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SAT VOCAB WORDS

Terms

undefined, object
copy deck
anecdote
short account of event
Ossify
turn to bone, become fixed and rigid
abhorrent
adj. Very repugnant; hateful.
aggrandize
v. To cause to appear greatly.
Proximity
near or next; closeness
Goad
prod, urge
Degradation
deprivation, poverty, debasement
inspire
to have an animating effect upon; influence or impel
altruism
n. Benevolence to others on subordination to self-interest.
antistrophe
The inversion of terms in successive classes, as in "the home of joy and the joy of home".
ambush
n. The act or state of lying concealed for the purpose of surprising or attacking the enemy.
Plausible
can be believed, reasonable
Manipulatable
influencable, controllable
Guileless
frank, straightforward, honest
Bristle
to show irritation
Atheist
person who does not believe in God
academy
Any institution where the higher branches of learning are taught.
Noxious
harmful, poisonous, lethal
Belabor
explain in unnecessary detail
sanctuary
a holy place; a place of refuge
submissive
to surrender; to propose or put forward
Menagerie
collection of animals
Plaudit
statement giving strong praise
avidity
n. Greediness.
Discrepancy
something which does not match up; inconsistency
Sophomoric
juvenile, immature
Plethora
an excess
Truant
shirker, someone absent without permission
parody
a humorous imitation
congregation
an assembly of persons, a gathering
Condone
tacitly support, overlook
Austere
severely plain
choleric
irritable
Prudent
cautious, wise
Meander
wander from side to side
Azure
sky blue
chaste
pure; not engaging in sexual activity
Proponents
promoters, supporters
Taciturn
quiet, saying little
Proscribe
forbid
abscess
n. A Collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body.
integrity
honesty, decency
Inevitable
cannot be avoided
accomplish
To bring to pass.
allure
fascination, appeal
Lukewarm
unenthusiastic; neither hot nor cold
Ignominy
shame (adj. ignominious means shameful)
antiseptic
n. Anything that destroys or restrains the growth of putrefactive micro-organisms.
tactful
diplomatic, polite
suppress
to end an activity
aggravate
to make worse
Fortuitous
happening by chance
Perpetuity
eternity
laurels
vine
Ruse
trick, stratagem
Levity
flippancy, joking about serious matters
Colloquial
local and informal (used of language)
Dupe
to fool someone
Peripheral
on the edge, not important
atheism
n. The denial of the existence of God.
Vital
essential, alive, or important
Diffident
lacking confidence
prophecy
a prediction
Frugal
cheap
Incite
To arouse to action.
actuality
n. Any reality.
Loquacious
talkative
wantonly
without a reason
Austere
forbiddingly stern, escetic, without comfort or enjoyment, severely simple and unornamented
Plagiarism
taking credit for someone else's writing or ideas
arable
suitable for growing crops (of land)
doff
to remove or take off, as clothing
analyst
n. One who analyzes or makes use of the analytical method.
Prodigal
wasteful, extravagant
juxtapose
to place side by side
Hedonism
self indulgence, pleasure-seeking
Vacuous
empty, silly, meaningless
alcove
n. A covered recess connected with or at the side of a larger room.
Pristine
unspoiled
Disdain
contempt, strong dislike
rue
to regret
Sybarite
lover of luxury
abhor
to hate or view with repugnance
Futile
useless, hopeless
Obliterate
destroy, demolish, eradicate
Benign
of no danger
azure
n. The color of the sky.
Mitigate
lessen, make less severe
Embroil
involve in hostility or argument
Belittle
to make small or to put down
Docile
gentle and easily lead
Pensive
in thought
ovation
enthusiastic applause
burnish
to make shiny
Stymie
An obstacle or obstruction
pedantic
overly scholary, boring
attest
v. To certify as accurate, genuine, or true.
attorney-general
n. The chief law-officer of a government.
Magnanimous
generous, big-hearted
Fickle
unpredictable, whimsical, easily swayed
outskirts
outer borders
Rife
common
allege
to declare that something is true without proof
Trivial
unimportant
Assuage
to calm
Complacent
self-satisfied
surfeit
overly abundant supply, an excess
abed
In bed; on a bed.
akin
related to or alike
Unctuous
oily; using excessive flattery
alleviate
v. To make less burdensome or less hard to bear.
circumscribe
to encircle with a line, to limit in any way
accustom
To make familiar by use.
Recuperate
get better after illness
amorphous
adj. Without determinate shape.
Arcane
esoteric, secret, mysterious, known only to the initiated
Falter
hesitate, waver
Guffaw
sudden loud laughter
assassinate
v. To kill, as by surprise or secret assault, especially the killing of some eminent person.
Prosaic
dull, boring, ordinary
Unequivocal
clear, obvious
Plummet
fall suddenly and steeply
aggrandizement
glorification
Contemporary
living or happening at the same time
Staid
dull, sober, serious
Labyrinth
a maze
Disparage
criticize, belittle
Harbingers
Indicators, bringers of warnings
allegory
n. The setting forth of a subject under the guise of another subject of aptly suggestive likeness.
arboriculture
n. The cultivation of trees or shrubs.
Cacophony
Harsh sounds.
digression
straying from main point
appall
v. To fill with dismay or horror.
heterogenous
not uniform; made up of different parts
accession
n. Induction or elevation, as to dignity, office, or government.
alliance
n. Any combination or union for some common purpose.
approbation
n. Sanction.
Fatalist
doctrine that all events are predetermined by fate and unalterable
Phlegmatic
calm, imperturbable
stymie
to frustrate
Longevity
long life
accordion
A portable free-reed musical instrument.
artifice
trickery, clever ruse
congenial
agreeable
adulation
high praise
Drivel
nonsense
Plumage
feathers of a bird
anachronistic
out-of-date
Charlatan
trickster who claims knowledge he doesn't have
atrocity
n. Great cruelty or reckless wickedness.
accordion
n. A portable free-reed musical instrument.
vigor
strength, energy
Upbraid
scold, tell off, reprimand
Choleric
hot tempered
anonymous
adj. Of unknown authorship.
Tangential
not relevant
brig
the prison of a ship
abed
adv. In bed; on a bed.
acquiescence
Passive consent.
Trepidation
fear
alcohol
n. A volatile, inflammable, colorless liquid of a penetrating odor and burning taste.
outspoken
blunt
abominate
To hate violently.
Disapprobation
disapproval
Impromptu
unrehearsed, spontaneous
Astute
perceptive, sharp-witted
Adulation
Excessive flattery or admiration.
Placid
calm, peaceful
Gravity
seriousness
Bellicose
war-like, aggressive
archaism
n. Obsolescence.
ambulance
n. A vehicle fitted for conveying the sick and wounded.
Alchemy
medieval chemistry
prosaic
run-of-the-mill
apprehend
v. To make a prisoner of (a person) in the name of the law.
Prolific
producing a lot
Fitful
not continuous, stopping and starting
atomizer
n. An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection, inhalation, etc.
acquittal
n. A discharge from accusation by judicial action.
Anthology
a book which is a collection of poems or stories
antidote
n. Anything that will counteract or remove the effects of poison, disease, or the like.
allay
v. To calm the violence or reduce the intensity of; mitigate.
Wistful
melancholy, pensive, expressing a longing for
Bequeath
leave something in one's will to be given after one's death
divergent
variant, moving apart
apprehensible
adj. Capable of being conceived.
Surreptitiously
secretly, furtively, stealthily
hierarchy
a ranking according to status or ability; a group having authority
Enhance
improve, make better or clearer
pugnacious
hostile
abbot
The superior of a community of monks.
eddy
a small whirlpool or any similar current
Desecrate
to damage or pollute a holy place
enervating
tiring, weakening
overt
open to view
acquire
v. To get as one's own.
jeer
to make fun of
Wax
to increase, to grow
Jubilant
ecstatic, delighted, rejoicing
Incense
To cause to be extremely angry; infuriate.
antiquary
One who collects and examines old things, as coins, books, medals, weapons, etc.
Idiosyncrasy
a personal peculiarity; something unique to an individual
perjury
making deliberately false statements when under oath
recalcitrant
disobedient, stubborn
empathy
sharing of feelings
Stringent
strict or severe
Stagnant
still, not moving
anagram
n. The letters of a word or phrase so transposed as to make a different word or phrase.
abrogate
v. To abolish, repeal.
inauspicious
ominous
alto
n. The lowest or deepest female voice or part.
afoot
adv. In progress.
asexual
adj. Having no distinct sexual organs.
pedestrian
ordinary, dull
Bastion
fortress, stronghold
germinate
to bud or sprout
aristocrat
n. A hereditary noble or one nearly connected with nobility.
acquittance
n. Release or discharge from indebtedness, obligation, or responsibility.
acquire
To get as one's own.
rabid
afflicted with rabies
gully
to undergo erosion (usually by water)
acknowledgment
Recognition.
spurious
phony, false
aphorism
Proverb.
vend
to sell
Blunderbuss
ancient weapon (type of gun); a clumsy person
Incarceration
putting in prison
Opulent
wealthy, rich, magnificent
auxiliary
n. One who or that which aids or helps, especially when regarded as subsidiary or accessory.
Jargon
specialized language used by experts
Aptitude
fitness, talent
Allay
to lessen
Inviolable
cannot be invaded
adjunct
an accessory, something added on
Arroyo
gully, narrow channel formed by rainwater
benign
good, harmless
Cavalcade
procession of vehicles
Apocalypse
Great or total devastation; doom
Malingerer
deliberately tries to avoid work
Flustered
worked-up, not calm
Protean
changeable
anesthetic
adj. Pertaining to or producing loss of sensation.
aggrieve
v. To give grief or sorrow to.
Pellucid
transparently clear
antitoxin
A substance which neutralizes the poisonous products of micro-organisms.
amphitheater
n. An edifice of elliptical shape, constructed about a central open space or arena.
aerial
adj. Of, pertaining to, or like the air.
Vestigial
not developed
temperament
your usual mood or behavior
acerbity
Sourness, with bitterness and astringency.
antipodes
n. A place or region on the opposite side of the earth.
account
A record or statement of receipts and expenditures, or of business transactions.
aforesaid
adj. Said in a preceding part or before.
illuminate
to light up or make clear
abdicate
to give up power
audition
n. The act or sensation of hearing.
scald
burn with hot liquid or steam
Refute
invalidate
abduction
n. A carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally.
Cogent
lucid, well argued
apology
A disclaimer of intentional error or offense.
apathy
Insensibility to emotion or passionate feeling.
Totter
walk unsteadily
anthropomorphous
adj. Having or resembling human form.
apiary
A place where bees are kept.
Abrasive
rough, coarse, harsh
debilitating
weakening, harmful
Autocratic
having absolute unchecked power, dictatorial
Ingenuous
Openly straightforward or frank; candid
Conflagration
big fire
Epicure
someone who appreciates good food and drink
excavate
to dig up
Matriarchy
society governed by women
amity
n. Friendship.
acclaim
to praise enthusiastically, esp. publicly
Address
to speak to
tenacious
persistent, resolute
Pragmatic
practical
Sensuous
appealing to the senses
arraign
v. To call into court, as a person indicted for crime, and demand whether he pleads guilty or not.
arboretum
n. A botanical garden or place devoted to the cultivation of trees or shrubs.
statiate
to satisfy
apogee
The climax.
