamity

disaster; misery

prosaic

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

dogged

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

balmy

soft and mild (of air); fragrant

counterpart

thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system

poultice

soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body

impuissance

powerlessness; feebleness

corrode

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

pedestrian

ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.

rectify

set right; correct; CF. rect-: right

wholesome

conducive to mental or physical health; healthful

polarity

state of having two opposite qualities

gullible

easily deceived

cunning

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

season

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

provenance

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

scuttle

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

dissemble

disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend

galaxy

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

impede

hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block

surmise

guess; N.

fiend

evil spirit; devil

leave-taking

farewell or departure

reputed

supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem

reminiscence

recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past

pharisee

Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person

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

atone

make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for

incorporeal

without a material body; insubstantial

severity

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

emasculate

weaken; castrate

freebooter

pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich

disengage

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

guffaw

boisterous laughter; V.

tenuous

thin; slim; rare

grandeur

impressiveness; stateliness; majesty

unique

without an equal; single in kind

limp

walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak

analgesia

condition of being unable to feel pain

verge

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

dross

waste matter; worthless impurities

inflated

exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)

sedentary

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

overturn

turn over; capsize; topple

meek

submissive; patient and long-suffering

cascade

small waterfall

hostage

person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy so that the other side will do what the enemy demands

vigilante

one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers

Occident

the West

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

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

exertion

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

pertinacious

holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent

elucidate

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

poseur

person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose

rider

amendment or clause added to a legislative bill

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

teetotalism

practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total

humane

marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian

pathetic

causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching

propagate

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

aboriginal

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

personable

attractive (in personality or appearance)

specious

seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)

callous

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

vindictive

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

standstill

condition of no movement or activity; stop

gastronomy

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

groove

long narrow channel made in a surface to guide the movement of something; Ex. groove of the record

pliable

flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable

indulgent

humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence

improvident

thriftless; not providing for the future

rail

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

urgent

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

courier

messenger

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

snicker

half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.

tread

walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step

chorus

phrase repeated throughout a song or poem

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

predispose

give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition

enfranchise

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

mat

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

tertiary

third in order or rank

stump

base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle

sibling

brother or sister

extirpate

root up; uproot; destroy completely

psyche

soul; mind

stifle

suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate

constituent

supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component

ego

one's opinion of oneself; self-esteem

peripatetic

walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy

machinations

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

addiction

compulsive habitual need

prevaricate

lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)

shard

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

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.

unguent

ointment

slough

(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed

psychosomatic

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

discompose

disturb the composure of; confuse

cerebral

pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum

foreshadow

give an indication beforehand; be a sign of (what is coming); portend; prefigure

malleable

(of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable

cull

pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.

cadaver

corpse; dead human body

embryonic

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

parity

equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate

stem

stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk

dearth

scarcity

marred

damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure

elixir

cure-all; panacea; something invigorating

hybrid

mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize

shun

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

repercussion

rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion

diabolical

diabolic; devilish; fiendish

litigation

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

fashion

give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay

oatmeal

crushed oats used for making porridge

plenitude

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

skulk

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

incessant

uninterrupted; unceasing

ennui

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

adamant

hard; inflexible

defunct

dead; no longer in use or existence

psychosis

mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic

exploit

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

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

artifice

deception; trickery

impeccable

faultless

eminent

rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position

prehensile

capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails

finished

properly made and complete; Ex. finished product/performance

naivet\'e(naivety)

quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous

retinue

following; attendants

steadfast

steadily loyal; unswerving; steady

coy

shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer

recuperate

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

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

colloquy

informal discussion; conversation

outskirts

fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston

gainsay

deny

turpitude

depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude

influx

flowing into

inkling

hint; slight indication

qualify

reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated

hireling

one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician

pathological

pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease

smear

spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing

valediction

saying farewell; expression of leave-taking

rake

angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular

sphinx-like

enigmatic; mysterious

bereaved

deprived of (someone beloved through death)

chronicle

report; record (in chronological order)

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

monograph

scholarly article

dignitary

person of high rank or position

fanfare

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

timbre

quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)

vapid

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

coeval

living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age

seamy

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

anthropoid

manlike; resembling a human being; N.

elated

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

proclivity

inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)

fabricate

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

lounge

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

agog

highly excited; intensely curious

meddlesome

interfering; V. meddle: interfere

petty

trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded

earthy

unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal

piebald

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

gross

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

germ

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

strut

pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner

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

visceral

felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate

abscond

depart secretly and hide

platonic

purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire

anarchist

person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority

toady

servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn

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

aghast

filled with great surprise or fear; horrified

potable

suitable for drinking; drinkable

surreptitious

done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden

disinterested

unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective

swell

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

prance

move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)

extrapolation

projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information

commensurate

equal in extent; of the same size

perquisite(perk)

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

eugenic

pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race

presumptuous

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

mollycoddle

pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively

capricious

unpredictable; fickle

waive

give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim

pervert

corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural

importunate

urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent

materialism

preoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather than spiritual matters)

sluggish

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

dichotomy

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

autopsy

examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.

deface

mar; disfigure

figurine

small ornamental statuette(very small statue)

surveillance

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

commonplace

ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark

legend

explanatory list of symbols on a map

incarcerate

imprison

ballast

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

carping

petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble

amenities

convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies

accost

approach and speak first to a person

welter

wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.

imbibe

drink in

derivation

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

forthright

straightforward; direct; frank

cession

yielding to another; ceding

dumbfound(dumfound)

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

inimical

(of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy

bane

posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous

burnish

make shiny by rubbing; polish

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

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

abut

border upon; adjoin

blighted

suffering from a disease; destroyed

brunt

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

relapse

return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N.

plenary

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

bombardment

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

curator

superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)

congenial

pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather

firebrand

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

replica

copy

latent

present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential

mores

conventions; moral standards; moral customs

appraise

estimate value of; N. appraisal

tantamount

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

automaton

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

volition

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

requite

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

efface

rub out; remove the surface of

mannered

affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech

mural

wall painting

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)

credential

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

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

provisional

tentative; temporary

ethnology

study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology

pith

core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance

lechery

gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man

denomination

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

placid

peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake

tutelage

guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction

temperate

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

arcane

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

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

robust

strong; vigorous

engaged

employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict

sophist

teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument

whine

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

gorge

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

gild

cover with a thin layer of gold

quotidian

daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine

monochrome

painting in only one color; ADJ.

ethos

underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos

provender

dry food for livestock; fodder

cryptic

mysterious; hidden; secret

advent

arrival

rotund

(of a person) fat and round

impale

pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear

avid

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

dais

raised platform for speakers or other important people

furor

frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury

tautological

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

dowse

use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals

satellite

small body revolving around a larger one

gestate

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

insubordination

disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate

unwieldy

awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable

ragamuffin

dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes

itinerant

wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher

purgatory

place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins

simian

monkeylike; N: ape or monkey

pronounced

distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp

unsightly

ugly; unpleasant to look at

fleece

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

dispatch

speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill

overbearing

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

savor

enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality

filing

particle removed by a file

moribund

dying; at the point of death; CF. death

recount

narrate or tell (a story); count over again

flighty

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

trite

hackneyed; commonplace

convoke

call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation

gruesome

grisly; horrible

monochromatic

having only one color

irreproachable

beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct

permeable

that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge

mirth

merriment; laughter

exacting

extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety

unceremonious

not done politely without due formalities

spectral

ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom

incisive

(appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into

propensity

natural inclination

confound

confuse; puzzle

orient

get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate

alluvial

pertaining to soil deposits left by running water

congeal

freeze; coagulate

vilify

slander; speak evil of; N. vilification

accessible

easy to approach; obtainable

miserly

stingy; mean

bard

poet

prevail

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

defection

desertion

odoriferous

giving off an odor

circuitous

roundabout

opprobrium

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

acme

peak; pinnacle; highest point

sully

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

homeostasis

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

ruddy

reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking

pore

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

virtuoso

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

resound

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

sporadic

occurring irregularly; intermittent

dismantle

take apart; disassemble

incantation

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

slight

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

spendthrift

someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth

primary

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

derivative

unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N.

agape

openmouthed

icon(ikon)

religious image; idol; image or representation

allay

calm; pacify

annul

make void

castrate

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

sylvan

pertaining to the woods or the country

anonymity

state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous

significant

expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant

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

esoteric

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

delirium

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

ambidextrous

capable of using either hand with equal ease

blotch

spot; blot; CF. blot+botch

intractable

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

largess

generous gift (given to people who do not have enough)

dazzle

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

prey

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

excise

cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision

pied

piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored

delete

erase; strike out

futile

useless; hopeless; ineffectual

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

maniacal

raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm

fanaticism

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

galvanize

stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity

confluence

flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together

appropriate

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

strut

supporting bar; CF. airplane wing, building support

indulge

yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special pleasure; Ex. indulge one's every whim/a child/in a big cigarette; N. indulgence

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

lascivious

lustful

weary

tired after long work; V.

throng

crowd (of people or things); V.

treatise

article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly

prelate

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

pantomime

acting without dialogue; V.

disfigure

mar the appearance of; spoil

wade

walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes movement

construe

explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue

affluence

abundance; wealth

fitful

spasmodic; intermittent; irregular

effeminate

having womanly traits

vicar

parish priest; representative

wanderlust

strong longing to travel

inordinate

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

vehement

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

inductive

pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general

interstice

narrow space between things

molten

melted; Ex. molten lava

boorish

rude; insensitive

flamboyant

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

retard

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

diminution

lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish

madrigal

pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments

oblivion

obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness

caste

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

frolic

play and jump about happily; frisk; Ex. frolicking young lambs

asymmetric

not identical on both sides of a dividing central line

mettle

courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome

holocaust

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

benefactor

gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose

correlation

mutual relationship

desiccate

dry up

escapade

prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules

politic

prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised

query

inquiry; question; V.

analogy

similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things

notch

V-shaped cut in a surface; V.

suckle

give or take milk at the breast or udder

spectrum

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

crescendo

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

rousing

lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up

ethnic

relating to races

craft

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

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.

concatenate

link as in a chain

memento

token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit

shack

crude cabin

amble

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

somnambulist

sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism

suppliant

entreating; beseeching; N.

bust

piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster

precedent

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

callus

area of thick hard skin

quixotic

idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote

expatiate

talk at length; speak or write in detail

flux

flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux

supposititious

assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical

prowess

extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle

queasy

experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy

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

debar

bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services

substantiate

support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify

interregnum

period between two successive reigns or governments

boisterous

violent; rough; noisy

resolve

determination; resolution; firmness of purpose

bombast

grandiloquent, pompous speech

arsenal

storage place for military equipment

reparable

capable of being repaired

luminary

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

translucent

partly transparent

genesis

beginning; origin

draconian

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

institute

organization for a special purpose; V: establish

disabuse

correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief

rustle

make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together

derision

ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory

glacial

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

cornice

projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars)

atrocity

brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious

ashen

ash-colored; deadly pale

glimmer

shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope

sow

plant or scatter seed

repartee

quick clever reply

bland

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

dysentery

inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract

polarize

split into opposite extremes or camps

dank

damp; unpleasantly wet

annuity

yearly allowance

nugatory

worthless; futile

babble

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

queer

strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal

scale

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

shoot

new growth from a plant

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

pariah

social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah

domicile

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

hallucination

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

infantile

childish; infantlike

hut

crude dwelling; shack

caulk(calk)

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

subside

sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate

irresolute

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

exact

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

theocracy

government run by religious leaders

nomadic

wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place

balm

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

edifice

building (of imposing size)

gruel

thin liquid porridge

residual

remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue

vibrant

full of vigor or energy; vibrating

impoverish

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

secrete

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

canter

slow gallop; V. CF. trot

lot

object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land

hypnosis

induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize

inebriated

habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety

repellent

driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; 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

fulcrum

support on which a lever rests or pivots

bogus

counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview

sonnet

14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern

attribute

essential quality; V: ascribe; explain

stoic

stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism

skulduggery(skullduggery)

dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election

handsome

large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome reward

repress

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

oculist

physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes

periphery

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

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

effective

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

tycoon

wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon

decelerate

slow down

inclement

stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement

loquacious

talkative; N. loquacity

functionary

official (who performs a particular function)

pillage

plunder

pomposity

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

renovate

restore to good condition; renew

satiate

satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated

syllogism

logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument

blemish

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

chasm

abyss; very deep crack

import

significance; importance; meaning

nettle

irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome

sanguine

optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red

celestial

heavenly

ovation

enthusiastic applause

thesis

opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments

nefarious

very wicked

mannerism

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

cameo

shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film

retrieve

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

penology

study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation

respiration

breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory

foil

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

indubitable

unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable

saga

Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative

seethe

be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.

