| Term | Definition |
|---|
| somber | ADJ. gloomy; depressing. |
| somnambulist | N. sleepwalker. |
| somnolent | ADJ. half asleep. |
| sonorous | ADJ. resonant. |
| sophist | N. teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning. |
| sophisticated | ADJ. worldly wise and urbane; complex. |
| sophistry | N. seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning. |
| sophomoric | ADJ. immature; half-baked, like a sophomore. |
| soporific | ADJ. sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness. |
| sordid | ADJ. filthy; base; vile. |
| spangle | N. small metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation. |
| sparse | ADJ. not thick; thinly scattered; scanty. |
| spartan | ADJ. lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined. |
| spasmodic | ADJ. fitful; periodic. |
| spat | N. squabble; minor dispute. |
| spate | N. sudden flood. |
| spatial | ADJ. relating to space. |
| spatula | N. broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing. |
| spawn | V. lay eggs. |
| specious | ADJ. seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally). |
| spectral | ADJ. ghostly. |
| spectrum | N. colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism. |
| spendthrift | N. someone who wastes money. |
| sphinx-like | ADJ. enigmatic; mysterious. |
| splice | V. fasten together; unite. |
| spontaneity | N. lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint. |
| spoonerism | N. accidental transposition of sounds in successive words. |
| sporadic | ADJ. occuring irregularly. |
| sportive | ADJ. playful. |
| spruce | ADJ. neat and trim. |
| spry | ADJ. vigorously active; nimble. |
| spurious | ADJ. false; counterfeit; illogical; forged. |
| squabble | N. minor quarrel; bickering. |
| squalor | N. filth; degradation; dirty. neglected state. |
| squander | V. waste. |
| squat | ADJ. stocky; short and thick. |
| staccato | ADJ. played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound. |
| stagnant | ADJ. motionless; stale; dull. |
| staid | V. sober; sedate. |
| spurn | V. reject; scorn. |
| stalemate | N. deadlock. |
| stalwart | ADJ. strong; brawny; steadfast; hardened; calloused; muscular; firm and resolute; stout; valiant; having or marked by imposing physical strength. |
| stamina | N. strength; staying power. |
| stanch | V. check flow of blood. |
| stanza | N. division fo a poem. |
| static | ADJ. unchanging; lacking development. |
| statute | N. law enacted by legislature; a decree or edict, as of a ruler; an established law or rule, as of a corporation. |
| statutory | ADJ. created by statute or legislative action. |
| steadfast | ADJ. loyal; unswerving. |
| stealth | ADJ. sneakiness; slyness; secretiveness. |
| steep | V. soak; saturate. |
| stellar | ADJ. pertaining to the stars. |
| stem | V. check the flow. |
| stem from | V. arise from. |
| stentorian | ADJ. extremely loud. |
| stereotype | N. fixed and unvarying representation; standardize mental picture, often reflecting prejudice. |
| stickler | N. perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right. |
| stifle | V. suppress; extinguish; inhibit. |
| stigma | N. token of disgrace; brand; shame. |
| stilted | ADJ. bombastic; stiffly pompous. |
| stint | V. be thrifty; set limits. |
| stint | N. supply; allotted amount; assigned portion of work. |
| stipend | N. pay for services. |
| stipple | V. paint or draw with dots. |
| stipulate | V. make express conditions, specify; to lay down as a condition of an agreement; require by contract; to form an agreement. |
| stock | ADJ. typical; standard; keep regularly in supply. |
| stockade | N. wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier; an enclosure in which prisoners are kept; a jail on a military base; a similar fenced or enclosed area, especially one used for protection; a defensive barrier made of strong posts or timbers driven upright side by side into the ground. |
| stodgy | ADJ. stuffy; boringly conservative. |
| stoic | ADJ. impassive; unmoved by joy or grief. |
| stoke | V. stir up a fire; feed plentifully. |
| stolid | ADJ. dull; impassive. |
| stratagem | N. cleaver trick; deceptive scheme. |
| stratified | ADJ. divided into classes; arranged into strata. |
| stratum | N. layer of earth's surface; layer of society. |
| strew | V. spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter. |
| striated | ADJ. marked with parallel bands; grooved. |
| stricture | N. critical comments; severe and adverse criticism. |
| strident | ADJ. loud and harsh; insistent. |
| stringent | ADJ. binding; rigid. |
| strut | N. pompous walk. |
| strut | N. supporting bar. |
| studied | ADJ. unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful. |
| stultify | V. cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; frustrate or hinder. |
| stupefy | V. make numb; stun; amaze. |
| stupor | N. state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness. |
| stygian | ADJ. gloomy; hellish; deathly. |
| stymie | V. present an obstacle; stump. |
| suavity | N. urbanity; polish. |
| subaltern | N. subordinate. |
| subdued | ADJ. less intense; quieter. |
| subjective | ADJ. occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal. |
| subjugate | V. conquer; bring under control. |
| sublimate | V. refine; purify. |
| sublime | ADJ. exalted; noble and uplifting; utter. |
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