Stevedore
dockworker
acrimonious
adj. Full of bitterness.
intrepid
fearless, adventurous
assonance
n. Resemblance or correspondence in sound.
Gaunt
emaciated, bony and angular
Proclivity
tendency towards
abdicate
v. To give up (royal power or the like).
astringent
adj. Harsh in disposition or character.
agglomerate
v. To pile or heap together.
azalea
n. A flowering shrub.
subtle
elusive, sly, ambiguous
apothecary
n. One who keeps drugs for sale and puts up prescriptions.
Deference
respect
ascent
n. A rising, soaring, or climbing.
Milieu
Surrounding or enviorment.
Surly
grumpy, rude
assess
v. To determine the amount of (a tax or other sum to be paid).
Surreptitious
secret, sneaky, stealthy
agitate
v. To move or excite (the feelings or thoughts).
adherent
adj. Clinging or sticking fast.
Lugubrious
exaggeratedly mournful
Aberration
A deviation from the proper or expected course
Auspicious
favorable, promising to turn out well
destroy
subvert
accusatory
Of, pertaining to, or involving an accusation.
ratify
to approve, usually a law
Enervate
To weaken or destroy the strength or vitality
Waylay
accost, stop, approach, hinder
Liniment
soothing lotion
Condescend
talk down to
Upshot
outcome
Obstreperous
noisy and boisterous
antidote
Anything that will counteract or remove the effects of poison, disease, or the like.
Skirmish
minor battle
abrade
To wear away the surface or some part of by friction.
Rant
use bombastic language
Abolish
cancel, put an end to
Soothsayer
fortuneteller
Garner
gather, collect
accomplish
v. To bring to pass.
Zany
crazy, wacky
accursed
Doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune.
antemeridian
adj. Before noon.
Exhaustive
complete and thorough
apiary
n. A place where bees are kept.
Renown
Fame
access
n. A way of approach or entrance; passage.
affable
adj. Easy to approach.
Vociferous
noisy, loud in speech
amenable
adj. Willing and ready to submit.
adroit
adj. Having skill in the use of the bodily or mental powers.
Sequester
to keep apart or remove (by law)
Banal
common, dull
Tawdry
of little value, gaudy
anathema
n. Anything forbidden, as by social usage.
ailing
to give pain or have suffering
Perfidy
treachery
Mettle
courage, bravery, valor
Chronicler
person who records historical information
Relinquish
To let go; surrender
athwart
adv. From side to side.
arrear
n. Something overdue and unpaid.
Profundity
depth
Artifice
deception, trickery
Rigorous
harsh
Concatenation
linking into chains
Apathy
lack of interest or emotion
abstinence
n. Self denial.
appease
v. To soothe by quieting anger or indignation.
autumnal
adj. Of or pertaining to autumn.
Predicament
dilemma; difficult situation
Sanctimonious
hypocritically holy
Oblivious
totally unaware
altercate
v. To contend angrily or zealously in words.
resilient
quick to recover
avow
v. To declare openly.
Mutinous
very rebellious
placate
to quiet down, appease
minutiae
trivia; unimportant
Anecdote
an amusing brief story
entourage
group of followers, attendants, or assisstants
Spurious
false
Legend
1) key to map 2) myth or story
contiguous
lying side by side
Podium
raised platform
Omniscient
all-knowing
emulate
follow an example
acme
n. The highest point, or summit.
Capitulate
to surrender under specified conditions; come to terms
ordination
ceremony making someone a minister
taint
to poison as a drink, to corrupt as a person
Reprieve
a respite; postponement of a sentence
Fraudulent
fake, false
Defunct
no longer in existence
abject
adj. Sunk to a low condition.
agile
adj. Able to move or act quickly, physically, or mentally.
Parochial
narrow-minded, concerned only with local matters
Doctrinaire
person attached to a practice without regard to practicality
angelic
adj. Saintly.
archaeology
n. The branch of anthropology concerned with the systematic investigation of the relics of man.
Specious
false
Ameliorate
make better
Gratuitous
unwarranted
Emulate
to imitate something admired
indictment
the situation of having been charged with a crime
Pejorative
derogatory
Attrition
rubbing away or wearing down by friction
outwit
outsmart
antonym
n. A word directly opposed to another in meaning.
suffice
to be adequate or enough
Fallacious
false
animadvert
v. To pass criticism or censure.
amorous
adj. Having a propensity for falling in love.
adulterant
n. An adulterating substance.
Garble
distort, confuse, muddle
Innate
inherited, inborn
Aggregate
sum, total; ~vb: accumulate, add up to
assassin
n. One who kills, or tries to kill, treacherously or secretly.
outmoded
no longer stylish
declamation
excercise in speech-giving; attack or protest
biased
favoring one side or opinion over another
Censure
blame
Arable
can be cultivated
Abhor
Hate
accept
To take when offered.
Instigator
troublemaker, person who entices others to do something
revel
celebrate noisily, have a party
evanescent
short-lived, as an image
artful
adj. Characterized by craft or cunning.
Metamorphosis
marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function
Prescient
having fore-knowledge
Extol
praise
Accost
approach and speak first to a person
Exemplify
to serve as a good example
miser
stingy with money; mean
antic
n. A grotesque, ludicrous, or fantastic action.
Martinet
person who believes in strict discipline
absence
The fact of not being present or available.
Emulate
To strive to equal or excel, especially through imitation
amicable
adj. Done in a friendly spirit.
artless
adj. Ingenuous.
Strident
loud and harsh
annals
n. A record of events in their chronological order, year by year.
Antediluvian
outdated, prehistoric, very old-fashioned
Quaint
picturesque
Subtle
not obvious
ardor
a passion
wary
watchful, alert
jubilation
joy, exultation
Cajole
to convince
Hedonist
a pleasure seeker
Discordancy
cacophony, harshness, jarring
Noxious
Harmful
surrogate
a substitute
Refute
disprove
Quarry
1. something that is hunted;2. mine for stone
skit
a short comic scene
facilitate
to make easier; to help bring about
abbess
The lady superior of a nunnery.
conventional
traditional, ordinary
acknowledgment
n. Recognition.
antiphony
An anthem or other composition sung responsively.
acoustic
Pertaining to the act or sense of hearing.
Parasite
scrounger, animal which takes digested food from another
abbey
n. The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns.
ailment
n. Slight sickness.
Archives
collections of old records, place of storage of old documents
Hyperbole
grossly exaggerated speech
aboveboard
Without concealment, fraud, or trickery.
Bard
poet
Pragmatist
concerned with usefulness
stealthy
sneaky, secret
Delineation
demarcation, explanation, definition, outlining
Antichrist
n. Any opponent or enemy of Christ, whether a person or a power.
jovial
happy
agrarian
adj. Pertaining to land, especially agricultural land.
Vacillate
waver, hesitate
forthcoming
about to appear; available when needed; communicative
Pedant
insists on strict adherence to rules or narrow learning
abusive
Employing harsh words or ill treatment.
Subterfuge
a trick
Scrupulous
careful, diligent, painstaking
frivolous
of little importance
apposite
Appropriate.
Visionary
One who is given to impractical or speculative ideas; a dreamer
Circumvent
avoid
sporadic
having no pattern or order
Lachrymose
tearful, sad
Contrite
sorry
Pervasive
spreading everywhere
condescending
patronizing
warlock
a male witch
Irksome
annoying, infuriating
Crepuscular
active at dawn and dusk
Rebuttal
denial
Succinct
concise
arbitrate
v. To act or give judgment as umpire.
Ponderous
Having great weight - or dull
abbey
The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns.
Expunge
To remove; delete; erase.
orient
adjust
aloof
adv. Not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others.
Irascible
easily angered
Dissolution
breaking into small parts
Discern
to distinguish one thing from another
Lobbyist
tries to persuade someone to support a particular cause
aggravation
n. The fact of being made heavier or more heinous, as a crime , offense, misfortune, etc.
Underscore
emphasize
Tyro
novice, beginner
transmit
to send something out; to broadcast; to pass from one person to another
accede
v. To agree.
adversity
n. Misfortune.
Serene
calm, peaceful
Gullibility
unwariness, trustfulness, being easily fooled
Execrable
very, very bad
Scapegoat
person on whom blame is placed for faults of others
Orthodox
conventional
aeronaut
n. One who navigates the air, a balloonist.
aqueous
adj. Of, pertaining to, or containing water.
Candor
sincerity of expression; openness.
Tangible
can be touched
apposition
n. The act of placing side by side, together, or in contact.
Placebo
harmless medicine with no effect, dummy medicine
anteroom
n. A room situated before and opening into another, usually larger.
Exasperated
frustrated, annoyed
Pliable
flexible, not stubborn
Ludicrous
ridiculous, silly
adduce
v. To bring forward or name for consideration.
amputate
v. To remove by cutting, as a limb or some portion of the body.
anxious
Distressed in mind respecting some uncertain matter.
askance
adv. With a side or indirect glance or meaning.
Lithe
flexible, supple
tepid
neither hot nor cold; lukewarm; bland
Arbitrary
random, for no definite reason
abut
v. To touch at the end or boundary line.
Expedient
convenient, practical
pious
deeply religious
Indifferent
neutral, or not outstanding
anecdote
n. A brief account of some interesting event or incident.
arrogate
v. To take, demand, or claim, especially presumptuously or without reasons or grounds.
automaton
n. Any living being whose actions are or appear to be involuntary or mechanical.
Belittle
to demean
Philistine
uncultured person
incompetent
not able to do something properly
amusement
n. Diversion.
Mercenary
concerned only with money
Deliberate
to think over deeply
autobiography
n. The story of one's life written by himself.
arrange
v. To put in definite or proper order.
Hierarchy
categorization
Antagonism
hostility, strong opposition
Droll
dryly amusing
spurn
to reject
Usurp
take someone's position (usually by force)
affix
v. To fasten.
Impede
To obstruct or interfere with; to delay.
aboveboard
adv. & adj. Without concealment, fraud, or trickery.
acidify
To change into acid.
Cerebral
intellectual
Extrapolate
extend; predict on the basis of known data
amphibious
adj. Living both on land and in water.
Fortitude
bravery
Raucous
rough, unpleasant (of sounds)
Envenom
to cause bitterness and bad feeling
assonate
v. To accord in sound, especially vowel sound.
abrupt
Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break.
Assuage
To satisfy or appease (hunger or thirst, for example)
Titter
giggle quietly
Aloof
distant, detached, cold
Innovate
create, introduce something new
ambidextrous
adj. Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease.
antistrophe
n. The inversion of terms in successive classes, as in "the home of joy and the joy of home".
Inebriation
to be drunk, high, intoxicated
cascade
waterfall, as in a type of fireworks
Protocol
procedure, code of behavior
Connoisseur
person with refined taste and good judgment
superfluous
more than enough
annotate
v. To make explanatory or critical notes on or upon.
antiquary
n. One who collects and examines old things, as coins, books, medals, weapons, etc.
Quandary
dilemma, puzzle
archetype
n. A prototype.