precipitant

something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; OP. solvent

quagmire

bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself

degenerate

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

savant

scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know

mentor

counselor; teacher

punitive

punishing; Ex. punitive measures

etymology

study of word parts; study of the origins of words

procrastinate

postpone; delay or put off

crestfallen

dejected; dispirited

preposterous

absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous

uncouth

boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish

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

obscure

dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning

obfuscate

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

tribulation

suffering; ordeal; distress; trial

apocryphal

(of a story) widely believed but untrue

potent

powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential

repel

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

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

foil

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

aloof

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

hermetic

concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult

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

advert

refer

waggish

humorous; mischievous; tricky

reprise

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

sinecure

well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif

embellish

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

uninhibited

unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings

afterlife

life after death; later part of one's life

scintilla

trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark

eccentricity

oddity; idiosyncrasy

damn

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

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

indelible

not able to be erased

cremate

incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium

beneficial

helpful; useful; advantageous

bristle

short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly

bruise

injure without breaking the skin; N.

bog

soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud

orgy

wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping

grandiose

affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas

sacrosanct

invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable

vitreous

of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify

chaplain

clergyman attached to a chapel

luscious

pleasing to taste or smell; delicious

germane

pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate

multilingual

having many languages; fluent in several languages

opulence

extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant

mulct

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

parvenu

upstart; newly rich person

veneer

thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V.

artifacts

object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced

lexicon

dictionary

impermeable

impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate

fluency

smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent

defer

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

semblance

outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.

amorphous

formless; lacking shape or definition

petrify

turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze

partial

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

refulgent

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

retentive

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

rivulet

small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river

vagrant

wandering from place to place; roving; stray; moving in a random fashion; Ex. vagrant thoughts; N. vagrancy

awful

terrible; very bad

impersonal

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

hatch

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

hapless

unfortunate; luckless

expunge

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

enrapture

please intensely; fill with rapture and delight

subsistence

existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level)

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

disdain

treat with scorn or contempt

procurement

obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another

obese

excessively fat; N. obesity

recipient

receiver

supplicate

petition humbly; pray to grant a favor

paltry

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

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

chafe

warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.

imminent

impending; near at hand

cohere

stick together

unravel

disentangle; solve

pudding

hot sweet dish

loath

reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go.

awry

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

urbane

suave; refined in manner; elegant

vying

contending; CF. vie

circumlocution

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

maul

handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer

pigment

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

hygiene

science and practice of the promotion and preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic condition

incompatible

inharmonious; N. incompatibility

breed

produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant

licentious

amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained

parley

conference (between opponents); CF. speak

repeal

revoke; annul

pretentious

ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art

doctrinaire

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

incinerate

burn to ashes

chalice

goblet; consecrated cup

frugality

thrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing economy; costing little; inexpensive

emancipate

set free; liberate

abridge

condense or shorten

jaunty

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

frenzied

madly excited; N. frenzy: violent wild excitement

arboretum

place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited

impenetrable

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

digression

wandering away from the subject; V. digress

gull

trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe

crossbreed

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

cordial

warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome

sepulcher

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

quiver

tremble; shake; N.

annihilate

destroy

talisman

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

flinch

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

inarticulate

speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly

rusticate

banish to the country; dwell in the country

supererogatory

superfluous; more than needed or demanded

subjective

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

pusillanimous

cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted

resuscitate

revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child

invincible

unconquerable

proxy

authorized agent; authority to act for another

ken

range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken

calligraphy

beautiful writing; excellent penmanship

suture

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

apprehensive

fearful; discerning

vouch

give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher

waft

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

conservatory(conservatoire)

school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy

pensive

dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over

deliberate

consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow

trivia

trifles; unimportant matters

vigor

active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous

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

hubbub

confused uproar; loud noise; din

minion

servile dependent; obsequious follower

palatable

agreeable; pleasing to the taste

larceny

theft; Ex. petit larceny

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

incongruity

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

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

bedraggle

wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled

jocular

said or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking

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

contumacious

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

voracious

ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader

errant

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

frigid

intensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone

dainty

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

ominous

threatening; of an evil omen

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

leniency

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

wiggle

wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions

conifer

pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen

rebuke

scold harshly; criticize severely

incline

slope; slant; Ex. steep incline

suitor

man who is courting a woman

billowing

swelling out in waves; surging

tryst

meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet

venue

location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come

infidel

unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)

scoff

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

fell

cruel; (of a disease) deadly

functional

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

fluctuate

waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly

throttle

strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?

predicament

difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma

versatile

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

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

incur

bring upon oneself

pedant

scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities

roseate

rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views

trepidation

fear; nervous apprehension

transpose

reverse the order or position of

pacify

soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to

uproarious

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

appellation

name; title

gait

manner of walking or running; speed

dilate

expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)

retain

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

ploy

strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy

lank

long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln

gambol

romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N.

hail

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

gyroscope

apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc.

impervious

impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism

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.

din

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

grotto

small cavern

layman

man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional

finale

conclusion; concluding part

abstinence

restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote

monotheism

belief in one God

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

swathe

swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages

subservient

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

philanthropist

lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy

bellicose

warlike

trunk

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

fetish(fetich)

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

fringe

decorative edge of hanging threads; edge

inherent

firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic

chimerical

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

outrage

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

certitude

certainty

fermentation

chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation

lag

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

gall

annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation

fusillade

simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)

lofty

very high

rife

(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current

chaotic

in utter disorder

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

espionage

spying

cognate

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

bent

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

conviction

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

sleigh

large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice

hermetic

sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight

orientation

act of finding oneself in society; orienting

lunatic

insane; Ex. lunatic asylum

splice

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

embezzlement

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

surly

bad-tempered; rude; cross

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

eschew

avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks

static

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

dilatory

delaying; tending to delay

marrow

soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells

occlude

shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery.

thematic

of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea

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)

dislodge

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

vise

vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device

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

authenticate

prove genuine

tickle

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

masquerade

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

harry

harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid

malodorous

foul-smelling

gazette

official periodical publication; newspaper

ordeal

severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction

genuflect

bend the knee as in worship

apologist

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

saboteur

one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly)

negate

cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation

autonomous

self-governing; N. autonomy

faction

party; clique (within a large group); dissension

clasp

hold firmly within arms

dirge

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

sophisticated

worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate

disparage

belittle

exempt

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

touching

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

importune

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

dotage

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

surfeit

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

sap

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

fathom

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

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

buxom

full-bosomed; plump; jolly

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

apothegm(apophthegm)

pithy, compact saying

edify

instruct; correct morally

executor

person designated to execute the terms of a will

aloft

upward; high up in the air

gourmet

connoisseur of food and drink; epicure

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

spatula

broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing

berserk

mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited

calculated

deliberately planned; likely

pragmatist

practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things

fetid(foetid)

malodorous; foul

ascetic

practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism

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

aberrant

abnormal or deviant

armada

fleet of warships

acrid

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

contortions

twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist

reprisal

retaliation

superannuated

retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete

internecine

mutually destructive

nuptial

related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony

exult

rejoice

absolute

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

fecundity

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

fleck

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

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

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.

dorsal

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

apolitical

having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs

effluvium

noxious(harmful) smell

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

sunder

separate; part; CF. asunder

tipple

drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink

misogynist

hater of woman; CF. misogyny

clairvoyant

having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance

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

communal

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

awe

solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome

entrepreneur

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

disburse

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

derogatory

expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage

aphasia

loss of speech due to injury or illness

trident

three-pronged spear

dexterous

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

vulnerable

susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability

numismatist

person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals

vantage

position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint

dynamic

energetic; vigorously active

threadbare

worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses

arrhythmic

lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia

contrite

penitent; repentant; N. contrition

dehydrate

remove water from; dry out

rant

speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil.

warranted

justified; authorized

disconcert

confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb

scowl

frown angrily; N: angry frown

diva

operatic singer; prima donna

osseous

made of bone; bony

stammer

speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions

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

blasphemy

irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege

patois

local or provincial dialect

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

malfeasance

wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official)

boost

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

embargo

ban on commerce or other activity

peripheral

of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest

mode

prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple mode of life

polemic

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

insatiable

not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite

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

bivouac

temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.

retiring

shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality

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

unsavory

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

adage

wise saying; proverb

quicksilver

mercury

recline

lie down

suffocate

die or kill from lack of air; suppress

protrude

stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth

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

bowdlerize

expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler

leash

restraining rope fastened to the collar of an animal (to control it); Ex. a dog on a leash

affidavit

written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)

refractory

unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse

disparate

basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated

dire

warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food

canard

unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report

inception

start; beginning

beguile

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

sprout

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

ram

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

ungainly

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

superfluous

excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity

abscission

cutting off; separation

mutinous

unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer

buffoon

stupid person; clown

verbalize

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

gale

windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughters, tears); Ex. gale of laughter

stout

rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter

charlatan

quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)

exhort

urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation

chronic

long established as a disease

feral

(of an animal) not domestic; wild

upbraid

reprimand; severely scold

unscathed

unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed

filch

steal (things of small value)

pillory

punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.

pandemic

widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people

unexceptionable

entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism

recess

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

quaint

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

titanic

gigantic; N. titan

supplicant

one who supplicates; ADJ.

clot

half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.

tenant

one that pays rent to use property owned by another

jubilation

rejoicing; great joy

canto

division of a long poem

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

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

solecism

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

braggart

boaster; bragger

rote

repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote

compliant

readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements

potion

dose (of liquids); liquid dose

compassion

sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate

swagger

walk or behave with an over-confident manner

vernal

pertaining to spring

queue

line (of waiting people or vehicles)

Bacchanalia

the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus

contrived

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

fret

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

corpus

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

mediate

settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire

vitiate

spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally

amulet

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

secession

withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership

tantrum

fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.

magisterial

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

seismic

pertaining to earthquakes

improvise

compose on the spur of the moment

ample

enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space

incendiary

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

gall

bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; CF. gall bladder

flutter

(of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings) lightly, rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or erratically; fly by waving quickly; flitter; 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

compulsory

obligatory; that must be done

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.

confide

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

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

malefactor

evildoer; criminal

corrugated

wrinkled; ridged

affliction

state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on

terminal

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

complacency

self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent

indefatigable

tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired

deposition

testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning

opportunist

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

encompass

surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.

roster

list (of names)

verdigris

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

barterer

trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money

impunity

freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish

coax

persuade by flattery

shyster

lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner

abstract

theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational

deference

courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery

nova

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

atheistic

denying the existence of God; N. atheism

protean

able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will

violate

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

grandiloquent

(of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic

impinge

infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.

saccharine

cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin

disenfranchise

disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise

betray

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

prologue

introduction (to a poem or play)

sententious

pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic

bouillon

clear beef (or meat) soup

cadence

rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm

glossary

brief explanation of words used in the text

incipient

beginning; in an early stage

rou\'e

lecherous man

elastic

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

sterile

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

nadir

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

assail

assault

shunt

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

quaff

drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment)

resumption

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

snuffle

sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)

gesticulation

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

plasticity

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

roil

make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb

bicameral

two-chambered as a legislative body

intellect

higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability

anemia

condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic

composure

mental calmness

vivacious

lively or animated; sprightly

squabble

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

obsequy

funeral ceremony

conscript

draftee; person forced into military service; V.

scurrilous

abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark

sidereal

relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day

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.

upshot

outcome; final result

dint

means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work

crest

top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird

scaffold

temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution

puissant

powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power

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

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

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

slake

satisfy (thirst); quench; sate

vie

contend; compete

gustatory

affecting or relating to the sense of taste

lustrous

shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair

oust

expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting

amorous

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

retrench

cut down; cut down expenses; economize

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

primordial

existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary

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

inebriate

make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person

foliage

masses of leaves; CF. defoliate

perversion

corruption; turning from right to wrong

pulsate

throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly

hostility

unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile

sedulous

diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity

reticent

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

mangy

shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance

trajectory

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

jocund

merry

facilitate

help bring about; make less difficult

fraudulent

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

exegesis

explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages

muster

gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N.