Billowing
swelling, fluttering, waving
antispasmodic
Tending to prevent or relieve non-inflammatory spasmodic affections.
Animosity
hatred, antagonism
sarcastic
the use of witty language used to insult or show displeasure
aver
v. To assert as a fact.
assimilate
v. To adapt.
abdicate
To give up (royal power or the like).
Apocryphal
of doubtful origin
notorious
known widely and unfavorably
acquisition
n. Anything gained, or made one's own, usually by effort or labor.
Aesthetic
concerning art or beauty
Susceptible
vulnerable
Mellow
soft, melodious, ripe
Rustic
Charmingly simple or unsophisticated
Neologism
newly coined word
censure
to criticize harshly
abscond
leave
Diurnal
active in daytime
Cryptic
puzzling, enigmatic
allot
v. To assign a definite thing or part to a certain person.
Gullible
easily fooled
abdominal
n. Of, pertaining to, or situated on the abdomen.
liberal
generous; giving freely
Ingénue
naïve, unsophisticated person
almanac
n. A series of tables giving the days of the week together with certain astronomical information.
appraise
To estimate the money value of.
Ordain
destine; confer holy orders on a priest
accompanist
One who or that which accompanies.
Eminent
noteworthy
amalgam
n. An alloy or union of mercury with another metal.
Nonchalance
an appearance of indifference, calm and composed
Amiable
friendly
Myriad
in large numbers
Incongruous
Not appropriate, unsuited to the surroundings, not fitting in.
Analogous
comparable
Ambiguous
unclear in meaning, can be interpreted in different ways
Aphasia
loss of speech due to injury or illness
fickle
easily changeable, especially in emotions
Antiquated
outdated, old fashioned
Deter
put off, prevent
account
n. A record or statement of receipts and expenditures, or of business transactions.
reverence
profound respect
Complicity
Involvement as an accomplice in a questionable act or a crime
Percipient
perceptive, insightful
Insipid
dull, bland, boring
abstemious
Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food.
Wispy
flimsy, frail, delicate
Inept
incompetent, unskilled, useless
apostle
Any messenger commissioned by or as by divine authority.
Amity
friendship, peaceful relationship between nations
Assiduous
thorough, diligent
Flagrant
clearly wrong
prolific
fertile, very productive
Precedent
a previous occurrence used as a guide
assessor
n. An officer whose duty it is to assess taxes.
Alchemy
medieval chemistry; attempt to change base metal into gold
Relegate
dismiss to a lower position
Quaff
drink down quickly
procrastinate
to delay unnecessarily
absolution
n. Forgiveness, or passing over of offenses.
Migratory
Roving, wandering, a nomadic person.
Zenith
summit
altruistic
doing good for others
acreage
n. Quantity or extent of land, especially of cultivated land.
Lummox
clumsy person
assailant
n. One who attacks.
acrid
adj. Harshly pungent or bitter.
Maelstrom
whirlpool, storm in the ocean
aperture
n. Hole.
Dilemma
puzzling situation
Redress
put right something that was wrong
Tautological
repetition of the same sense in different words; redundancy
Salacious
lecherous, erotic
Misogynist
hater of women
Malinger
deliberately avoid work; shirk
nonchalant
seemingly to be unconcerned or indifferent
Abstain
desist, go without, withdraw
Perceptive
observant
alchemy
n. Chemistry of the middle ages, characterized by the pursuit of changing base metals to gold.
Bulwark
fortification, barricade, wall
Roster
A list of names, especially of personnel available.
rabble
large, disorderly, and easily excited mob
Stoke
add fuel to, strengthen
slander
a false and mean-spirited statement meant to injure someone
autopsy
n. The examination of a dead body by dissection to ascertain the cause of death.
Dilettante
person who dabbles in a subject without serious study
abundant
adj. Plentiful.
appropriate
Suitable for the purpose and circumstances.
Malefactor
a wrong-doer
Apathy
lack of caring, indifference, lack of concern or interest in important matters
Presumptuous
assuming too much, arrogant
Paradox
apparently contradictory statement
Bemoan
complain about
accurate
adj. Conforming exactly to truth or to a standard.
lobbyist
persuader of legislators
null
zero value
Stifle
suppress
Iconoclast
person who opposes orthodoxy
Galleon
ancient type of sailing ship
accumulate
v. To become greater in quantity or number.
satellite
moon, a small thing going around a bigger thing
apiary
a place where bees are kept
incredulous
disbelieving; skeptical
proclivity
propensity; preference
Fatuous
Delusive; unreal
hackneyed
overused, cliched
Cacophony
discordant loud noises
acquisition
Anything gained, or made one's own, usually by effort or labor.
Presentiment
a feeling that something might happen
adjutant
adj. Auxiliary.
Befuddle
confuse
Chary
wary of, cautious about, reluctant to give
armada
n. A fleet of war-vessels.
Portend
foretell
apotheosis
n. Deification.
aspirant
n. One who seeks earnestly, as for advancement, honors, place.
Plaintiff
applicant, petitioner
able-bodied
Competent for physical service.
Palliate
to make less serious
insomnia
inability to fall asleep
Prudent
exercising good judgment or common sense.
Dubious
doubtful
aborigines
The original of earliest known inhabitants of a country.
Chicanery
trickery
Itinerant
nomadic, wandering from place to place
antiseptic
Anything that destroys or restrains the growth of putrefactive micro-organisms.
Slander
A false and malicious statement or report about someone.
discredit
dishonor, disgrace
abjure
To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath.
boorish
rude
Exceptionable
very bad (something which we should object to)
canter
slower than a gallop
Consecrate
dedicate
abridge
v. To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaning out minor particles.
absent-minded
adj. Lacking in attention to immediate surroundings or business.
Ignominious
shameful
Salutary
something which teaches you a lesson; beneficial
acquaint
v. To make familiar or conversant.
superficial
lacking in depth
affront
n. An open insult or indignity.
arid
adj. Very dry.
Denounce
condemn, speak out against
Debauchery
Extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures
Lackluster
dull, monotonous, bland
Coalesce
come together, merge
collaborate
to work together
Buttress
strengthen, support
Contrite
Feeling regret and sorrow for one's sins or offenses
Serendipity
fortunate coincidence, unsought discovery
Capricious
impulsive and unpredictable
absorption
n. The act or process of absorbing.
Antagonistic
acting in opposition, hostile, unfriendly
beguile
to delude, deceive by trickery
aboriginal
adj. Primitive; unsophisticated.
Alibi
an excuse that shows someone was not at a crime scene
Conciliatory
To overcome distrust and hostility
Forensic
concerned with courts of law; concerned with argument
Whet
sharpen
Willful
stubborn
imbue
suffuse
accouter
To dress.
Garrulous
Wordy and rambling:
adverse
adj. Opposing or opposed.
Desist
stop, discontinue, cease
Abate
subside, moderate
Profound
having deep meaning
antipathize
To show or feel a feeling of antagonism, aversion, or dislike.
Sporadic
not continuous, intermittent
Malaise
A general sense of depression or unease
Variegated
multicolored, speckled
Innocuous
harmless, inoffensive
Negligence
carelessness
apprehend
To make a prisoner of (a person) in the name of the law.
Perfidy
Deliberate breach of faith, treachery
ostensible
apparent, pretended
Provincial
unsophisticated, narrow-minded
arrant
adj. Notoriously bad.
flagrant
noticeable
abnegate
v. To renounce (a right or privilege).
underhanded
sneaky
despondent
in a state of depression
Juxtapose
place next to
Obviate
avoid, make unnecessary
archipelago
n. Any large body of water studded with islands, or the islands collectively themselves.
Enunciation
clear pronunciation, accent, articulation
Dirge
mournful song
asperity
n. Harshness or roughness of temper.
alderman
n. A member of a municipal legislative body, who usually exercises also certain judicial functions.
abnormal
Not conformed to the ordinary rule or standard.
Malediction
a curse
achromatic
adj. Colorless,
staunch
steady, loyal
adamant
n. Any substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability.
Emerge
come out, appear
Gambol
frolic, leap, bound
Palliative
a remedy that improves but doesn't cure
Augment
increase, make bigger
quiver
a portable container for arrows
aeronautic
relating to aircraft
Evacuate
vacate, empty, abandon
Flamboyant
showy, ornate
wanton
hard to control, unruly
Precept
guiding principle
Pious
very religious
Overwrought
worked up, in an emotional state
Circumscribe
limit
bravado
showy and pretentious display of courage
assent
v. To express agreement with a statement or matter of opinion.
Allegiance
loyalty
Solicit
to ask for, seek
Fervor
passion, enthusiasm
atrocious
adj. Outrageously or wantonly wicked, criminal, vile, or cruel.
Jurisprudence
science or study of law
Precocious
developing early
accost
To speak to.
Suffragist
someone who campaigns for voting rights
Farcical
mockery
Dogmatic
having stubbornly held opinions
banal
unoriginal and boring
alienable
adj. Capable of being aliened or alienated, as lands.
arbitrary
adj. Fixed or done capriciously.
Comprehensive
showing extensive understanding
aldermanship
n. The dignity, condition, office, or term of office of an alderman.
Furtive
secretly (sly)
amply
adv. Sufficiently.
Congeal
to solidify
Aversion
a dislike of
Deride
ridicule, make fun of, mock
abscond
To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest.
apology
n. A disclaimer of intentional error or offense.
aborigines
n. The original of earliest known inhabitants of a country.
appertain
v. To belong, as by right, fitness, association, classification, possession, or natural relation.
Credulous
gullible, ready to believe anything
Magnate
powerful businessman
Parity
equality
Virtuoso
an accomplished musician
Impoverished
destitute, poor
Savant
person with knowledge
ambiguous
adj. Having a double meaning.
assuage
v. To cause to be less harsh, violent, or severe, as excitement, appetite, pain, or disease.
Prosody
study of versification
accessory
A person or thing that aids the principal agent.
arid
extremely dry
Histrionic
theatrical, exaggerated
acetic
adj. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of vinegar.
Parsimonious
economical, frugal, thrifty
abscess
A Collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body.
Obfuscate
deliberately make something difficult to understand
Rogue
An unprincipled, deceitful, and unreliable person; a scoundrel or rascal
Didactic
intended to teach, instructive
auburn
adj. Reddish-brown, said usually of the hair.
Jaded
tired, bored, worn out
Chronic
continuing for a long time (illness)
somber
serious, dark, gloomy
eccentric
odd, unconventional
Intermittent
sporadic, irregular
Clamor
shout, scream
florid
flushed, ornate
Adulation
strong admiration, worship
Nihilism
total rejection of established laws
Assiduous
hardworking
Mire
swamp, muddy ground
Trinket
something of little value, knick-knack
Conspicuous
easily seen, prominent
haughty
stuck-up; arrogant; snobbish
condone
to forgive or disregard an offense
meager
sparse; thin and deficient
approbation
Sanction.
acetate
A salt of acetic acid.
Virulent
Extremely infectious or poisonous.
abominate
v. To hate violently.
Enfranchise
give voting rights
accusatory
adj. Of, pertaining to, or involving an accusation.
exquisite
beautifully made or designed
Atrocity
atrocious act
Traverse
cross
Bombast
arrogant, pompous language
Stringent
imposing rigorous standards of performance
dupe
to deceive; to trick; a person easily tricked
writhe
to twist
Headstrong
stubborn, willful
adjacent
n. That which is near or bordering upon.
dearth
scarcity, lack
incumbent
someone who is currently holding a political position
consensus
an agreement
flippant
not serious, playful; irreverent
Opportune
Occuring or coming at a good time.
assignee
n. One who is appointed to act for another in the management of certain property and interests.
Voluminous
very large, spacious
obscure
hidden or dark, hard to see
Flippant
making jokes about serious matters
emblematic
symbolic, representative of more
Malleable
flexible, can be shaped
abeyance
A state of suspension or temporary inaction.
chasm
gorge or deep canyon
Novice
a beginner, tyro
Effusive
gushing; demonstrative
arbiter
n. One chosen or appointed, by mutual consent of parties in dispute, to decide matters.
rout
conquer, defeat, and chase off
emulate
to imitate or copy
Gustatory
concerned with the sense of taste
Sanguinary
bloodthirsty, bloody
accord
to be in agreement
Auxiliary
offering or providing help, additional or subsidiary
pretense
a false or misleading show of something
Consensus
general agreement
Receptacle
container, vessel, holder
Appease
pacify, soothe, calm down, make peace with
Precipitous
done in a hurry
Misnomer
wrong name
Tenuous
flimsy, not solid
Abstemious
self denying, refraining from indulging
Perpetuated
caused to continue
Partisan
biased, one-sided, committed to one group
orthodox
traditional, conservaative belief
Infer
to imply
quest
a pursuit or search
Ironic
satiric, unexpected
Perjury
lying under oath
ascribe
v. To assign as a quality or attribute.
austere
severe
acquiescence
n. Passive consent.
accompaniment
A subordinate part or parts, enriching or supporting the leading part.
Ambidextrous
capable of using either hand with equal ease
lament
to express grief for, mourn
Voluble
talkative
Magnate
powerful or influential person
adjudge
v. To award or bestow by formal decision.
expunge
to delete or omit completely
abnormal
adj. Not conformed to the ordinary rule or standard.
govel
to humble oneself, to beg
pugnent
sharp
deft
skillful
Emancipate
set free
abyss
n. Bottomless gulf.
Emaciated
very thin, withered
rendezvous
a meeting, usually secret
accurate
Conforming exactly to truth or to a standard.
disdain
to regard with scorn
aye
adv. An expression of assent.
Unconscionable
unscrupulous (without conscious)
Corpulent
fat
admonition
n. Gentle reproof.
anew
adv. Once more.
accommodate
v. To furnish something as a kindness or favor.
apathy
n. Insensibility to emotion or passionate feeling.
Whelp
young dog
Expedite
make faster
adulterate
v. To make impure by the admixture of other or baser ingredients.
deluge
to overflow with water; inundate
fidelity
faithfulness to duties; truthfulness
Abhor
to hate
anxious
adj. Distressed in mind respecting some uncertain matter.
Scrutinize
examine carefully
Complacent
self-satisfied, smug
Nonentity
a person of no importance, not famous
accompaniment
n. A subordinate part or parts, enriching or supporting the leading part.
Remorse
regret, sorrow, contrition
Amenable
Responsive to advice, authority, or suggestion; willing.
Chastises
punishes
prudent
wise, careful, cautious
Archaic
ancient, outdated, old fashioned
Drawl
speak slowly with words running together
Diorama
model of a scene
abjure
v. To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath.
repartee
witty conversation, retort
Abstruse
difficult to understand, obscure
Derogatory
uncomplimentary
paucity
smallness of number; scarcity
Speckled
spotted, freckled, dotted
Exculpate
free someone from blame, pardon, acquit
audacious
adj. Fearless.
Preeminent
famous, outstanding
acetic
Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of vinegar.
antechamber
n. A waiting room for those who seek audience.
Ebullient
very lively, cheerful, jovial, happy
reconciliation
agreement after a quarrel
Clientele
customers
splice
to join, bind, attach
prosperity
wealth, success
Coddle
pamper, fuss over, indulge
atone
v. To make amends for.
Lampoon
ridicule, spoof
acoustic
adj. Pertaining to the act or sense of hearing.
Evade
To elude or avoid by cunning; to flee from a pursuer.
Urbane
sophisticated, suave
Audacity
fearless daring
Forbear
To refrain from, to abstain, to be patient or tolerant.
ostentatious
displaying wealth
Absolve
pardon (an offense)
Morose
gloomy, bad tempered
Malady
illness
Prodigious
very large
affirmative
adj. Answering yes; to a question at issue.
Impious
wicked, profane
procure
to obtain
Venal
corrupt; can be bribed
Negate
cancel, deny
decibel
a degree of loudness
Bigot
narrow-minded, prejudiced person
animosity
n. Hatred.
superficial
on the surface only; shallow; not thorough
Maladroit
clumsy, unskillful
Ruminate
turn a matter over and over in the mind
Transient
short-lived, ephemeral
Balk
hinder and prevent; hesitate over
Furtive
hidden and secret
accumulate
To become greater in quantity or number.
aggravate
v. To make heavier, worse, or more burdensome.
anthology
n. A collection of extracts from the writings of various authors.
ambulate
v. To walk about
Supercilious
proud and haughty
Conciliate
to bring together, end a dispute
Pedestrian
common, mundane, banal
compromise
to settle differences
Callow
immature
Deteriorate
worsen, decline
acumen
n. Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination.
intangible
unable to be touched or sensed
pinnacle
top, apex; peak
Annex
attach, add to a large thing, take possession of, incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit
inert
having no power to move or act; resisting motion or action
Waive
surrender, give up
appellation
The name or title by which a particular person, class, or thing is called.
assiduous
hard-working
vitalize
make something come alive
Cower
recoil in fear or servility, shrink away from
Germane
relevant
absolution
Forgiveness, or passing over of offenses.
Labyrinthine
complicated, highly convoluted
Caldron
huge cooking pot
Potent
powerful, compelling, strong
Overt
obvious, not hidden
Soporific
inducing sleep
Misanthrope
hater of the rest of mankind
ablution
n. A washing or cleansing, especially of the body.
academician
A member of an academy of literature, art, or science.
animadversion
n. The utterance of criticism or censure.
parched
dried up
Eccentric
unusual, quirky, odd
Sloth
Aversion to work or exertion; laziness; indolence
Polarize
To cause to concentrate about two conflicting or contrasting positions
annalist
n. Historian.
Protégé
person under protection of, or guided by another
Achillean
adj. Invulnerable.
abbess
n. The lady superior of a nunnery.
appall
To fill with dismay or horror.
erudite
knowledgable and learned
allege
v. To assert to be true, especially in a formal manner, as in court.
Sanguine
optimistic, cheerful
Stereotype
fixed image
Bestial
behaving like a beast, brutal
scull
a small rowboat or an oar for a rowboat
outstrip
outdo
attract
to pull towards; to stimulate interest
Expatriate
refugee, emigrant, someone living away from his own country
belligerent
hostile, warlike
Wane
grow less
substantiate
to verify, confirm
curator
someone in charge of a museum or zoo
Olfactory
concerned with the sense of smell
analogy
n. Reasoning in which from certain and known relations or resemblance others are formed.
anticyclone
n. An atmospheric condition of high central pressure, with currents flowing outward.
Distinguish
To perceive as being different or distinct.
Homily
An inspirational saying or platitude
temperate
consistent; moderate; without extremes
Advocate
support
acid
n. A sour substance.
Dilatory
slow, falling behind with one's work
venerable
respectable due to age
Deplore
regret
Stoic
known for fortitude, indifferent to pleasure or pain
Peremptory
Final
tenacious
holding firmly, especially to a belief, stubborn
Despondent
Feeling dejected, having no hope
Deprecate
criticize, denounce
abomination
A very detestable act or practice.
Quagmire
marsh, bog
alder
n. Any shrub or small tree of the genus Alumnus, of the oak family.
altitude
n. Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea.
Rescind
retract, repeal
abidance
An abiding.
affectation
attempt to appear to be what one is not, for the purpose of impressing others
anthropology
n. The science of man in general.
Fauna
catalog of the animals of a specific region or period
Chattel
An item of personal, movable property; slave.
congeal
to thicken, or change from liquid to solid
intuitive
instinctive, untaught
pacifist
one opposed to force
abeyance
n. A state of suspension or temporary inaction.
Detrimental
harmful
Antagonistic
opposed, hostile, aggressive
incendiary
an agitator
adumbrate
v. To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem.
Tangent
going off the main subject
Prevaricate
speak misleadingly and evasively
Chimerical
changeable, unstable
adjourn
to postpone; to suspend for a period of time
abdomen
n. In mammals, the visceral cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor; the belly.
Frugal
economical, not wasting anything
Circumscribe
To draw a line around; encircle - to restrict
Despondent
having no hope, miserable
Advent
arrival
insolent
disrespectful, rude
Navigable
suitable for sailing
adjacency
n. The state of being adjacent.
Exorcism
getting free/rid of, eliminating (especially demons)
Machinations
plots and plans
Amorphous
lacking in shape
anonymous
nameless
accelerate
v. To move faster.
pachyderm
thick-skinned animal
Niggardly
miserly, stingy
Tranquil
peaceful
antipodes
A place or region on the opposite side of the earth.
Clemency
mercy
Mercurial
Quick and changeable in temperament; volatile
Palisade
fence made of posts
Milieu
An environment or a setting.
appellate
Capable of being appealed to.
accuracy
Exactness.
Torpor
dormancy, sluggishness, inactivity
Tantamount
having the same or equivalent in effect or value
Recant
disclaim, retract statement
inevitable
unavoidable, certain
Inductee
novice; beginner
Arbitrary
unreasonable or capricious, random, tyrannical
Ameliorate
To make or become better; improve
Libertarian
someone who opposes tyranny
acute
adj. Having fine and penetrating discernment.
abase
To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade.
Vertigo
dizziness
Trenchant
Cutting, incisive, having a sharp point, caustic, sarcastic.
abrasion
n. That which is rubbed off.
Extraneous
irrelevant
anatomy
n. That branch of morphology which treats of the structure of organisms.
Destitute
Utterly lacking
Egalitarianism
belief in equality
Embezzle
defraud, steal
renaissance
rebirth, or revival
Inveterate
habitual
Arduous
Hard, difficult, tiresome.
Insentient
unfeeling
antedate
v. To assign or affix a date to earlier than the actual one.
Exposition
clear explanation
apotheosis
Deification.
abut
To touch at the end or boundary line.
opulent
wealthy
convergence
joining of parts
Annals
records arranged in yearly parts, history
Apprehensive
worried, fearful
travesty
mockery
access
A way of approach or entrance; passage.
Singular
Being only one; individual.
dubious
doubtful
Perfunctory
superficial, cursory
acquit
v. To free or clear, as from accusation.
Cerebral
Of or relating to the brain; an intellectual person.
Discursiveness
long windedness, indirectness
apposition
The act of placing side by side, together, or in contact.