choice

delicate; of very fine quality

sere

sear; parched; dry

marked

noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man

temper

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

kneel

go down on one's knee(s)

restitution

returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury

foment

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

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

defeatist

resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism

titillate

tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it

accolade

award of merit; strong praise and approval

intermediary

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

accord

agreement

piecemeal

one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal

deluge

flood; rush; V.

verbose

wordy; N. verbosity

serenity

calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene

sovereign

ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent

rift

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

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

noisome

foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome

conflagration

great fire

spat

squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel

snivel

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

impious

irreverent

phlegmatic

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

smelt

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

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

glib

fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick

rebuttal

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

ration

fixed portion; V: distribute as rations

dormant

sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent

dismember

cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb

lethal

deadly

conspiracy

treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)

engross

occupy fully; absorb

apothecary

druggist; pharmacist

decorum

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

drip

fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops

vulpine

like a fox; crafty

bandy

discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with

hedonist

one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one's life purely for pleasure

unwitting

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

blackball

vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote

fancied

imagined; unreal

bestial

beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel

dispassionate

calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings

rhapsody

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

frivolous

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

patina

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

advocate

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

aggregate

sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars

ingenue

ing\'enue; young innocent girl

behoove(behove)

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

mawkish

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

luster

shine; gloss (of a polished surface)

intoxicate

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

lewd

lustful

immure

imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall

glamor

compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous

aromatic

fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell

incite

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

assiduous

diligent

franchise

right or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory

flicker

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

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

gobble

eat very quickly

quail

cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart

profligate

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

affiliation

joining; associating with

precept

practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept

connoisseur

person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art

integrate

make whole; combine; make into one unit

reprobate

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

buttress

support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress

hone

sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool

comprehensive

broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive

recast

reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again

askance

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

belligerent

quarrelsome

satire

form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly

extrovert

person interested mostly in external objects and actions

abide

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

sleek

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

impassable

not able to be traveled or crossed

tyro

beginner; novice

stamina

power of endurance; strength; staying power

untenable

(of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained

perspicuous

(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments

ensconce

settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)

cipher

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

indicative

suggestive; implying; serving to indicate

infernal

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

slovenly

untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless

underlying

lying below; fundamental

awl

pointed tool used for piercing

agglomeration

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

strangle

kill by choking or suffocating; suppress

turncoat

traitor

adept

expert at; very skilled

rotunda

circular building or hall covered with a dome

enthrall

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

arch-

chief; first; Ex. archbishop

diversion

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

inviolable

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

innocuous

harmless

prescience

ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient

engender

cause; produce; give rise to

supposition

assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose

habitat

natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation

saunter

stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.

immaculate

spotless; flawless; absolutely clean

culvert

artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road

subsume

include (as a member of a group); encompass

felon

person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime

delve

dig; search deeply; investigate

couple

join; unite; OP. uncouple

consternation

great shock; dismay

antipathy

aversion; dislike or opposition

officious

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

nib

beak(bill); pen point

pyromaniac

person with an insane desire to set things on fire

mischance

ill luck

viscous

(of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency

beatitude

blessedness; state of great happiness

parish

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

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

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

evanescent

fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce

glare

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

expedite

hasten; make go faster

centripetal

tending toward the center

novelty

something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original

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

animated

lively; spirited

raspy

making a harsh noise; grating; harsh

subterfuge

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

febrile

feverish

slap

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

abstemious

sparing in eating and drinking; temperate

pugnacity

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

covetous

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

censorious

severely critical

lateral

of or coming from the side

lionize

treat (a person) as a celebrity

peregrination

journey; V. peregrinate

odious

arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile

chapel

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

proviso

stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision

acknowledge

recognize; admit

touchstone

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

impertinent

insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence

discriminating

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

lubricate

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

addendum

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

exposure

risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption

larder

pantry; place where food is kept

preeminent

outstanding; superior

paramount

foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal

prototype

original work used as a model by others

rhapsodize

speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery

jeopardize

endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger

smattering

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

pseudonym

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

aegis

shield; protection; defense

disaffected

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

filibuster

block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter

efficacy

power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual

quisling

traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling

incarnate

endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody

factious

inclined to form factions; causing dissension

feign

pretend

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

latch

fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch; V: close with a latch

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

archipelago

group of closely located islands

spawn

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

absolve

pardon (an offense)

headstrong

willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have one's own way; CF. no 'excessive'

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

proletarian

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

assay

analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)

friction

clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against

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

discord

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

recumbent

reclining; lying down completely or in part

haphazard

random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town

perforate

pierce; put a hole through

effusion

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

squash

crush; quash; suppress

incommodious

not spacious; inconvenient

asperity

sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter

stumble

trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.

ineffectual

not effective; not having a desired effect; weak

abject

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

actuarial

calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics

bludgeon

club; heavy-headed weapon; V.

conglomeration

mass of material sticking together

throb

(of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart

squat

short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.

grouch

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

dour

sullen; gloomy; stubborn

melee

fight

inexorable

relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises

maritime

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

baleful

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

interloper

intruder; one who interferes

lithe

flexible; supple; CF. limber

rudimentary

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

combustible

easily burned; N. CF. combustion

gratify

please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire

ignominy

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

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

ensue

follow (as a result)

enigma

puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling

schematic

of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline

voluptuous

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

presage

foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen

cloister

monastery or convent

saturate

soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity

galleon

large three-masted sailing ship

illuminate

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

renege

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

barrage

barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism

heterogeneous

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

wrongheaded

stubbornly wrong

tenacious

holding fast (as to a belief); persistent

incentive

spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity

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

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.

consensus

general agreement; opinion reached by a group

hazard

venture; put in danger; risk; Ex. hazard a guess; N: possible source of danger

bravado

swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery

killjoy

grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others

oath

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

padre

chaplain (in the armed forces)

fallow

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

perennial

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

weird

eerie; strange; unnatural

astigmatism

eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism

serpentine

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

knotty

intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot

tart

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

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

usury

lending money at illegal high rates of interest

rip

tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail ripped under the force of the wind; N.

matin\'ee(matinee)

dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon

porous

full of pores; like a sieve

indigenous

native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World

prefigure

be a sign of; foreshadow

ulcer

sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate

equitable

fair; impartial; OP. inequitable

physiological

pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology

warp

twist out of shape; N.

bureaucracy

overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic

narcissist

conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus

benign

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

throes

violent anguish

continence

self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent

flirt

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

prelude

introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner

minuscule(miniscule)

extremely small

abdicate

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

ineffable

unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy

cauterize

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

concise

brief and compact

expurgate

clean; remove offensive parts of a book

tiller

handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)

mesmerize

hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer

quandary

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

bristling

rising like bristles; showing irritation

minute

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

gaudy

flashy; showy

revulsion

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

proverb

adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially

kudos

honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement

connotation

suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote

unassailable

not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question

exorcise

drive out evil spirits

remonstrate

protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest

pedigree

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

peremptory

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

illimitable

infinite; limitless

mendacious

lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity

stentorian

(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad

outcast

one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.

ruse

trick to deceive; stratagem

tablet

small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall

didactic

(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism

confine

shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement

ambiguous

unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation

integrity

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

homespun

domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy

maudlin

effusively sentimental

dyslexia

word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read

clipper

sailing vessel built for great speed

asteroid

small planet

felicitous

(of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen

canvass

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

bourgeois

middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions

component

element; ingredient

ubiquitous

being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity

victuals

food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food

beeline

direct quick route

querulous

given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining

beware

be cautious (of)

slipshod

slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work

ideology

system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture

provincial

pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated

munificent

very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience

prominent

protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent

devoid

empty; lacking

overblown

inflated; exaggerated

integral

complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part

edict

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

fuddle

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

ethereal

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

unimpeachable

that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary

nutritious

providing nourishment

random

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

demure

(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure

proximity

nearness; ADJ. proximate

indecision

irresolution; inability to make up one's mind

isotope

varying from of an element

ransack

search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.

nuance

shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction

accoutre

equip; N. accoutrement

stalemate

deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked

encipher

encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher

milieu

social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor.

nurture

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

grunt

utter a deep guttural sound (as a pig does); N.

vertigo

severe dizziness; giddiness

stink

stench; V: emit a strong foul odor

baffle

frustrate; perplex

scion

detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant

prodigal

wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality

wax

increase gradually (as the moon); grow

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

nepotism

favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew

gory

bloody; N. gore: blood (from a wound)

termination

end; V. terminate

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

remorse

deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach

gamut

entire range

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

decomposition

decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts

polygamist

one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry

geniality

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

prone

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

halfhearted

exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm

flotsam

drifting wreckage

cardiologist

doctor specializing in ailments of the heart

trek

travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey

pen

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

impolitic

not wise; not expedient; not politic

sinister

evil; ominous

subsequent

following in time or order; later

bump

hit or knock against with force; N.

satirical

using satire; mocking

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

lucre

money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre

pivotal

of a pivot; central; critical; crucial

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

cynical

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

ablution

washing

militate

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

husband

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

compelling

overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel

detonation

explosion

habituate

accustom or familiarize; addict

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.

hallowed

blessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; V. hallow: set apart as holy

obsolete

outmoded; no longer used

tarnish

make or become dull or discolored; N.

mongrel

plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ.

unrequited

not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love

genealogy

record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry

alliteration

repetition of beginning sound in poetry

sultry

(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous

hypothetical

based on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis

chaff

worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff

exonerate

acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt

burgeon

grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon

panache

flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache

dinghy

small boat (often ship's boat)

regent

a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent

determination

resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision

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

patrimony

property inherited from a father

compilation

listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling

filigree

delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork

abstruse

obscure; profound; difficult to understand

omnipotent

all-powerful; having unlimited power

stately

formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic

chaffing

bantering; joking

hilarity

boisterous mirth(merriment; laughter); ADJ. hilarious: full of laughter

vociferous

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

choir

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

penance

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

lackluster

lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull

homely

not good-looking; unattractive

obstinate

stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy

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

economy

efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources

intervene

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

healthy

possessing good health; healthful

bereft

deprived of (something valuable); lacking

rejoinder

reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply

dolorous

sorrowful; N. dolor

sequester

isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life

atypical

not normal; not typical

well-bred

of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined

polity

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

prosody

art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse

coagulate

congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant

gloss_over

explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults

coalesce

combine; fuse; N. coalescence

sentimental

swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments

d\'ecollet\'e

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

aspirant

seeker after position or status

baroque

highly ornate

beseech

beg; plead with

magnitude

greatness (in size or extent); extent

affirmation

positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination

retribution

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

laceration

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

perdition

damnation; complete ruin; hell

besiege

surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually

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

disavowal

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

timorous

fearful; timid; demonstrating fear

emend

correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement

conventional

ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons

console

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

sensitization

process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive

sour

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

knead

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

brevity

conciseness; shortness of duration

sleeper

one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable

shrew

scolding woman; very small mouselike animal

culprit

one guilty of a crime

regiment

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

oscillate

vibrate pendulumlike; waver

resentment

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

devout

pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope

galley

low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves)

frock

long loose garment (worn by monks)

primp

groom oneself with care; adorn oneself

arraign

charge in court; indict

submerge

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

demotic

of or pertaining to the people

meticulous

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

pragmatic

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

partiality

state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference

herald

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

consummate

complete; V.

spruce

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

obtuse

blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding

dubious

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

execrable

very bad; detestable

bacchanalian

drunken

august

impressive; majestic

panoramic

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

blush

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

extradition

surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite

aplomb

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

substantive

substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues

acrimonious

stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior

definitive

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

abash

embarrass

ciliated

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

warren

tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live

impudence

impertinence; insolence

dominate

control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height

carnal

fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body

mace

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

animosity

active enmity

ellipsis

omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses

problematic

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

excerpt

selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V.

emollient

soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.

incoherent

unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent

concord

harmony; accord

irrepressible

unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back

inculcate

teach (ideas or principles); instill

pithy

concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty

transmute

transform; change; convert to something different

touchy

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

self-righteous

sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic

far-fetched

too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story

diatribe

bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse

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

bluster

blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale

antecede

precede

stampede

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

relent

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

veritable

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

tightwad

miser; excessively frugal person

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

coiffure

hairstyle

decipher

decode; CF. indecipherable

adulation

flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved

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

subpoena

writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena

egotistical

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

discredit

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

accomplice

partner in crime

revile

attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)

acuity

sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)

cog

tooth projecting from a wheel

quench

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

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 ?''