Inaugurate
to begin officially
trite
lacking originality, inspiration
Profane
Vulgar or coarse.
Bureaucracy
officialdom
Blighted
damaged, destroyed, ruined
optimum
the most favorable point or condition
accredit
v. To give credit or authority to.
Adversity
hardship
Eclectic
taking things from different sources
Patronize
condescend to, behave in an arrogant manner towards
antiphon
n. A response or alteration of responses, generally musical.
arrogant
adj. Unduly or excessively proud, as of wealth, station, learning, etc.
Anarchy
chaos, lack of government
Assimilate
absorb, take (food) into the body and digest it, understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly, cause to become homogeneous
Remenisce
The act or practice of recalling the past.
prehensile
grasping
Castigate
scold strongly
Itinerant
One who travels from place to place.
Audacious
daring, bold
Adulterate
To make impure by adding extraneous or inferior ingredients.
Inscrutable
mysterious, impenetrable
Devoured
greedily eaten/consumed
Adhere
stick fast, be a devoted follower
Artisan
craftsman
accession
Induction or elevation, as to dignity, office, or government.
Rancor
resentment, animosity, bad feeling
perfidious
disloyal
Contentious
quarrelsome
Cliché
overused expression, something unoriginal
Salubrious
health-giving
Vilify
to make a villain
apparent
Easily understood.
Illuminate
to light up or make clear
Absolution
forgiveness, pardon, release
abhorrence
n. The act of detesting extremely.
Ogle
stare at, observe in an obvious manner
Incantation
Ritual recitation of verbal charms, spells to produce a magic effect
abrasion
That which is rubbed off.
haughty
arrogant, condescending
aurora
n. A luminous phenomenon in the upper regions of the atmosphere.
abominable
Very hateful.
Jeopardize
put at risk, endanger
abridge
To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaning out minor particles.
chaff
waste
Inherent
Existing as an essential constituent or characteristic; intrinsic.
Byline
the line that tells you who wrote an article
Perspicacity
insight
aplomb
confidence
Mallet
hammer, stick used for polo
plight
a bad situation, a predicament
alley
n. A narrow street, garden path, walk, or the like.
Commandeer
take possession of
extenuating
guilt diminishing
adept
very skilled
Demur
hesitate, refuse
ruse
a clever trick
Affront
insult, offense, intentional act of disrespect; ~vb: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
aide-de-camp
n. An officer who receives and transmits the orders of the general.
Inexpedient
not advisable
Acquiesce
to agree to, give in to
superfluous
more than what is required or needed
accompany
To go with, or be associated with, as a companion.
subjective
influenced by personal opinion, biased
Anglo-Saxon
n. The entire English race wherever found, as in Europe, the United States, or India.
Veneer
surface coating
Marsupial
pouched mammal (like a kangaroo)
Anthropocentrism
putting man at the center of one's philosophy
Exonerates
acquits, absolves, removes blame
accelerate
To move faster.
arcade
n. A vaulted passageway or street; a roofed passageway having shops, etc., opening from it.
Red tape
formalities, paperwork, official procedure
anticlimax
n. A gradual or sudden decrease in the importance or impressiveness of what is said.
Personable
attractive
palatable
good tasting
Exemplary
outstandingly good, setting a fine example
aghast
overcome by surprise
Beguile
mislead, lure
apostate
False.
browbeat
to intimidate
Despot
A ruler with absolute power, tyrant
Desecration
spoiling something holy
absent-minded
Lacking in attention to immediate surroundings or business.
Affable
friendly, social, easygoing
Capacious
spacious
alabaster
n. A white or delicately tinted fine-grained gypsum.
Inveterate
deeply rooted
Efface
To rub away.
accouter
v. To dress.
assess
to evaluate or determine the worth of
Scale
to climb
admissible
adj. Having the right or privilege of entry.
avocation
n. Diversion.
trepidation
fear, apprehension
Benevolent
Characterized by or suggestive of doing good
auricular
adj. Of or pertaining to the ear, its auricle, or the sense of hearing.
Novel
new
admonish
to scold
Gibbering
making meaningless noises
ascetic
adj. Given to severe self-denial and practicing excessive abstinence and devotion.
affluence
n. A profuse or abundant supply of riches.
rancor
bad feeling, bitterness
rancid
having a strong smell, offensive
Regale
entertain
epoch
a period of time
quell
stifle
Intrepid
Brave
accustom
v. To make familiar by use.
antiquate
v. To make old or out of date.
avalanche
n. The fall or sliding of a mass of snow or ice down a mountain-slope, often bearing with it rock.
Temerity
rash boldness
Tenacious
stubborn, resolute, holding firm to a purpose
extroverted
outgoing or interested in people
aperture
Hole.
Olympian
majestic; God-like
Benevolent
kindly
Jingoistic
extremely patriotic, nationalistic
Fastidious
overly particular, finicky
Furrow
groove
archaeology
the recovery and study of material evidence from the past
appellation
n. The name or title by which a particular person, class, or thing is called.
schism
division or separation between groups of members within an organization
Misrepresentation
deliberately deceiving
Serrated
jagged, saw-like
Milieu
environment
aura
n. Pervasive psychic influence supposed to emanate from persons
abidance
n. An abiding.
Lethargic
tired, without energy
barrage
a flood
aural
adj. Of or pertaining to the ear.
vacant
stark
skeptical
doubtful
accursed
adj. Doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune.
Mendacious
given to lying
alternate
n. One chosen to act in place of another, in case of the absence or incapacity of that other.
apex
The highest point, as of a mountain.
Cringe
recoil, flinch, shy away
Heed
listen to
perversion
to corrupt, misdirect, or misuse
Peccadillo
minor weakness; trivial offence
irate
enraged
Notoriety
infamy, known for wrong doing
taut
stretched tightly; tense
antecedent
n. One who or that which precedes or goes before, as in time, place, rank, order, or causality.
Repudiate
shun, eschew
Opaque
does not let light through
antagonism
n. Mutual opposition or resistance of counteracting forces, principles, or persons.
affect
v. To act upon
ampere
n. The practical unit of electric-current strength.
inherent
included as an essential part; intrinsic
Riddled
full of (usually full of holes)
Burgeon
grow, flourish, put forth new shoots
Beret
type of cap
Immoderate
excessive, extreme, flattering
auricle
n. One of the two chambers of the heart which receives the blood from the veins.
Jaundiced
cynical, pessimistic
restrained
controlled, restricted
Wary
hesitant, cautious
Hallowed
worshipped, consecrated
Instigate
to start, provoke
Staunch
loyal, faithful, dependable
surmise
to guess, to infer
anterior
adj. Prior.
Flaunt
show off, display in a showy manner
Jaunt
short pleasure trip
Abrasiveness
harshness, coarseness
appellate
adj. Capable of being appealed to.
Euphemism
a polite phrase to cover something unpleasant
distraction
mental distress; that which amuses or entertains
Seminary
an institution in which priests are trained
Intransigent
stubborn, unyielding
renowned
well-known, famous, celebrated
Subversive
rebellious, revolutionary
diligent
hard-working
abundant
Plentiful.
Concatenate
link together
abscission
n. The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation.
Nullify
to counter, make unimportant
ordeal
severe trial or affliction
antislavery
adj. Opposed to human slavery.
Apotheosis
elevation to godhood, an ideal example of something
Peruse
read carefully
assailable
able to be attacked
alcoholism
n. A condition resulting from the inordinate or persistent use of alcoholic beverages.
accessible
Approachable.
Pinnacle
topmost point
absolve
To free from sin or its penalties.
aerostat
n. A balloon or other apparatus floating in or sustained by the air.
Pivotal
of central importance
Replete
Full
Austere
Stern, as in manner, plain, simple
mundane
ordinary, common
Dike
dam, embankment
Sardonic
mocking
Pretentious
pompous, self-important
annex
v. To add or affix at the end.
Contiguous
adjoining or near
amatory
adj. Designed to excite love.
censor
to remove material, suppress
Apocryphal
Of questionable authorship or authenticity
Relegate
To assign to a lower position or to classify something
Stupefying
astonishing, shocking, stunning into silence
Laconic
using few words, brief, short to the point
Bolster
support, prop up
Predecessor
one who came before
amalgamate
v. To mix or blend together in a homogeneous body.
absurd
Inconsistent with reason or common sense.
Irrevocable
cannot be cancelled, unchangeable
Lofty
snooty, arrogant, haughty
augur
v. To predict.
ornithology
study of birds
Luscious
juicy, moist, succulent
awry
adv. & adj. Out of the proper form, direction, or position.
abscission
The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation.
Recapitulate
summarize
tact
a keen sense of what to do or what to say
annunciation
n. Proclamation.
Arid
(of land) dry, barren, unproductive
ashen
adj. Pale.
antecede
v. To precede.
impetuous
rash, impulsive
achromatic
Colorless,
Deleterious
harmful
antispasmodic
adj. Tending to prevent or relieve non-inflammatory spasmodic affections.
Asylum
place of refuge or safety
attache
n. A subordinate member of a diplomatic embassy.
Posthumous
after death
Putative
Generally regarded as such; supposed
summit
a conference
Pernicious
destructive, harmful
appraise
v. To estimate the money value of.
longevity
long life
Profane
unholy
Undermined
damaged, attacked
alternative
n. Something that may or must exist, be taken or chosen, or done instead of something else.
aroma
n. An agreeable odor.
antagonist
opponent
accompany
v. To go with, or be associated with, as a companion.
Bilk
cheat, defraud
Incipient
just beginning
amicable
agreeable
Nomadic
wandering from place to place
Inertia
inactivity, lethargy
awaken
v. To arouse, as emotion, interest, or the like.
Hyperbole
A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect
Parry
ward off, avoid
debunk
to prove false
ordinance
decree
Histronic
Overly dramatic, theatrical.
Concise
stated in few words
Credible
Believable
Verbose
talkative, long-winded, rambling
abdomen
In mammals, the visceral cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor; the belly.
Parody
a mockery, imitation for ridicule, spoof
antiquate
To make old or out of date.
Meager
in short supply
Contumacious
stubborn
Beleaguer
To besiege, beset, surround, harass.
Amass
accumulate
administrator
n. One who manages affairs of any kind.
antique
adj. Pertaining to ancient times.
Magnanimous
Generous in forgiving;unselfish
Retraction
withdrawal, cancellation of a statement
annihilate
v. To destroy absolutely.
recur
to return; to occur again
anhydrous
adj. Withered.
Ruminate
think over something, ponder
peruse
read
Utopian
a believer in an ideal world
Mentor
to tutor
Zeal
enthusiasm
Artesian
well n. A very deep bored well. water rises due to underground pressure
armory
n. An arsenal.
Nuance
Something subtle, a fine shade of meaning
Indelible
cannot be wiped out
Harangue
noisy attacking speech
appease
To soothe by quieting anger or indignation.
Achillean
Invulnerable.
fallow
unused
alias
n. An assumed name.
Obtuse
mentally dull
Puerile
childish
Vindictive
Disposed to seek revenge; revengeful
limber
bending and moving easily
Sycophant
bootlicker, flatterer
Egress
exit
submissive
meek
Benignity
compassion, gentleness, fondness
Subjugate
To bring under control; conquer
Homogeneous
all of the same or similar kind or nature;
abstemious
adj. Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food.
Drone
monotonous noise; to speak with no emotion
sagacity
wisdom
saucy
impudent, impertinent, flippant
Machination
The act of plotting
Grate
annoy, aggravate, vex
Preclude
prevent or make impossible
harmonious
in agreement
Relentless
unyielding in severity or strictness;
Banality
ordinariness, dullness
allude
v. To refer incidentally, or by suggestion.
Pariah
an outcast from society
abstruse
adj. Dealing with matters difficult to be understood.
Onus
burden
Pensive
in a thoughtful mood, thinking deeply
augment
v. To make bigger.
analyze
v. To examine minutely or critically.
Rotund
round
avert
v. To turn away or aside.
mar
to spoil, to mark
Palpable
easily felt, easily perceived
arrival
n. A coming to stopping-place or destination.
merge
to blend together
Arcane
obscure, known only to a few people
Quixotic
Idealistic and totally impractial.
deficient
lacking an essential part
coalesce
to come together
Vindicate
prove right, remove blame
dormant
temporarily inactive, asleep
Munificent
generous, charitable
eradicate
to erase or get rid of
Unfrock
to remove a priest from his position
acerbity
n. Sourness, with bitterness and astringency.
albino
n. A person with milky white skin and hair, and eyes with bright red pupil and usually pink iris.
Paltry
Lacking in importance or worth
Compliant
easy to control, submissive
facet
an aspect of something
surreptitious
secret, stealthy
Fatuous
silly, foolish
Indigenous
native to a particular area
marvel
to be astonished or surprised; to wonder
Connoisseur
An expert, particularly in matters of art and taste.
absurd
adj. Inconsistent with reason or common sense.
advent
n. The coming or arrival, as of any important change, event, state, or personage.
secular
not religious; worldly
Infamous
famous for something bad
Parsimony
stinginess, frugality, cost-cutting
hedonist
pleasure seeker
Panacea
A remedy for all diseases, evils, or difficulties; a cure-all.
Lamentation
Expression of regret or sorrow
absorption
The act or process of absorbing.
Marred
damaged, spoiled
Hamper
hinder, obstruct
adversity
misfortune
regal
royal, splendid
Sentinel
guard, sentry
Truncate
cut short
robust
healthy
Metaphorically
symbolically, figuratively
Articulate
clear, lucid, eloquent
Judicious
correct in judgment, wise
Immutable
unchanging, permanent
abhorrent
Very repugnant; hateful.
Altruism
putting others first, being self-sacrificing
abduction
A carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally.
arborescent
adj. Having the nature of a tree.
admonish
v. To warn of a fault.
Curtail
to cut short
assonant
adj. Having resemblance of sound.
Dispassionate
neutral, objective
Resolution
determination
abet
v. To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense).
Persnickety
fastidious, fussy
varidgated
having many parts or colors
Cartographer
person who makes maps
Acumen
mental keenness, sharpness of judgment, ability to judge quickly and well
Certitude
certainty
Substantiate
give supporting evidence
Decoy
lure, trap, trick
Covert
hidden, undercover
Vivacity
liveliness, animation
annuity
n. An annual allowance, payment, or income.
Incongruous
not fitting in, out of place
antemundane
adj. Pertaining to time before the world's creation.
sedate
to calm, especially by use of a drug
academician
n. A member of an academy of literature, art, or science.
Garrulous
talkative
Abundant
present in great quantity, over-sufficient, plentiful
Oblique
indirect, slanting
Proletarian
member of the working class
accomplice
n. An associate in wrong-doing.
apprehensible
Capable of being conceived.
Referendum
public vote
demagogue
rabble-rousing leader
Marshal
to gather together
abstruse
Dealing with matters difficult to be understood.
apparition
n. Ghost.
Caucus
type of private political meeting
accessible
adj. Approachable.
Amelioration
improvement
nonchalant
calm, casual
Sacrosanct
very holy, inviolable
aperture
opening
Archetype
classic example of
Philanthropy
charity, love of mankind
antilogy
Inconsistency or contradiction in terms or ideas.
paradox
contradiction, something that doesn't fit
Bulwark
A defensive wall, something serving as a principle defense.
acquiesce
v. To comply; submit.
Husbandry
the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
Inclination
tendency, a leaning toward
Atrophy
waste away from lack of use
antonym
A word directly opposed to another in meaning.
Purported
Assumed to be such; supposed
angular
adj. Sharp-cornered.
Remonstrate
To say or plead in protest, objection, or reproof
afterthought
n. A thought that comes later than its appropriate or expected time.
Contrition
sorrow and repentance
Whimsical
capricious, changeable
Encroach
To advance beyond proper or former limits
antiphon
A response or alteration of responses, generally musical.
Virulent
dangerous, harmful
Fractious
irritable, difficult to control
Strut
swagger, show off
innate
possessed at birth, not learned
Livid
very angry
addendum
n. Something added, or to be added.
Fecund
fertile
Volatile
dangerously unstable; evaporates easily
Virtuoso
A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts
Hoary
old
Nostalgia
longing for the past
succumb
to give in, to submit
Novel
new, unusual
ambrosial
adj. Divinely sweet, fragrant, or delicious.
antislavery
Opposed to human slavery.
Affable
easily approachable, easy to talk to, warmly friendly
Peripatetic
Walking about or from place to place; traveling on foot
Fly-by-night
unreliable, disreputable
Sobriety
Moderation in or abstinence from consumption of alcoholic liquor
Endorse
give support or approval to
Exacting
demanding
Stratum
a level of society
aspirant
someone reaching for something
asylum
sanctuary
Transcribe
copy
Engender
Cause
Unscathed
unharmed, intact, without a scratch
anthropology
The science of man in general.
Tactile
concerned with the sense of touch
adherence
n. Attachment.
Astute
to be shrewd,clever
Extradite
deport from one country back to the home country
accuse
v. To charge with wrong doing, misconduct, or error.
Celerity
speed
Counterfeit
fake, false
Unfetter
set free
Cajole
coax
Temper
to moderate, soften
repudiate
to put down, to renounce
academic
adj. Of or pertaining to an academy, college, or university.
Vagrant
person wandering without a home
Circumlocution
using too many words, long-windedness
Invidious
arousing envy
reminiscence
a memory, the act or recalling the past
Nuzzle
cuddle, snuggle
vicarious
felt as if one were taking part in the experiences of another
Consummate
complete, total, supremely good
ardent
characterized by passion or desire
Abject
showing utter hoplessness and misery
abyss
Bottomless gulf.
hypothesis
theory requiring proof
Capitulate
surrender, give in to
Prodigal
extravagant, reckless
Congenital
present from birth
accuracy
n. Exactness.
opportune
appropriate to time or circumstances: timely, lucky
altruist
n. One who advocates or practices altruism.
insipid
lacking interest, dull, boring
tether
chain or rope tied to an animal to keep in within specific bounds
Americanism
n. A peculiar sense in which an English word or phrase is used in the United States.
Disinterested
unbiased
Torpid
inactive, lazy, stagnant
Ratify
approve, consent
albeit
conj. Even though.
Genre
a category, type
Discriminate
to make a clear distinction, see the difference
Comprise
To consist of; be composed of:
orgy
wild, drunken revelry
audible
adj. Loud enough to be heard.
ephemeral
momentary, fleeting
oath
a formal promise
Euphony
pleasant sounds
provocative
inflammatory
Punctilious
paying attention to small details
Erratic
wandering, irregular
Irrevocable
Impossible to retract or take back
Redolent
smelling of; giving off odors
Asunder
To seperate, apart from each other in position.
aggression
n. An unprovoked attack.
Peerless
without equal
aversion
n. A mental condition of fixed opposition to or dislike of some particular thing.
Knotty
complex, difficult to solve
Divert
1. entertain; 2. distract; 3. cause a detour
Vignette
small sketch
founder
to sink
aesthetic
pertaining to beauty
addle
v. To make inefficient or worthless; muddle.
dogged
persistent in effort; stubbornly tencious
Stanza
section of a poem
abrade
v. To wear away the surface or some part of by friction.
incompatible
unable to work together
ally
n. A person or thing connected with another, usually in some relation of helpfulness.
Recluse
someone who cuts himself off from life
aliment
n. That which nourishes.
ascendant
adj. Dominant.
Extrinsic
irrelevant, on the outside
Collate
arrange in order
accept
v. To take when offered.
champion
side with
Felicitous
apt
alteration
n. Change or modification.
Deplete
use up, lessen
acid
A sour substance.
Enshroud
cover
Incantation
chant, invocation, prayer
Notorious
Known widely and usually unfavorably; infamous
conformist
follower of customs
extricate
to release from difficulty or an entanglement
Belie
contradict
Ubiquitous
found everywhere, omnipresent
Altruism
devotion to others, without selfish motives
Stolid
impassive, dull, indifferent
adhere
v. To stick fast or together.
deleterious
harmful
querulous
irritable
Prerogative
right or privilege
Hypochondriac
a person obsessed with health; having imaginary illnesses
Condoning
overlooking, disregarding, ignoring
Placate
pacify, soothe, calm
renovation
state of being renewed
Zealot
fanatic
spontaneity
impulsive action
Preamble
introductory material
saturate
to fill something to a point where it can hold no more
adhesion
n. The state of being attached or joined.
anticlimax
A gradual or sudden decrease in the importance or impressiveness of what is said.
adage
old saying, proverb
Curtail
cut short
Mercurial
volatile, changeable
Pathos
evoking sadness or pity
Anomaly
something which does not fit in a pattern, irregularity
exemplary
outstanding
Choleric
easily angered
assassination
n. Murderer, as by secret assault or treachery.
Intransigence
stubbornness
hostility
animosity
antic
A grotesque, ludicrous, or fantastic action.
eminent
distinguished, high in rank or station
Weighty
serious
Quarantine
isolation to prevent the spread of disease
Tentative
not certain
Benign
kindly, harmless
Interminable
never ending
Obdurate
stubborn
ameliorate
v. To relieve, as from pain or hardship
Elucidate
make clear
ante
v. In the game of poker, to put up a stake before the cards are dealt.
Perdition
damnation
refurbish
to brighten, or freshen up; to renovate
Germinal
just growing, not developed, immature
Dogmatic
authoritative, arrogant assertion of unproved or unprovable principles
corrupt
marked by immorality; dishonest; containing errors (as a text)
Lament
To express sorrow or regret; to mourn.
ancestry
n. One's ancestors collectively.
Gratis
free of charge, without payment
Plebian
common people
Incessant
without stopping
Dulcet
Melodious, soft, soothing.
transient
temporary, fleeting
Judicious
having or exhibiting sound judgment; prudent
adieu
inter. Good-by; farewell.
autonomous
adj. Self-governing.
anemometer
n. An instrument for measuring the force or velocity of wind.
abbot
n. The superior of a community of monks.
abstain
v. To keep oneself back (from doing or using something).
ornate
elaborately or excessive decorated
Irrational
unreasonable, absurd
Querulous
always complaining
Ramble
wander aimlessly
abase
v. To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade.