culinary

relating to cooking or kitchen

diverge

vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating

tatter

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

misgivings

doubts

congruent

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

dapper

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

craven

cowardly

fluke

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

coda

concluding section of a musical or literary composition

revert

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

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

parallelism

state of being parallel; similarity; analogy

hap

chance; luck

pedantic

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

stodgy

dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book

cross

bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry

sloth

slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent

graduate

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

rolling

(of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution of power to local governments

intrigue

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

oversee

watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision

pan

criticize harshly

bulge

protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude

enamored

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

transient

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

brandish

wave around (a weapon); flourish

bequeath

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

ostensible

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

blunder

error; stupid mistake

sleazy

shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric

ramp

slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)

foppish

vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance

turmoil

extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil

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

inhibited

(of a person) unable to express what one really feels

cumulative

growing by addition; accumulative

recital

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

actuary

someone who advises insurance companies

distinct

clearly different; clearly noticed

misdemeanor

minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing

swear

vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words

rend

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

hew

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

effulgent

shining brightly; brilliant

vigilant

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

advocacy

support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something

skimp

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

arduous

hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work

promontory

headland

generality

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

subsidiary

serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N.

lethargic

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

magistrate

official with power to administer the law

concurrent

happening at the same time; in agreement

replete

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

rank

offensive in odor or flavor

outlandish

bizzare; peculiar; unconventional

reproach

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

commonwealth

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

doggerel

poor verse

prolixity

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

scruple

hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience

ewe

female sheep

draw

choosing of a lot or card

indigent

poor; destitute

encomiastic

praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy

sybarite

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

holster

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

earthly

of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason

circumscribe

limit; confine; draw a line around

amass

collect (gradually, in a very large amount)

vertex

summit; highest point; PL. vertices

laggard

slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler

requiem

mass for the dead; dirge

ratiocination

reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically

ameliorate

improve

chivalrous

courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry

bully

one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.

casual

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

pang

sudden sharp feeling of pain

orthography

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

striated

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

cogent

convincing

rendition

rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc

heterodox

(of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional

underhand(underhanded)

done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)

virus

disease communicator

aureole

sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light

heed

pay attention to; N: close attention

chary

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

debauch

corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)

deadlock

standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate

venture

risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.

discursive

(of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)

disarray

state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray

condole

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

amazon

female warrior

perimeter

outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference

smirk

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

exclaim

cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory

divulge

reveal

condone

overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse

imperceptible

unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable

desultory

aimless; haphazard; digressing at random

compartment

one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided

totter

shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall

pertinent

suitable; to the point; relevant

despoil

plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village

foray

raid; sudden raid or military advance; V.

depose

dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify

abolish

cancel; put an end to

coup

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

disgorge

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

disconsolate

hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)

resignation

patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent

alienate

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

drivel

nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense

oratorio

dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata

expedient

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

bank

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

auspicious

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

distraught

upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry

unison

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

soothsayer

one who foretells the future

arbitrary

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

marsupial

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

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.

onus

burden; responsibility

ventral

abdominal

refectory

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

carapace

shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)

gleam

brief flash of light; glow; V.

volley

simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.

vivisection

act of dissecting living animals

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

rationale

fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action

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'

molecule

the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance

emanate

issue forth; come out

illusory

illusive; deceptive; not real

condign

adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved

simper

smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly

plaintive

expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song

inured

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

sextant

navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)

dregs

sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue

assumption

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

stilted

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

desolate

(of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless

cacophonous

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

slavish

of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the original

centrifuge

machine that separates substances by whirling them

orthodox

traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine

indignation

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

leery

(of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious

perpetrate

commit an offense; do (something wrong)

glean

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

forebears(forbears)

ancestors

tithe

tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe

quadruped

four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped

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

excoriate

scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off

restraint

moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction

obituary

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

growl

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

championship

position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion

egress

exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress

exchequer

treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer

probity

uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility

Elysium

place or condition of bliss

generate

cause; produce; create

commune

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

drone

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

sodden

thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink

endue

provide with some quality; endow

hem

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

quiver

case for arrows

auxiliary

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

epitaph

inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone)

philology

study of language or words

parable

short simple story teaching a moral

omniscient

all-knowing

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

guise

outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise

peruse

read through with care; N. perusal

skiff

small light sailboat or rowboat

inclusive

tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge

comeuppance

deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke

forthcoming

happening in the near future; ready; willing to help; Ex. No answer was forthcoming.

callow

youthful; immature; inexperienced

caucus

private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston

adjutant

staff officer assisting the commander; assistant

halting

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

perturb

disturb greatly

impassioned

(of speech) filled with passion; fervent

ordination

ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest

compatible

harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together

sway

swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one's opinion; N.

reminiscent

suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence

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

quip

taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.

disclose

reveal; N. disclosure

kinetic

producing motion; of motion

mobile

movable; not fixed; N. mobility

furtive

stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance

ferment

agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)

responsiveness

state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment

parchment

writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat

verbiage

pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness

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

potential

expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth

concomitant

that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else

fractious

unruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex. fractious horse

inveigle

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

avantgarde

group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard

unsullied

untarnished; CF. sully

lucrative

profitable; producing wealth

metropolis

large city

incubus

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

quintessence

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

floe

flat mass of floating ice

facet

small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side

validate

make valid; confirm; ratify

slapdash

hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)

posture

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

indite

write; compose

spartan

without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life

modish

fashionable; conforming to the current fashion

boor

rude, insensitive person

projectile

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

offhand

casual; done without prior thought or preparation

bemoan

lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of

slaughter

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

energize

invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active

herpetologist

one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians

prot\'eg\'e

person receiving protection and support from a patron

olfactory

concerning the sense of smell

equinox

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

bewitch

cast a spell over; captivate completely

effervescence

inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce

cede

yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession

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)

archaic

antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.

celibate

abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy

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

overwhelm

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

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

dowry

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

residue

remainder; balance

mote

small speck (esp. of dust)

insuperable

insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties

endemic

prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic

nebula

diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy

decree

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

realm

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

dispense

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

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

erroneous

mistaken; wrong; incorrect

cuisine

style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine

patent

obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.

enclave

territory enclosed within an alien land

caustic

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

converse

opposite; ADJ.

chaste

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

manifest

evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly

retrospective

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

dominant

exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive

compunction

remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt

deflect

turn aside; turn away from a straight course

glower

scowl; glare; look or stare angrily

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

humility

humbleness of spirit

compulsion

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

solicit

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

benevolent

generous; charitable; having a wish to do good

metamorphosis

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

discordant

not harmonious; conflicting

ponderous

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

wring

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

repine

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

indigence

poverty

propinquity

nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship

disputatious

argumentative; fond of argument

entourage

group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround

cabal

small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests

solace

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

salacious

lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk

recidivism

habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist

lexicographer

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

determinate

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

tortuous

winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road

circuit

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

primal

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

fleet

fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral

menace

threat; V: threaten

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

delusive

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

besmirch

soil; defile; make dirty

anvil

iron block used in hammering out metals

tundra

rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America

apex

tip; summit; climax; highest point

regime

method of system or government

peerless

having no equal; incomparable

tutelary

protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities

fraught

filled (with something unpleasant); full; Ex. fraught with danger and difficulties; CF. freight

premonitory

serving to warn

inamorata

woman whom a man loves

cower

shrink quivering as from fear; cringe

cleave

split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven

wag

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

unfetter

liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter

persevere

continue steadily in spite of difficulties

tint

slight degree of color; V: give a tint to

methodical

systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure

ludicrous

laughable; ridiculous; trifling

underscore

underline; emphasize

terminology

terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature

transparent

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

elope

run away secretly with the intention of getting married

abrogate

abolish

raiment

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

oaf

stupid awkward person; CF. elf

recreant

disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person

reprobation

severe disapproval; CF. approbation

tantalize

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

meander

wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly

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.

tactile

pertaining to the organs or sense of touch

hide

skin of an animal

incrustation

hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust

nirvana

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

disclaim

disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer

centurion

Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)

insomnia

wakefulness; inability to sleep

mire

entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire

document

provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.

debonair

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

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)

antiquated

obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated

unprepossessing

unattractive

circlet

small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)

linguistic

pertaining to language

equivocal

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

lance

pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon

equanimity

calmness of temperament; composure

blues

state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)

agrarian

pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform

implication

something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating

dissent

disagree

environ

enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)

horoscope

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

citadel

fortress

renegade

deserter; traitor; ADJ.

hydrophobia

fear of water; rabies

amend

correct; change ; generally for the better

malapropos

inappropriate; ADV.

expiate

make amends for (a sin)

cantata

story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)

peddle

travel about selling (wares); CF. foot

corporeal

bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible

die

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

ornate

excessively or elaborately decorated

engaging

charming; attractive

repugnance

disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive

muted

silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise

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

cistern

reservoir or water tank

shove

push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and shoving to get on the bus; N.

credence

belief

imbue

saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings

generic

characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus

eccentric

irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric

draft

first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript

malapropism

comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop

defrock

strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock

botch

mismanage; blow

artery

blood-vessel; CF. vein

regeneration

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

drab

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

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

ruffian

violent scoundrel; bully

invalidate

weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify

idyllic

charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene

garish

overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy

palette

board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)

collusion

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

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

imprudent

lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious

denotation

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

jettison

throw overboard (from a ship or plane)

margin

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

elaboration

addition of details; intricacy

succor

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

stockade

wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier

valedictory

pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)

guileless

without deceit

irrefutable

indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable

minutiae

petty or trivial details; CF. minutia

covenant

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

clemency

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

defray

provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay

delude

deceive

hale

healthy

igneous

produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite

myopic

nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia

pervasive

spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate

vampire

ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living

immolate

offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)

indecisive

marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. indecisive battle

tractable

docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability

inquisitor

questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition

nubile

marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial

quash

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

jibe

agree; be in harmony with; gibe

sentinel

sentry; lookout

resourceful

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

subsidy

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

interjection

exclamation; Ex. "Ouch''

headlong

hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV.

anthropologist

student of the history and science of humankind

traverse

go through or across

obnoxious

offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell

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

forswear

renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure

celerity

speed; rapidity

tyranny

oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress

tonsure

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

apotheosis

elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something

tawny

brownish yellow

imperturbable

unshakably calm; placid

outlook

point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook

vendor

seller

presentiment

premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear

imbalance

lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion

censure

blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval

argot

slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people

protuberance

protrusion; swelling; bulge

abrasive

rubbing away; tending to grind down

flounder

struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion

gaunt

lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren

circumspect

prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought

mercantile

concerning trade or merchants

aperture

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

homage

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

leeway

room to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for the deadline

avuncular

of or like an uncle

vent

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

tarry

linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle

discount

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

relish

enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest

debase

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

pedestal

support or base as for a pillar or statue

luminous

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

ape

imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)

arrears

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

disproportion

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

martial

warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law

flout

reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the rules

gouge

overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury

manacle

restrain; handcuff; N.

gentility

those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel

stint

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

cow

terrorize; intimidate

reparation

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

canine

related to dogs; doglike

fictitious

imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional

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

reverent

respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect

addle

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

mangle

tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex. badly mangled bodies

lancet

small surgical tool for making incisions

trenchant

cutting; incisive; keen

listless

lacking in spirit or energy; languid

heinous

atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime

willowy

flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow

ecstasy

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

stickler

perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right

glaring

(of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly bright; shining intensely and blindingly

recapitulate

summarize

burlesque

give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly

terse

concise; abrupt; pithy

exotic

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

distend

expand; swell out

mayhem

injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. maim

aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry)

nest of a large bird of prey

opiate

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

enervate

weaken; take away energy from

submissive

willing to obey orders; yielding; timid

mantle

loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core

flashy

showy; gaudy; giving a momentary brilliance

alleviate

relieve (pain)

incense

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

brackish

somewhat saline

frantic

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

blatant

extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy

abode

dwelling place; home

bluff

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

requisite

necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary

amnesty

pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)

abominate

loathe; hate

confiscate

seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer

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

refrain

abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus

swarm

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

perpetual

everlasting

precise

exact

smolder

smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger

impasse

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

bifurcated

divided into two branches; forked

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

infamous

notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation

squeamish

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

corrosive

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

stygian

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

muse

ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of a poet)

rehabilitate

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

spatial

relating to space

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

leonine

like a lion

cognitive

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

prosper

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

chastise

punish as by beating; criticize severely

mar

spoil the appearance of

sarcasm

cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic

monarchy

government under a single ruler

prodigy

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

forward

presumptuous or bold

lackadaisical

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

cerebration

thought; working of the brain

chassis

framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached

euphemism

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

venial

(of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial

renown

fame; ADJ. renowned

quirk

sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate

suffuse

spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.

epaulet(epaulette)

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

slacken

slow up; loosen; make or become slack

variegate

change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)

quiescent

dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence

bliss

complete happiness; ADJ. blissful

impute

attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation

testy

irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness

alias

an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias

scrutinize

examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny

unconscionable

unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand

disseminate

distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)

disjunction

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

erudite

(of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition

scrappy

quarrelsome

myriad

very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand

pediatrician

physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics

sartorial

pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor

acrophobia

fear of heights

mortar

vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle

monogram

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

disgruntle

make discontented

salutary

tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health

outstrip

outrun; surpass; outdo

amity

friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations

imbroglio

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

trappings

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

polyglot

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

reckon

count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose

facsimile

copy

bawdy

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

rag

scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance

hackneyed

commonplace; trite

vagary

capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander

breadth

width; extent

laborious

demanding much work or care; tedious

feline

of a member of the cat family; N.