Trite
unoriginal, dull
Modicum
small amount
anachronism
n. Anything occurring or existing out of its proper time.
Monotonous
dull, unvarying
abdominal
Of, pertaining to, or situated on the abdomen.
ascension
n. The act of rising.
Illusory
deceptive, false, misleading
austere
adj. Severely simple; unadorned.
arrangement
n. The act of putting in proper order, or the state of being put in order.
abet
To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense).
imply
to express indirectly
Eloquent
fluent and persuasive in speech
append
To add or attach, as something accessory, subordinate, or supplementary.
Bane
troublesome influence
anemia
n. Deficiency of blood or red corpuscles.
Begrudge
resent
Precinct
district of a city
Penury
poverty
actuary
n. An officer, as of an insurance company, who calculates and states the risks and premiums.
apostasy
A total departure from one's faith or religion.
Verbosity
using too many words
Legion
in large numbers
Digress
wander off the subject
Candor
frankness, openness
ablution
A washing or cleansing, especially of the body.
Creditable
praiseworthy
antenatal
adj. Occurring or existing before birth.
Dichotomy
a division into two parts
compassion
sympathy, mercy
archaic
adj. Antiquated
alkali
n. Anything that will neutralize an acid, as lime, magnesia, etc.
caprice
sudden, unpredictable change
adjunct
n. Something joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinate place.
Talisman
lucky charm
decrepit
unhealthy; weak
Abrogate
cancel, deny, repeal
abscond
v. To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest.
Nondescript
having no special features, dull and ordinary
Cogitate
think over something, ponder
acme
The highest point, or summit.
afire
adv. & adj. On fire, literally or figuratively.
Indolence
laziness
aphorism
n. Proverb.
acrimony
n. Sharpness or bitterness of speech or temper.
imminent
about to happen, on the verge of occurring
anthology
an assorment of works of art
animalcule
n. An animal of microscopic smallness.
adverse
unfavorable, opposed, going against
Docile
Ready and willing to be taught; teachable, complicit
Fanatical
obsessive, fixated
Caustic
burning
humanitarian
promoting social welfare; philanthropist
ado
n. unnecessary activity or ceremony.
absolve
clear
Panacea
remedy for all ills
Dolt
stupid person
hovel
a shack
inconsequential
trivial
atonement
n. Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury.
inquiry
a request for information
Jocular
in a joking manner
Sparse
spare, bare, meager
Onerous
burdensome, hard to undertake
auspice
n. favoring, protecting, or propitious influence or guidance.
accusation
n. A charge of crime, misdemeanor, or error.
abnegate
To renounce (a right or privilege).
Beleaguer
besiege, attack
Oust
push out of a position
ardor
n. Intensity of passion or affection.
assets
n. pl. Property in general, regarded as applicable to the payment of debts.
anthropomorphous
Having or resembling human form.
Scuttle
sink
Apathy
no emotion
Ambulatory
able to walk around (used of hospital patients)
Ensconce
establish firmly in a position
acclaim
v. To utter with a shout.
Nebulous
vague
Contusion
a bruise
Objective
unbiased, not subjective
Ominous
threatening
sanctimonious
acting morally superior, holier-than-thou
Deride
ridicule, treat contemptuously
Infer
deduce, conclude
exasperation
irritation, frustration
provincial
limited in perspective; unsophisticated
apostle
n. Any messenger commissioned by or as by divine authority.
Frivolous
not serious
accomplice
An associate in wrong-doing.
Skeptical
doubting, not gullible
decomposition
disintegration
accost
v. To speak to.
anarchy
n. Absence or utter disregard of government.
antipathize
v. To show or feel a feeling of antagonism, aversion, or dislike.
Attenuate
weaken
auriferous
adj. Containing gold.
overwrought
extremely agitated, hysterical
Merge
come together
abusive
adj. Employing harsh words or ill treatment.
Uproarious
hilarious, hysterical, very funny
Rudimentary
rough, first draft
fervent
zealous; more intense than eager
inscribe
to write or etch words on or into a surface
ardent
adj. Burning with passion.
Paragon
a perfect example
tactile
tangible
Endurance
staying power, patience, stamina
acidify
v. To change into acid.
Amity
friendship
Adroit
Skillful and adept under pressing conditions
ostentatious
showy, pretentious
Omnipotent
all-powerful
artifice
n. Trickery.
fabricate
falsify
Effigy
a model of a person
Paucity
shortage
acclaim
To utter with a shout.
acknowledge
v. To recognize; to admit the genuineness or validity of.
Catharsis
purging of pent-up emotions
abrupt
adj. Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break.
apothecary
One who keeps drugs for sale and puts up prescriptions.
Alacrity
cheerful, promptness, without reluctance
Ostentatious
showy
Edifice
building, structure, construction
boisterous
loud and unrestrained
Apocalyptic
prophetic, pertaining to revelations especially of disaster
adjuration
n. A vehement appeal.
Peripatetic
nomadic, moving from place to place
mendicant
beggar
Saccharin
falsely sweet
impasse
a deadlock, a point at which one can go no further
Exemplify
To illustrate by example
Sagacious
wise
Provincial
limited to one's small outlook
arboreal
adj. Of or pertaining to a tree or trees.
tumult
noise and confusion
Lucid
clear
accompanist
n. One who or that which accompanies.
altar
n. Any raised place or structure on which sacrifices may be offered or incense burned.
absolve
v. To free from sin or its penalties.
Etymology
the study of word origins
movement
a rhythmic sequence
amorphous
without shape
glib
able to speak profusely; having a ready flow of words
Moribund
on the point of death
Wily
cunning
Phenomenon
an event or happening (plural: phenomena)
archangel
n. An angel of high rank.
acquiesce
To comply; submit.
disperse
to scatter in different directions
assay
n. The chemical analysis or testing of an alloy ore.
Garish
Gaudy
camaraderie
trust among friends
Unwitting
not deliberate, unconscious
Hangar
storage area (like garage) for a plane
din
loud, confused noise
Alacrity
eagerness, enthusiasm, quickness
wan
sickly; feeble or pale
exquisite
of extreme beauty or excellence
Abstruse
obscure, profound, difficult to understand
amplitude
n. Largeness.
Pallid
pale
appreciable
adj. Capable of being discerned by the senses or intellect.
enhance
improve, augment
Broach
start to discuss, approach
Abash
to make ashamed
autarchy
n. Unrestricted power.
aggregate
n. The entire number, sum, mass, or quantity of something.
aspiration
n. An earnest wish for that which is above one's present reach.
Purloin
steal
affectation
n. A studied or ostentatious pretense or attempt.
Benefactor
One that gives aid, especially financial aid
Ornate
highly decorated
Pusillanimous
cowardly
Resonant
echoing
Indulgent
pampering, satisfying desires
ingenuity
innovation, creativity
Impartial
unbiased, neutral
abbreviate
shorten, abridge
outlandish
bizarre, peculiar
Protagonist
main character in film, book, play, etc.
acetate
n. A salt of acetic acid.
Arthurian
adj. Pertaining to King Arthur, the real or legendary hero of British poetic story.
Paradigm
One that serves as a pattern or model.
Inimical
hostile
Flout
defy, reject
abomination
n. A very detestable act or practice.
Analgesic
medicine to combat pain
avarice
n. Passion for getting and keeping riches.
Servile
overly submissive, groveling
Efface
wipe out, remove all trace of
Enduring
lasting
abject
Sunk to a low condition.
apostate
adj. False.
Tome
large book
brood
to be deep in thought; to think over moodily and at length
Dynamic
lively, vibrant, energetic
autocracy
n. Absolute government.
Coercion
force
Portent
a warning sign, omen
academy
n. Any institution where the higher branches of learning are taught.
ebullient
overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement
acquit
To free or clear, as from accusation.
Unctuous
suave or smooth
accredit
To give credit or authority to.
Vitriolic
corrosive, strongly attacking
rapture
filled with delight; ectasy
Ambiguity
uncertainty, vagueness
Blithe
free-spirited, carefree
Confound
confuse
Diligent
hard-working
Ingrate
ungrateful person
Injunction
The act of giving a command, directive, or order
Defoliate
cause leaves to fall off
Conventional
usual, customary, common
recreation
something done for fun, a hobby or game
Unalloyed
undiluted, total
Tardy
slow, late, overdue, delayed
Polemic
controversial
antitoxin
n. A substance which neutralizes the poisonous products of micro-organisms.
scathing
overly critical
Masochist
person who intentionally inflicts pain on himself
apex
n. The highest point, as of a mountain.
Inane
silly
discursive
covering a wide area or digressing from a topic
antique
Pertaining to ancient times.
apogee
n. The climax.
clairvoyant
able to see the future
Circumspect
cautious, considering all sides
Venerate
revere, worship
allotment
n. Portion.
aviary
n. A spacious cage or enclosure in which live birds are kept.
alacrity
cheerful willingness; swiftness
acquittal
A discharge from accusation by judicial action.
Sanction
give approval to
haughtiness
arrogance, pride
Subpoena
summons to court
Exhort
To make urgent appeal.
accuse
To charge with wrong doing, misconduct, or error.
Perfunctory
Done routinely and with little interest or care
Unprecedented
never having happened before
inadvertent
unintentional
Paramount
of supreme importance
decisive
conclusive; beyond doubt; showing determination
appropriate
adj. Suitable for the purpose and circumstances.
Redundant
unnecessary, superfluous
Stratagem
plot, plan, trick
Eulogy
praise
Unremitting
Never slackening; persistent
Poseur
someone who puts on an act
Prostration
lying face down, or, be overcome with extreme weakness
aerostatics
n. The branch of pneumatics that treats of the equilibrium, pressure, and mechanical properties.
alienation
n. Estrangement.
Petulant
sulky, peevish
trifle
something of little importance; to talk in a joking manner
Sage
a wise person
Robust
strong, healthy, tough
Proficient
Having or marked by an advanced degree of competence
Suspect
doubtful
Conundrum
a puzzle
absence
n. The fact of not being present or available.
Reprehensible
shameful, very bad
Annex
take possession of, seize, capture
Innate
Possessed as an essential characteristic; inherent.
Disparity
an inequality
Officious
domineering; intrusive; meddlesome
Dearth
A scarce supply; a lack:
Superlative
extremely good, the best
Tumult
uproar, noise
Discord
disagreement
Vivify
enliven
aspire
v. To have an earnest desire, wish, or longing, as for something high and good, not yet attained.
Finesse
skill
Hone
sharpen, increase, whet
nebulous
hazy, not well-defined
Maverick
a loner
vindicate
to clear from blame
authentic
adj. Of undisputed origin.
bile
ill temper, irritablility
advocate
to speak in support of something
annual
adj. Occurring every year.
circuitous
indirect, roundabout
Jollity
gaiety, happiness
Remuneration
payment for work done
Petrify
terrify, turn to stone
Pertinent
relevant
afresh
adv. Once more, after rest or interval.
deport
to behave in accord with the rules
benevolent
friendly, helpful
Blasphemy
speech which offends religious sentiments
actionable
adj. Affording cause for instituting an action, as trespass, slanderous words.
antilogy
n. Inconsistency or contradiction in terms or ideas.
Inconsequential
unimportant, insignificant, negligible
able-bodied
adj. Competent for physical service.
Lax
careless, not strict
Procrastinate
To put off until later
Dotard
foolish old man
astute
adj. Keen in discernment.
dogmatic
arrogantly asserting unproved principles
alienate
v. To cause to turn away.
abstinence
Self denial.
Ephemeral
short-lived
Appease
pacify or soothe
ascertain
to find out or discover by examination
accusation
A charge of crime, misdemeanor, or error.
Inconspicuous
not easily seen, subtle, not noticeable
Utilitarian
useful
refutation
disproof
ornithologist
scientific student of birds
insurgent
rebel; rising in revolt, starting a revolution
akin
adj. Of similar nature or qualities.
Posterity
future generations
advert
v. To refer incidentally.
accessory
n. A person or thing that aids the principal agent.
Egregious
outstandingly, obviously bad
Incessant
Continuing without interruption
assailable
vulnerable
quarry
a hunted bird or animal; prey
Lynch
assassinate, kill, illegal hanging
conditional
provisional, contingent
abyss
a deep narrow pit
ransack
to search thoroughly and messily
sustain
to support
ambitious
adj. Eagerly desirous and aspiring.
Cantankerous
bad-tempered, quarrelsome
Precarious
unstable, risky
Hasten
hurry, accelerate, rush
squander
to waste on something worthless
Contrived
Obviously planned or calculated
Endemic
peculiar to a particular locality, region, or people
polymorphous
having many shapes
abridgment
n. A condensed form as of a book or play.
Veracity
truthfulness
Anglophobia
n. Hatred or dread of England or of what is English.
countenance
to approve or support; the general appearance or behavior of something or someone
Sluggard
slow-moving, lethargic person
Burnish
polish
archbishop
n. The chief of the bishops of an ecclesiastical province in the Greek, Roman, and Anglican church.
abhorrence
The act of detesting extremely.
Corrugated
highly folded
Ineffable
cannot be expressed in words
abstract
without reference to specific instance or concrete existence; theoretical; to remove
Admonish
To reprove gently but earnestly
Irreproachable
cannot be criticized; perfect
apostasy
n. A total departure from one's faith or religion.
scrutinize
to observe carefully
Circumlocution
The use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language
abominable
adj. Very hateful.
Moratorium
temporary prohibition or halt to activity
Poignant
Profoundly moving; touching: physically painful
abridgment
A condensed form as of a book or play.
insinuation
a sneaky suggestion or something bad
Voracious
ravenous
Esoteric
obscure and difficult to understand
profane
to abuse or put to ill use
Paradigm
example, model, way of looking at things
Solace
comfort for grief
Aspire
seek to attain (position or status), long for
Ambivalent
having mixed feelings
congregation
crowd of people
Postulate
hypothesize, propose
Daunt
To abate the courage of; discourage
Quirk
oddity
Antarctic
adj. Pertaining to the south pole or the regions near it.
absorb
To drink in or suck up, as a sponge absorbs water.
brash
bold
Abate
to reduce
analogous
adj. Corresponding (to some other) in certain respects, as in form, proportion, relations.
jubilant
overly joyful
Vilification
blackening someone's name
fortuitous
lucky
Alleviate
make less severe
Elusive
hard to pin down
rancorous
hateful
Microcosm
a miniature model of something
aristocracy
n. A hereditary nobility
Procrastinate
delay, put off
Appease
To satisfy or relieve
acute
sharp, intense; crucial
Kindle
to start a fire
aggress
v. To make the first attack.
Destitution
hardship, poverty, misery
ache
To be in pain or distress.
animate
v. To make alive.
Vehemence
violence, fervor, forcefulness
apposite
adj. Appropriate.
atrocity
horrible, usually butal, act
Ascetic
without luxuries, severely simple
Nettle
annoy
Hackneyed
common and over used
Hypocritical
insincere
Precipice
steep slope
Analogous
comparable, similar
Adroit
skillful (in using mind or hand)
apparent
adj. Easily understood.
Espouse
promote, take up, support
Peremptory
in a commanding manner
alien
n. One who owes allegiance to a foreign government.
Inadvertent
not intentional
aberration
n. Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course.
ache
v. To be in pain or distress.
ironic
the use of words to express an unintended or contradictory meaning
alluvion
n. Flood.
antediluvian
adj. Of or pertaining to the times, things, events before the great flood in the days of Noah.
Momentous
very important
Smelt
refine an ore
aboriginal
Primitive; unsophisticated.
Augustinian
adj. Pertaining to St. Augustine, his doctrines, or the religious orders called after him.
Insurgent
a rebel
Blatant
Obvious
Gregarious
extroverted, sociable, outgoing
anticyclone
An atmospheric condition of high central pressure, with currents flowing outward.
Berate
scold, criticize
misbegotten
poorly conceived, poorly planned, based on false assumptions and reasonings
precocious
talented beyond one's age
Potable
suitable for drinking
averse
adj. Reluctant.
Guile
cunning, craftiness
Pyromania
compulsion to start fires
Exacerbate
make worse
Pillage
plunder
Profess
To affirm openly; declare or claim
Urbane
Polite, refined, and often elegant in manner
reclusive
withdrawn, hermit-like
annihilate
to destroy completely
allusion
n. An indirect and incidental reference to something without definite mention of it.
overbearing
bossy and arrogant, decisively important
acknowledge
To recognize; to admit the genuineness or validity of.
aberration
Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course.
amateur
adj. Practicing an art or occupation for the love of it, but not as a profession.
Disseminating
circulating, broadcasting, spreading (information)
novice
a beginner
solicit
to seek something from another; to make a request of someone
Infallible
perfect, flawless
Ramifications
branches; subdivisions of a complex system
Exhaustive
very thorough and complete
Unwitting
Not knowing; unaware
Apotheosis
An exalted or glorified example:
Apathetic
indifferent, uninterested, lethargic
Meticulous
very careful, painstaking
cache
a hiding place for treasure
aeronautics
n. the art or practice of flying aircraft
album
n. A book whose leaves are so made to form paper frames for holding photographs or the like.
Annex
a building which is an addition to an existing building
Smorgasbord
a Swedish buffet of cold dishes
reprehensible
deserving to be severely criticized
Clandestine
secret, covert, stealthy
anode
n. The point where or path by which a voltaic current enters an electrolyte or the like.
abstain
To keep oneself back (from doing or using something).
frugal
thrifty
Enigma
puzzle, mystery
Genteel
Refined in manner; well-bred and polite
Censorious
disapproving, critical
Laceration
a cut
Resignation
Acceptance of fate
airy
adj. Delicate, ethereal.
Nefarious
wicked, immoral, disreputable
novice
beginner
ambivalent
having opposing or mixed feelings
Profanity
swearing, cursing
Vapid
dull, uninspiring
Antichrist
Any opponent or enemy of Christ, whether a person or a power.
append
v. To add or attach, as something accessory, subordinate, or supplementary.
perennial
lasting through the years
encompass
to form a circle or a ring around
Glacial
hostile, unfriendly, cold, icy
impute
to attribute to someone
alacrity
n. Cheerful willingness.
aqueduct
n. A water-conduit, particularly one for supplying a community from a distance.
credible
plausible
armful
n. As much as can be held in the arm or arms.
Feasible
possible and practicable
grotesque
odd or unnatural in some way
anthracite
n. Hard coal.
irritable
petulant
futile
having no useful result
Collage
picture made from fragments of other pictures
Acquiesce
assent, agree passively, comply without protest
alter
v. To make change in.
advocacy
n. The act of pleading a cause.
academic
Of or pertaining to an academy, college, or university.
hoax
falsification
advisory
adj. Not mandatory.
Accolade
tribute, honor, praise
abrogate
To abolish, repeal.
Debacle
A sudden, disastrous collapse, downfall, or defeat
Tedium
Boredom
analytical
intending to understand the nature of something
domestic
relating to the home or family; relating to one's own country
Impecunious
having no money
Odious
hateful
seethe
to heave or bubble from great inner turmoil, as a volcano; to boil
refractory
stubborn
Exegesis
scholarly explanation or interpretation
accommodate
To furnish something as a kindness or favor.
adoration
n. Profound devotion.
pretentious
pompous, self-important
Dexterous
skilful with hands
Ambivalence
lack of clarity, wavering, being undecided
Clairvoyant
psychic, mystic
absorb
v. To drink in or suck up, as a sponge absorbs water.
objective
not influenced by personal opinion, just the facts
affiliate
n. Some auxiliary person or thing.
accede
To agree.
archdeacon
n. A high official administrator of the affairs of a diocese.
Tractable
obedient, dutiful, polite
menace
a threat; to threaten
reimburse
to repay someone for their expenses
appreciable
Capable of being discerned by the senses or intellect.
auditory
adj. Of or pertaining to hearing or the organs or sense of hearing.
Candid
frank, honest
aghast
adj. Struck with terror and amazement.
admittance
n. Entrance, or the right or permission to enter.
Somnambulist
sleepwalker
meticulous
careful, paying attention to details
anemic
adj. Affected with anemia.
acquaint
To make familiar or conversant.
Perspicacious
insightful, sharp, wise
Vehement
forceful
Lavish
on a grand scale, wasteful
jest
to joke
antiphony
n. An anthem or other composition sung responsively.
Brusque
blunt, abrupt
authenticity
n. The state or quality of being genuine, or of the origin and authorship claimed.
Venial
minor, unimportant
Sequester
isolate
Rigor
thoroughness
Amenable
obedient, compliant, readily managed, resonsive, willing to be led, answerable or accountable legally
Circuitous
Being or taking a roundabout, lengthy course
assiduous
adj. Diligent.
Aloof
Distant, reserved in manner, uninvolved.
habitat
the place where a person or thing is ordinarily found
Transgress
go astray, disobey, commit a sin
Ire
anger (Remember irate means very angry)
Revere
worship
Parched
dried up
advertiser
n. One who advertises, especially in newspapers.
autonomy
n. Self-government.
actuate
v. To move or incite to action.
elucidate
make clear
Raze
destroy, demolish, tear down
Gritty
coarse, granular
abstinence
act of refraining from
advocate
n. One who pleads the cause of another, as in a legal or ecclesiastical court.
Incoherent
not clear
Inexorable
relentless
apparition
Ghost.
Carping
constant criticism
brazen
made with brass; to face with defiance and impudence
Palatable
good to eat, agreeable
Mundane
ordinary, worldly
Sallow
yellowish
ampersand
n. The character &; and.
Collusion
plotting and planning
arbor
n. A tree.
amour
n. A love-affair, especially one of an illicit nature.
Belligerent
aggressive, ready to fight
Depravity
moral corruption
decree
an order or a command
Fanaticism
passion,excessive devotion
Patron
one who give support (usually financial)
Laud
praise
orator
speaker
Circuitous
indirect
Bludgeon
A short, heavy thick club that has one end larger then the other.
Turpitude
depravity
autocrat
n. Any one who claims or wields unrestricted or undisputed authority or influence.
athirst
adj. Wanting water.
Porcine
As of a pig.
appertain
To belong, as by right, fitness, association, classification, possession, or natural relation.

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