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

detrimental

harmful; damaging; N. detriment

crust

hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)

rankle

irritate; fester; annoy

disquietude

uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious

insolence

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

affinity

feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages

suffragist

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

penetrate

enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand

chip

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

betoken

signify; indicate; be a sign of

gloss

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

plaster

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

indices

signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index

vixen

female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew

exuberance

overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly

forum

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

perigee

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

militia

army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers

soluble

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

embroil

throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio

impromptu

without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment

vivid

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

passive

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

libel

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

bleak

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

psychopathic

pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder

puny

tiny; weak; insignificant

implicit

understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust

verisimilar

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

spry

(esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble

ramshackle

(of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart

insipid

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

lagoon

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

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

array

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

pestle

tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar

hieroglyphic

picture writing; ADJ.

anneal

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

subversive

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

waylay

ambush; lie in wait for and attack

reinstate

restore to a previous condition or position

injurious

harmful; causing injury

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

animadversion

critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval

disport

amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert

imperious

domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor

fastidious

difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky

ursine

bearlike; pertaining to a bear

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

mercurial

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

ingenious

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

epigram

witty thought or saying, usually short

pulse

rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate

chaperon

older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman

declivity

downward slope

somnolent

half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence

incredulity

tendency to disbelief

doddering

shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder

tan

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

denigrate

blacken; defame

genre

particular variety of art or literature

heresy

opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic

pinnace

small boat

inanimate

lifeless; not animate

gavel

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

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

bevy

large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets

insularity

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

simulate

feign; imitate

hull

husk; dry outer covering of a seed; frame or body of a ship

resolve

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

immobility

state of being immovable

beneficent

kindly; doing good

wrinkle

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

portend

foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning

taxonomist

specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification

ambience

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

arcade

a covered passageway usually lined with shops

revelry

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

trifling

trivial; unimportant

entice

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

sallow

(of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice

exploit

make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation

discernible

distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement

dispel

scatter; drive away; cause to vanish

swerve

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

caprice

whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause

clown

act stupidly; play the fool; N.

prefatory

introductory; of a preface

collateral

security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters

inveterate

deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old

parry

ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N.

coddle

treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs

resurge

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

implore

beg

aver

state confidently; declare as true

emolument

salary; payment for an office; compensation

placebo

harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill

penitent

repentant; N.

dossier

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

induce

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

reprove

censure; rebuke; N. reproof

vintner

wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine

constraint

restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison

outspoken

candid; blunt

extol

praise very highly; glorify

refuse

anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash

shaving

very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade)

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

brawn

human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness

gauche

clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth

amok(amuck)

in a state of rage; Ex. run amok

cavalier

casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight

ignoble

unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed

resign

give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively

condiments

seasonings; spices

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)

duration

length of time something lasts

ogle

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

expenditure

payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy

prurient

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

parameter

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

barb

sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark

irremediable

incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy

dormer

window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room

incontinent

lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious

circumvent

outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around

extort

wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant

vagrant

homeless wanderer

drudge

do drudgery; N: person who drudges

mime

pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime

chasten

discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate

frustrate

thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose

mnemonic

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

stoke

stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully

comely

attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance

miscellaneous

made up of a variety of parts

mirage

unreal reflection; optical illusion

raffle

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

tenure

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

ecliptic

path of the sun and the planets

execrate

curse; express abhorrence for; detest

memoir

memoirs; autobiography; biography

sovereignty

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

pernicious

very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia

atavism

resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic

miscreant

wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe

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

propound

put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory

hamper

obstruct; prevent the free movement of; N:

farce

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

clapper

striker (tongue) of a bell

browse

graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually

enhance

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

litany

supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words

contempt

scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible

asylum

place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)

cosmic

pertaining to the universe; vast

slink

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

corroborate

confirm; support; strengthen

comeback

retort; quick clever reply; return to former status

saturnine

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

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)

garrulous

loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity

archives

public records; place where public records are kept

extant

(of something written or painted) still in existence

resilient

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

palatial

of or suitable for a palace; magnificent

tardy

slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival

vendetta

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

irrevocable

unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke

dissimulate

pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble

menagerie

collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo

entomology

study of insects

amiable

agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly

weather

pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces

cathartic

purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.

alacrity

cheerful promptness without reluctance

instigate

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

sheer

pure; thin and transparent; very steep

allegory

story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable

tramp

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

ferocious

fierce; violent; N. ferocity

forestall

prevent by taking action in advance

unearth

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

parquet

floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece

rivet

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

knave

untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery

augment

increase; add to

forensic

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

obelisk

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

rakish

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

precipice

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

pry

inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying

rational

(of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical

agenda

items of business at a meeting

trample

step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet

execute

put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution

prim

proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper

finite

limited

quell

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

daze

stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.

welt

raised mark from a beating or whipping

apprise

inform

statutory

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

microcosm

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

gentle

kindly; soft; mild; of good family

sophistry

seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism

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

pachyderm

thick-skinned animal

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

knoll

little round hill; hillock

temerity

boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work

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

lurid

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

odium

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

impalpable

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

deranged

insane

depict

portray

animus

hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition

septic

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

proselytize

(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion

defect

shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)

hibernate

sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation

spate

sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents

anathema

solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize

untoward

unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter

scrimmage

disorderly fight between two or more people

dilapidated

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

conjecture

surmise; guess; V.

lode

metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)

strew

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

vacuous

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

meter

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

disapprobation

disapproval; condemnation

indiscriminate

choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions

haven

place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven

lien

legal claim or right on a property

lope

gallop slowly

eclectic

selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism

melancholy

gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia

lineaments

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

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

dictum

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

render

give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully

sect

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

unassuming

modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner

centaur

mythical figure, half man and half horse

calorific

heat-producing; N. calorie

mammal

vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young

contaminate

pollute

averse

reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work

snip

short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors

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)

vision

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

belabor

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

physiognomy

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

voluminous

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

coalition

partnership; league; union of separate political parties

dishearten

discourage

chameleon

lizard that changes color in different situations

flagrant

conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous

stipend

pay for services

libidinous

lustful

aberration

deviation from the normal; mental disorder

unaccountable

unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious

aristocracy

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

consistency

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

brisk

quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor

disjointed

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

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

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

finery

beautiful clothes for a special occasion

founder

person who establishes (an organization or business)

connubial

pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state

infiltrate

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

verity

quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities

historic

important in history; Ex. historic battle

stint

supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint

mediocre

ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad

effrontery

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

prize

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

misconduct

immoral behavior; bad management; V.

cupidity

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

unfledged

immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling

migrant

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

ordain

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

thrive

prosper; flourish

aptitude

fitness; talent

intelligentsia

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

traumatic

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

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

incandescent

strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle

harbinger

forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come)

sentient

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

morose

ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy

maroon

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

neophyte

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

sadistic

inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty

requisition

formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V.

noxious

harmful; CF. obnoxious

apropos

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

constitution

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

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.

scurvy

contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C

grotesque

fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement)

reciprocal

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

base

contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron

scorch

sear; N.

refurbish

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

authoritarian

subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father

deft

neat; skillful

rancid

having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank

eon(aeon)

long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras

martinet

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

clamber

climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble

devolve

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

chisel

swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting

mealymouthed

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

pontifical

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

contraband

illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.

tumult

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

venturesome

(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky

jetsam

things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship)

upright

(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral

nebulous

vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal

spin

rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, wool, etc.); N.

equipoise

balance; balancing force; equilibrium

blithe(blithesome)

gay; joyous

reserve

self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative

abstain

refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote

embody

give a bodily form to; incorporate; include

berate

scold strongly

kindred

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

hoodwink

deceive; delude

natal

connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal

kleptomaniac

person who has a compulsive desire to steal

podiatrist

doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics

neologism

new or newly coined word or phrase

solvent

able to pay all depths; N. solvency

capacious

spacious

feint

trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.

rile

irritate; vex; muddy

progenitor

ancestor

concentric

having a common center

recrimination

countercharges; V. recriminate

apocalyptic

prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse

bode

foreshadow; portend

monumental

massive; impressively large; built as a monument

proliferate

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

dissension

disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group

gorge

stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. gorgeous: dazzlingly beautiful

explicate

explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable

malicious

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

nexus

connection

droll

queer and amusing

conscientious

scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker

deploy

spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically

jest

playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully

snub

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

qualms

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

ordinance

decree; authoritative order

rostrum

raised platform for speech-making; pulpit

factotum

handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything

appease

pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement

levy

impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco

covert

secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt

flair

talent

exude

flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation

braid

plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)

sturdy

strong and firm (in the body)

ovoid

egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate

grudging

unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly)

hierarchy

arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority

sprightly

lively

tribunal

court of justice

gratuitous

given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment

fete(f\^ete)

honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast

countermand

cancel; revoke (an order)

tawdry

cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry

narrative

related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration

manipulate

operate with one's hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative

plumage

feathers of a bird;

bolt

door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a door); gobble down

frieze

ornamental horizontal band on a wall

sonic

of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic

abate

subside or moderate

intrepid

fearless

wallow

roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury

antidote

remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles

stipple

paint or draw with dots or short strokes

emboss

produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design

loft

room or space under the roof; attic

spurious

false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments

smother

kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly; Ex. smothered in little stickers

partisan

one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla

anecdote

short story of an amusing or interesting event

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.

discourse

serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.

prevalent

widespread; generally accepted

misogamy

hatred of marriage

torso

trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk

mogul

powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian

exiguous

small in amount; minute

optometrist

one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects

purchase

secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing

disheveled

untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel

mock

ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision

betroth

become engaged to marry

potentate

monarch; sovereign

quibble

minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil

diadem

crown

paleontology

study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents

scrupulous

conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker

plausible

conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious

equivocate

use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation

histrionic

theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior

gnome

dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards

peon

landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage

increment

increase

bromide

platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement

tranquillity

calmness; peace

claustrophobia

fear of being locked in

opus

work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera

contiguous

adjacent to; touching upon

dally

trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time

apparent

evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement

mollify

soothe an angry person

reprieve

postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of

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

curb

chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain

warble

(of a bird) sing; babble; 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

nourishment

something that nourishes; food

acclivity

sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity

nonsense

speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail

capsize

(of a boat) turn over

dissertation

formal essay; treatise

healthful

conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air

trilogy

group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)

decrepitude

state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age

pushy

disagreeably aggressive

extrude

force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die

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.

elysian

relating to paradise; blissful

parasite

animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside

slew

large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left

obstetrician

physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife

frond

fern leaf; palm or banana leaf

contentious

quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments

complement

complete; consummate; make perfect; N.

promulgate

announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication

repose

resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single man

amiss

wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.

collation

a light meal; collating

pellucid

transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand

shoddy

made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick

curtail

shorten; reduce

effectuate

effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation

grovel

crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; behave in a servile manner

torpedo

underwater explosive apparatus; V.

angular

sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner

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

dissonance

discord

impregnable

invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take

aseptic

preventing infection; having a cleansing effect

congenital

existing at birth

virulent

(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom

warranty

guarantee; assurance by seller

ultimate

final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.

mausoleum

monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos

aphorism

pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic

nomenclature

terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things

bolster

support; reinforce

beatific

giving or showing bliss; blissful

embed(imbed)

enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass

knack

special talent; art

wage

begin and continue (a war)

dissipate

squander; waste foolishly; scatter

congruence

correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity

titular

of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company

opalescent

iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence

falter

hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N.

shambles

(place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles.

sage

person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise

surmount

overcome

piquant

pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help

ornithologist

scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds

parsimony

stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious

velocity

speed

affable

easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly

viand

food; CF. live

formality

ceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence to rules; something done just for form's sake; Ex. mere formality

waffle

speak equivocally about an issue; N.

apostate

one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy

knell

tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.

shirk

avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger

epistemologist

philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology

hardy

(of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) able to stand inclement(stormy) weather

levee

earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise

compendium

brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious

tend

have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one's attention; attend

conception

beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception

valor

bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave

ejaculation

exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate

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

topography

physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place

creed

system of religious or ethical belief

precarious

unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living

clip

cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener

supple

flexible; limber; pliant

uncanny

strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack

vile

despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander

deciduous

falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth

dolt

slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull

seine

seine net; net for catching fish

brawl

noisy quarrel

pundit

authority on a subject; expert; learned person

universal

characterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic; Ex. universal agreement; Ex. a subject of universal interest

purse

pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet

impiety

irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety

venison

meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb

hortatory

encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort

recondite

abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret

helm

steering wheel of a ship; position of control

mischief

behavior (of children) causing trouble with no serious harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops; ADJ. mischievous: causing mischief; playfully troublesome

high-flown

highly pretentious or inflated

lampoon

ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution

acquittal

deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner

cherubic

angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order

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

implausible

unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi

indict

charge; N. indictment

decrepit

weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man

illicit

illegal

capitulate

surrender; give up all resistance

loathe

detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; Ex. loathsome smell

nutrition

process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition

sluggard

lazy person

assert

state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence

grapple

wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar

variegated

(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored

belie

contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.

matrix

point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization

raucous

(of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts

mute

silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of

resort

turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.

pallet

small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet

ascendancy

controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant

epitome

perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody

convert

one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief

miniature

small model; small painting; ADJ: small

nostrum

questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy)

feasible

practical; able to be carried out; practicable

vital

full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize

subdue

less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue one's anger

hyperbole

exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola

polemical(polemic)

aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)

fructify

bear fruit; produce fruit

gallows

framework from which a noose is suspended (used for execution by hanging)

visage

face; appearance

prostrate

stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength

warrant

justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; guarantee

contrive

invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention

agnostic

one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality

maleficient

doing evil; N. maleficience

tacit

understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement

piety

devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious

vainglorious

boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity

exceptionable

objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable

tenancy

possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy

prudent

cautious; careful; prudential

exasperate

vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)

labyrinth

maze

pious

devout; religious; N. piety

flippant

lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about death; N. flippancy

impart

grant a share of; make known; Ex. news to impart

inconsistency

state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible

sonorous

resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound

ascertain

find out for certain; make certain

amputate

cut off part of body; prune (a limb)

replenish

fill up again

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

pretend

feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense

inhibit

restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition

exodus

departure (of a large number of people)

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.

lucid

easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity

demeanor

behavior; bearing

paranoia

psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac

uproar

noisy confusion

rummage

ransack; thoroughly search

peevish

bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry

insurmountable

overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable

anachronism

an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic

squelch

produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); crush; squash

pinion

restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing

paroxysm

fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst

diorama

life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background

explicit

totally clear; definite; outspoken

retract

withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile

polar

of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites

hysteria

excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hysteric: person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: attack of hysteria

unregenerate

making no attempt to change one's bad practices

linger

loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell lingered for days.

referendum

direct vote by all the people

stench

strong foul odor; reek; stink

nonchalance

indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts

aviary

enclosure for birds; large cage

regale

entertain

emissary

agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger

pass\'e

old-fashioned; past the prime

consequential

self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent

malevolent

wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence

brindled

tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)

palpable

tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder

bucolic

rustic; pastoral

taunt

deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.

crux

essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance

masochist

person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism

disembark

debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark

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

affront

insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally

astronomical

enormously large or extensive

legato

(of music) played smoothly

sycophant

servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic

pugilist

boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing

vaporize

turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)

except

exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality

despot

tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism

ecosystem

ecological community together with its environment

noncommittal

neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided

cringe

shrink back as if in fear; cower

Shangri-la

imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon

spontaneity

lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint; ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated; unpremeditated; happening without being planned

arroyo

gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater

nautical

pertaining to ships or navigation

veracity

truthfulness; adherence to the truth

lament

grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation

favoritism

display of partiality toward a favored person

rebate

return of part of a payment; discount; V.

filial

pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect

raze

destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground

graphite

black form of carbon used in lead pencils

infraction

violation (of a rule or regulation); breach

beneficiary

person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will

dermatologist

one who studies the skin and its diseases

apoplexy

stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain

invective

abuse

Epicurean

believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N.

equable

tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform

sanguinary

bloody; with much bloodshed

platitude

trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous

mendicant

beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar

cubicle

small chamber used for sleeping or work

verisimilitude

appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth

anthology

book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus

hothead

person who does things too quickly without thinking; ADJ. hotheaded

respite

time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve

bearing

deportment; connection

petulant

touchy; peevish; ill-tempered

harass

annoy by repeated attacks

smart

intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N: smarting pain

bookish

fond of books and reading

scurry

move hastily; hurry; move briskly

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

beget

father; become the father of; produce; give rise to

ambulatory

able to walk

junta

group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force)

anguish

acute pain; extreme suffering

kismet

fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.

scintillate

sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation

peroration

conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length

extricate

free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle

apiculture

bee-keeping

thespian

pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress

gibe

mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks

obsequious

slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic

solstice

point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator

hurtle

crash; rush; move with great speed; Ex. hurtling runaway train

toxic

poisonous; N. toxicity

expansive

(of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size

nostalgia

homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic

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

isthmus

narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land

hindrance

block; obstacle; V. hinder

hummock

small hill; hillock

diurnal

daily; occurring during the daytime

vouchsafe

grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment

entreat

plead; ask earnestly

caricature

distortion; burlesque

salubrious

healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health

ascribe

refer; attribute; assign

arid

(of land) dry; barren; unproductive

summation

act of finding the total; summing-up; summary (esp. one given by the judge at the end of a trial)

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

amalgam

combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth

tangible

able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof

bask

luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth

impel

drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action

pallid

pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion

consolidation

unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen

shackle

chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.

court

attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster

fruitful

producing results; profitable; prolific; producing in abundance

gratuity

tip

intermittent

periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals

palimpsest

parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased

profound

deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity

catalyst

agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis

momentum

quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force

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

fritter

waste (time or money on unimportant things)

optimist

person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism

demoniac(demoniacal)

fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil

transcendent

exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy

repudiate

disown; disavow; deny

persist

continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent

ingrained

deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice

proponent

supporter; backer; opposite of opponent

consonant

harmonious; in agreement; N.

putrid

decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity

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

nuptial

of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials; wedding ceremony

outgoing

sociable; eager to mix socially with others

duress

forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress

pose

assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.

cataclysm

deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change

choleric

hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera

omnipresent

universally present; ubiquitous

undertaker

funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials

surrogate

substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.

gnarl

protruding knot on a tree; V.

institution

instituting; (building for the) organization; established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage

glaze

cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex. unglazed pottery

rue

regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful

titter

nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.

lilliputian

extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels

bastard

illegitimate child

chauvinist

blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin

pungent

stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency

canny

shrewd in money matters; thrifty

dart

move or throw suddenly and quickly

inimitable

matchless; not able to be imitated

parochial

narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes

gentry

people of standing(rank or position); people of good family or high social position; class of people just below nobility

impropriety

improperness; unsuitableness

jaunt

trip; short journey

thrifty

careful about money; economical; N. thrift

endear

make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced

sheaf

bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together

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

ventilate

admit fresh air into to replace stale air

innuendo

indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo

calumny

malicious misrepresentation; slander

contusion

bruise

ebb

(of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide

mellifluous

(of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune

concave

hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex

alimentary

supplying nourishment

rampart

defensive mound of earth

dowdy

untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman

malaise

uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any particular pain or appearance of disease)

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.

preamble

introductory statement

amphibian

able to live both on land and in water; N.

profane

violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things

countenance

approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance

surge

powerful movement of or like a wave; V.

asinine

stupid; Ex. asinine remarks

unprecedented

having no previous example; novel; unparalleled

catastrophe

calamity ; disaster

barrister

counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar

exhilarating

invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car

antithesis

contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical

bilk

swindle; cheat

luxuriant

abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate

shrewd

clever; astute

devotee

enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach

demolition

destruction; V. demolish

inundate

flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work

rabble

mob; noisy crowd

spoilsport

one who spoils the pleasure of others

lax

careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. lax service

fiasco

total failure; CF. bottle

suspense

state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty

gerrymander

change voting district lines in order to favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + (sala)mander

carcinogenic

causing cancer; N. carcinogen

paradigm

model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word

iconoclastic

attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images

fruition

bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come to/be brought to fruition

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

plump

pleasantly fat; nicely rounded

graphic

pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described

billow

large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows

epoch

period of time

seasonal

of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment

pulmonary

pertaining to the lungs

lumber

move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through the woods; N: timber

toll

sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge

legerdemain

sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand

d\'eb\^acle

sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster

censor

(in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.

torrent

rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.

gruff

rough-mannered; (of a voice) rough; hoarse

phylum

major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division

adhere

stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality

talon

claw of bird

cursive

(of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined

oblivious

inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting)

gloat

express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated over the stolen jewels.

insalubrious

unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place

malignant

tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor

porridge

soft food made by boiling oatmeal

mingle

mix together in close association

militant

combative; bellicose; N.

paramour

illicit lover

chagrin

annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)

demur

object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday

jumble

mix in a confused way

intimidate

frighten; N. intimidation

introspective

looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination

expeditious

done with speed; quick; N. expedition

hive

box for bees; V: cause to go in a hive

foreboding

premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant)

occult

mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare

gust

strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster

diligence

steadiness of effort; persistent hard work

extemporaneous

not planned; impromptu; extempore

buffoonery

clowning

varnish

paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.

cozen

cheat; hoodwink; swindle

sleight

dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks

chore

daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task

bedizen

dress with vulgar finery

analogous

comparable; similar

juggernaut

irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path

belittle

disparage; depreciate

hazy

slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind

uniformity

sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over

incapacitate

disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity

scraps

leftover food

correlate

either of the correlated things; V.

swamp

wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with liquid

preternatural

beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces

jaded

tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite

livid

lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry

servile

slavish; cringing; N. servility

allude

refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference

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

insolvent

bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency

fertile

producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing good crops; V. fertilize

fatuous

smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness

regimen

prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer

atrophy

wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)

hiatus

gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break

arable

fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land

apparition

ghost; phantom

dutiful(duteous)

(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)

visionary

produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas

conceit

vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)

veracious

(of a person) truthful

progeny

children; offspring; descendants

pilfer

steal things of small value; filch; snitch

medley

mixture

convulsion

violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive

mite

very small object or insect-like creature; small coin

implement

put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument

attest

testify; bear witness

attire

clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel

flowery

full of flowers; full of ornate expressions

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

refute

disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation

consanguinity

kinship; relationship by birth

fit

sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion caused by epilepsy

incriminate

accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence

caption

title; chapter heading; text under illustration

bridle

harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger

adventitious

accidental; casual; happening by chance

bacchanal

noisy party with a lot of drinking

accommodate

oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging

eerie

weird; causing fear because strange

unkempt

disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb

prate

talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly

nether

lower; Ex. nether garments/regions

brocade

rich, figured(patterned) fabric

tessellated

mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern

overt

open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert

stem_from

arise from; originate from

imperial

like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism

haughtiness

pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty

gossamer

sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb

ratify

approve formally; confirm; verify

serendipity

gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip

distinction

honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction

deleterious

harmful

bantering

joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter

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

mosaic

picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.

sheathe

place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade

panegyric

formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.

suborn

persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation

coma

deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow

defiance

refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant

crochet

make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet

enormity

hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous

unintimating

unfrightening

enterprising

full of initiative; showing enterprise

aesthetic

artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics

broil

cook by direct heat; N.

muggy

(of weather) warm and damp

clavicle

collarbone

humdrum

dull; monotonous

dyspeptic

suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food

ooze

(of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or thick liquid as at the bottom of a river

perspicuity

clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity

trance

hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one's physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition

equestrian

rider on horseback; ADJ.

urchin

mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin

context

writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs

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

exalt

raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation

sensuous

giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin

supercilious

haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium

cloying

distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess

spurn

reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help.

monetary

pertaining to money

ardor

heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent

braggadocio

boasting

cadet

student at a military school

criteria

standards used in judging; CF. criterion

historical

connected with history; based on events in history (whether regarded as important or not)

fulsome

disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire

herbivorous

grain-eating; CF. herbivore

predilection

preference; partiality

lopsided

heavier or larger on one side than the other; Ex. lopsided way of walking

transpire

(of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores

gist

essence; main point; substance

assuage

mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)

backslide

revert (to bad habits); N. reverter

mauve

pale purple

mountebank

charlatan; boastful pretender

misnomer

wrong or improper name; incorrect designation

ossify

change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas

insubstantial

lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial

convention

social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement

placate

pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease

industrious

diligent; hard-working; N. industry

appall

dismay; shock deeply

temporal

of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly

unseemly

unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste

ephemeral

short-lived; fleeting

humid

damp; N. humidity

cataract

great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)

flaccid

flabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid muscles

desolate

make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert

stringent

(of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions

resonant

(of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance

blight

plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy

behemoth

huge creature; something of monstrous size or power

remunerative

(of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble

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

bate

let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate

decapitate

behead

drone

talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.

maelstrom

violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. stream

primate

group of mammals including humans

bulwark

strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends

infinitesimal

very small

nimble

quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. nimble climber/mind

comatose

in a coma; extremely sleepy

tempestuous

stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm

juncture

crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining

autocratic

having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy

divine

perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination

reactionary

strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical

voluble

fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility

rig

fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election

grievance

cause of complaint; complaint

converge

approach; tend to meet; come together

amoral

nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong

benison

blessing

tanner

person who turns animal hides into leather

parched

extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)

squalor

condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story

permissive

allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society

embroider

decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish

aquiline

curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose

mimicry

imitation

jovial

good-natured; merry; cheerful

germinal

pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea

taciturn

habitually silent; talking little

exemplify

show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.

caldron(cauldron)

large kettle

misapprehension

error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend

astringent

binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism

buoyant

able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market

juridical

of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary

postmortem

autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem

dynamo

generator for producing electricity; energetic person

stealth

action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy

perpetuate

make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity

welter

confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data

esteem

respect; value; judge; N.

ecclesiastic

ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman

malady

illness

steep

soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous

cater

provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)

putative

supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child

brusque

blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice

vanguard

forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard

preponderance

superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant

allure

entice; attract; tempt

collate

examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)

servitude

slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment

theoretical

based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical

heckler

person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech)

ineluctable

irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable

adjuration

solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly

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.

wangle

achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.

vaunted

boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag

decadence

decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent

causal

implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality

malcontent

person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented

vacillate

waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation

distract

take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted

lookout

act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide view; person who keeps watch

brook

tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream

portly

stout; corpulent

marginal

of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex. marginal effect/writing ability

propulsive

driving forward; N. propulsion

trough

long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves

antiseptic

substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.

pander

cater to (the low desires of others)

therapeutic

curative; N. therapy

anticlimax

letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting

scabbard

case for a sword blade; sheath

genteel

well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty

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

incident

event; event that causes a crisis

sobriety

moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness

assent

agree; accept; N. assessment

abjure

renounce upon oath

fresco

painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)

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

flay

strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly

exhume

dig out of the ground; remove from a grave

oligarchy

government by a privileged few

latitude

freedom from narrow limitations

nausea

feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness

flaunt

display ostentatiously; Ex. ``Honey, if you've got it, flaunt it !''

corpuscle

red or white cell in the blood

niggle

spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling

cordon

extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress;

empathy

ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy

expropriate

take possession of (often for public use and without payment)

marshal

put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military officer; official

curfew

regulation requiring all people to leave the streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour of a curfew

credulity

belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\'e; ADJ. credulous

interpolate

insert between

quietude

tranquillity; calmness

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

supernumerary

person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number

emblazon

ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment

flip

send (something) spinning, often into the air, by striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over

dissuade

persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion

admonish

warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove

riveting

holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing

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

onomatopoeia

words formed in imitation of natural sounds

paraphernalia

equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry

nondescript

undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd

silt

sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)

cohesion

tendency to keep together

tout

promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise

crypt

secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)

heedless

not noticing; disregarding

reaper

one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop

gradation

series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression

cite

quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record

embitter

make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.

stagnant

(of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial output

remiss

negligent; careless about a duty

demagogue

person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery

laity

laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy

discerning

mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive

inopportune

untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen

macerate

soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper

incorporate

introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ.

transitory

transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness

ruminate

chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); mull over(ponder)

lumen

unit of light energy (one candle's worth)

fidelity

loyalty; accuracy

hypercritical

excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities)

fallacious

false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument

dulcet

sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious

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

pine

long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline

despise

look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible

eloquence

expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced

stolid

dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected

casualty

serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle

grouse

complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike game bird

wheedle

deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her

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

regatta

boat or yacht race

equine

resembling a horse; Ex. equine face

sparse

not thick; thinly scattered; scanty

imposture

assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor

dauntless

bold; fearless

sustain

suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners

vain

full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity

unctuous

oily; bland; insincerely suave

entail

make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B

schism

division into factions (esp. within a religious body); split

artless

without guile; open and honest

thresh

beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw

irksome

annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy

douse

plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse

sectarian

of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person

hovel

shack; small wretched house

acidulous

slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic

optician

maker and seller of eyeglasses

cognizance

knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware

sledge

large sled drawn by work animals

invocation

prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking

coercion

use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce

fell

cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down (with a missile)

clout

great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist

mass

Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony of the Eucharist

labile

likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability

forerunner

predecessor; one that comes before and indicates the approach of another

complaisant

trying to please; obliging; willing to please others

unfeigned

genuine; real

meditation

reflection; thought; V. meditate

languish

lose animation or strength

adorn

decorate

gargantuan

huge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of Gargantua and Pantagruel

sedition

conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious

ruminant

animal that ruminates; ADJ.

rustic

pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person

saline

salty

whelp

young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family

canker

any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer

pummel

pommel; beat or pound with fists

sublime

causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter

jug

pitcher; container for holding liquids

psychic

of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers

decorous

proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)

rickety

(of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D

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

graduated

arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.)

impartial

not biased; fair; N. impartiality

compliance

conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply

fatalism

belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death

ancestry

family descent; ADJ. ancestral

liability

drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible (for paying)

avarice

greediness for wealth

insidious

treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot

repository

storehouse

indemnify

make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured

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

pittance

small amount (of money); small allowance or wage

depredation

plundering; destruction

florid

ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose

incognito

with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ.

florescence

condition or period of flowering

usurp

seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use

motif

theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure

unilateral

one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration

unbridled

violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed

sneak

move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N: one who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky

dissection

analysis; cutting apart in order to examine

doom

condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V.

refraction

bending of a ray of light

empirical

based on experience

expound

explain

maternal

motherly; N. maternity: motherhood

marital

pertaining to marriage

irate

angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath

multifarious

varied; greatly diversified; Ex. multifarious activities

beholden

obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude

allocate

assign; set apart for a particular purpose

azure

sky blue

shudder

shake uncontrollably; tremble; V.

incumbent

obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office

sumptuous

grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast

pending

not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return

abusive

coarsely insulting; physically harmful

rampant

growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed

subaltern

subordinate

deterrent

something that discourages or deters

prodigious

enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory

meager

scanty; inadequate

feebleminded

deficient in intelligence; very stupid

ingenuous

naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid

adjacent

adjoining; neighboring; close by

imply

suggest a meaning not expressed; signify

nicety

precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties

collaborate

work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy

commodious

spacious and comfortable

unmitigated

(of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster

putrefy

make or become putrid; N. putrefaction

screech

unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V.

crone

hag; ugly old woman

impetuous

violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision

hibernal

wintry; wintery; of or like winter

infer

deduce; conclude; N. inference

insurgent

rebellious; N.

compute

reckon; calculate

hirsute

hairy; having a lot of hair

crave

desire; want intensely

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

cavalcade

procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry

misanthrope

one who hates mankind; misanthropist

list

tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)

nascent

incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music

imbecility

weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool

minatory

menacing; threatening

cartographer

map-maker

desperado

reckless, desperate outlaw

char

make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion

dwindle

shrink; reduce gradually

don

put on; OP. doff

avalanche

great mass of falling snow and ice

perjury

false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath

attenuate

make thin; weaken

jostle

shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds

precedent

preceding (in time, rank, etc.)

forfeit

something surrendered as punishment for a crime or breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. forfeiture

hermitage

home of a hermit

crevice

crack; fissure

actuate

motivate; activate; cause to act

recite

repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite his complaints; N. recitation

blasé

bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored

confidant(confidante)

trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)

fusion

union; coalition; V. fuse

litotes

understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty good)''

blurt

utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement

natation

swimming

odorous

having an odor

hoary

white with age

coterie

group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests

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

infringe

violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)

nonplus

put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more

reverie

daydream; abstracted musing

crotchety

(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion

grueling

exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race

privation

lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive

giddy

light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height

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

wary

very cautious; watchful

juxtapose

place side by side; CF. next

pessimism

belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic

junket

trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense

rectitude

moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment

seemly

(of behavior) proper; appropriate

hegemony

dominance especially of one nation over others

temporize

gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself

foresight

ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future

bilious

suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated

inadvertently

unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly

malediction

curse

intolerant

not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one's own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate

endorse

approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal

indifferent

unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad

commiserate

feel or express pity or sympathy for

grimace

facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V.

checkered (chequered)

marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares

blandishment

flattery

demented

insane

ignite

kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to

reverberate

echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated across the valley.

vestige

trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion

distort

twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion

seclusion

isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate

aria

operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio

orator

public speaker

subordinate

occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class

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

pulverize

crush or grind into very small particles

succumb

yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness

verbatim

word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly

befuddle

confuse thoroughly

pucker

gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold

elaborate

work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ.

ebullient

showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling

malign

speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence

conciliatory

reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)

premise

assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based

martyr

one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism

recurrent

occurring again and again

exculpate

clear from blame or guilt

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

conspire

take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.

lottery

contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots

reputable

respectable; having a good reputation

notable

conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted

intransigence

refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising

dishonor

disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable

deplete

reduce; exhaust

log

record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V.

epicure

connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus

remit

transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment

crass

very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior

adversary

opponent; enemy

pretext

excuse

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

enduring

lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive

tarantula

venomous spider

hue_and_cry

outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule

synthesis

combining parts or separate things into a whole; the whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthesize

bugaboo

bugbear; object of baseless terror

abase

lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect

incidental

not essential; minor; N: something incidental

inaugurate

begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural

parody

humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.

sublimate

refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state

torrid

(of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs

contend

struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly

discomfit

frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb

disparity

difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity

swear-word

word considered offensive; Ex. "bloody''

stupor

state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness

nonentity

person of no importance; nonexistence

nutrient

nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment

replicate

reproduce; duplicate

plethora

excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses

missive

letter; written statement; CF. sent

expos\'e

public revelation of something discreditable

bemused

confused; lost in thought; preoccupied

evince

show clearly

trigger

set off; start

orifice

mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth

impassive

without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face

gibberish

nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; babbling

reprimand

reprove severely; rebuke; N.

battalion

army unit made up of four or more companies

omnivorous

eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything

debilitate

weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble

drudgery

hard unpleasant work; menial work

imperil

put in danger

conduit

aqueduct; passageway for fluids

hindmost

furthest behind; farthest to the rear

mutablility

ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant

torpor

lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating

unanimity

complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous

symbiosis

interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life

deputize

work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away

strident

loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency

tensile

capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber

luxuriate

take pleasure in great comfort

pulpit

raised platform used in preaching (in a church)

ambrosia

food of the gods

ceremonious

marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy

gnarled

twisted

jaundiced

yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful) from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye

bloated

(unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air

egregious

notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking

figurative

not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech

resurrect

revive

acetic

vinegary

jingoist

extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism

obstreperous

boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable

onslaught

vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy

gusto

eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm

megalomania

mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance

litter

waste material thrown away (as bits of paper scattered untidily); V: cover untidily with scattered litter

timidity

lack of self-confidence or courage

cursory

casual; hastily done with little attention to detail

nullify

make invalid; make null; invalidate

rightful

legally correct; Ex. rightful owner

ambivalence

the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions

controvert

oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy

somber

dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow

axiom

self-evident truth requiring no proof

pedagogue

teacher; CF. child leader

coquette

flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.

imponderable

weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound

bizarre

fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional

idolatry

worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous

copious

plentiful

turbulence

state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed

rubble

fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)

tact

skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence

fancier

breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal

token

outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude

incorrigible

uncorrectable

enlist

(cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, or support)

euphoria

feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric

pandemonium

wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost

relevant

having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy

infest

inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters

impecunious

without money

dilemma

situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives

remittance

remitting of money; amount of money remitted

malingerer

one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work

transition

going from one state of action to another

quay

dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)

crabbed

sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting

dissident

dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.

deadpan

wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face

murky

dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom

bauble

trinket; cheap jewel; trifle

colossal

huge

decry

express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films

gerontology

study of the sociological phenomena associated with old age

pharisaical

pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical

reek

emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench

rubric

title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol

abet

assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage

anomalous

abnormal; irregular

archetype

prototype; primitive pattern

contest

dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N.

exemplary

serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model

volatile

changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street

rancor

long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous

distinctive

clearly different from others of the same kind

slither

slip or slide

husbandry

frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman

superficial

of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge

insurrection

rebellion; uprising

insightful

discerning; perceptive

rabies

disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal (causing madness and death)

wretch

miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile

impotent

weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power

gape

open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape

sagacious

wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity

carillon

a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played

reiterate

repeat

cogitate

think over; ponder

implacable

incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy

disingenuous

not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous

remnant

remainder

paraphrase

restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words

irrelevant

not applicable; unrelated

espouse

adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal

mundane

worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world

epithet

word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)

manumit

emancipate; free from slavery or bondage

unassuaged

unsatisfied; not soothed

frail

weak; N. frailty

liquidate

settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish

reconnaissance

survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information)

entity

real being

psychiatrist

doctor who treats mental diseases

vogue

popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.

slick

make smooth or glossy; N: smooth surface; Ex. oil slick; ADJ: smooth; glossy; deftly executed; adroit; glib

buccaneer

pirate

outwit

outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly

colander

utensil with perforated bottom used for straining

missile

object to be thrown or projected

horde

crowd; swarm

premeditate

plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder

limn

draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?

skinflint

miser; stingy person

precursor

forerunner; predecessor

obeisance

bow (to show respect and obedience)

migratory

wandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle in another; move periodically from one region to another

elicit

draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)

dawdle

loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing

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

urge

drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action

monastic

related to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly concerns

self-indulgence

excessive indulgence of one's own desire

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

shimmer

shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N.

introvert

one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted

proscenium

part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage

grill

question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking surface of parallel metal bars

broach

introduce as a subject; moot; open up

disquisition

formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report

discretion

prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary

ingratiate

become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss

innate

inborn

adulterate

make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances

dogmatic

opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal

practicable

feasible

obdurate

stubborn; refusing to change one's belief

agitate

stir up; disturb

arboreal

of or living in trees

solvent

substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance

voyeur

Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others

detraction

slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor

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.

supine

lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision

charisma

divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism

emulate

imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)

siren

apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature

ironic

expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner

harping

tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously

blanch

bleach; whiten; make white or pale

prosperity

good fortune and financial success; physical well-being

repulsion

distaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. repulsive: causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel (not `repulse')

tedium

boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious

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

alcove

nook; recess

boon

blessing; benefit; something very helpful

multiform

having many forms

liaison

contact that keeps parties in communication; communication between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection

virtual

in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space

implicate

incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime

staid

serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony

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

vortex

whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged

thermal

pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air

sacrilegious

desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred

conundrum

riddle; difficult problem

dys-

abnormal; impaired

grumble

complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N.

beleaguer

besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset

pr\'ecis

abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text

cumbersome

heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform

estranged

separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement

rejuvenate

make young again

hypocritical

pretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. hypocrisy: profession of beliefs one does not possess; CF. hypocrite

entree(entr\'ee)

entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle

bungle

mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior

gaffe

social blunder

brochure

pamphlet

inequity

unfairness; ADJ. inequitable

rake

immoral or dissolute person

misadventure

mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure

skittish

inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit

virile

manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength

fortuitous

accidental; by chance; N. fortuity

carnage

destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals

retort

quick sharp reply; V.

chuckle

laugh quietly

stanch

stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound

swipe

hit with a sweeping motion; N.

categorical

without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute

downcast

disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward

insensate

without feeling; lacking sense; foolish

unerringly

infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes

compulsive

resulting from compulsion

outfit

clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit

retrograde

go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.

muddle

confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion

fulminate

thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation

collected

composed; calm; self-possessed

encumber

burden; N. encumbrance

centrifugal

radiating; departing from the center

disbar

make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profession

privy

secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private

pristine

unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition

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

anarchy

absence of governing body; state of disorder

camp

group sharing a common cause or opinion

prong

pointed projecting part

guy

cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide

wan

having a pale or sickly color; pallid

pathos

tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel

romp

play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.

prod

poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding

browbeat

bully; intimidate

finesse

delicate skill; V: handle with finesse

inerrancy

infallibility

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.

pinnacle

peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame

notoriety

disrepute; ill fame

sinewy

(of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone

stratum

layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata

inept

unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate

viper

poisonous snake

captious

faultfinding; too critical

acute

(of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain

debunk

expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule

pecuniary

pertaining to money

rare

(of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains

capillary

having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity

drama

prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation

clique

small exclusive group of people

legacy

gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor

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

thrall

slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall

subliminal

below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement

smug

self-satisfied; complacent

acclimate

adjust to climate or environment; adapt

presume

take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption

metaphor

implied comparison; CF. simile

obviate

make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need

archaeology

study of artifacts and relics of early mankind

blare

loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light

regicide

murder of a king or queen

wanton

unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause

obsidian

black volcanic rock

fissure

crevice; crack

forlorn

sad and lonely; wretched; desolate

ligneous

like wood

fortitude

bravery; courage; strength of mind

revoke

cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable

spoof

parody

stipulate

state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance

lassitude

languor; weariness; listlessness

elliptical

elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out

executioner

person administering capital punishment

defoliate

destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant

airy

of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal

convene

come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council

impugn

dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight

aggrandize

make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement

spasmodic

fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion

gracious

kind in a generous way (to someone less important)

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

dupe

someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive

abortive

unsuccessful; fruitless

gingerly

very carefully; ADJ.

conducive

helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards

tremulous

trembling; wavering

abominable

detestable; extremely unpleasant

flag

droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging

propitious

favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign

allege

state without proof

prepossessing

attractive; CF. preoccupying ?

lunar

pertaining to the moon

insinuate

hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate

laud

praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise

merger

combination (of two business corporations); act of merging

verve

enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor

coin

make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented

matrimony

state of being married

apprehend

arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension

annals

records arranged in yearly parts; history

itinerary

plan of a trip; record of a trip

facetious

joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous

hurl

throw forcefully; shout out violently

illusion

misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion

contravene

contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention

abhor

detest; hate

executive

person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing

musky

having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer

acquiesce

assent; agree passively; comply without protest

inane

silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity

run-down

(of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted

stupefy

stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze

fundamental

basic; primary; essential

flora

plants of a region or era

rebuff

reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; 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

mange

skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair

bullion

gold and silver in the form of bars

prosperous

successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off

indolent

lazy

abyss

enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit

dribble

flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.

mutilate

maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part

scad

a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes

rig

arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails

carrion

rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture

objective

not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim

repertoire

list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present; CF. repertory

evocative

tending to call up (emotions, memories)

glutton

someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much

credo

creed

maculated

spotted; stained; CF. immaculate

sustenance

sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food

champion

support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)

vegetate

live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan

indissoluble

permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate

sluice

artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)

patrician

noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian

rigid

hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule

umbrage

resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness

jollity

gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay

vigil

keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil

flit

fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower

detain

keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention

formidable

menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question

lectern

reading desk or stand for a public speaker

preclude

make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate

inverse

opposite

topple

become unsteady and fall down

camaraderie

good-fellowship; CF. comrade

supplant

take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace

immune

resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity

parlance

language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance

verdant

green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows

ramify

branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions

rooster

cock; adult male chicken

expository

explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition

sober

serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober

annotate

comment; make explanatory notes

plight

difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament

unequivocal

plain; clear; obvious

rumble

make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder or stomach)

predecessor

former occupant of a post

exigency

urgent situation; ADJ. exigent

insensible

unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible

tangential

only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent

finicky

too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about her food

depreciate

lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value

treasure

keep as precious; cherish

convex

curving outward

carnivorous

meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore

havoc

widespread damage; disorder; chaos

torque

twisting force; force producing rotation

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

bicker

quarrel

comestible

something fit to be eaten

ostracize

banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism

salient

prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features

seedy

run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel

diffuse

wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse

altercation

noisy quarrel

staccato

played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause

garbled

mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or distort (a message) to such an extent as to make misleading or unintelligible

limber

flexible; supple; pliable; V.

odds

chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with

felicity

happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous

perfunctory

done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss

enmity

ill will; hatred; hostility

obliterate

destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village

studied

carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark

intrinsic

essential; inherent; built-in

cleft

N: split

insouciant

without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent

plummet

fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.

geriatrics

medical treatment and care of old age

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

denounce

condemn; criticize; N. denunciation

finish

surface texture; completeness of execution

caliber

ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber

blowhard

talkative boaster; braggart

palate

roof of the mouth; sense of the taste

motto

brief statement used to express a principle

adherent

supporter; follower

fetter

shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot

vertebrate

having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column

induct

place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts

optimum

most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition

lineage

descent; ancestry

overwrought

nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done

cardinal

chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order

tempo

speed of music

fluster

confuse; make nervous and confused; N.

interminable

endless

acerbity

bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)

vulture

carrion-eating birds

gourmand

epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink

seasoned

experienced

incarnation

act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation

ruthless

pitiless; merciless; cruel

pitfall

hidden danger; concealed trap

fussy

fastidious; finicky; easily upset

beset

harass or trouble from all directions; hem in

academic

related to a school; not practical or directly useful

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

avow

declare openly; N. avowal

dilute

make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president

anchor

secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage

receptive

quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal

badinage

teasing conversation; banter; joking talk

funereal

sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral

gusty

windy

inconsequential

insignificant; unimportant

inalienable

not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights

scourge

lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict

cantankerous

ill-humored; irritable

kindle

start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse

recluse

hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive

apathy

lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic

meteoric

like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex. meteoric rise to fame; N. meteor

erratic

odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable

effectual

able to produce a desired effect; valid

tract

propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract

daunt

intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten

demographic

related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population

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

stanza

division of a poem (composed of two or more lines)

menial

suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)

mercenary

motivated solely by money or gain; N.

veto

vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto

salvage

rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved

swarthy

(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ?

defalcate

embezzle

mammoth

gigantic; enormous

chortle

chuckle with delight; N.

decant

pour off gently (wine or liquid)

sanctuary

place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.

taper

very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end

cliché

phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clichéd

corollary

natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)

fancy

imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); capricious liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decorative; elaborate

deign

condescend; stoop

rendezvous

meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V.

partition

divide into parts

soar

rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared into the sky.

eclipse

darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse

quarantine

isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine

ingrate

ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)

fanciful

whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme

inscrutable

difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious

iridescent

exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence

subjugate

conquer; bring under control

terrestrial

on or relating to the earth

mortician

undertaker; CF. death

dummy

imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy

groom

man employed to take care of horses; V: make neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal)

glutinous

sticky; viscous; gluey

extrinsic

external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic

benediction

blessing

tome

large volume; book

audit

examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.

sedate

composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative

clangor

loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging

d\'ebris

rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed

solicitor

lawyer in the lower court of law

compost

mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost

waver

move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting and refusing

contrivance

something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme

pell-mell

in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell

clientele

body of customers

pastry

paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)

hideous

repulsive to the sight; ugly; repugnant; Ex. hideous face/scream

cue

word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to